Difference Between Private Cloud and IaaS

Cloud computing enables on-demand access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources, such as servers, storage, networks, software, and hardware, which can be provisioned with little effort from the organization or the cloud service provider.  One of the cloud computing models for cloud services delivered in a private cloud is infrastructure as a service (IaaS) which allows you to use computing resources as a service. But, is a private cloud same as the IaaS?

What is a Private Cloud?

Private cloud, also known as corporate or internal cloud, is a cloud computing environment solely dedicated to the end user, usually a single business entity or a service. The entire cloud infrastructure, including all the hardware and software resources is hosted privately, meaning only selected users have access to the network. It combines the benefits of a full-fledged cloud infrastructure with the flexibility, security, and control of an on-premise IT infrastructure. This is the reason many businesses choose private cloud over public cloud.

Private cloud is a single-tenant environment where the infrastructure is specific to you and the service provider operates the cloud for you. They lay down a cloud environment, they put the automation in place, they put up the portal, and you use it as if it’s your own personal resource. You have full control over hardware and software resources and the freedom to customize them in any way you want. One of the major implications of having a private cloud is that you are responsible for everything including server management and maintenance.

What is a Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)?

IaaS, short for Infrastructure as a Service, is a cloud computing model where enterprises rent or lease computing resources in the cloud. IaaS is one of the three main forms of cloud computing, alongside SaaS and PaaS, which provides virtualized computing resources over the internet. IaaS is simply infrastructure hosted in the cloud. The IaaS provider provides users access to computing resources and the customer, in turn, is responsible for installing and managing the systems, which they can normally do over the internet.

IaaS is a cloud computing service that offers essential virtual servers and cloud storage, and access to data center resources on demand. It provides a customer with its own hardware resources. You can think of IaaS as a mini data center within a large data center. The service provider shares the cost of power, air conditioning, fire suppression, and staff across multiple customers. Just with other cloud computing services, IaaS allows the customers to pay only for the resources they use. IaaS is an inexpensive way for organizations to launch a data center or Colocation facility.

Difference between Private Cloud and IaaS

Model 

– Private cloud is a single-tenant cloud environment that emulates some of cloud computing features like virtualization, but on a privately hosted network. The entire cloud infrastructure, including all the hardware and software resources is hosted privately, meaning only selected users have access to the network. IaaS is an on-demand cloud computing service where companies rent or lease computing resources such as storage and networks in the cloud. IaaS is a multi-tenant environment wherein the service provider shares resources with multiple customers.

Security

 – Private cloud combines the benefits of a full-fledged cloud infrastructure with the flexibility, security, and control of an on-premise IT infrastructure. Because security is done in-house, it provides better control over security parameters and only a fewer people know about its existence. In the IaaS model, the cloud service providers manage the servers, data centers, and other hardware, leaving the consumers to focus on their core operations. Customers are responsible for protecting the data, applications, operating systems, and network traffic.

Control 

– Private clouds have better control over their computing resources because only selected users have access to the network. Because the entire cloud infrastructure is hosted in-house or privately, your staff is responsible for managing and maintaining all underlying infrastructure. As a self-service computing model, IaaS offers the highest level of control based on a pay-as-you-go model so you can avoid unnecessary expenses on on-premise resources. Private cloud may exist on or off premises.

Private Cloud vs. IaaS: Comparison Chart

Summary

 Private cloud is a single tenant cloud environment wherein the entire IT infrastructure is provisioned for exclusive use by a single business entity or organization. The computing resources are owned, managed and operated by the organization, a third party, or a combination of the two, and it can be operated both on and off premise. IaaS is a different beast altogether which can be obtained both as a public and private infrastructure or a combination of the two.

Is IaaS the same as private cloud?

Private cloud is like a corporate cloud where the entire IT infrastructure, including all the hardware and software resources is hosted privately, on or off premise. IaaS is a cloud service that allows organizations to use all the essential IT resources such as storage, compute, and networks as a service.

What type of cloud is IaaS?

IaaS is kind of a hybrid cloud computing service in which the service provider gives users access to essential computer, storage, and networking resources on demand over the internet.

What are the 4 types of cloud storage?

The four types of cloud storage services are public cloud, private cloud, hybrid cloud, and community cloud.

Is IaaS hybrid cloud?

IaaS is a cloud computing model where in the service provider is responsible for provisioning storage and networking resources to support your overall cloud infrastructure. Since, IaaS offers cloud based alternatives to on-premise infrastructure, it cannot be considered as a hybrid cloud.

What is an example of IaaS?

Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, and Google Compute Engine are all examples of IaaS environment.

Is IaaS a cloud storage?

IaaS is an on-demand cloud computing service that provides users access to essential compute, networking and storage resources on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Sharing is caring!