What Is Bare Metal-as-a-Service (BMaaS)?

Bare Metal-as-a-Service (BMaaS) leverages automation technology to increase the operational efficiency of on-site data centers. Sometimes called metal-as-a-service (MAAS), this technology allows a vendor to deploy bare metal resources directly to your on-site data center. 

BMaaS enables organizations to experience all the benefits of bare metal IT infrastructure with the scalability, agility, and convenience of the cloud.

Bare Metal-as-a-Service, by definition, leverages the pooling of bare metal resources to streamline the efficiency of an organization’s data center. A controlling software platform allows a third-party vendor to automatically provision servers within the resource pool. Once a customer no longer needs those resources, the servers are automatically released back into the resource pool to be used again.

This server architecture works well for big data use cases and high-traffic scenarios that struggle with latency or lag issues. In these instances, companies enjoy bare metal server advantages like cost reductions, flexibility, and scalability. However, disadvantages like the noisy neighbor issue and security risks that arise from the incomplete isolation of resources also come with the territory.

Now that you understand what Bare Metal-as-a-Service is, let’s take an in-depth look at how it works. 

The provisioning process for BMaaS typically starts with you submitting a request to the BMaaS provider. The request will include the server type, the amount of resources you need, and the server’s location. The BMaaS provider will then provision the bare metal server and install the operating system (OS). Once the provider installs the operating system, you can connect to the bare metal server and configure it for your specific needs.

The configuration process typically involves installing software, configuring security settings, and setting up networking. The software you install will depend on your specific needs. For example, if you are deploying a web application, you will need to install a web server and a database. You must also configure security settings to protect your server from unauthorized access. Finally, you will need to set up networking so your server can communicate with other servers and the internet.

The deployment process for BMaaS typically involves using a containerization platform, such as Docker or Kubernetes, or deploying your applications directly to the bare metal server. If you are using a containerization platform, you will need to create containers for your applications and then deploy those containers to the bare metal server. If you are deploying your applications directly to the bare metal server, you will need to copy the application files to the server and then configure the application to run.

The management process for BMaaS typically involves monitoring the server, performing updates, and troubleshooting problems. You will need to monitor the server to ensure it performs as expected and is not under attack. You will also need to update the operating system and software on the server. Finally, you may need to troubleshoot problems if they occur.

So, what is Bare Metal-as-a-Service going to do to transform your business? Here are a few key areas where organizations can expect to see improvements after implementing BMaaS. 

When we compare bare metal vs virtual server hosting, bare metal offers significantly more performance benefits. Naturally, those benefits translate to Bare Metal-as-a-Service. They include:

• Higher throughput and lower latency — BMaaS servers are dedicated to a single customer, so there is no resource contention with other tenants, creating a higher throughput and lower latency environment for applications.
• Improved performance for resource-intensive applications — BMaaS servers offer more CPU, memory, and storage resources than traditional virtual machines. This makes them ideal for running resource-intensive applications such as high-performance computing (HPC), big data analytics, and real-time applications.
• More predictable performance — Other tenants don’t affect BMaaS servers, so you can be confident that your applications will perform consistently. This is important for mission-critical applications and applications that require high availability.
• Greater control over the hardware and software — With BMaaS, you have complete control over the hardware and software on your server. This allows you to optimize your server for your specific needs and applications.

BMaaS architecture affords companies greater security in several ways. The nature of BMaaS servers isolates them, meaning customers don’t need to share resources with a provider’s other customers. That alone greatly increases the security and reliability of BMaaS hosting, as it limits hackers’ entry points into the system. Further, these isolated environments help prevent attackers from moving too far laterally once inside the system. 

But there are more security features to consider with BMaaS infrastructure. 

Bare metal-as-a-service also offers businesses more control. Since you’re operating in a dedicated environment, you can configure hardware or OS parameters to improve security measures. And all these added features exist on top of the natural BMaaS security features like firewalls, intrusion detection, and data encryption.

BMaaS providers can help you to comply with industry regulations. This is particularly important for businesses that handle sensitive data. Some of the ways BMaaS can aid your compliance efforts include:

• Dedicated resources — Complying with strict regulatory standards, such as PCI DSS for companies that handle credit card transactions or HIPAA for health care providers, is much easier in an isolated environment. No data sharing and physical isolation mean fewer access points for hackers and less chance of a data breach or significant system corruption. 
• Full control — With BMaaS, you have complete control over the hardware and software on your server. This means you can install your own security software and configure your server to your specific needs. This aids in your compliance efforts with regulations requiring specific security measures. An example would be a company that contracts with government agencies and must meet Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) standards.
• Compliance reporting —BMaaS providers typically offer compliance reporting, which can help you track your compliance with industry regulations. Managers can use these reports to demonstrate compliance to auditors, regulators, and key company stakeholders.