It is usual to talk about the cloud as if it were a generic service, as if there were only one way to use it. However, nothing is further from reality. Cloud computing services can be classified from two points of view. Here they are.
Classification by Type of Cloud
It is possible to classify the services in the cloud according to who is the property of the accommodation, that is, the servers. In this way, they can be divided into three types:
– Private cloud: it is for the exclusive use of the owner company, which may have infrastructures in its same location. This entails taking care of everything from within the same company, including technical and specialized parties, so it is necessary to have a good team to do so.
– Public cloud: the business hires the services in the cloud to a company specialized in cloud computing. In this way, it is not necessary to worry about technical issues or maintenance. You just have to use it. But the provider of these services must be properly selected if you want to be sure of obtaining an adequate quality and security.
– Hybrid Cloud: combines the best of the two previous types. The company has its own private infrastructure for daily use, but this connects to a public cloud in specific cases of excess load or for specific tasks. This type of cloud guarantees the security of the company’s fundamental data, which can always be in the private infrastructure, while allowing flexibility thanks to the possibility of scaling the system.
Classification by Application Level
Another way to classify these services is by the level at which they are used. The cloud has different levels or layers that go from the infrastructure, through the platform, to the software used by the end user. According to this classification, there are the types:
– SaaS (Software-as-a-Service): it is the simplest system for companies, but also the least safe because, although technical knowledge is not required but you just have to use the software of the company installed in the service , control of the location of information is also lost.
– PaaS (Platform-as-a-Service): the company can create and use its own applications, adapted to their specific needs, but should not worry about the hardware management in which they are installed.
– IaaS (Infrastructure-as-a-Service): the company is responsible for the development of the software that best suits its needs, but also for the management and configuration of storage and servers, albeit in a virtual and remote way. It is the most versatile type of cloud within this classification, because it allows maximum personalization.
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