And more importantly, what is the difference? And how do organizations know which one is right for them?
CLOUD IS HERE TO STAY
More and more organizations are finding their way to the Cloud. Why? We can express it in one word: convenience. IT infrastructure has become a necessary commodity, but no one wants to have to manage it themselves. How easy is it to source this from a Cloud provider like Fundaments? Furthermore, the Cloud offers a flexible way of consuming: OPEX costs (recurring costs) fit most business operations much better than CAPEX models (one-off investments), which require upfront hardware investment. This simple way of consuming, the enormous scalability, and pay-as-you-go pricing make the Cloud the way to go for many organizations. This doesn't just apply to large organizations, of course. Just think about how your own consumption habits have changed. Most people no longer rent DVDs from the local video store; they just 'Netflix' to their heart's content. Even taking the bus is becoming a bit old-fashioned now that we can grab a familiar green GO Sharing scooter on every street corner.
THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CLOUD
There are many types of Cloud, so which one should you choose? To answer this question, we first look at the different types of Cloud that exist. We will explain them all.
Public Cloud
Public Cloud is the form of Cloud that most people think of when talking about 'working in the Cloud'. A Public Cloud is a single service offered to many customers simultaneously. It is, therefore, a shared infrastructure. Public Clouds are particularly useful for generic services. Think of the well-known Dropbox, where you can easily back up large files. Google Drive, Evernote, and Microsoft Azure are also examples of services delivered from a Public Cloud.
The Public Cloud provider determines the terms of the service. As a user, you have no influence over this. An advantage is that you do not have to maintain the system yourself. Updates and changes are implemented automatically. A disadvantage is that the software or data resides entirely on the servers of the external service provider. This means it is not always known exactly where your data is located.
Private Cloud
As the name suggests, a Private Cloud is a form of Cloud used by a single organization. And because this Cloud is intended for one user, it can be set up entirely according to their own terms. It is, therefore, a custom Cloud. The user has full control not only over the functionalities but also over data storage, security, and the quality of service. This makes it the most secure type of Cloud. Setting up and maintaining this infrastructure is often outsourced to third parties, such as Fundaments, due to the specialized knowledge and time required.
Multi Cloud
In the case of Multi Cloud, multiple Clouds are used that are not managed in a single, generic way. These can be Public and/or Private Clouds. By combining the right services and strengths of each Cloud, the best foundation is created for every application and work environment. The disadvantage here, however, is that you are using different management silos where different teams handle the management.
Hybrid Cloud
A step further is Hybrid Cloud. This is a combination of a Private Cloud and a Public Cloud. For example, a Private Cloud is used for business-critical applications, while a Public Cloud is used for functions where security plays a less significant role. A Hybrid Cloud thus leverages the best of both worlds.
With Hybrid Cloud, the various Clouds are managed in a single, generic way. This is a major advantage, as only one management tool is required and application mobility is simplified.
The term Hybrid Cloud can also refer to organizations that have data both inside and outside the organization. For example, an organization that has just invested in hardware but also wants to move to the Cloud. In such a case, it is financially more convenient to depreciate the hardware first and only then fully transition to one of the Cloud forms. Until then, the organization's own hardware can be connected to the Cloud of an infrastructure manager like Fundaments. This can be done by keeping the hardware within the organization's walls or by placing it in the infrastructure manager's data center. This allows the organization to benefit from all the advantages of the Cloud (scalability, freedom, security, cost savings) while still retaining the financial benefit of depreciation.
WHAT IS THE RIGHT CHOICE?
All the different types of Cloud serve different issues and challenges. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
Cloud is not a location. It is a way to automatically distribute IT resources to users and Cloud-native applications.
It always starts with looking at critical business processes and the requirements imposed on them by the business. Then you look at which systems support these processes and how they are dependent. Only then can you start thinking about which landing zones (Clouds) are available that meet these requirements. When making this choice, you must always consider a number of questions:
- Can I place my application there?
- Am I allowed to place my application there?
- Do I want to place my application there?
- What are my options when circumstances change?
Because not every application fits every Cloud and it is of great importance that an application is placed in the right Cloud, we could conclude that Multi Cloud is a fact today. Furthermore, keeping the platform manageable on every Cloud is best achieved by realizing a hybrid solution: one way of managing a Cloud platform, but with the benefits that Private and Public Cloud offer. So, today it is no longer a question of whether you should use Private Cloud or Public Cloud; it must be a combination of both. But how much of each is right for your organization?
Fundaments can help you with this. Because we know all Cloud platforms inside and out, we can ensure that all applications and workloads land in the right place and are subsequently configured.
Want to know more about the different Cloud routes? Then also check out the Cloud Expert Class 'The different Cloud routes'.
