NIGERIAN DEFENCE ACADEMY, KADUNA
POST GRADUATE SCHOOL
MASTERS IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE,
FACULTY OF MILITARY SCIENCE AND INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES
COURSE CODE: MIT 825
COURSE TITLE: CLOUD COMPUTING TECHNOLOGIES
QUESTION:
CLOUD SERVICE MODELS (IAAS, PAAS)
BY
GROUP 5
UMMUAIMAN MUSA MUHAMMAD NDAPGS/FMSIS/COM042024/3638
NAFISA ZAKARI HUSSAIN NDAPGS/FMSIS/COM042024/5203
UMAR BALA GAZARA NDAPGS/FMSIS/COM042024/4082
ABDULLAHI GAMBO NDAPGS/FMSIS/COM042024/3915
ALIYU MUHAMMED NDAPGS/FMSIS/COM042024/3652
DAVID OKON UWAH NDAPGS/FMSIS/COM042024/4569
SUBMITTED TO
MR AE. EVWIEKPAEFE
FEBUARY, 2025
CLOUD SERVICE MODELS: IAAS AND PAAS
1. INTRODUCTION
Cloud computing is the on-demand delivery of I.T services over the internet with pay as you
go pricing. Instead of buying, owning and maintaining physical data centers and servers, you
can access technology services such as computing power, storage and databases from the cloud
service providers e.g. aws amazon web services, Microsoft azure and others.
Cloud computing has revolutionized the way businesses and individuals manage their
computing resources by providing scalable, on-demand services over the internet. These
services are categorized into three main models: Infrastructure as a Service (IAAS),
Platform as a Service (PAAS), and Software as a Service (SAAS). This assignment focuses
on IAAS and PAAS, exploring their features, benefits, challenges, and practical applications.
These models serve as essential building blocks in cloud computing, addressing various needs
for hosting, development, and deployment.
2. INFRASTRUCTURE AS A SERVICE (IAAS)
DEFINITION AND EXPLANATION
IAAS is a cloud service model that provides virtualized computing resources such as servers,
storage, and networking infrastructure over the internet. It eliminates the need for businesses
to invest in physical hardware, allowing them to focus on their operations while the cloud
provider manages the infrastructure.
FEATURES OF IAAS
• Scalability: Resources can be scaled up or down based on demand.
• Pay-as-you-go: Users only pay for the resources they consume.
• Virtualization: Offers virtual machines with complete control over the operating
system.
• Automation: Resources are provisioned automatically through APIs or management
tools.
EXAMPLES OF IAAS PROVIDERS
• Amazon Web Services (AWS EC2)
• Google Compute Engine and Microsoft Azure cloud services.
ADVANTAGES OF IAAS
Reduced capital expenditure on hardware: Businesses no longer need to purchase and
maintain expensive servers and networking equipment, instead of investing in physical
infrastructure companies you can rent computing resources on-demand.
High flexibility and scalability: IaaS provides on-demand scalability, meaning businesses can
increase or decrease resources as needed. If a company experiences traffic spikes, it can scale
up servers instantly without purchasing additional hardware. Suitable for seasonal businesses
or applications with unpredictable workloads.
Example: An e-commerce store can scale up during peak shopping seasons (Black Friday,
Cyber Monday) and scale down afterward.
Global accessibility of resources:
IaaS enables businesses to deploy applications and services worldwide with minimal effort.
Cloud providers have data centers across different regions, ensuring low-latency access for
users.
This is ideal for companies with a global customer base or remote workforce.
Example: A software company can host its services on Google Cloud and ensure fast access
for users in Asia, Europe, and North America
The IAAS (infrastructure as a service) is used for hosting websites and application, it also serve
as storage and backup solutions.
DISADVANTAGES OF IAAS
Security Risks
Data is stored in third-party cloud environments, increasing the risk of data breaches and cyber-
attacks. Companies must implement strong encryption, access controls, and compliance
measures to protect data.
Dependence on Internet Connectivity
IaaS services are internet-dependent, meaning downtime or slow connections can impact
business operations. Organizations must ensure stable and high-speed internet for optimal
performance.
Compliance and Legal Issues
Some industries (e.g., finance, healthcare) have strict data protection regulations like GDPR,
HIPAA, and PCI [Link] must ensure cloud providers comply with regulatory
requirements to avoid legal penalties.
USE CASES FOR IAAS
• Hosting websites and applications.
