Simply put, cloud computing is the delivery of computing services—including servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics, and intelligence—over the Internet (“the cloud”) to offer faster innovation, flexible resources, and economies of scale. You typically pay only for cloud services you use, helping lower your operating costs, run your infrastructure more efficiently, and scale as your business needs change. 1
A Tech Pro Research survey revealed that 38% of companies are already using industry cloud services, and 19% plan to do so within the next 12 months, making a solid majority of 57% either using or planning to use industry cloud services. Another 23% of respondents said they are considering it, but they haven't set a timeline for adoption. This means that only 20% have completely ruled out industry cloud services.2
Image: Tech Pro Research
However, not all clouds are the same and not one type of cloud computing is right for everyone. Several different models, types, and services have evolved to help offer the right solution for your needs. First, you need to determine the type of cloud deployment, or cloud computing architecture, that your cloud services will be implemented on. 1
Cloud computing spans a range of classifications, types and architecture models. The transformative networked computing model can be categorized into four major types: Public Cloud, Private Cloud, Hybrid Cloud and Multi Cloud. 3
The Public Cloud, a pay per use model, is a cloud infrastructure with all the services available through the web, so the computing infrastructure can be shared among multiple organisations. This model is owned and operated by service providers.
On the other hand, the Private Cloud is a business-specific infrastructure exclusively designed for individual companies. It provides options for hosting the data either on-site or at the service provider's data centre.
Advantages for businesses 4 :
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Public Cloud |
Private Cloud |
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Scalability - Virtual machines within the system can be created, scaled and shut-down in an instant. |
Enhanced security and privacy - Can be isolated from all but the company who owns it. |
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Cost - Service can be implemented at a fraction of the cost it would take to implement a Private Cloud alternative. |
Total control - You are free to build and configure your Private Cloud in any way you like. |
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Management - You will be free from the responsibility of maintaining and managing the infrastructure. |
Increased performance - The resources within your private cloud infrastructure are at the disposal of your company and your company alone. |
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Improved reliability - Private Cloud offers a greater degree of reliability thanks to a fault resilient and redundant architecture that isn't shared in any way. |
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Increased flexibility - Virtual machine can be scaled up and down seamlessly. |
Disadvantages for businesses [5][6] :
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Public Cloud |
Private Cloud |
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Security - You can only customise security factors at the operating system level - security at the physical level is under the purview of your supplier and they are also by default, visible internet-wide leading to the increased levels of remote scanning for vulnerabilities. |
Cost - With exclusivity comes increased cost. |
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Inflexibility - Although virtual machines are very flexible in terms of scale and power, some choices may be made for you by the hosting provider. |
Under-utilisation - With a private cloud, the cost of capacity under-utilisation is a cost to you, not to your provider. Therefore managing and maximising utilisation becomes your concern. |
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Compliance - Have to consider the legal requirements around data management. |
Platform scaling - Large upward changes in your requirements are likely to require scaling of the physical infrastructure. |
The Public Cloud model is ideal for anyone as long as there is no legal protocol or data compliance (enterprises dealing with sensitive health information). Highly suited for organisations that aren't infrastructure-, security-specific. Also companies that would like to store non-sensitive data can utilize this model to its fullest for their operations.
The Private Cloud model is recommended for government agencies, hospitals or businesses handling classified data, exclusively for organisations planning to store sensitive or private data. Though expensive, this model is highly efficient, secure, and safe. 4
The Hybrid Cloud model is a combination of Public and Private systems. Small and medium businesses that want to leverage both cost-effectiveness and robust data security, control and privacy will invest in this type of model. 4
"Multi-cloud" describes a strategy on the other hand, while "hybrid cloud" is a new type of infrastructure.
The confusion between hybrid cloud and multi-cloud is compounded by the fact that they’re often used interchangeably. While the two terms are related, they describe two distinct (but both important) concepts. Understanding the difference can help ensure the success of your overall cloud strategy. 8
Differences between Hybrid Cloud and Multi Cloud:
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Hybrid Cloud |
Multi Cloud |
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The pairing of a private cloud with public cloud |
The pairing of multiple public clouds but can also incorporate physical and virtual infrastructure (including private clouds) |
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Hybrid Cloud cannot have the multi-cloud approach |
Multi cloud may include hybrid cloud |
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Relies on a private data centre |
Organisations may choose one service provider for IaaS and another for SaaS |
Advantages of Hybrid Cloud and Multi Cloud for businesses: 4
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Hybrid Cloud |
Multi Cloud |
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Security – Including private cloud in the mix gives reassurance when it comes to security of your most sensitive operations. |
Lower risk of DDoS attacks - Makes your company’s services resilient against these types attack because even if one cloud goes down, others remain available to take the load until your service recovers.
