Cloud is more than just a technology. It’s an approach to engineering a distinct environment that is designed to deliver IT and remotely provisioned scalable resources.
Today, businesses-small, medium or large, are moving their software and infrastructure to the cloud as cloud servers help them to maximize benefits like agility, scalability, and cost savings and minimize risks like downtime, insecurity etc.
Cloud delivers these benefits through its three deployment models –public cloud, private cloud and hybrid cloud. Each cloud model is representative of a specified environment and is distinguished by its size, access, storage and ownership.
The most crucial part of finding the right fit is the correct assessment of what will bring maximum benefits. So, along with a deeper understanding of cloud options, it is necessary to evaluate your needs deeply, analyze them comparatively and align business needs with the right cloud type.
Cloud Deployment Models:-
- Private Cloud: Cloud services are used by a single organization, so only the organization has access to its data and can manage it.
- Public Cloud: Cloud services are accessible via a network like an internet and can be used by multiple clients. MS Azure and AWS are some examples of public cloud hosting.
- Hybrid Cloud: Cloud services are distributed among public and private clouds. Its users can use them as per their requirement i.e.private as well as public cloud services in day-to-day operations.
A comparison: Private cloud vs Public cloud vs Hybrid cloud
| Comparing Cloud Deployment models | Public cloud | Private cloud | Hybrid Cloud |
| Cloud environment | Multi-Tenancy-Shared environment. | Single tenancy-only for single use of an organization. | Both single tenancy and multi-tenancy. When data is stored in the public cloud, it delivers a multi-tenant environment meaning the data from multiple organizations is stored in a shared environment whereas when data is stored in private cloud, it is kept private for the use of a single organization. |
| Data centre location | Anywhere – where the cloud service provider’s services are located. | Inside the organization’s network. | Inside the organization’s network for private cloud services as well as wherever service provider’s services are there for public cloud services. |
| Resource sharing | Server hardware, network and storage are shared by multiple users in the cloud. | No sharing of resources. Hardware, storage and network are dedicated to the use of a single client or company. | Very secure; integration options add an additional layer of security. |
| Cloud storage | Public cloud delivers storage as a service on a pay-per-use basis. Best for backups as part of a disaster recovery plan as well as archiving email and static non-core application data. OneDrive is an example of public cloud storage. | Private cloud delivers internal cloud storage that runs on a dedicated infrastructure in a data centre. | Hybrid cloud manages streamlined storage that uses both local and off-site resources and serves as a gateway between on-premise and public cloud storage. |
| Scalability | Instant and unlimited. | Sacrifices scalability but provides greater control and security. | On-demand unlimited resources. |
| Pricing structure | Prices are charged on a usage basis. | Comparatively expensive. | High but delivers competitive advantage. |
| Cloud Security | Good, but depends on the security measures of the service provider. | Most secure. | Secure. |
| Performance | Low to medium. | Very High. | Very High. |
All three cloud types hold an important position in the IT industry and offer varied benefits that appeal to different organizations in various situations.
Thus, be informed about the different offers of different cloud deployment models when you decide to opt for cloud services as the perfect option for your business.
If you have any doubts regarding this write-up, feel free to contact via the comment section below.