A Beginner’s Guide to Cloud Computing – Part 2 | Fraser Valley IT Support

In our last post, we talked about all things cloudy. Not the weather, of course. Cloud computing! We looked at reasons why SMBs may be wary of the cloud, as well as the pros and cons of cloud migration. Now, the world of cloud computing is a big one, (More than we could fit in 1 blog post!), so, let us delve a little deeper into types of cloud computing…

You see, not all clouds are the same. And, like many types of software or service, different clouds fit different people (or businesses). If you are thinking of cloud migration, you need to explore the different types and decide on the right one for you.

Types of Deployment

There are 3 main types of cloud deployment…

Private Cloud – A private cloud is a server, network or data centre that is completely dedicated to 1 business or organization. For some, this is physically located at the company. Others may employ a third party to host their private cloud instead.

Public Cloud – Public Clouds are owned and operated by third-party service providers. These providers use the internet to deliver their services and provide service for multiple companies. They also manage all the infrastructure, software, hardware, and so on, involved.

Hybrid Cloud – Hybrid clouds are a combination of the 2 previously mentioned. So, using technology that tie them together, the company may use the functionality of public for some tasks, while using private for others. Alternatively, they could be using public cloud services to back up their private cloud.  Hybrid allows for greater flexibility.

Cloud Service Types

The majority of cloud computing services fall into 4 types…

Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) – This is a commonly-used service where businesses rent the IT infrastructure they need. (Servers, storage, networks) They then use that infrastructure to build what they want, using their own applications and software. It quickly scales up and down, depending on how much you need. You only pay for what you use. (e.g. Google Compute Engine, OpenStack, Digital Ocean)

Platform as a service (PaaS) – This is an on-demand environment where you can develop, test, deliver and manage software applications. It was designed to help developers quickly create apps without the hassle of managing the infrastructure needed. (e.g. Microsoft Azure)

Software as a service (SaaS) – This is a way of delivering software programs over the Internet. It is usually done on a subscription basis. The service provider hosts, manages and updates the software as needed, while the user logs in to the app over the Internet to use it. (e.g. Microsoft Office, Salesforce, Slack)

Function as a service (FaaS) – Also known as Serverless Computing, this type overlaps with PaaS. It gives developers the ability to build applications without the hassle of maintaining servers and infrastructure. The provider handles the set-up, capacity and server management.

Types of Cloud Computing Everywhere

From small start-ups to global organizations, cloud computing has changed the way many do business. You are probably using cloud computing without even realizing it. Whether it is to save costs, improve efficiency or upscaling capacity, more and more businesses are migrating to the cloud.

If you would like help with seeing how the different Types of Cloud Computing can help your business, contact us! We would be happy to advise you and help with your cloud migration.