Prof. Cheruiyot W.

K, PhD,
TTU
I/C Department
SIC 2416 Cloud Computing and Distributed Systems

Lecture 4: Cloud Computing Architecture – Components & Saas, PaaS, IaaS

Cloud Computing is an emerging technology which is skyrocketing nowadays. This

technology is often used by big companies as well as the startups as it is flexible for both.

Cloud computing is now a part of everyday business and operational activities for more and
more companies. The evolution of the Cloud shows the importance of the technology itself
and of the new working models it empowers. If your organization is undergoing a digital
transformation process and you consider switching architectures, you should know more
about the different types you can choose from.

In this Lecture, we go to the bottom of the most popular three cloud computing architecture
types: (1) SaaS, (2) PaaS and (3) IaaS to help you make a more informed decision for your
business.

Moreover, we will learn important components of Cloud Computing architecture for each
cloud-based delivery.

Cloud Computing Architecture

Every company is in need to store the data so they require cloud to store their information.
The data is secured and can access anytime and from anywhere.

Cloud Computing architecture basically comprises of the two parts. They are the front-end
and the back-end. The front end is the end which uses by the user and the back-end manages
by the host. Both the end connects to each other with the means of internet.

Do you know How Cloud Computing Works?

i. Front End

The front end is the client part of Cloud Computing which uses as per the requirement of the
user. Front-end comprises of the applications and the interfaces which help to access the
cloud computing. Example- Browser or an app created by the company itself.

ii. Back End

The back end is a part which manages by the allotted authorities of the company and their
back end has large data storage facilities, Virtual machines, security system, and servers.
They are also engaged in traffic management along with security management.

Components of Cloud Computing Architecture

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Let’s discuss some components of Cloud Computing Architecture as indicated in figure 1:

Figure 1: Components of Cloud Computing Architecture

i. Hypervisor

The hypervisor is also known as Virtual Machine Monitor. This consists of the software,
hardware, and firmware which makes and runs the virtual machines. The Hypervisor provides
a user with a platform which is known as Virtual Operating Platform.

This allows us to manage the guest’s operating system to use the cloud. This can be also
known as the traditional term of the kernel in an operating system.

ii. Management Software

Management software consists of various plans and the strategies which help to increase the
performance of the cloud. This management software provides many features such as on-time
delivery of storage, proper security, all-time access, and many other facilities.

This is one of the important parts of Cloud Computing architecture. One of the important
features of this is the compliance auditing, management of overseeing disaster, and
contingency plans.

Have a Look – What’s next after Cloud Computing?

iii. Deployment Software

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Cloud deployment simply means to initiate the working of the SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS. This
initiates the solutions that can access by the users or the customers.

This deployment consists of all the mandatory installations and configurations of the cloud.
This emerges from the back end and implements before the provisioning occurs.

iv. Route of Connectivity

It is an important part of the Cloud Computing architecture, through which the whole cloud
gets connected. The speed of transfer depends on the network which is the internet
connection.

There are many cloud servers present which connects with the help of this virtual route. This
also provides a facility to the user by allowing them to customize the route and protocol.

v. A server of the Cloud

A cloud server is a virtual server running in cloud computing premises. It’s engineered,
hosted and delivered via a cloud computing platform via the web. It can be accessed from
anywhere.

Cloud servers are stable, quick and secured. They avoid the hardware problems seen with
physical servers, and that they are seemingly to be the foremost stable choice for businesses.
Also, call as virtual servers.

Cloud servers have all the software they need to run and can operate as non-dependent units.
It also has the profit because it is incredibly simple and fast to upgrade by adding memory
and disk space, further as being more cost-effective.

vi. Storage of the Cloud

Cloud storage service, construct to produce applications, services and organizations with
access to offsite storage capability that may provision instantly are versatile in scaling
automatically at runtime and is globally accessible.

An Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) service model delivers scalable, flexible and redundant
storage capability through net services API, online interfaces and thin client applications.

