Compute as a Service (CaaS)
What is Compute as a Service?

Compute as a Service (CaaS) is a pay-as-you-go infrastructure model that provides on-demand processing capacity for general and specialized workloads. With Compute as a Service, organizations can dynamically scale and simplify their computing operations, minimizing overprovisioning and allowing for greater flexibility to address unforeseen needs. This methodology lets companies match computational resources to changing business demands while minimizing capital costs and operational complexity.

Close up of cables and wires plugging into glowing mainframe infrastructure of computer server in cabinet.
  • How does Compute as a Service work?
  • What are the benefits of Compute as a Service?
  • What are some examples of Compute as a Service?
  • What are the underlying technologies and components of Compute as a Service?
  • What are key features and capabilities of CaaS?
  • What are architecting applications for CaaS?
  • What is managing and monitoring Compute as a Service environments?
  • What are challenges and considerations in adopting CaaS?
  • How does HPE lead in Compute as a Service with HPE GreenLake and compute?
How does Compute as a Service work?

How does Compute as a Service work?

Compute as a Service is a cloud-based solution that relies on virtual and physical processing power. Compute resources can include general, high-speed graphics processing (GPU) for machine learning and artificial intelligence or high-performance computing (HPC) for raw processing power. The exact infrastructure configuration will vary from enterprise to enterprise, depending on their precise needs, and this infrastructure can scale up or down over time. 

What are differences between cloud service models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS)?

IaaS
PaaS
SaaS

Provides  computing resources (servers, storage, networking) on demand.

Offers a platform for developing, testing, and deploying applications.

Provides fully functional applications accessible over the internet.

Users have control over the underlying infrastructure, including operating systems and applications.

Users can focus on application development without managing the underlying infrastructure.

Users utilize the software as a service without worrying about infrastructure.

Allows flexibility to customize and configure the infrastructure according to specific needs.

Provides preconfigured environments with built-in tools and frameworks for application development.

Offers standardized, ready-to-use applications with limited customization options.

Requires more technical expertise for infrastructure management and administration.

Reduces the administrative burden as the platform manages infrastructure aspects.

Minimizes administrative tasks as the service provider handles infrastructure management.

Scalability is more granular, allowing users to scale infrastructure resources up or down as needed.

Offers scalability at the platform level, automatically managing resources based on application demands.

Scalability is provided by the service provider, ensuring application availability and performance.

Users are responsible for application deployment, configuration, and maintenance.

Simplifies application deployment, updates, and maintenance through platform-provided tools.

Users are not responsible for application management, which is handled by the service provider.

Cost model typically follows a pay-as-you-go or resource-based pricing structure.

Pricing is often based on usage metrics, such as the number of users or transactions.

Pricing is typically subscription-based, billed per user or organization.

Related topics

Compute management

Cloud computing

Digital transformation

Hybrid Cloud