What is a primary characteristic of IaaS?

The primary characteristic of Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is that users can run applications and manage operating systems. This model provides virtualized computing resources over the internet, allowing customers to build and manage their own IT infrastructure without the need to invest in physical hardware.

In IaaS, users are given control over the operating systems, storage, and deployed applications. They can install any software they wish, configure their virtual machines, and manage applications, which enables a high level of customization and flexibility. This characteristic distinguishes IaaS from other cloud service models such as Platform as a Service (PaaS), where the user typically does not manage the underlying infrastructure or hardware.

The ability to run applications and manage operating systems is crucial for businesses and developers who want the freedom to optimize their environment according to specific needs without being restricted by predefined software frameworks. This level of control, coupled with the scalability and availability that the cloud provides, makes IaaS an attractive option for many organizations looking to innovate and deploy services rapidly.