--- title: What is a cloud server? url: https://www.vmware.com/topics/cloud-server description: Learn about cloud servers, which are pooled, centralized server resources hosted and delivered over a network, on demand. --- # What is a cloud server? A cloud server, sometimes called a cloud computing server, is a pooled, centralized server resource that is hosted and delivered over a network, typically the Internet, and accessed on demand by multiple users. [Cloud](https://www.vmware.com/topics/cloud) servers can perform all the same functions of a traditional physical server, delivering processing power, [storage](https://www.vmware.com/topics/cloud-storage), and applications. Cloud servers can be located anywhere in the world and deliver services remotely through a cloud computing environment. In contrast, traditional dedicated server hardware is typically set up on premises for exclusive use by one organization. Companies have myriad choices for server equipment and hosting. They can choose from hundreds of cloud providers to deliver services. Cloud servers continue to grow in number, as [data centers](https://www.vmware.com/topics/data-center) and server farms expand around the world. ## How a cloud server works A cloud server is made possible through [virtualization](https://www.vmware.com/topics/server-virtualization). Management software called a [hypervisor](https://www.vmware.com/topics/hypervisor) is installed on physical servers to connect and virtualize them: abstracting their combined resources and pooling them together to create virtual servers. These virtual resources can then be [automated](https://www.vmware.com/topics/cloud-automation) and delivered over the cloud for shared use in a single organization or across multiple organizations. This approach is known as the [infrastructure as a service (IaaS)](https://www.vmware.com/topics/iaas) [model](https://www.vmware.com/topics/cloud-operating-model). Organizations that employ IaaS don’t have to own and manage their own hardware; they can provision it from third parties that provide resources on demand via a [public cloud](https://www.vmware.com/topics/public-cloud). A common cloud server example is using a public cloud for temporary, seasonal, or variable workloads that must be scaled up quickly as the need arises. In some cases, however, cloud servers can also be configured as dedicated servers by a cloud provider. In this setup, sometimes called a bare-metal server, the provider dedicates physical cloud servers to one customer who may have specific performance or storage requirements. ## Cloud server vs. traditional server “The cloud” has come to be synonymous with the Internet in general. There are many clouds, both public and [private](https://www.vmware.com/topics/private-cloud), which are formed by any set of connected servers that deliver computing resources over a [network](https://www.vmware.com/topics/cloud-networking). A cloud server can be contrasted with a traditional, dedicated server. While a cloud server’s resources can be shared by many users, a dedicated server is designed for exclusive use by one company. It must be set up and managed by that organization, while a cloud server can be owned and managed by a third party. ## Cloud server options Companies, large and small, have multiple options when it comes to choosing the right cloud server option. The best cloud servers are optimized for specific needs and budgets. What works for a global organization might not be right for a mid-market entity. Cloud servers can be deployed in three primary types of clouds: - **Public cloud:** Cloud servers are most commonly deployed via the public cloud. In this scenario, a third-party provider owns and manages the servers and other [infrastructure](https://www.vmware.com/topics/cloud-infrastructure), and gives its customers access to on-demand computing services. - **Private cloud:** An organization can host a private cloud where the cloud servers are maintained within a private data center or co-location facility and maintain management, security, and compliance. These server resources are dedicated to a single organization and provide a set of cloud services that are offered to business units and users, typically from the IT organization. - [Hybrid cloud](https://www.vmware.com/topics/hybrid-cloud): Public and private clouds can be combined to support both on-premises data centers and public cloud resources. This hybrid cloud environment gives companies flexibility to maintain control and security, but also leverages public clouds in order to burst to meet surges in demand. ## Cloud server benefits Cloud servers have revolutionized the IT industry. The pros of using cloud servers typically far outweigh the cons. Four primary benefits include: - **Affordability:** Using cloud servers managed by third-party providers is far less expensive for a company than purchasing and maintaining its own infrastructure. Companies benefit from economies of scale when sharing server resources with others, and they pay only for the resources they use. - **Convenience:** Public cloud resources can often be provisioned in a matter of minutes and easily managed through a single control panel or API. When IT teams no longer need to maintain complex infrastructures on-premises, their resources are freed up for other tasks. Users can access data from anywhere. - **Scalability:** As computing and data storage needs change, cloud servers can respond quickly, scaling up or down to meet demand. - **Reliability:** Cloud servers can deliver the same performance as dedicated servers. Since the cloud runs on multiple servers in a shared environment, the service can continue even if a single component fails. ## How VMware products can help [VMware Cloud Foundation](https://www.vmware.com/products/cloud-infrastructure/vmware-cloud-foundation)-based (VCF) public cloud offerings enable seamless extension of your VMware workloads from on-premises to the public cloud with direct access to native cloud services such as AI and analytics. ![vmware-cloud-bursting-diagram.png](https://www.vmware.com/media/blt8c9a8aaca0ffd4ac/blt44c0295d4c3b02a8/6967f4747ee08500088e3659/vmware-cloud-bursting-diagram.png) VCF is a unified private cloud platform with integrated, enterprise-class compute, storage, networking, [management](https://www.vmware.com/topics/cloud-management), and security, resulting in a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) and increased productivity. VCF offers consistent infrastructure and operations across on-premises and public clouds, along with seamless workload migration to those endpoints. This combined approach makes VCF an ideal foundation for your cloud journey, eliminating the need for refactoring or replatforming. When coupled with the agility, scale, and innovative cloud services of your preferred public cloud provider, VCF, running on dedicated, bare-metal cloud infrastructure, delivers a seamless hybrid cloud experience. You can leverage this modern infrastructure to accelerate innovation and take advantage of the latest advancements in AI and other cloud services. ## Recommended for You - [Public Cloud](https://www.vmware.com/topics/public-cloud) - [Hybrid Cloud](https://www.vmware.com/topics/hybrid-cloud) - [Private Cloud](https://www.vmware.com/topics/private-cloud) ## Related Solutions and Products - [Partner-Managed Services](https://www.vmware.com/solutions/partner-managed-services) - [Why Private Cloud](https://www.vmware.com/solutions/cloud-infrastructure/why-private-cloud) - [Extend Your Data Center to Public Cloud with VCF](https://www.vmware.com/solutions/cloud-infrastructure/extend-data-center-to-public-cloud-with-vcf) ## Also of Interest - [What is Platform Engineering?](https://www.vmware.com/topics/platform-engineering) - [What is the Cloud?](https://www.vmware.com/topics/cloud) - [VMware Cloud Foundation](https://www.vmware.com/products/cloud-infrastructure/vmware-cloud-foundation)