Simplifying the Cloud: Difference Between Public, Private and Hybrid Cloud

‘The Cloud’ is one of the most popular buzzwords. Ask different organizations, and they either are thinking of moving to cloud or have already shifted their workload.

But if you are in the first ones, and still counting what works best, we are here to help you with some basics.

To begin let’s understand what “moving to the cloud” actually means?

Cloud computing represents a fundamental shift in the IT strategy. Moving to a cloud service makes more sense in terms of time and management.

To put it simply, moving to cloud means to move your servers (and the applications that run on them) off-premise. In cloud computing, the services are delivered and used over the Internet.

We know that the procurement process (to buy new hardware or software every time) is both time-consuming and low value. This way cloud brings the much-needed change.

However, cloud computing spans a range of classifications, types and architecture models. In this article, we will talk about the transformative networked computing model that can be categorized into three major types: Public Cloud, Private Cloud and Hybrid Cloud.

Public Cloud

Public Clouds are the best-known and the most common ways of deploying cloud computing. Here the cloud resources (like servers and storage) are owned and operated by a third-party provider. Moreover, this type of cloud service is typically delivered over the Internet. The best example is Microsoft Azure.

In public cloud all hardware, software and other supporting infrastructure is owned and managed by the cloud provider. Here the organizations or the cloud “tenants” share the same hardware, software, and network devices.

You can access and manage your account on the web browser. Most organizations deploy public clouds to get web-based email, online office, applications, storage, and testing and development environments.

Below we have listed some of the major benefits of using a public cloud service:

• Public clouds lower your costs. You don’t need to purchase hardware and software every time and pay only for the service your firm utilizes.
• You don’t have to take care of the maintenance, the service provider does it.
• There is near-unlimited scalability. The on-demand resources are available to meet your business needs.
• There is a vast network of servers which ensures against failure.

While service public cloud services like Office 365 email and software licensing may be helpful, they may not be completely right for your business. For example, there are industry or government regulatory restrictions on where your data lives, or you want to know where your intellectual property resides.

Private Cloud

We can say that private clouds are similar to a traditional client-server model. In private cloud, the computing resources are reserved exclusively for your business or organization. If you want the private cloud can be physically moved at your on-site datacenter, or it can be hosted by a third-party service provider.

It works with a simple formula that the services and infrastructure are always maintained on a private network. This means all the software and resources are dedicated to your organization.

This is also a reason that a private cloud is trusted by organization who want to customize their resources to meet specific IT needs. More often private clouds are deployed by government agencies, financial institutions, any other mid-to large-size organizations. This is because private cloud service gives your business-critical operations enhanced control over their environment.

Here are some of the benefits of using private cloud:

• More flexibility with your resources. As mentioned above, your organization can customize its cloud to meet specific business needs.
• Your firm benefits from enhanced security. The resources are not shared unlike public cloud. It gives higher levels of control and security.
• The private clouds can afford the scalability and efficiency of a public cloud.

Hybrid Cloud

Hybrid cloud can be called as, “the best of both worlds.” With hybrid cloud, the organization reaps benefit from both – private cloud and the public cloud.

Here, you combine on-premises infrastructure of a private clouds, with public clouds. In a hybrid cloud, data and applications are moved between private and public clouds rendering higher flexibility, giving us more deployment options.

For example, public cloud can be used for high-volume, lower security needs such as web-based email, and the private cloud for sensitive, business-critical operations. You can anytime go through public cloud to tap into additional computing resources.

Here we lay out some of the basic advantages of hybrid cloud.

• Organizations have complete control in hybrid cloud. They can maintain a private infrastructure for sensitive assets.
• You have complete flexibility and take advantage of additional resources available in the public cloud, whenever you need them.
• Hybrid cloud are more cost effective. You get the ability to scale to the public cloud, and only pay for extra computing power when needed
• This cloud service provides ease of operations. Transitioning is also not overwhelming because you can migrate gradually, working in phases.

What’s Right for You?

These days every organization is compelled to take advantage of at least one form of cloud service. If you work with an experienced managed services company, it can help you with smooth migrations. However, if you still run your entire server infrastructure inside your walls – you have a valid reason to question yourself why. The cloud might hold a better answer.

At GRIP I.T., we can help you and your business navigate through the cloud. Get in touch today, if you want to learn more!