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2.1.1. Implement IaaS Solutions

First Principle: IaaS solutions provide fundamental computing resources with maximal control over the operating system and runtime. This is essential for scenarios where flexibility, compatibility with legacy applications, or granular infrastructure management outweighs the convenience of managed services.

What It Is: "Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)" provides developers with on-demand access to fundamental computing resources—virtual machines, networking, and storage—without managing physical hardware. In Azure, IaaS enables you to provision, configure, and control infrastructure components programmatically or via the portal.

Visual: "IaaS Components for Developers"
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Key IaaS Components for Developers:
  • "Virtual Machines (VMs)": Fully customizable servers for running any OS, language, or runtime. You control OS updates, security patches, and installed software.
  • "Virtual Networks (VNets)": Isolated, configurable networks for secure communication between resources. "VNets" enable subnetting, custom IP ranges, and "network security groups (NSGs)".
  • "Storage Accounts": Durable, scalable storage for disks, blobs, files, and more. Used for "VM disks", app data, and backups.

Developer Responsibilities with IaaS: Unlike "Platform as a Service (PaaS)", IaaS places more operational responsibility on the developer or "DevOps team":

  • OS patching and updates.
  • Middleware/runtime installation (e.g., .NET, Java).
  • Application security hardening and monitoring.
  • Backup and "disaster recovery" setup.
When to Choose IaaS:
  • "Lift-and-shift migrations": Moving existing workloads to the cloud with minimal changes.
  • "Custom OS or runtime needs": When you require specific OS versions, custom drivers, or legacy software that isn't supported by PaaS.
  • "Full control": Scenarios demanding granular control over networking, security, or system configuration.

Scenario: You need to migrate an on-premises legacy application to Azure. This application runs on an older version of Windows Server and has custom software installed that cannot be easily containerized or refactored for PaaS. You need full control over the server environment.

Reflection Question: How does choosing an IaaS solution (like Azure Virtual Machines) fundamentally balance flexibility and control with increased operational responsibility, making it suitable for lift-and-shift migrations or highly customized environments?

💡 Tip: While IaaS offers maximum control, remember it also comes with increased operational overhead compared to PaaS services. Evaluate carefully whether that level of control is truly necessary for your application.