In which cloud service model is the customer responsible for managing applications, data, runtime, and middleware?

Question

Options

• AIaaS
• BPaaS
• CSaaS
• DDaaS

• A
  3% (1)
• B
  87% (27)
• C
  6% (2)
• D
  3% (1)

Explanation

Note: There appears to be an error in this question's answer key. Based on standard cloud computing definitions, the correct answer should be A (IaaS), not B.

Why IaaS (A) is the actual correct answer: In the Infrastructure as a Service model, the cloud provider manages only the underlying hardware, networking, and virtualization - leaving the customer responsible for the OS, runtime, middleware, applications, and data. This matches the scenario described exactly.

Why each other option is wrong:

• B (PaaS): In Platform as a Service, the provider manages runtime and middleware. The customer only handles applications and data - so PaaS is actually the opposite of what's described.
• C (SaaS): Software as a Service offloads nearly everything to the provider; customers only interact with the finished application.
• D (DaaS): Desktop as a Service delivers virtual desktops; the provider manages the desktop environment entirely.

Memory tip - "Pizza as a Service" analogy: Think of it as how much you make yourself vs. order. IaaS = you bring your own toppings, sauce, dough (OS/runtime/middleware/apps/data). PaaS = kitchen is provided, you just bring your ingredients (apps/data). SaaS = everything is made for you, just eat (use).

If this question appears on an official practice exam, the answer key likely contains a typo - worth flagging to your instructor.

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