Understanding Hybrid Cloud: The Enterprise Cloud Computing Best Choice
With the advent of cloud computing, a plethora of new terminologies has emerged, such as public and private clouds. These terms are well-understood, but hybrid cloud remains less familiar, often interpreted differently by various individuals. Perhaps the clearest way to grasp the concept is to think of it as a mixture—combining elements to create something new.
What Is Hybrid Cloud?
In essence, a hybrid cloud involves blending one or more components from both public and private cloud environments. This concept draws parallels with biological hybrids, where combining traits from different organisms results in offspring with enhanced characteristics, such as increased resistance to diseases or higher yields. Similarly, a hybrid cloud combines the flexibility and scalability of a public cloud with the security and control of a private cloud.
A hybrid cloud environment leverages standard Internet communication protocols, enabling users to connect to various types of devices via the internet. This connectivity works seamlessly across different client operating systems, allowing users to access specific data and software resources stored in the cloud.
Deployment Configuration
The term “hybrid cloud” might sound technical, but it doesn’t necessarily imply complex configurations. A hybrid cloud environment can be either public or private. In a public cloud scenario, multiple organizations share a common infrastructure hosted on servers managed by a cloud service provider. Each organization accesses its applications and data through this shared environment. Major players like Amazon, IBM, and HP offer public cloud services, characterized by dynamic resource allocation and load balancing managed by the service providers. Users enjoy seamless access, with automatic updates and security measures handled by the provider.
For private clouds, the setup is entirely within the control of the organization, involving the installation and maintenance of hardware, network infrastructure, and software. Large enterprises often opt for private clouds due to the extensive IT resources required. These organizations can decide on 24/7 availability based on their specific business needs and IT resources.
Hybrid Cloud Configuration
A hybrid cloud model combines the benefits of both public and private clouds. Applications and data are distributed across these two environments, with some functionalities leveraging public cloud resources while others reside in the private cloud. This setup ensures that sensitive data and applications remain secure and controlled within the private cloud, while less critical tasks can benefit from the scalability and cost-effectiveness of the public cloud.
Cloud Bursting
To illustrate further, consider the analogy of hybrid cars. These vehicles monitor their operational environment and adjust power output accordingly. If the battery power is low, the gasoline engine kicks in to provide additional power. Similarly, cloud bursting allows a hybrid cloud environment to dynamically scale resources. When additional computing capacity is needed, the private cloud can “burst” into the public cloud, ensuring that users have sufficient resources without incurring extra costs until they are actually used.
Why Choose a Hybrid Cloud Model?
Choosing a hybrid cloud model offers several advantages. Organizations can leverage their existing IT infrastructure without making significant new investments. Additionally, hybrid clouds provide 24/7 access to customers or employees without incurring expensive costs. For sensitive data and applications, hybrid clouds offer the flexibility to separate storage and management, enhancing security and control.
In summary, a hybrid cloud model represents a strategic blend of public and private cloud environments, providing the best of both worlds. As more businesses recognize the benefits of this approach, it is becoming increasingly popular among enterprises seeking to optimize their cloud computing strategies.
Originally published on July 15, 2014, by Tencent Cloud.