Even if you are not aware of it, you are very familiar with many types of cloud computing.
Your personal email account is utilizing cloud technology, as are your iPhone photos and social media profiles. In general, “the cloud” simply refers to files and applications which are hosted offsite, on servers which are located in a different place than the end user. Also referred to as on-demand computing, cloud computing is Internet-based computing capability which allows unrelated users to share processing resources. However, as businesses look for ways to cost-effectively scale their operation while staying on budget, different types of cloud computing have necessarily emerged.
The Public Cloud
The term “public cloud” refers to services which are offered over a public usage network. Cloud hosting is represented by a service provider delivering services and infrastructure to disparate customers. In this scenario, clients have no control over the location of the servers they are accessing. The public cloud is appropriate for organizations looking for ways to effectively manage the load of applications accessed by many end users. It is a very economical solution, because the public cloud option requires little capital overhead and operational costs. The costs of public cloud are shared by all users, so benefits all customers by achieving economies of scale they could never reach on their own. Some public cloud applications are offered for little or no cost.
A Private Cloud
Also known as the internal cloud, private cloud computing services are offered on a cloud-based secure environment. The environment is typically firewall-protected and controlled by the organization’s IT department. In a private cloud scenario, the user is availed more direct control of the data they access. A private cloud is tough to truly define, as the services provided are generally structured for the particular business needs, and can vary significantly. Physical computers can hosted internally or externally, offering resources from a distinct pool of private cloud services. A private cloud is most appropriate for businesses with unforeseen needs, stringent uptime requirements, compelling management demands and mission critical assignments which cannot be compromised.
Hybrid Cloud Environments
As its name would indicate, a hybrid cloud integrates aspects of both public and private cloud operating environments. It consists of two or more cloud servers, which can either be public, private, or community cloud servers. Each server remains a separate and distinct, but is integrated with the others in the cloud environment. Hybrid clouds are not easy to categorize – they can be public or private, utilize either external or internal providers, and provide adaptation among two or more platforms. The movement of data between the public and private cloud is based on demand and pay-per-the-need. Businesses may opt to use public clouds to house non-critical and non-confidential resources, while the private cloud component can be utilized to process sensitive, confidential, or critical workloads. Companies often choose a hybrid cloud environment due to their easy scalability, enhanced security, and complete flexibility.
Community Clouds
In a community cloud, cloud resources are shared between many organizations which belong to a particular community, for example, credit unions or stock trading organizations. This setup is typically shared among several organizations who have the same fears and challenges when approaching cloud computing. Community members often share the same security, performance and privacy concerns, so they can address these communally while still reaching economies of scale and cost-effectiveness. Community clouds allow these groups to achieve their similar business goals together. Community clouds can be managed internally or by third-party provider, such as a local Sarasota managed services firm.
At Alliance IT , we understand that determining the best way forward for your business can be daunting. Call us today to discuss your operational, security, and business goals – and we will help you to determine the best path for your IT operations. The types of cloud computing are just the beginning – let us show you how we can assist you to grow your small to mid-sized business!
