Which resource do you manage in an IaaS offering?

In an Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) offering, the primary resource you manage is the operating system. In this model, the cloud provider delivers the underlying infrastructure, including virtual machines, networking, storage, and servers, while users have control over the operating systems running on those virtual machines.

By managing the operating system, you are responsible for tasks such as installing software applications, performing system updates, and applying security patches. This level of management enables you to configure the environment to meet specific needs, allowing for greater flexibility and customization compared to other cloud service models.

While networking, storage, and servers are essential components of IaaS, these resources are typically managed by the cloud provider. Users interact with these resources primarily through the operating system, which serves as the interface for managing other aspects of the infrastructure. This delineation is crucial in understanding the responsibilities and controls associated with using an IaaS offering.