Question

Difficulty: MediumCloud Service Models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS)

A game development studio needs to deploy dedicated backend server instances capable of hosting real-time multiplayer matches. The systems engineering team requires full root access to configure custom Linux kernel network sockets, install specific database middleware, and manage operating system updates. However, the studio wants to avoid purchasing physical hardware or maintaining facility power and cooling. Which of the following cloud service models should the studio implement?

  1. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)Answer
  2. B
    Platform as a Service (PaaS)
  3. C
    Software as a Service (SaaS)
  4. D
    Desktop as a Service (DaaS)

Answer

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is the correct choice because it delivers virtualized infrastructure while granting administrators complete control over operating systems, middleware, and network stack settings.
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) provides virtual machines, virtual storage, and virtual networking capabilities. Under the shared responsibility model, the cloud provider manages the physical datacenters and hypervisors, while the customer maintains administrative authority over the guest operating system, device drivers, system kernels, middleware, and applications.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the technical requirements specified in the scenario
The scenario demands full root access, operating system administration, custom Linux kernel socket tuning, and middleware installation, while avoiding physical hardware and datacenter facility management.
Identifying administrative control boundaries determines the appropriate cloud service model.
2
Evaluate the cloud shared responsibility model for each option
In Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), the cloud provider manages physical hardware, power, and virtualization layers, while the customer retains control over the OS, network configuration, database middleware, and applications.
PaaS and SaaS restrict low-level OS and kernel access, which fails the requirement for custom kernel and socket tuning.
3
Select the service model matching the customer's responsibility scope
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is selected as it is the only model that fulfills the OS-level customization needs without requiring physical host ownership.
IaaS satisfies both the technical control constraints and the facility management offloading goals.

Key Concept

Cloud Service Models and Shared Responsibility Boundaries
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