What is Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)? - Definition from Whatis.com

Home
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

Definition

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

What is Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)?

Infrastructure as a Service is a provision model in which an organization outsources the equipment used to support operations, including storage, hardware, servers and networking components. The service provider owns the equipment and is responsible for housing, running and maintaining it. The client typically pays on a per-use basis.

Learn More

Characteristics and components of IaaS include:

Utility computing service and billing model.
Automation of administrative tasks.
Dynamic scaling.
Desktop virtualization.
Policy-based services.
Internet connectivity.

IaaS is one of three main categories of cloud computing service. The other two are Software as a Service (SaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS).

Infrastructure as a Service is sometimes referred to as Hardware as a Service (HaaS).

Read More:

Visit the Dell Empowers microsite to learn more about Infrastructure as a Service

Related glossary terms: XaaS (anything as a service), Platform as a Service (PaaS)

This was last updated in June 2009

Dig Deeper

Azure updates may leave Windows shops wanting more

Analyst firm highlights key developments in Windows Azure and points out where the service still has holes.
Microsoft sets Azure free; Appliance flutters to Fujitsu

Azure has spread beyond Redmond; Fujitsu will offer its own batch of Microsoft's cloud environment later this summer.
VMware's cloud quandary: Integration

As VMware extends the capabilities of vCloud Director and Cloud Foundry, we can only wonder how vFabric fits into the company's cloud strategy.

People who read this also read...

Show me more

Do you have something to add to this definition? Let us know.

Send your comments to techterms@whatis.com

Research More Tech Terms

Search thousands of tech definitions
Browse tech definitions
Browse Alphabetically:
- A
- B
- C
- D
- E
- F
- G
- H
- I
- J
- K
- L
- M
- N
- O
- P
- Q
- R
- S
- T
- U
- V
- W
- X
- Y
- Z
- #

Powered by WhatIs.com

File Extensions and File Formats

File Extension and File Formats List:

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
#

Powered by WhatIs.com

More from Related TechTarget Sites

Server Virtualization
VMware
Virtual Desktop
Data Center
Windows Server
SOA
CRM

Server Virtualization
- Shedding light on Hyper-V 3.0 resource monitoring
  
  Hyper-V 3.0 will feature new resource-monitoring capabilities, which will be a boon for multi-tenant environments that need to calculate chargeback.
- VCP 5 certification course deadline looms over VMware pros
  
  VMware pros, who are under pressure to complete their VCP 5 exam before Feb. 29 to avoid additional requirements, yearn for Microsoft-style exams.
- PVLANs in Hyper-V 3.0: Network isolation without the headaches
  
  Microsoft Hyper-V 3.0 will introduce PVLANs, a new feature that uses IP address virtualization to solve the network isolation shortcomings of VLANs.
VMware
- VMware ESXi security FAQ: Guarding the hypervisor, hosts and more
  
  As the sole hypervisor of vSphere 5, you need to know the ins and outs of VMware ESXi, especially when it comes to securing the hypervisor and ESXi hosts.
- Storing VMware ESXi syslog events on a remote Linux server
  
  Designating a remote Linux server to record VMware ESXi syslog events allows you to access that important information, even if the ESXi host crashes.
- Building a VMware test lab: How to obtain and interpret performance metrics
  
  In a VMware test lab, you have to pay attention to VM density, resource usage and more. Learn how to glean the right VMware performance metrics.
Virtual Desktop
- VMware vSphere Storage Appliance could lower the cost of small VDI
  
  Using the vSphere Storage Appliance with VMware View could help small VDI implementations save money up front and make it easier to grow.
- Weighing cloud-hosted virtual desktops vs. VDI
  
  IT pros don't trust public cloud services, but the benefits of outsourcing virtualized desktops to a cloud provider may outweigh the risks.
- Quest vWorkspace 7.5 plus Hyper-V: Worthy competitor to VMware, Citrix
  
  The latest version of Quest vWorkspace includes Hyper-V Catalyst Components, which optimize memory and disk I/O to boost virtual desktop performance.
Data Center
- Punch up database performance by reorganizing data
  
  A well-timed mainframe database reorg can result in much improved response.
- How to find the right systems management tool for the job
  
  Point tools or management frameworks? Set realistic goals and criteria before choosing a systems management tool.
- Advisory Board roundtable: Strategic outsourcing can lift pressure
  
  Outsourcing gathers appeal to both government and private industry to relieve over-taxed data centers.
Windows Server
- Deciding between blade and rack-mount gear for Windows Server 2008
  
  Are you looking for scalability or performance? It's important to understand your needs before choosing a Windows Server hardware solution.
- Kerberos platform interoperability connects Windows to the rest of the world
  
  The Kerberos authentication protocol ensures safe connections between multiple platforms. Find out just how it creates secure connections in this overview.
- Hyper-V management tool 5nine revives the GUI on Windows Server
  
  The role of the command line is growing, but GUI-loving admins have options. We look at a Hyper-V tool that may appease the button-clickers.
SOA
- SOA growth reveals benefits and lessons
  
  Service-oriented architecture is a way of including roles (customers, suppliers, engineers, etc) and viewing everything as a service. Generally, we recognize services that are provided by people, machines and both. SOA is the most important development in the last ten years and is 1) Business-oriented - "describe what not how" and 2) Message - "just ask and the service is given".
- MIT's Ross says EAs must make business-side address their core model
  
  Enterprise architects must drive business leaders to better articulate core company goals, the MIT researcher tells SearchSOA.com.
- MIT’s Ross says exploiting IT business capabilities is next EA step
  
  Without targeting quick IT results – and without clear communication from business executives – architects produce large-scale but largely unhelpful business capabilities. As a result, many companies find their architecture initiatives underutilized and their money wasted. SearchSOA’s Jack Vaughan spoke to Jeanne Ross, Director and Principal Research Scientist at the Center for Information Systems Research (CISR) at the MIT Sloan School of Management, about these and other issues.
CRM
- Contact center social will (slowly) become norm
  
  In this expert response, find some ways contact centers are using social media channels to manage customer contact volume.
- Microsoft makes mobile move with next CRM release
  
  Microsoft next release of Dynamics CRM includes a new mobile module, offering native support for most mobile devices. It also adds new social, compliance and reporting features.
- Social media for B2Bs finds engaged, focused customers
  
  Listen as social media expert Paul Gillin offers tips for using social media in B2B settings.

All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2010 - 2012, TechTarget