5 Advantages and Disadvantages of IaaS | Drawbacks & Benefits of IaaS

What is IaaS ?

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is one of the cloud computing models where computer resources are provided to the client through the use of internet. The resources include network components, hardware, servers and storage.

In other words, the resources are virtualized and delivered to the user that is present inside the data center. The access the computing resources are provided instantly. The IaaS works exactly opposite to the traditional model of on-premise data center.

What are the types of IaaS ?

Based on the way how the service is delivered, there are 3 types of IaaS setups. Those are the Private IaaS, Public IaaS and Hybrid IaaS. Although IaaS helps to expand business and IT environment, it aren't perfect. Similar to other computing models, it too has drawbacks which should be kept in mind. Before switching onto this cloud computing setup, ensure to analyze the pros and cons.


In this article, I will be illustrating about 5 Advantages and Disadvantages of IaaS | Drawbacks & Benefits of IaaS. At the end of this post, you will know the pros and cons of using IaaS.

Let's get started,

Advantages of IaaS

1. Cost Effective

IaaS is most economical option for businesses since it eliminates the cost of infrastructure. There is no need to purchase hardware as well as other networking equipments. 

 

And also, IaaS follows pay-as-you-go pricing scheme. Meaning, the users must spend only for what they use. The expenses are involved only at monthly level.


2. Scalability

When scaling an IaaS solution, it does not require investment in the hardware. The reason for this is the presence of cloud resources in unlimited quantity. As per the company's requirement, the IaaS allows it to be scaled up and down. 

 

As a result, businesses can save time as well as money. Once the usage of services are over, the users could scale down the solution.


3. Reliability

Reliability of data in IaaS is present to a very high extent. It is able to recover from worst case scenarios. This is because the resources of IaaS is present across various servers. 

 

Even if one server encounters problems, the remaining servers could deliver the resources without disruptions. 

Even if there is an internet connection failure, hardware failure or a disaster, the infrastructure could still continue to function. Therefore, in any outages the IaaS could recover instantly.


4. Accessibility

Work today require greatest amount of flexibility. Especially, when it comes to accessibility. IaaS allows employees of an organization to easily access their files and other documents instantly. 

 

Virtual offices are made available to the employees anytime as long as they are having an internet connection.


5. Business Productivity

Whenever the workload of a business increases, maintenance becomes difficult without more staffs. But in IaaS, there is no burden of training new staffs. Instead it is taken care by a third party service provider. 

 

IaaS provider is responsible of maintaining and upgrading the infrastructure. Hence, the management could focus on other business operations.


 

 

Disadvantages of IaaS

1. Security

Users in IaaS does not have the control of infrastructure. The security of the infrastructure is in the hands of the provider. Sometimes the level of security provided may not be adequate. 

 

As a result, it could expose your system to hacks and vulnerabilities. In this case, the businesses must be willing to accept the loss.


2. Control

The entire administration of the IaaS is taken care by the provider. While this could be a stress relief for the users, this can leave important part of controlling to the provider. Such as the users have no control over data and software. 

 

Under these conditions, the provider needs to make sure that the data as well as services are secure.


3. Customization

Customization is not an easy task in IaaS since it is based on virtualization services. This is because there is very less number of options for customization. As a result, the user privacy offered is not greater as it is with other solutions.


4. Upgradeability

Even though maintenance is provided by the IaaS providers, still they fail to provide upgrades for some businesses. Besides the hardware the IaaS provider is in charge of providing upgrades to the applications. 

 

Now the businesses without frequent upgrades to their software will face productivity issues since their employee efficiency is affected.


5. Technical Issues

Downtime is one of the most common technical issues faced when using IaaS solution. While the user data is spread across various data centers, still the issues that is faced from the providers end could restrict accessibility. 

 

Users will no longer will be able to access the applications and data which delays work that needs to be done.