🌩️ What is the Cloud? Cloud Computing Models & Deployment Types
Cloud computing is everywhere — from Netflix and YouTube to banking and gaming apps. But what exactly is the cloud, and why is it so important for businesses and individuals?
In this blog, we’ll simplify:
-
What cloud computing means
-
Core cloud service models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS)
-
Major deployment models (Public, Private, Hybrid, and more)
🌐 What is Cloud Computing?
Cloud computing is the delivery of computing services — like servers, storage, databases, networking, software — over the internet (“the cloud”).
Instead of buying and maintaining physical infrastructure, you can rent these resources from cloud providers like AWS (Amazon Web Services), Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud.
🧠 Example:
Instead of buying a USB drive, imagine you upload files to Google Drive or Dropbox — that’s cloud storage!
🎯 Benefits of Cloud Computing
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Cost-Efficiency | No upfront hardware costs. Pay-as-you-go model. |
| Scalability | Instantly scale up or down based on demand. |
| High Availability | Resources are distributed across multiple regions for fault tolerance. |
| Speed & Agility | Quickly deploy apps or services with minimal setup. |
| Security | Providers offer encryption, IAM, and compliance tools out-of-the-box. |
☁️ Cloud Computing Service Models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS)
These define how much control vs convenience you get.
1. IaaS – Infrastructure as a Service
🔹 Examples: AWS EC2, Azure Virtual Machines, Google Compute Engine
2. PaaS – Platform as a Service
🔹 Examples: AWS Elastic Beanstalk, Google App Engine, Heroku
3. SaaS – Software as a Service
🔹 Examples: Gmail, Zoom, Salesforce, Microsoft 365
🏗️ Cloud Deployment Models
Deployment models define where your cloud services run — and who controls them.
1. Public Cloud
-
Services are delivered over the internet.
-
Shared by multiple customers.
-
Managed by a third-party like AWS.
🔹 Example: Hosting a blog on AWS using S3 + CloudFront
2. Private Cloud
-
Services are used exclusively by a single organization.
-
Hosted on-premise or via third-party vendors.
🔹 Example: Bank hosting customer data on its own private servers
3. Hybrid Cloud
-
Combines public and private cloud environments.
-
Data and applications can move between them.
🔹 Example: Hospital storing patient data privately but using public cloud for analytics
4. Multi-Cloud
-
Uses multiple cloud providers (e.g., AWS + Azure) for different tasks.
📘 AWS Cloud Practitioner Exam Tips
-
Understand the differences between IaaS, PaaS, SaaS
-
Know real-world examples of each deployment model
-
Focus on benefits of cloud computing from a business point of view
🧠 Quick Recap
| Term | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| IaaS | Rent hardware resources | AWS EC2, Azure VMs |
| PaaS | Build apps without managing hardware | AWS Elastic Beanstalk |
| SaaS | Use ready-made software | Gmail, Microsoft 365 |
| Public Cloud | Shared infrastructure, over the internet | AWS, GCP |
| Private Cloud | Dedicated environment | On-premise data centers |
| Hybrid Cloud | Mix of public and private | AWS Outposts + On-premise |
| Multi-Cloud | Uses multiple cloud providers | AWS + Azure combo |
