220-1101 Virtualization and Cloud Computing Practice Question
A company wants to deploy a custom web application. They need full control over the operating system, middleware, and runtime environment, but they do not want to manage the underlying physical hardware, such as servers, storage, and networking equipment. Which cloud service model BEST meets this requirement?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the distinction between IaaS and PaaS by emphasizing that PaaS still allows some application-level control but removes OS and middleware management, so candidates mistakenly choose PaaS when they see 'custom web application' without recognizing the requirement for full OS control.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) provides virtualized computing resources over the internet, giving the customer full control over the operating system, middleware, and runtime environment while the cloud provider manages the underlying physical hardware (servers, storage, networking). This matches the requirement exactly, as the company retains administrative access to the OS and software stack without needing to manage physical infrastructure.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
Why this is correct
IaaS delivers fundamental compute, storage, and networking resources on demand. Because the customer provisions the virtual machine directly, they have complete control over the guest operating system, middleware, and the custom application, while the provider only maintains the physical data center hardware. This precisely matches the requirement for full control over a web application's environment.
- ✗
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
Why it's wrong here
PaaS abstracts the underlying infrastructure and runtime, providing a fully managed development and deployment environment. The customer writes and deploys application code, but the provider handles the OS, runtime, scaling, and patching, so the customer cannot control or even see the OS level. This lack of OS and middleware control conflicts with the stated requirement.
When this WOULD be correct
A company wants to deploy a custom web application without managing the OS, middleware, or runtime, and only needs to focus on code and data. PaaS would be correct because it provides a fully managed platform for application deployment.
- ✗
Software as a Service (SaaS)
Why it's wrong here
SaaS is a fully managed software solution where the provider delivers a finished, multi-tenant application over the internet. The customer has no ability to modify the underlying OS, runtime, or compute resources, and typically only has configuration and data-level controls. Since the goal is to deploy a custom web application with full stack control, SaaS's complete abstraction of infrastructure makes it inappropriate.
When this WOULD be correct
A company wants to use a pre-built application like email or CRM without managing any infrastructure or platform. They need immediate access to the software with no customization of the underlying environment.
- ✗
Desktop as a Service (DaaS)
Why it's wrong here
DaaS is a virtual desktop delivery model where end users access a managed desktop environment, typically for individual productivity, not for hosting server-side custom web applications. The provider manages the virtual desktop infrastructure, including the underlying OS, and the customer only has control within the user session, not over the servicing or configuration of the host OS itself. This fails the requirement of full OS control for application deployment.
When this WOULD be correct
A company needs to provide remote desktop access to employees with standardized applications and data, without managing individual PCs. DaaS would be correct when the requirement is virtual desktop delivery, not custom application hosting.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The 220-1101 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
IaaS delivers fundamental compute, storage, and networking resources on demand. Because the customer provisions the virtual machine directly, they have complete control over the guest operating system, middleware, and the custom application, while the provider only maintains the physical data center hardware. This precisely matches the requirement for full control over a web application's environment.
✗Platform as a Service (PaaS)Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
PaaS provides a managed platform (OS, middleware, runtime) but abstracts away control over the underlying OS and middleware configuration, which contradicts the requirement for full control over these components.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A company wants to deploy a custom web application without managing the OS, middleware, or runtime, and only needs to focus on code and data. PaaS would be correct because it provides a fully managed platform for application deployment.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse PaaS with IaaS because both involve deploying applications, but PaaS offers more management, leading them to think it still allows full control over the environment when it does not.
✗Software as a Service (SaaS)Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
SaaS provides ready-to-use software accessed via the internet, with no control over the underlying OS, middleware, or runtime environment. The company needs full control over these components, which SaaS does not offer.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A company wants to use a pre-built application like email or CRM without managing any infrastructure or platform. They need immediate access to the software with no customization of the underlying environment.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse 'custom web application' with a ready-made software solution, or they may think SaaS can be customized enough to meet their needs, overlooking the requirement for full control over the OS and middleware.
✗Desktop as a Service (DaaS)Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
DaaS provides virtual desktops and applications, not the full control over OS, middleware, and runtime needed for custom web application deployment. It abstracts the OS and environment, limiting customization.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A company needs to provide remote desktop access to employees with standardized applications and data, without managing individual PCs. DaaS would be correct when the requirement is virtual desktop delivery, not custom application hosting.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse 'Desktop as a Service' with a general cloud service that provides full control, or think 'desktop' implies a full OS environment similar to IaaS.
Analysis generated from the official 220-1101blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
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Key term
Anything As A Service
A model where you rent any IT resource or service over the internet instead of owning it.
Key term
Internet Protocol
Internet Protocol (IP) is the set of rules that governs how data is addressed, routed, and sent from one device to another across networks, including the internet.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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