Forward Deployed Engineer interview question · Most asked
What are the trade-offs between deploying as SaaS, in the customer's VPC, on-premises or air-gapped?
Summary
SaaS is easiest to operate and update but data leaves the customer; customer-VPC (BYOC) keeps data in their cloud while you ship and possibly operate the software; on-premises gives them full control but makes upgrades and support harder; air-gapped means no internet at all, so images, models, licences and updates must be shipped offline.
Longer Answer
Each step down increases packaging, versioning, diagnostics and support effort. Design for configurability, offline operation and diagnostics bundles if you serve regulated customers.
Key Points
- SaaS: easiest, data leaves.
- BYOC: data stays, more packaging.
- On-prem: customer runs it.
- Air-gapped: everything offline.
Deep dive: Forward Deployed Engineering Tutorial: SaaS, Customer VPC, On-Premises and Air-Gapped
Explanation
What interviewers look for
Understanding of operational consequences.
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