IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) is a cloud service model where the provider supplies virtualized computing infrastructure, such as virtual machines, block storage and networks, and you manage the operating system, runtime and applications.
Why it matters
IaaS gives the most control of the three main cloud models. You choose the machine size, operating system and network layout, which suits custom software, legacy applications and specialized security needs.
That control comes with responsibility: patching, hardening, scaling and backups are your job. Cloud VMs from major providers and VPS plans are both examples of IaaS.
Example
You launch a virtual machine with 4 vCPUs, attach a 100 GB block volume, open ports 22 and 443 in a firewall rule, and install your own web server. The provider guarantees the hardware and hypervisor; you maintain everything inside the VM.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting that OS patches and firewall configuration are not handled for you.
- Leaving management ports such as SSH open to the whole internet.
- Choosing IaaS for a simple app that a PaaS could run with far less operational work.
Related
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This page is general information written by our editorial team and updated when documentation changes. Servers and providers differ, so test changes safely first. See our editorial policy and disclaimer.