8 Best-Selling IaaS Books Millions Trust for Cloud Success

Discover 8 authoritative IaaS books authored by experts such as Tom Fifield and Gethyn Ellis, widely recommended for their practical guidance and industry impact.

Updated on June 28, 2025
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There's something special about books that both critics and crowds love, especially in the ever-evolving world of Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). As businesses increasingly rely on cloud solutions, understanding IaaS has become crucial for IT professionals aiming to design, manage, and optimize scalable cloud environments. These eight best-selling books represent proven approaches that have helped countless practitioners navigate this complex domain.

These books stand out because they're written by authors deeply embedded in the cloud computing landscape. For example, Tom Fifield, who spearheaded the NeCTAR Research Cloud project, shares firsthand operational expertise in managing OpenStack clouds. Similarly, Gethyn Ellis, a Microsoft Data Platform MVP, distills years of consulting experience into practical Azure IaaS guidance. This authoritative authorship ensures the content is both relevant and actionable for today's cloud challenges.

While these popular books provide proven frameworks, readers seeking content tailored to their specific IaaS needs might consider creating a personalized IaaS book that combines these validated approaches. This option allows you to focus on your unique background, skill level, and objectives, blending expert insights with your personal learning goals.

Best for managing OpenStack IaaS environments
Tom Fifield led the creation of the NeCTAR Research Cloud and now serves as Community Manager at the OpenStack Foundation. His extensive experience with large-scale cloud infrastructure underpins this guide, written to help you set up and maintain your own OpenStack cloud. Drawing from real-world deployments, Fifield offers insights into architecture design and operational tasks that benefit anyone ready to manage IaaS platforms effectively.
OpenStack Operations Guide: Set Up and Manage Your OpenStack Cloud book cover

by Tom Fifield, Diane Fleming, Anne Gentle, Lorin Hochstein, Jonathan Proulx, Everett Toews, Joe Topjian··You?

2014·327 pages·IaaS, OpenStack, Cloud Computing, Cloud Architecture, Automation

Tom Fifield, who played a key role in creating the NeCTAR Research Cloud and now manages community efforts at the OpenStack Foundation, brings deep hands-on expertise to this guide. The book walks you through setting up a private or public cloud using OpenStack, focusing on practical skills like automated deployment, managing compute and storage resources, and network troubleshooting. You'll gain clear knowledge on designing scalable architectures and handling daily operations such as user management and backup strategies. This is well suited for IT professionals familiar with Linux and MySQL aiming to confidently manage IaaS environments, though novices might find the technical depth challenging.

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Best for Azure cloud administrators
Gethyn Ellis is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP and experienced consultant specializing in data architecture and Azure migrations. His deep technical background and role as a Microsoft Certified Trainer shine through in this book, which distills complex Azure IaaS concepts into practical guidance. Ellis’s track record with SQL Server and Azure projects gives this guide a grounded perspective, making it a solid resource for IT professionals looking to master cloud infrastructure deployment on Microsoft Azure.
2015·170 pages·Microsoft Azure, IaaS, Cloud Computing, Infrastructure, Virtual Machines

Drawing from his extensive experience as a Microsoft Data Platform MVP and consultant, Gethyn Ellis offers a focused guide to building cloud infrastructure using Microsoft Azure. You’ll learn how to deploy and configure both Windows and Linux virtual machines, integrate your cloud setup with Active Directory, and create virtual networks that extend your on-premises environment into the cloud. The book walks you through monitoring and disaster recovery techniques, equipping you with practical skills to maintain business-critical applications on Azure. If you’re a system administrator or IT professional aiming to implement or manage Azure IaaS, this book delivers clear, example-driven instruction without unnecessary complexity.

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Best for personal mastery plans
This AI-created book on IaaS management is crafted specifically based on your experience and goals. By sharing your current knowledge and the particular areas you want to focus on, you receive a book tailored to provide exactly what you need for mastering cloud infrastructure. This personalized approach helps you concentrate on the techniques and insights most relevant to your background, making the process of learning cloud management more efficient and rewarding.
2025·50-300 pages·IaaS, Cloud Computing, IaaS Fundamentals, Infrastructure Management, Resource Provisioning

This tailored book explores in-depth techniques for mastering Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) management, designed to match your background and goals. It covers core concepts and advanced operational practices, focusing on managing cloud resources efficiently, optimizing infrastructure deployment, and enhancing scalability. By concentrating on your specific interests in IaaS, it reveals practical nuances of cloud architecture and resource orchestration that align with your skill level. This personalized approach ensures you engage with content that directly supports your ambitions in cloud infrastructure management, making complex topics approachable and relevant to your needs. Through targeted exploration of infrastructure provisioning, virtualization, and performance monitoring, the book helps deepen your understanding and practical expertise.