Cloud Storage also benefits the user by providing remote access with the help of internet. The
storage services are very quick to access. Cloud information is often held on, altered and
retrieved from a remote cloud storage server over the web below a utility computing model.

Let’s explore – Cloud Cube Model

Cloud-Based Delivery

Cloud-Based delivery includes three major types as indicated in figure 2, and they are-

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Cloud Computing Architecture – Cloud-Based Delivery

i. SaaS

SaaS stands for Software as a service where the cloud provider provides software with the
help of internet.

It is scalable and provides a benefit that the system administrators can upload the applications
to each of their own servers. The customers using SaaS can also access the application
without installing the software.

Key features of SaaS are:

 Never having to manage with installing or upgrading software

 Equipment failure does not result in data loss
 Scalable use of resources adapted on business needs

SaaS is suited for non-technical companies and startups who wish to deploy their websites
and applications rapidly. Popular SaaS solutions are email and collaboration and customer
relationship management.

Popular SaaS examples:

 Google G Suite
 Microsoft Office 365
 Mailchimp

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ii. IaaS

IaaS stands for Infrastructure as a service. This means that taking the physical hardware
and providing the virtual services. In this, there are businesses which pay the fee to run
virtual servers, network, and storage from the cloud. This infrastructure maintains by the back
end.

Key features of IaaS are:

 Scalable infrastructure that accommodates business and operational needs

 Overview and full control over the infrastructure
 IaaS is on-demand and can be purchased instead of hardware

These solutions are suited to companies with a highly skilled set of developers who can work
to build applications and digital experiences from scratch themselves. If the technical team
can also manage traffic loads and server maintenance in a scalable way, then IaaS can offer a
full overview and control over the infrastructure.

Some popular IaaS examples are:

 Amazon Web Services EC2

 Microsoft Azure IaaS / Virtual Machines
 Google Cloud Compute Engine

iii. Paas

PaaS stands for Platform as a service in this the third party provider delivers hardware and
software tools. This basically benefits those who are need of application development.

The host providing this service provides the hardware and software on its own. This benefits
the user by not installing the software at their premises.

Briefly put, PaaS is a combination between both the infrastructure and the software needed
for software applications. Benefits of PaaS are reducing the amount of coding necessary,
automating policies and migrating applications to a hybrid model.

Key features of PaaS are:

 Tools for application development and hosting in the same environment

 The provider manages security, operating system, server software backups
 Reduces the amount of coding and automates business policies

PaaS makes an optimal solution to a team of developers that want the flexibility to build
applications from scratch but want to avoid the underlying tasks like runtime and traffic load
management. This type of architecture provides developers with a self-service portal for
managing infrastructure from centralized IT operations but also the platforms that are
installed on top of the hardware. The PaaS can be delivered through a hybrid model that uses
both public IaaS and on-premise infrastructure or as a pure private PaaS.

Popular PaaS examples are:

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  Google App Engine
 Heroku
 Out Systems

 Saas vs PaaS vs IaaS: which one is right for you?

To summarize, IaaS gets companies only the infrastructure that needs building applications
on top of it. With PaaS, you also get some building blocks in the form of customizable tools,
whereas SaaS offers direct access to pre-built applications that can be used right away with
no technical input.

The type of cloud architecture you choose should depend on your company’s technical
capabilities and business needs. If your offering is too complex for pre-built applications but
you have the technical team needed to build from scratch, then IaaS or PaaS can be the
solution.

If, however, your core business is non-technical and you want to launch straightforward
projects then a SaaS is the right architecture type for you.

Conclusion

As indicated in figure 3, the architecture of the cloud is simple and lucid which clearly states
the components embedded in it. This service is very economical and one can start using it for
free.

The entire cloud computing architecture has the abilities to provide higher bandwidth which
allows the user to access the cloud anytime. Furthermore, if you have any query/doubt? Feel
free to ask in the comment section.