A virtual cloud network can provide a variety of services. These networks can range from IaaS to PaaS and even hybrid clouds. Before making your first move, review the different port types and decide what needs to be on the cloud and what will remain on your existing infrastructure. Once you know which ports you will need in the virtual cloud network – Fortinet, you can search for them and configure them appropriately. You can also refer to the security and deployment guides provided by your CSP, which will explain the different types of protocols.

SaaS

Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is a model for delivering software applications over the internet. The vendor hosting the application manages the underlying infrastructure, including security, upgrades, and patches. Customers access the application through a web browser. The vendor also handles performance, security, and data storage. Depending on the SaaS vendor, customers can add as many users or as much data storage as they need.

There are several main types of SaaS, including email, social media, cloud file storage solutions (Dropbox, Box), and cloud networking services. SaaS applications can range from email to CRM to marketing software. Other types of SaaS include social media, cloud file storage solutions, and collaboration software. Adobe Creative Suite and Slack are popular examples of SaaS applications.

IaaS

Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) refers to a service that gives you access to virtual machines and operating systems. These servers include an operating system and supporting software. Most cloud infrastructure services provide a choice of popular operating systems and a dashboard that lets you manage these virtual machines. In addition, most of these services provide software updates and disaster recovery for their virtual machines. Since most of these providers offer services over a wide geographical footprint, you can also expect fewer latency and performance issues.

Another key benefit of IaaS is that it lets companies focus on running their core operations rather than worrying about managing IT infrastructure on their own. Nearly every business has a digital presence today, but not all companies have the time or budget to keep the IT infrastructure on their premises. IaaS services help free up resources for core business operations and data security. Moreover, IaaS services are usually flexible enough to accommodate various business needs.

PaaS

Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) is a cloud network that allows users to build and run web applications in a virtual environment optimized for their needs. It can be an excellent choice for organizations with high operating costs or development teams that need access to a scalable environment at a low cost. PaaS is a great choice because it eliminates the hassle of purchasing and maintaining hardware and software.

However, there are some significant drawbacks to using PaaS for your business. It is not suitable for highly portable applications and often uses proprietary data, which can restrict the operational capabilities of your cloud. Another disadvantage of PaaS is that it does not allow you to customize the underlying hardware and software, limiting the amount of flexibility and scalability. It is not recommended for businesses that are constantly scaling up and down, as this can lead to vendor lock-in.

Hybrid cloud

A hybrid cloud is a great solution for organizations that want to benefit from public and private clouds but need more control. The private cloud portion of a hybrid cloud allows organizations to customize the service without being limited to the capabilities of public clouds. In addition, the flexibility of a hybrid cloud allows internal IT teams to customize the private cloud portion while still maintaining control of vital operations and data.

Hybrid cloud solutions can benefit specific industries and their unique IT requirements. For example, many companies with legacy private cloud infrastructure can expand their IT capabilities by using a hybrid cloud while maintaining the security and control of their private cloud. Hybrid cloud networks are also a great way to move workloads from one IT environment to another. And because they’re seamless and scalable, your business can enjoy the benefits of both environments without sacrificing a single layer of security and reliability.

Community cloud

A community cloud is a virtual cloud network that avoids the disadvantages of both private clouds and public clouds. The biggest concerns are security and trust. While it is a relatively new technology, there are no standard practices for identifying security liabilities or defining best practices. Since community clouds are a shared platform, users are authorized to access the data they need. Organizations need to be careful not to share restricted information and data with unauthorized users.

The model of community clouds can be subscription-based, pay-per-use, or governed. In the latter case, a trusted technology partner operates the community cloud platform. The community cloud comprises consumers with similar regulatory concerns and can utilize the services provided by the provider. Community clouds are also governed by an independent, publicly-trusted regulatory body, which is a great advantage for compliance with industry-specific regulations.

Private cloud

When talking about cloud computing, the private cloud refers to a single-tenant, on-premises network dedicated to a single organization. The private cloud infrastructure may be based on the organization’s existing data center or a third-party colocation facility. It is managed and maintained by the organization, which typically includes ongoing maintenance, upgrades, and middleware and application software management. Private cloud environments generally offer higher security, flexibility, and control.

Private clouds rely on various technologies to provide the services you need. These technologies include virtualization, which pools resources across many physical systems to create a shared pool. Unlike public clouds, private clouds do not need to virtualize resources from different physical systems – instead, they can be pulled from a single source. Often, a private cloud can be built with dedicated resources. Alternatively, you can use prepackaged cloud infrastructure such as OpenStack.