Tailored Guide
Advanced Provisioning
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for Azure migration architects
Practical Microsoft Azure IaaS offers a methodical approach to adopting Microsoft’s cloud infrastructure platform by guiding you through the migration and design of scalable, secure cloud solutions. The book’s focus on mapping traditional infrastructure components to Azure services makes it particularly useful for professionals familiar with on-premise systems seeking to expand their skill set. It emphasizes Microsoft’s recommended best practices, covering everything from resource management and automated provisioning to performance monitoring and security implementation, addressing key challenges in cloud adoption and management for infrastructure architects.
2018·325 pages·IaaS, Cloud Computing, Infrastructure, Azure, Cloud Migration

After extensive research and practical experience with cloud infrastructures, Shijimol Ambi Karthikeyan developed this guide to help professionals transition their on-premise systems to Microsoft Azure IaaS. You'll learn to translate familiar infrastructure components like virtualization and storage into Azure equivalents while mastering design principles focused on scalability, availability, and security. The book walks you through automated provisioning tools and performance tuning, enabling you to build resilient cloud architectures. If you're an infrastructure architect aiming to upskill in cloud migration with hands-on guidance, this book offers a straightforward path without unnecessary jargon.

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Best for Oracle cloud practitioners
Oracle IaaS: Quick Reference Guide to Cloud Solutions offers a focused exploration of Oracle’s IaaS platform, presenting tools and capabilities designed to boost business value and system performance. This guide walks you through Oracle’s cloud service models and product offerings, such as Oracle Compute Cloud and Oracle Container Cloud, providing real-world case studies that address configuring cloud resources to your organization’s requirements. It’s tailored for Oracle database administrators and developers looking to deepen their understanding and practical skills within the IaaS domain, helping bridge the gap between cloud technology and effective application.
2017·160 pages·IaaS, Cloud Computing, Oracle Cloud, Compute Cloud, Storage Cloud

Okcan Yasin Saygili’s detailed guide draws on his deep engagement with Oracle’s cloud technology to clarify the often complex world of Infrastructure as a Service. You’ll find clear explanations of Oracle’s IaaS offerings, such as Compute Cloud and Container Cloud, alongside practical insights on configuring these services to meet your organization’s needs. The book dives into the economic benefits of cloud elasticity and on-demand capacity, making it a useful resource for IT professionals aiming to optimize cloud infrastructure. If you're managing Oracle environments or developing cloud applications, this guide offers targeted knowledge without unnecessary jargon.

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Ved Antani is a recognized expert in cloud management and Oracle technologies with extensive experience implementing and managing cloud solutions. His background in computer science and passion for technology drive this book, designed to help organizations leverage cloud computing for operational efficiency and cost reduction. Ved’s proven track record in authoring cloud and database management resources positions this book as a practical tool for those working with Oracle Enterprise Manager Cloud Control 12c.
2013·112 pages·IaaS, Cloud Computing, DBaaS, Oracle Enterprise Manager, Cloud Management

Ved Antani's decades of experience in cloud management culminate in this focused guide to Oracle Enterprise Manager Cloud Control 12c, tailored specifically for managing IaaS and DBaaS environments. You’ll gain concrete skills configuring self-service provisioning systems and navigating Oracle's chargeback mechanisms, with practical examples that ground the technical details in everyday cloud administration. Chapters walk you through essential cloud computing components like networking, virtualization, and storage, making this especially useful if you already have foundational knowledge and want to deepen your operational expertise. This book suits cloud administrators and IT professionals aiming to optimize Oracle-based cloud infrastructures rather than casual learners or beginners.

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Best for rapid cloud improvements
This AI-created book on IaaS performance is written based on your cloud experience and the specific areas you want to improve. You share your current skill level, interests, and goals, and the book focuses on accelerating your cloud deployment and operations effectively. This tailored approach helps you avoid sifting through broad content and zero in on what truly advances your IaaS environment in one month.
2025·50-300 pages·IaaS, Cloud Computing, IaaS Performance, Resource Optimization, Cloud Deployment

This tailored book explores actionable steps to enhance your Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) environment within a focused 30-day period. It covers practical performance improvements, resource optimization, and operational tuning, all matched to your background and objectives. The content reveals how to efficiently navigate cloud deployment nuances and manage infrastructure to meet your specific goals. By combining widely validated practices with your unique context, this personalized guide ensures you focus precisely on topics that matter most to your cloud journey. It examines real-world scenarios to boost scalability, reliability, and cost-effectiveness, making your IaaS deployment more responsive and effective.

AI-Tailored
Performance Optimization
1,000+ Happy Readers
This IBM Redbooks publication stands out in the IaaS category by offering a practical, education-focused approach to cloud infrastructure using IBM SoftLayer. It has gained widespread adoption among university programs and newcomers eager to grasp cloud fundamentals. Rooted in a collaborative course developed with IBM's Middle East and Africa University Program, it equips you with fundamental skills to design, implement, and manage cloud environments. The guide addresses the need for accessible, structured learning in cloud infrastructure, making it a valuable resource for those entering the field and looking to build a strong foundation with real-world IBM SoftLayer examples.
2016·362 pages·IaaS, Cloud Computing, Infrastructure Design, SoftLayer Platform, Cloud Deployment

IBM Redbooks' extensive experience in cloud technologies shines through in this detailed guide tailored for newcomers to cloud infrastructure. Focused on IBM SoftLayer, the book walks you through building and managing an IaaS environment, starting from foundational concepts to practical system design and implementation. You'll gain insights into cloud architecture, resource management, and deployment workflows, especially as they apply to the SoftLayer platform as of mid-2015. This is particularly useful if you're a university student or a professional stepping into cloud computing without prior hands-on experience, offering a clear path to understanding IaaS fundamentals within an enterprise context.

