Avoid using the term "Cloud Computing" except when being ironic

Jun. 15 2011

I've stopped using the term "Cloud Computing" except when referring to the general trend. I use SaaS, IaaS and PaaS so that I say exactly what I mean. As a technical person this helps me keep my conversation succinct and focused.

SaaS: Software as a Service: Salesforce.com, Google Apps, etc.
PaaS: Platform as a Service: Google App Engine and similar systems.
IaaS: Infrastructure as a Service: Amazon EC2, Eucalyptus, etc.

Or, if you want a way to remember it easier:

SaaS: It's a web site!
PaaS: It's a framework!
IaaS: It's a VM!

"Cloud" is what marketing and non-technical people use. I'm ok with that.

And one more thing. I've found this article is good for giving to managers and other people that need to understand the terminology and get up to speed on what's happening: Communications of the ACM: A View of Cloud Computing

Posted by Tom Limoncelli

Comments (6)
Tweet

6 Comments

Adrian Norte | June 17, 2011 4:04 AM

And whats the correct term for personal cloud computing lke eyeos?

Chris Allison | June 17, 2011 1:37 PM

Hi Tom,

I completely agree. My feeling is that sometimes it may seem cute/funny/cool to use imprecise language in a professional sysadmin context (eg: with other sysadmins), but often it just comes back to bite us.

However, the way you order the various "* as a Service"s strikes me as a bit off. When I think/talk about this, I tend to order the *aaSes in terms of "thickness", eg:

either:

SaaS
PaaS
IaaS

IaaS
PaaS
SaaS

To me, that most accurately represents the continuum between the control you retain and the tasks you outsource, or however you choose to view the spectrum (control, simplicity, effort, etc).

The way I see it: It doesn't matter whether you start the list with SaaS or IaaS as long as SaaS is at one end of the list, IaaS is at the other end, and PaaS is in the middle.

Your thoughts?

-Chris

Tom Limoncelli | June 19, 2011 5:21 AM

Good point. I'll re-order them based on thickness.

Stephanie | July 8, 2011 5:59 AM

We are the wholesale supplier of Nike Air Max 90 91 93 95 97 90 boot 2009 2010 CLASSIC BW TN for men, women and kids. Jordan men’s shoes 4 3+4 3+5 6 9 10 13 13+6 10+13 new 2010 and so on which is in top quality. The style is new and fashionable.
Most of them are in stock and can be supplied surely on time. We can offer many brand shoes with the lowest price and high quality. As for price, we offer special discount. We are looking forward to doing business with you! If you are interested in our products, please feel free to contact us.
Welcome to Nike factory store http://www.selectnikeshoes.com. You can look more picture and find the perfect one.

Anony | November 12, 2011 6:16 PM

What does something like Twilio fall under? IaaS, right? So maybe your way of remembering IaaS needs updating, because the I in IaaS by no means has to mean VM.

DJR | November 12, 2011 6:50 PM

Twilio appears to be a framework. Could even be software either way its a long way from the bare metal of a VM. I also think most people would see the 3 descriptions as a continuum - but again in Twilio's case it sure appears to at the thicker end.

Awesome Conferences

Avoid using the term "Cloud Computing" except when being ironic

6 Comments

Best of Blog

Navigation

Recent Entries

Search

Archives

RSS Feed

Credits