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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteInfrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is a cloud model in which a provider supplies computing resources such as processing, storage, and networking, while the customer deploys and manages operating systems and applications. The provider runs the underlying cloud infrastructure; the customer retains control over the software and configurations deployed on it.
What does Infrastructure as a Service mean?
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) defines IaaS as the capability to provision processing, storage, networks, and other fundamental computing resources, then deploy and run software on them—including operating systems and applications. In its IaaS glossary definition, NIST describes a customer who does not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure, but does control the operating system, storage, deployed applications, and possibly selected networking components.
In practical terms, IaaS provides the building blocks for running software rather than a finished application. A customer might create a virtual machine, install an operating system, configure it, and deploy an application. The cloud provider operates the infrastructure beneath that environment.
How does IaaS fit into cloud computing?
NIST’s 2011 definition of cloud computing describes on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable resources that can be provisioned and released with minimal management effort or provider interaction. The standard groups cloud computing into five essential characteristics, three service models, and four deployment models; these are categories in the framework, not current market statistics.
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IaaS is one of the three service models. Its defining boundary is that the provider manages the underlying infrastructure while the customer can run and manage their chosen operating system and software.
How is IaaS different from PaaS and SaaS?
The main difference is how much of the technology stack the customer manages. IaaS gives the customer the most control over the computing environment of these three models, while PaaS and SaaS shift more management to the provider.
| Model | What the customer primarily receives | Typical management boundary |
|---|---|---|
| IaaS | Fundamental computing, storage, and networking resources | The customer manages operating systems and deployed applications; the provider manages the underlying infrastructure. |
| PaaS | A platform for deploying applications | The customer deploys applications without managing virtual machines or operating systems, according to Microsoft’s shared-responsibility overview. |
| SaaS | A ready-made application | The customer uses the application rather than managing its underlying infrastructure and platform. |
These categories are useful guides, not rigid labels for every cloud product. A solution may combine service types, and responsibilities depend on the services and workload selected.
What are examples of IaaS?
Common examples include virtual machines, storage, and networking services. The following examples come from provider documentation and illustrate the model; they are not a ranking or endorsement.
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- AWS: Amazon EC2 is an IaaS example. For EC2, AWS says customers manage the guest operating system, including updates and security patches, as well as installed applications and configuration of the AWS security group firewall. AWS manages the infrastructure below the guest operating system. See AWS’s shared-responsibility guidance.
- Microsoft Azure: Azure Virtual Machines, Azure Disk Storage, and virtual networks are listed as IaaS examples in Microsoft’s shared-responsibility overview.
- Google Cloud: Compute Engine, Cloud Storage, Cloud VPN, Cloud Load Balancing, and Cloud DNS are examples listed in Google’s shared-responsibility guidance. Google describes IaaS as useful for moving existing workloads to the cloud or running applications that require particular virtual-machine, database, or network configurations.
Who manages security in IaaS?
Security is shared, but the division depends on the service. In general, the provider manages physical infrastructure and underlying virtualization or host layers. The customer is responsible for configuring and securing the layers they control, which can include the guest operating system, applications, identity settings, and network controls.
AWS describes this distinction as security “of” the cloud, which AWS manages, and security “in” the cloud, which depends on the services selected and includes customer responsibilities. For EC2, the guest operating system and customer-installed software remain the customer’s responsibility. Microsoft likewise says IaaS customers manage virtual machines, operating systems, and applications. Check the provider’s responsibility guidance for the specific service rather than assuming every product has the same boundary.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What should you consider before choosing IaaS?
IaaS trades operational work for control. It can suit a workload that needs a particular operating system or configuration, but the customer must manage the layers left under their control. Evaluate these points for the actual workload:
- Control boundary: Identify who manages the guest OS, patching, applications, identity, network controls, and data protections.
- Resource fit: Determine whether the workload needs virtual machines, storage, networking, or specific configurations.
- Workload fit: Consider whether you are moving an existing workload or need VM-level control for a particular application.
- Operational burden: Account for the configuration, monitoring, patching, and security work your team must perform.
Provider prices, service-level agreements, performance, regional availability, and contractual or regulatory suitability depend on the workload and geography; compare current provider terms for those decisions.
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