Guide on Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
What is IaaS:
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is an instant computing infrastructure provisioned and managed over the internet. It is a type of cloud computing service that offers essential compute, storage, and networking resources on a pay-per-use basis.
Why is it important:
IaaS is crucial to modern business operations. It allows businesses to scale up and down rapidly in response to demand and outsources the upkeep of their infrastructure to specialists, freeing resources for more important tasks. With IaaS, businesses can reduce costs and increase their flexibility.
How it works:
With IaaS, businesses rent IT infrastructure—servers, virtual machines (VMs), storage, networks, operating systems—from a cloud provider on a pay-as-you-go basis. It offers high-level APIs which abstract the underlying details of the network infrastructure like physical computing resources, location, data partitioning, scaling, security, backup etc.
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on IaaS:
Be sure to understand the key features of IaaS which include scalability, flexibility, and cost-efficiency. Know how IaaS differs from other models like PaaS and SaaS. It's also essential to understand how it can be applied in practical business situations. Remember the role of a cloud provider in an IaaS model and the kind of services they typically provide. Be prepared to discuss the benefits and potential challenges of implementing IaaS.