Back to: Cloud Computing
☁️ Types of Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is categorized into different types based on deployment models and service models.
1️⃣ Deployment Models of Cloud Computing 🏢
Cloud deployment models define how the cloud is hosted, managed, and accessed. There are four main types:
🔹 Public Cloud 🌎
- Owned & managed by third-party cloud providers.
- Accessible to multiple organizations over the internet.
- Cost-effective but less control over data & security.
✅ Examples: AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, IBM Cloud.
✅ Use Case: Hosting websites, SaaS applications, AI/ML workloads.
🔹 Private Cloud 🔐
- Dedicated to a single organization (can be on-premise or hosted by a provider).
- Offers higher security, control, and customization.
- Expensive compared to public cloud.
✅ Examples: VMware vSphere, OpenStack, AWS Outposts.
✅ Use Case: Banking, government, and healthcare sectors requiring strict security.
🔹 Hybrid Cloud 🔄
- Combination of public + private cloud.
- Provides flexibility, allowing organizations to store sensitive data in a private cloud while utilizing public cloud for scalability.
✅ Examples: AWS Hybrid Cloud, Google Anthos, Microsoft Azure Hybrid.
✅ Use Case: Enterprises needing both security & scalability, like finance and retail.
🔹 Multi-Cloud ☁️☁️
- Uses multiple cloud providers to avoid vendor lock-in.
- Reduces the risk of downtime and failures.
✅ Examples: Using AWS for compute, Azure for AI, and Google Cloud for analytics.
✅ Use Case: Large enterprises wanting redundancy and flexibility.
2️⃣ Cloud Service Models (SPI Model) 🏗️
Cloud services are classified into three main categories:
🔹 Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) 🏭
- Provides virtualized computing resources (servers, storage, networking).
- Users manage their own software, OS, and applications.
- Offers high flexibility and scalability.
✅ Examples: AWS EC2, Google Compute Engine, Microsoft Azure VMs.
✅ Use Case: Hosting applications, disaster recovery, storage solutions.
🔹 Platform as a Service (PaaS) 🏗️
- Provides a ready-to-use platform for development & deployment.
- Developers focus on building apps without managing infrastructure.
✅ Examples: Google App Engine, AWS Elastic Beanstalk, Microsoft Azure App Services.
✅ Use Case: Software development, testing, and deployment.
🔹 Software as a Service (SaaS) 🖥️
- Fully managed cloud-based applications accessible via the internet.
- Users don’t worry about infrastructure, maintenance, or updates.
✅ Examples: Gmail, Dropbox, Zoom, Salesforce, Office 365.
✅ Use Case: Business applications, collaboration tools, and CRM software.
Other Cloud Service Models 🌐
- Function as a Service (FaaS) → Serverless computing (AWS Lambda, Google Cloud Functions).
- Backend as a Service (BaaS) → Cloud backend for mobile & web apps (Firebase, AWS Amplify).
🚀 Conclusion
The choice of cloud type depends on business needs, security requirements, and scalability.