Cloud Service Models Questions Medium
The main differences between Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS) models lie in the level of control and responsibility that the user has over the underlying infrastructure and software.
IaaS is a cloud computing model where the cloud provider offers virtualized computing resources such as virtual machines, storage, and networking infrastructure. In this model, the user has more control and responsibility over the operating systems, middleware, and applications, as they are responsible for managing and maintaining the virtualized infrastructure. Users can deploy and run their own software and applications on the provided infrastructure, giving them more flexibility and customization options. However, this also means that the user is responsible for tasks such as patching, security, and scaling of the infrastructure.
On the other hand, SaaS is a cloud computing model where the cloud provider offers ready-to-use software applications over the internet. In this model, the user has minimal control and responsibility over the underlying infrastructure and software. The cloud provider takes care of managing and maintaining the infrastructure, including hardware, operating systems, and middleware. Users can access and use the software applications provided by the cloud provider through a web browser or a thin client. This model offers convenience and ease of use, as users do not have to worry about infrastructure management, maintenance, or software updates. However, it also limits customization options and control over the software, as users have to rely on the features and functionalities provided by the cloud provider.
In summary, the main differences between IaaS and SaaS models are the level of control and responsibility over the infrastructure and software. IaaS provides more control and customization options but requires more management and maintenance efforts from the user. SaaS, on the other hand, offers convenience and ease of use but limits customization and control over the software.