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Cost efficiency – Hybrid cloud adopters can balance their need to be cost efficient with the security of keeping their most sensitive and critical workloads on private cloud. |
Power of Choice - Able to play the field and explore different providers to find the best match for each part of your business to line up its functionality for a perfect fit. |
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Scalability – Critical data, assets, and operations can continue to reside in the private cloud, but organizations can now leverage the expansive power of cloud computing to quickly and efficiently increase their operational capacity. |
Reliability - Using multiple clouds to host your various components is the ultimate form of redundancy, making for fewer SPOFs.
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Flexibility – The “pick and mix” style of hybrid cloud gives organisations the chance to explore a variety of operational directions and find the optimum cloud solution for them. |
Flexibility - By employing more than one cloud-hosting company, particularly a mix of private and public ones, you can match your needs to the solutions that fit the best, and alter them as the need fits. |
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Preservation of investments – Enables you to continue using existing IT investments, whether on premises or co-located. |
Avoiding vendor lock-in - Avoid putting yourself in the position of having to accept any sort of restructuring of agreements or price schedules from that company because you’re locked into doing business with them. |
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Cost-performance optimization - Finding the right combination of cloud providers to match your business needs and your checkbook can give your company an extra boost of efficiency while dropping your costs accordingly. |
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Data management - Rather than lump all your data into one cloud, you can diversify to take advantage of the right service for the right function. |
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Power of managed clouds - While the managed clouds take care of specific units, others can serve you best for security or processing purposes. |
Disadvantages of Hybrid Cloud and Multi Cloud for businesses: [9][10]
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Hybrid Cloud |
Multi Cloud |
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Added complexity - It is more complex to manage a Wide Area Network as opposed to a single site’s network or simply utilizing a public cloud’s network. |
Management Complexity - Using services from several cloud vendors increases the complexity of management. |
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Data transfer bottlenecks - Networking bottlenecks are highly dependent upon the underlying infrastructure and the nature of the packets being sent across the network and with big data, this can easily become a performance bottleneck. |
Complex Structures - The complex structure of heterogeneous environments leads to difficulties in developing cross-platform applications. |
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Security concerns - Additional security concerns and adds new attack vectors for applications. |
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Monitoring complexity - If you use cloud services that include containers, that adds an additional layer of complexity for monitoring. |
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Cost overhead - Adds complexity in controlling cloud spending. |
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Migration challenges - This process will require time and specific skills that aren’t always available in-house. |
The Hybrid Cloud model is a good choice for e-commerce setups as well as small or big sized corporations handling sensitive data on behalf of their clients. While Public Cloud offers more scalability, Private Cloud ensures security and Hybrid provides the benefits of both. 4
Use of multi-clouds are critical for organisations who want to avoid cloud service provider (CSP) lock-in. A multi-cloud strategy enables companies to use best of breed cloud services from the plethora of service providers in the market. 11
Summary of Public vs Private vs Hybrid vs Multi Clouds
Wrapping Up
The choice between public, private, and hybrid cloud solutions depends on a variety of factors, use cases, and limitations. All cloud models have their own set of limitations and benefits. It completely depends on the requirements of the businesses to pick the right model that fits their purpose and needs. It is not an either/or situation, especially since organisations tend to leverage all four types of cloud solutions considering the inherent value propositions and tradeoffs.
While these concerns and drawbacks are important to address, if catered to in controlled environments, utilizing appropriate experts, and resources, the right cloud model can be a total win for your organisation.
Have a hard time finding the right cloud model for your business? We can help!
If you wish to find out more information on Cloud Computing, you can visit us at Netpluz Asia 24/7. Alternatively, you may book an appointment by submitting your information for a free consultation.
References:
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Author: Toh Wei Ting https://sg.linkedin.com/in/tohweiting