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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 configuration layers assigned to them.
What Infrastructure as a Service means
NIST defines IaaS as the capability to provision “processing, storage, networks, and other fundamental computing resources” on which customers can deploy and run software, including operating systems and applications. The customer does not manage the provider’s underlying cloud infrastructure, but can control the operating system, storage, deployed applications, and some networking components. NIST’s IaaS glossary reproduces the definition from its cloud-computing standard.
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In practical terms, IaaS provides building blocks rather than a finished application: a team can create virtual machines, attach storage, configure networks, and install the software its workload needs. The service is delivered remotely, so owning physical servers is not a prerequisite.
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How IaaS fits into cloud computing
NIST’s 2011 standard defines cloud computing as on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable resources that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or provider interaction. It describes five essential characteristics, three service models, and four deployment models. These are elements of the standard’s taxonomy, not current market or adoption statistics. NIST SP 800-145 sets out that framework.
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IaaS vs. PaaS vs. SaaS
The main distinction is how much of the technology stack the customer manages. The labels are a useful guide, but an actual cloud solution can combine service types, and responsibilities depend on the chosen product and workload.
| Model | What the customer receives | Typical management boundary |
|---|---|---|
| IaaS | Fundamental compute, storage, and networking resources | The customer manages virtual machines, operating systems, and deployed applications; the provider manages the underlying infrastructure. |
| PaaS | A platform for deploying applications | Customers deploy applications without managing virtual machines or operating systems, according to Microsoft’s overview. |
| SaaS | A ready-made application | The customer uses the application rather than managing its underlying infrastructure and platform. |
Microsoft notes that many Azure solutions combine service models, so classify a service by the actual controls it exposes rather than relying on its label alone.
Examples of IaaS services
Provider documentation offers concrete examples. These illustrate the model; they are not endorsements or a ranking.
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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →- AWS: Amazon EC2 is an IaaS example. For EC2, AWS says customers manage the guest operating system, including updates and security patches, installed applications and utilities, and configuration of the AWS security group firewall. AWS manages infrastructure below the guest OS. See AWS’s shared-responsibility explanation.
- Microsoft Azure: Azure Virtual Machines, Azure Disk Storage, and virtual networks are examples listed in Microsoft’s shared-responsibility guidance.
- Google Cloud: Examples include Compute Engine, Cloud Storage, and networking services such as Cloud VPN, Cloud Load Balancing, and Cloud DNS. Google describes IaaS as useful for moving existing workloads to the cloud or running applications that require particular VM, database, or network configurations. See Google Cloud’s shared-responsibility guidance.
Who manages security and operations in IaaS?
Responsibility is shared, but the boundary depends on the service. In general, the provider operates the physical infrastructure and virtualization or host layers. The customer configures and secures the layers they use. AWS describes its side as security “of” the cloud and the customer’s side as security “in” the cloud; for EC2, the guest OS and customer-installed software remain customer responsibilities. Microsoft likewise says IaaS customers manage virtual machines, operating systems, and applications.
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That division explains IaaS’s central trade-off: more control over operating systems and deployed software also means more work to configure, monitor, patch, and secure those layers. “Cloud” does not mean that customer operations disappear.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to decide whether IaaS fits a workload
- Control needed: Identify whether the workload requires control of the guest OS, patching, applications, identity, network controls, or data protections.
- Resources required: Specify whether it needs virtual machines, storage, network services, or particular configurations.
- Workload context: Consider whether you are moving an existing workload or need VM-level control for a specific application.
- Operational capacity: Account for the work your team must perform to configure, monitor, patch, and secure the service.
Provider catalogs and capabilities can change, so consult current provider documentation for the service you plan to use. These considerations define the IaaS model; they do not establish comparative prices, service-level agreements, performance, regional availability, or contractual and regulatory suitability, which depend on the workload and location.
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