Background
As an on-demand service, cloud computing has become rock star status among data centers around the world. Cloud computing is basically using someone else’s computer on the internet for storing date and running programs that you used to use on your own computer.
There are basically three cloud foundational services.
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is an instant computing infrastructure, provisioned and managed over the internet. The cloud computing service provider manages the infrastructure, while you purchase, install, configure, and manage your own software operating system.
Platform as a Service (PaaS) is a complete development and deployment environment in the cloud, with resources that enable you to deliver everything from simple cloud-based apps to cloud-enabled enterprise applications. PaaS is designed to support the complete web application lifecycle: building, testing, deploying, managing and updating.
Software as a Service (SaaS) allows users to connect to and use cloud-based apps over the internet. You rent the use of an app for your organization, and your users connect to it over the internet, usually with a web browser.
No matter which model you use, there are a few core capabilities that are essential.
Elasticity and self-service provisioning – A top feature of cloud computing is that it provides a platform that’s designed to be elastic. You use just the resources you need when you need them. Once you are done with a resource, you sign off and no longer have to pay for that service. Gone are the days of idle computers sitting in the background waiting to be needed.
Billing and metering – There has to be a method to measure how much you use and how much it will cost.
Workload Management- A workload is an independent service or collection of code that can be executed. These workloads must be designed to support the right task with the right cloud services.
Management Services-Security and governance are key services to ensure that you applications and data are secure and protected.