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Best for Azure infrastructure managers
Mastering Microsoft Azure IaaS (Korean Edition) offers a focused exploration of managing cloud infrastructure using Azure's public cloud platform. It guides you through customizing cost-effective solutions for storage and automating operational tasks, addressing the needs of modern IT environments. The book’s practical approach to integrating on-premises infrastructure with Azure for hybrid cloud setups makes it a valuable asset for professionals seeking to leverage Microsoft’s cloud ecosystem effectively. Its inclusion of a downloadable app with updated code examples and videos further supports hands-on learning and application.
2016·Microsoft Azure, IaaS, Cloud Computing, Infrastructure, Automation

Drawing from his extensive experience in cloud technologies, John Saville developed this guide to help you navigate Microsoft Azure's Infrastructure as a Service offerings. You'll gain detailed insights into designing and managing Azure public cloud environments, including automating tasks with PowerShell and integrating hybrid on-premises solutions. The book also covers disaster recovery strategies within Azure, supported by a companion app with code samples and videos to deepen your understanding. This is tailored for IT professionals focused on deploying and optimizing Azure infrastructure, rather than casual users or beginners.

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Best for strategic IaaS decision-makers
Infrastructure as a Service IaaS Third Edition by Gerardus Blokdyk stands out by focusing on the critical questions you need to ask to navigate the complex world of cloud infrastructure. This book has gained traction among IT professionals who appreciate its approach to diagnosing and improving IaaS initiatives through a self-assessment lens. It offers a unique blend of strategic inquiry and practical frameworks that help you pinpoint challenges and align technology investments with organizational goals, making it a useful resource for those steering cloud infrastructure projects or shaping IT strategies.
2021·318 pages·IaaS, Cloud Computing, IT Infrastructure, Strategy, Automation

This book emerges from Gerardus Blokdyk's deep engagement with the complexities of cloud infrastructure, focusing on the critical questions that define Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) implementation. You won't find a typical textbook here; instead, the book equips you to challenge assumptions and ask the right questions that reveal practical challenges and solutions in managing IaaS environments. It covers topics like virtualization, security gateways, automation, and mobile computing, helping you assess your organization's readiness and align vendor strategies with your goals. If you're responsible for IT infrastructure decisions or strategic planning, this book offers a framework to sharpen your perspective and guide better outcomes.

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Conclusion

This collection of eight books reveals some clear themes: first, the value of practical, experience-driven guidance from authors with deep ties to cloud platforms like OpenStack, Azure, Oracle, and IBM SoftLayer. Second, the importance of frameworks that address real-world operational challenges, from deployment to monitoring and optimization. And third, the recognition that strategic thinking about IaaS plays a key role alongside technical skills.

If you prefer proven methods grounded in platform-specific expertise, starting with "OpenStack Operations Guide" or "Microsoft Azure Iaas Essentials" will serve you well. For a more strategic lens, Gerardus Blokdyk’s "Infrastructure as a Service IaaS Third Edition" offers a thoughtful framework. Combining these books can provide a well-rounded understanding of both tactical and strategic IaaS management.

Alternatively, you can create a personalized IaaS book to combine proven methods with your unique needs. These widely-adopted approaches have helped many readers succeed in mastering the complexities of cloud infrastructure, and a tailored guide lets you focus precisely where it matters most to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with "OpenStack Operations Guide" if you're focused on OpenStack, or "Microsoft Azure Iaas Essentials" for Azure environments. Both offer clear, practical introductions tailored to those platforms, making them excellent entry points.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to IaaS?

Not necessarily. For beginners, "A Practical Approach to Cloud Iaas With IBM Softlayer" breaks down foundational concepts well. Others like the Oracle and Azure books vary in complexity but generally provide clear explanations suitable for motivated learners.

What's the best order to read these books?

Begin with platform-specific guides that match your focus, then explore strategic titles like "Infrastructure as a Service IaaS Third Edition" to broaden your understanding of overall cloud infrastructure management.

Do I really need to read all of these, or can I just pick one?

You can pick one that aligns with your platform or role. However, combining practical guides with strategic perspectives can deepen your expertise. Tailored reading helps optimize time and relevance.

Are any of these books outdated given how fast IaaS changes?

While cloud platforms evolve rapidly, these books provide foundational principles and operational insights that remain valuable. Supplementing reading with current documentation is a smart approach.

How can I get focused IaaS knowledge without reading multiple full books?

While these expert books offer deep insights, you might consider creating a personalized IaaS book tailored to your specific goals. This combines proven strategies from these titles into a concise, customized guide just for you.

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