Cloud service models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS) in Azure - Step-by-Step Execution

Process Flow - Cloud service models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS)

User Needs Cloud Service

↓

IaaS

↓

More Control

User chooses between IaaS, PaaS, or SaaS based on how much control and management they want over cloud resources.

Execution Sample

Azure

User selects service model:
- IaaS: User manages VMs
- PaaS: User deploys apps
- SaaS: User uses apps directly

Shows how user interaction changes with each cloud service model.

Process Table

Step	User Action	Service Model	User Manages	Cloud Manages	Result
1	Select IaaS	IaaS	OS, VMs, Network	Hardware, Data Center	User controls OS and apps
2	Select PaaS	PaaS	Apps and Data	OS, Middleware, Runtime	User deploys apps without managing OS
3	Select SaaS	SaaS	None	Everything (Apps, OS, Infrastructure)	User uses ready apps
4	End	-	-	-	User chooses model based on control and convenience

💡 User finishes choosing cloud service model based on needs

Status Tracker

Variable	Start	After Step 1	After Step 2	After Step 3	Final
User Control Level	None	High (IaaS)	Medium (PaaS)	Low (SaaS)	Depends on model chosen
Cloud Responsibility	All	Partial (IaaS)	More (PaaS)	All (SaaS)	Depends on model chosen

Key Moments - 3 Insights

Why does IaaS require more user management than SaaS?

Because in IaaS, the user manages the operating system and virtual machines, as shown in execution_table step 1, while in SaaS, the cloud manages everything.

What does PaaS manage for the user compared to IaaS?

PaaS manages the OS, middleware, and runtime, so the user only manages apps and data, as seen in execution_table step 2.

Can a user customize the software in SaaS?

No, SaaS users only use the software as provided without managing or customizing the underlying infrastructure, shown in execution_table step 3.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution_table, what does the user manage in PaaS at step 2?

A Operating system and virtual machines

B Applications and data

C Everything including hardware

D Nothing, cloud manages all

💡 Hint

Check the 'User Manages' column at step 2 in execution_table

At which step does the cloud manage everything including apps?

A Step 3

B Step 1

C Step 2

D None of the steps

💡 Hint

Look at 'Cloud Manages' column in execution_table for full management

If a user wants full control over OS and apps, which model should they choose?

A SaaS

B PaaS

C IaaS

D None

💡 Hint

Refer to 'User Manages' in execution_table step 1

Concept Snapshot

Cloud Service Models:
- IaaS: User manages OS, VMs; cloud manages hardware
- PaaS: User manages apps; cloud manages OS and runtime
- SaaS: Cloud manages everything; user just uses apps
Choose based on control vs convenience needs.

Full Transcript

Cloud service models let users pick how much control they want over computing resources. IaaS gives users control over operating systems and virtual machines, while the cloud handles hardware. PaaS lets users deploy apps without managing OS or runtime. SaaS provides ready-to-use applications managed fully by the cloud. Users select a model based on their need for control or ease of use.