• Storage and backup solutions.
• Development and testing environments.
LIMITATIONS OR CHALLENGES
• Potential security risks due to shared infrastructure.
• Dependency on the provider's reliability.
3. PLATFORM AS A SERVICE (PAAS)
DEFINITION AND EXPLANATION
PAAS is a cloud service model that provides a platform for developers to build, test, and
deploy applications without managing the underlying infrastructure. It simplifies the
development process by offering pre-configured tools and services.
FEATURES OF PAAS
• Development Tools: Includes programming languages, frameworks, and databases.
• Managed Infrastructure: Providers handle servers, storage, and networking.
• Collaboration: Teams can work together on the same platform.
• Customization: Developers can tailor the platform to their needs.
EXAMPLES OF PAAS PROVIDERS
• AWS Elastic Beanstalk
• Google App Engine
• Microsoft Azure App Service
ADVANTAGES OF PAAS
PaaS provides pre-built development tools, frameworks, and libraries, allowing developers to
build applications faster.
Reduces the need to set up infrastructure manually (e.g., servers, databases, networking).
Example: Google App Engine allows developers to deploy applications without worrying about
the underlying hardware.
PAAS (platform as a service) reduces the complexity of infrastructure management.
Enhances collaboration among development teams: developers can collaborate from different
locations using cloud-based development environments.
Teams can access the platform using a web browser, eliminating the need for local
installations.
Example: Google Cloud Functions allows teams to develop, test, and deploy code from
anywhere.
DISADVANTAGES OF PAAS
Limited Customization and Control: since PaaS is managed by third-party providers,
businesses have less control over infrastructure configurations. Some applications may require
custom settings that PaaS platforms don’t support.
Example: A company using Google App Engine may be unable to modify certain networking
settings.
Security Risks: Paas providers store applications and data in the cloud, increasing the risk of
cyber-attacks. Organizations must encrypt sensitive data and implement access controls.
Vendor Lock-In: Once an application is developed on a specific PaaS platform, migrating to
another provider can be difficult and costly. Different PaaS providers use proprietary
technologies, making portability a challenge.
Example: Applications built on AWS cloud may require significant modifications to run on
Google Cloud Functions.
USE CASES FOR PAAS
• Building mobile and web applications.
• Developing APIs and micro services.
• Automating workflows.
LIMITATIONS OR CHALLENGES
• Limited control over the underlying infrastructure.
• Risk of vendor lock-in.
4. IAAS (INFRASTRUCTURE AS A SERVICE) AND PAAS (PLATFORM AS A
SERVICE)
Key Differences
Aspect IAAS PAAS
Control Full control over infrastructure Limited control, focused on development
Use Case Hosting, storage, and networking Application development and deployment
Complexity Requires technical expertise Simplified for developers
DECISION-MAKING FACTORS
Organizations choose IAAS for flexibility and PAAS for rapid application development.
5. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
Industries and Scenarios for IAAS
• E-commerce: Hosting online stores with scalable resources.
• Startups: Building cost-effective IT environments.
• Healthcare: Storing large volumes of patient data securely.
Industries and Scenarios for PAAS
• Software Development: Accelerating the creation of apps.
• Education: Providing tools for coding and app design.
• Gaming: Hosting multiplayer online games with high availability.
Real-world Examples
• Netflix uses IAAS for its global streaming infrastructure.
• Developers use Google App Engine (PAAS) to create scalable applications.
CONCLUSION
IAAS and PAAS are two critical models in cloud computing, each serving distinct purposes.
While IAAS focuses on providing scalable infrastructure for hosting and storage, PAAS
simplifies the development and deployment process. Understanding these models is crucial for
businesses and developers to harness the power of cloud computing effectively. With
continuous advancements, IAAS and PAAS are set to play even more significant roles in the
digital landscape.
REFERENCES
Buyya, R., Vecchiola, C., & Selvi, S. T. (2013). Mastering Cloud Computing: Foundations
and Applications Programming. Morgan Kaufmann.
Mell, P., & Grance, T. (2011). The NIST Definition of Cloud Computing. National Institute of
Standards and Technology.
Hashizume, K., Rosado, D. G., Fernández-Medina, E., & Fernandez, E. B. (2013). An
analysis of security issues for cloud computing. Journal of Cloud Computing: Advances,
Systems and Applications, 2(1), 1-13.
