Types of Cloud
| Type | Description | Use Case Example |
|---|---|---|
| Public | Cloud services offered over the internet by third-party providers. Shared by many users. | Hosting websites, email services (e.g., Gmail, AWS EC2) |
| Private | Cloud infrastructure used exclusively by one organization. More control and security. | Banks, government, or large enterprises |
| Hybrid | A mix of public and private clouds, allowing data and apps to move between them. | Data backup in public cloud, sensitive data in private cloud |
Cloud Service Models
| Model | Full Form | What It Offers | User Manages | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IaaS | Infrastructure as a Service | Virtual machines, storage, networks | OS, apps, data | AWS EC2, Azure VM, Google Compute Engine |
| PaaS | Platform as a Service | Tools to build and run applications (no server setup) | Apps, data | Google App Engine, Azure App Service |
| SaaS | Software as a Service | Ready-to-use software over the internet | Just use the software | Gmail, Microsoft 365, Salesforce |
Major Cloud Providers
| Provider | Strengths |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Azure | Strong in hybrid cloud, enterprise integration, and developer tools (Visual Studio, .NET) |
| Amazon Web Services (AWS) | Largest market share, wide range of services, strong in IaaS and scalability |
| Google Cloud Platform (GCP) | Best for data analytics, AI/ML tools (BigQuery, TensorFlow), strong Kubernetes support |
Why Businesses Use Multiple Cloud Providers (Multi-Cloud)
- Avoid Vendor Lock-In: Don’t rely on just one provider.
- Cost Optimization: Choose the best pricing for different services.
- High Availability: If one provider fails, others keep services running.
- Performance: Use providers closer to users for faster access.
- Compliance: Meet legal or regional data storage requirements.