A hybrid cloud is a type of cloud computing that combines on-premises infrastructure or a private cloud with a public cloud. This way, organizations can keep sensitive data on a secure, private server while leveraging the scalability and flexibility of the public cloud for less critical workloads.
A hybrid cloud can help your business avoid the cost and complexity of managing two separate, siloed systems. In addition, it can give you more control over your data and applications while still benefiting from the agility and economies of scale of the public cloud.
How Do Hybrid Clouds Work?
A typical hybrid cloud deployment consists of two parts:
1. A private cloud, which a service provider usually builds on-premises or in a data center, and
2. A public cloud, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
The organization usually manages the private cloud, while the service provider owns and operates the public cloud.
Organizations use hybrid clouds to extend their existing IT infrastructure and capabilities to the cloud. This way, they can take advantage of the benefits of both on-premises and public cloud resources.
Why Use a Hybrid Cloud?
Organizations choose to use a hybrid cloud to:
1. Keep sensitive data and applications on a secure, private server while benefiting from the agility and economies of scale of the public cloud
2. Avoid the cost and complexity of managing two separate, siloed systems
3. Have more control over their data and applications
4. Extend their existing IT infrastructure and capabilities to the cloud
5. Take advantage of the benefits of both on-premises and public cloud resources
6. Access cloud-based services and applications from on-premises locations
7. Disaster-proof their applications and data
8. Meet compliance requirements for data storage
9. Reduce network latency by storing data and applications closer to users
10. Improve performance by using a mix of local and cloud-based resources.
Benefits of a Hybrid Cloud
There are many potential benefits of hybrid clouds, including:
Scalability & Flexibility
With a hybrid cloud, you can scale up or down as needed. In addition, you can easily add or remove resources as your needs change. This can be a huge advantage for businesses that experience spikes in demand or sudden growth.
Cost Savings
Running workloads in the public cloud can be more cost-effective than running them on-premises. You would only pay for what you use. However, sensitive data and applications may be a better fit for a private cloud environment. By using a hybrid cloud approach, you can keep your most critical workloads on-premises. In addition, you can take advantage of the cost savings of the public cloud for less critical workloads.
Improved Disaster Recovery
A hybrid cloud can help improve your disaster recovery plan. You would replicate data and applications to the cloud, thereby providing a backup in case of an on-premises outage.
How to Choose the Right Hybrid Cloud Solution
When choosing a hybrid cloud solution, keep a few guidelines in mind:
1. Make sure the solution is compatible with your existing infrastructure.
2. Consider your security and compliance needs.
3. Choose a solution that offers the scalability and flexibility you need.
4. Compare pricing and features of different solutions to find the best fit for your business.
5. Work with a trusted partner that has experience implementing hybrid cloud solutions.
Conclusion
A hybrid cloud can offer many benefits for businesses, including scalability, flexibility, cost savings, and improved disaster recovery. When choosing a hybrid cloud solution, it is important to consider your existing infrastructure, security and compliance needs, and desired features. Working with an experienced partner can make the implementation process smoother and help you get the most out of your hybrid cloud. At SMS Datacenter, we have years of experience implementing hybrid clouds for businesses of all sizes. We can help you get the most out of yours. Contact us today to learn more!