What is a cloud based server?

Cloud based server model is a new approach of running applications or storing data. They are virtual servers running in a cloud computing environment that can be accessed on demand by unlimited users. Companies no longer need to maintain their own data center instead they pay a flexible cost. 

Background

Cloud servers are created using virtualization software (hyperviosor) to divide the physical servers into multiple virtual servers.  Servers could be located virtually anywhere since they are accessed remotely over the network rather then onsite. Therefore the infrastructure is different. It offers unlimited compute capacity.

According to the Datamation's website, the top 5 cloud service provides and companies in 2023 are

Top 5 Cloud Service Providers In 2023

• Amazon Web Services: Best in Cloud Computing

• Microsoft Azure: Best in Hybrid Cloud

• Google Cloud Platform: Best in Application Deployment

• IBM Cloud: Best in Cloud-based AI

• Oracle: Best in Databases

	Offered Services	Key Features
AWS	Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud AWS Lambda Amazon Simple Storage Service Elastic Block Store Amazon Virtual Private Cloud Amazon Route 53	Scalability Cost-effectiveness and affordability Reliability Security Global reach of the services
Azure	Azure Kubernetes Azure SQL Azure Machine Learning Azure Backup Azure Cosmos DP Azure Active Directory	Flexibility Analytics support Strong IT support Scalability Affordability Reliability
Google Cloud	Google Compute Engine Google Kubernetes Engine Google Cloud Spanner Google Cloud Virtual Network	Affordability User-friendliness Speed Advanced admin control capabilities Cloud-based data transfer
IBM	IBM Cloud Code Engine IBM Hyper Protect Virtual Servers IBM Cloud Functions IBM WebSphere Application Servers IBM Power Systems Virtual Servers	High availability Cloud infrastructure administration Open-source technology integration Private, public, and hybrid cloud support Persistent data storage
Oracle	Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Oracle Big Data Cloud Oracle Database Cloud Service Oracle Autonomous Database	Built-in database optimization Reliability and security Cost-efficiency and affordability High availability Scalability Flexibility

Sources from: 

What is a Cloud Server? How do Cloud Servers work? | Microsoft Azure

Top 16 Cloud Computing Companies & Service Providers 2023 (datamation.com)