Cloud Platform vs Virtualization Platform

Cloud Platform vs Virtualization Platform, what are the major differences between both of them, and how they complete each other? I always like to break those 2 terms down, first to remind myself of the most fascinating technology man kind invented, second, it’s just so fun to explain it to others. Remember, that both technologies depend on each other to function. Besides, still too many IT guys mix it up and don’t have a clear understanding behind both concepts.

Brief History of Cloud Platform

Cloud Platform based on 3 main backbone components:

• Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
• Platform as a Service (PaaS), and
• Software as a Service (SaaS)

So, cloud platform combine all the upper components using orchestration intelligence based on sophisticated scripts to provide dynamic and flexible Compute Power as Service for consumers. For instance, AWS Cloud combines hundreds of cloud services, among them IaaS to create Virtual Machines, Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) to create Virtual Networks, Relational Database as Service (RDS), etc… Go little bit higher, PaaS to provide their customers with App platform so they can install Web Applications, and last level, SaaS to sell ready Apps as a service.

If you run your own IaaS, then you have total control, if you lease AWS IaaS resources, you have little bit less control, once you hit PaaS level, you start to lose some control and gain more convenience, and finally, you gain full convenience when you start using SaaS. It all based on your business and Application needs.

As you can see below, the more blue color in the image, the less control you have over the infrastructure, yet less to manage and more convenience. I prefer control in too many situations 🙂

So where the cloud in here come into play? well, as mentioned, the easiest and more convenience cloud service would be anything at the SaaS level, or better a Code as a Service (CaaS), where it’s higher than even SaaS level. I believe, Serverless technology is CaaS. AWS lambda platform is the most convenience cloud service available if you want to go this route.

As you can see, Cloud is just an umbrella term which combines multiple services called Cloud. Virtualization Platform is just part of that cloud kingdom, yet it’s one of its backbone. Virtualization considered the IaaS layer, so you can say that PaaS runs on top of IaaS, and SaaS runs on top of PaaS.

How all this information will effect your decision?

Well, if you are small business looking for something simple, then a cloud service such AWS is the way to go. If your app requirements require to run your application in house (internal solution), then you start with Virtualization Platform or IaaS Platform such Proxmox, ESXi, or Hyper-V . If you need more convenience, check a PaaS platform such Redhat Shift.

If you are looking for Auto scaling or orchestrating your IaaS platform, then check Cloudstack Platform. Cloudstack is a smaller version of AWS Cloud services, however, you own it at your in-house servers.

Cloud vs. Electric Grid Services

As we all know, you pay electricity only for what you use, so how the heck can this be possible with compute services? Well, that’s where orchestration comes into place, and I believe they called it cloud since it’s so dynamic, meaning, you can lease almost unlimited cloud services based on your needs, and pay only for what you used.

Imagine, that everyone of us need to build his own electric power room (generator) to use electricity? Is not practical, although it not bad idea to have an electric generator as backup, however, the majority just pay monthly electric bill without thinking buy an electric generator. Apply the same concept when you need Compute Service or another word – Compute Energy.

Private vs. Public Cloud

By now, you should know that a cloud is just an umbrella term used to describe the most sophisticated computing technology ever invented. If you you decide to run your own Private cloud such CloudStack Platform, then you must be a rich guy, big company, or maybe a bank. Most of the time, governments require to run their own private cloud and pays tones of money to gain full control.

Banks at some point I believe by law requires to have their own private Cloud platform, they might just install Proxmox, ESXi, or Hyper-V, it all depends on the Application needs, and the convenience level required. So, running a hybrid cloud is very common choice, meaning, half of your infrastructure in house, and half at the public provider side such AWS.

Summary

Always try to go with a Public Cloud Compute Energy over your own Visualization Solution or private cloud. It will save you a lot of money since you are sharing the compute resources among others, and of course it’s not a simple Shared Hosting concept, it’s a mutli-super compute resources, which I believe is more shareable than Nuclear Power Plant electric grid 🙂

Subject Related

By Wikipedia Cloud Computing | Apprenda Explains | RackSpace Explains | Compute Next Explains | Virtualization Platform Comparison