To best understand what is Hybrid Cloud, you first need to familiarise yourself with cloud storage and cloud computing concepts. In the IT domain, ‘cloud’ refers to a data server located on an off-site location. The cloud storage technology allows the clients to access these servers via the internet from anywhere in the world.
Now, there are different types of cloud storage. They are primarily classified into the following three categories
The Public Cloud storage model involves using a storage cloud via the internet that various clients share. Whereas in a Private Cloud setup, only you can access the storage via a private network. To understand what is Hybrid Cloud computing, imagine a combination of private and public storage. A storage cloud that allows you to store some data in private storage and other parts in public storage gives a basic idea of what Hybrid Cloud computing is.
Let’s take a look at the topics that we’ll be covering in this blog:
As mentioned above, the Hybrid Cloud computing model combines different aspects of private and Public Cloud systems. The architecture of a Hybrid Cloud is designed to optimize data storage and eliminate security loopholes. It comprises a public service platform (IaaS) as the foundation and offers private storage cloud services. This means that the user can avail of both public and Private Cloud services as required without managing them separately.
Hybrid Cloud systems can use Local Area Networks(LAN) as well as Wide Area Networks(WAN), as long as there is seamless communication between the private and public parts of the Hybrid Cloud. APIs are used in Hybrid Clouds for this very purpose. Some Hybrid Clouds also incorporate a hypervisor layer in their architecture that creates virtual machines to manage different cloud environments better.
At the moment, AWS or Amazon Web Services is a well known real-life example of a Hybrid Cloud. In fact, Amazon, Microsoft, and Google are some of the most popular Iaas providers available today. They have made it considerably easier for local businesses to migrate to Hybrid Cloud storage. All three of these technological giants have created solid cloud services platforms, viz. Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud Platform (Google Hybrid Cloud), and Microsoft Azure. In doing so, they have enabled thousands of SMEs and startups to compete with the big players of their domain. Google Hybrid Cloud services, especially, have helped cloud technology reach the farthest corners of the world.
The Hybrid Cloud model was designed to provide users with the best of both worlds – Public Cloud and Private Cloud – while removing limitations. It is always preferable to manage your publicly and privately-stored data from one place than individually. Storing your data on a Hybrid Cloud allows you to do just that, besides other perks.
One of the biggest advantages of using Hybrid Cloud storage for your business lies in its customizability. Since a Hybrid Cloud environment offers multiple choices regarding your cloud usage, you can design a cloud environment that is specifically curated to your needs. Another way to look at this is that many businesses have very non-uniform computing needs.
A real-life example of Hybrid Cloud customizability can be seen in accounting firms. An accounting firm will utilize way more resources near the end of the fiscal year than at other times. Instead of paying for the costlier Private Cloud resources throughout the year, it is much more economical to utilize it only when required and use the Public Cloud for general purposes. Businesses like these help us better understand what is a Hybrid Cloud with an example.
Hybrid Cloud implementation in cloud computing environments is also a great space-saver. Compared to on-premise Private Cloud systems, Hybrid Cloud requires much less space. This aspect of a Hybrid Cloud in cloud computing can be a lifesaver for upcoming startups that do not always have the necessary capital for renting office space. Using a Hybrid Cloud model, they can start small and then gradually scale as required.
The unique scalability offered by Hybrid Cloud makes it the preferred storage cloud option across various domains and industries.
When software developers launch their products for the first time, there is limited clarity regarding the cloud services it will need in the future. The level of storage and other cloud resources required by a software application depends on the user base it manages to acquire. In this scenario, using a Hybrid Cloud is the best option, as you can scale your storage as per your needs.
Enterprises that deal with sensitive data need to abide by data protection measures far less lenient than other businesses. For security purposes, such companies segregate their data across multiple storage clouds. Since not all of their data needs to be private, they employ Hybrid Clouds to store data privately and publicly as required. This way, Hybrid Cloud feasibly helps in policy compliances.
Adaptability is the key for any business to stay relevant in present times. Naturally, their cloud services also need to be equally adaptable. In times of higher workload, companies may need stronger cloud resources than usual. Hybrid Cloud adapts to workload needs and provides a seamless work experience by providing Private and Public Cloud storage.
Adopting Hybrid Cloud models can greatly increase the efficiency of the IT department of your organization. Modern businesses show a much stronger affinity to Hybrid Cloud systems over traditional private and public options. This is primarily because the Hybrid Cloud provides various features that are almost mandatory for business growth in modern times.
For instance, if flexibility is an important aspect of your business domain, Hybrid Cloud is the way to go. It provides a considerably higher degree of flexibility than Private and Public Clouds. Another point to consider is the level of unpredictability that exists in your industry. Hybrid Cloud is much more suitable for businesses that change their data strategies often.
Even if you’ve already employed Private Cloud storage or plan to get one, a Hybrid Cloud can easily fit into your plans. You can utilize your existing Private Cloud storage as a special reserve to switch to when dealing with sensitive data, and using cheaper public storage for your other needs.
Ever-changing resource requirements, heavy computing, large amounts of data processing, and a dynamic mix of IT services are the hallmark of most contemporary enterprises. These factors pretty much remain constant across industries and are independent of the size of the business. A Hybrid Cloud can serve as an extremely valuable asset in such an environment.
Hybrid Cloud is flexible, provides easy scalability options, and offers better responsiveness than other cloud storage models. And the most significant advantage Hybrid Cloud offers is the choice to start small by only buying the resources you need initially and then growing it gradually as required at an affordable Rate of Investment. We hope that after this article, now you would have gained a basic understanding of what a Hybrid Cloud is, and with the help of Hybrid Cloud computing examples mentioned in this article, we were able to paint the complete picture.
An option that offers so many features and yet doesn’t eat up all of your investment is always a wise choice for any business venture. For a deeper understanding of what is Hybrid Cloud, or Cloud Storage in general, check out our Postgraduate Certificate Program in Cloud Computing, a 5.5-month-long course that will help you become a complete Cloud Professional.
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