Compute as a Service (CaaS)
What is Compute as a Service (CaaS)?
Compute as a Service (CaaS) is a consumption-based (pay-per-use) infrastructure model that provides on-demand processing resources for general and specific workloads. CaaS lets enterprises simplify and scale compute operations to eliminate overprovisioning and add flexibility for new or unexpected demands.
How does Compute as a Service work?
CaaS is a cloud-based solution that relies on virtual and physical processing power. Physical processing takes place in private, on-premises servers, while virtual processing occurs in the cloud. 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. Providers may offer this service as a flat-rate subscription or on a fluid consumption-based model so customers are charged only for the compute they use.
What are the benefits of Compute as a Service?
CaaS can be a game-changer for enterprises looking to accelerate their digital transformation, offering a solution that’s more cost efficient, flexible, and streamlined.
Compared to building your cloud from scratch, which can be labor and capital intensive, CaaS doesn’t require as high an upfront investment in hardware, cloud resources, and man-hours. Instead, CaaS delivers workload-optimized systems at a faster rate to your data center or edge location—and at a fraction of the cost of a self-managed or legacy solution.
CaaS solutions can be scaled over time. Private, on-premises IT infrastructure is often overprovisioned, meaning it’s fixed to accommodate a wide range of workloads and spikes in demand. The problem? Those resources aren’t always used, and any required expansion can result in constrained resources or extended downtime. CaaS mitigates those concerns with on-demand configuration allocation that can be scaled up or down in response to new opportunities and unexpected challenges, helping maintain compute bandwidth and the teams that rely on it.
No matter the requirements, CaaS can be provisioned for virtually any workload before it’s needed—general-purpose compute, composable infrastructure, mission-critical applications, data analytics, and more. These preconfigured solutions can be deployed across several tiers and scales. And since CaaS is typically a managed solution covering installation to maintenance and support, enterprises can refocus their teams to refocus on higher-level tasks and innovation.
What are some examples of Compute as a Service?
While the name implies pure processing power, CaaS has a multitude of applications, ranging from basic compute and cloud computing needs to Big Data and compute security. By far the most common is cloud computing, which delivers software and applications accessible to end users outside the server via an Internet connection. In some cases, configurations can be optimized for specific workloads. These workloads can be put into public cloud, which is ideal for shared resources and collaboration, or protected behind private cloud for optimal security and compliance.
CaaS can also help enterprises get more from Big Data by deepening your data analytics infrastructure, transforming your data using rules and models and unlocking new insights faster from data-collecting devices. These insights can be gleaned in real time from the data center, colocations, and at the edge.
But CaaS can do more than crunch numbers; it can also protect invaluable IT infrastructure. Compute can provide security features like zero-trust provisioning, cryptographic certificates, and zero-touch onboarding, including automated protection that detects malware and other threats before they cause harm or recover a compromised server. Security may also be applied to the supply chain, extending from manufacturing to installation.
HPE and Compute as a Service
HPE is a leader in CaaS, offering a robust portfolio of hardware, software, and services. HPE Compute products include converged edge systems designed for rugged operating environments; rack and tower servers that can handle challenging workloads; composable infrastructure systems for hybrid cloud deployments; hyperconverged infrastructure; and high-performance computing that can solve the most complex problems. No matter the configuration, HPE Compute helps businesses discover new opportunities with workload-optimized systems, then predict and prevent problems with AI-driven solutions and supercomputing technologies—all available as a service.
For transformation and acceleration at the edge, HPE GreenLake is a comprehensive platform of infrastructure and expertise designed for top workloads and improved business outcomes. Enterprises can choose from any number of compute solutions for hybrid and multicloud environments, including software-defined and database-optimized hardware and services, virtualization, networking, and enterprise-grade AI and machine learning (ML). HPE GreenLake includes all the expertise to modernize your cloud, harness the power of your data, manage and protect your assets, and help teams overcome challenges along the way.