Cloud computing refers to the delivery of computing services, including servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics, and more – over the internet (“the cloud”) on a pay-as-you-go basis. Rather than owning and maintaining physical hardware and infrastructure, users access and utilise computing resources provided by cloud service providers.
Service Models:
- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): Offers virtualised computing resources such as virtual machines, storage, and networking.
- Platform as a Service (PaaS): Provides platforms and tools for developers to build, deploy, and manage applications without dealing with the underlying infrastructure.
- Software as a Service (SaaS): Delivers software applications over the internet, eliminating the need for installation and maintenance.
Deployment Models:
- Public Cloud: Services are available to the general public over the internet and are owned and operated by third-party providers.
- Private Cloud: Cloud infrastructure dedicated to a single organisation, either located on-premises or hosted by a third-party provider.
- Hybrid Cloud: Combination of public and private clouds that allows data and applications to be shared between them.