Introduction
Is your business having problems storing data? Is there a way to distribute storage systems safely and inexpensively?
Any business in today’s digital transformation landscape is certainly no stranger to the concept of “cloud storage” or “cloud computing“. This is a flexible and convenient form of information security that the development of technology has brought to human life.
For enterprise-level operations, it’s evitable to implement a versatile and stable IT infrastructure to ensure performance, networking and software. In this article, let’s learn about the ideal and effective data management model for businesses: hybrid cloud computing. Discover the structure and benefits it brings to enterprise core operations.
Hybrid Cloud Computing Explained
Almost every business owns an on-premise infrastructure where data is stored internally, and the in-house IT team will be responsible for managing all software and data of this physical system. This can also be considered a private cloud in some cases since confidential and sensitive data will be deployed by the business itself without a middleman.
However, for additional resource requirements, businesses can opt for the public cloud to easily implement and scale. As the name suggests, public cloud delivers cloud infrastructure as a service (IaaS) by CSP like AWS or Azure.
Hybrid cloud computing is the combination of public & private cloud, allowing the ability to store data and applications in multiple environments and easily switch when there are business changes. This model is increasingly popular because of its high elasticity and affordable price. Workloads and computing capacity can be shared between models, which facilitates performance and long-term growth of the business.
How Hybrid Cloud Works
As briefly mentioned above, hybrid cloud computing is a storage space connected by “two worlds” private and public, in which on-premise infrastructure will be configured into a private data center for business.
To describe in more detail the structure of hybrid cloud computing, this system will cover public and private cloud data with an orchestration layer. With software assets in this overlay, IT tasks are handled automatically. Efforts to move data or share workloads and networking between platforms will become smoother and more flexible thanks to virtualization.
As for the tool for hybrid connectivity, it can be VPN, WAN, or Internet with separate efforts:
- VPN allows the system to connect encrypted software and applications securely via the Internet
- WAN (Wide Area Network) provides a convenient network connection for remote servers
- Internet as an open space for global connectivity among billions of devices
Due to the data approach from service providers, hybrid cloud empowers enterprises to manage their core operations as well as new resource provision. The performance of key applications will also be boosted when data can flow smoothly while still being controlled according to regulations.
Hybrid Cloud vs. Multi-cloud: What’s the Difference?
Sometimes we may confuse the concepts of hybrid cloud computing and multicloud because of the similarities they possess. However, to distinguish the difference between these two data storage approaches, some of the following characteristics will help you:
A hybrid cloud is a mixed space between a private cloud (or on-premise infrastructure) and a public cloud, which allows enterprises to store, manage, and transmit data effectively and consistently within a shared system.
Meanwhile, multi-cloud refers to a combination of multiple public cloud service providers. The reason many people think they are one is because of the ability to link diverse computing environments. Specifically when the hybrid cloud ecosystem includes a private cloud and 2 or more public cloud vendors, it will also be considered multi-cloud.
Benefits of Hybrid Cloud Computing
Now let’s delve into the powerful functions that hybrid cloud brings to fast-moving digital business transformation.
Data Migration
Hybrid Cloud has a seamless and interconnected infrastructure that allows enterprises to migrate workloads quickly without having to refactor data centers. Integrating cutting-edge technologies and established processes, data will be accessed from cloud-native services from the new cloud space.
Policy-driven preferences
Due to the combined private and public cloud (from third-party CSP), businesses can choose a flexible data storage strategy based on their requirements and policy preferences. A hybrid cloud approach enables enterprises to implement cloud infrastructure based on security, enhanced performance, and optimized costs
Upgrade applications
The outstanding development of hybrid cloud computing can easily access advanced technologies and services to modernize applications such as AI, Machine Learning (ML), and IoT and promote maximum performance for enterprises’ current software, which has to go further in the digital transformation landscape.
Enhanced cloud efficiency
A hybrid cloud environment facilitates on-premise data center innovation while reinforcing the transition from infrastructure-oriented operations to a service-based model. This is to cater to similar services regardless of the application’s deployment space.
Scalability Support
Thanks to the high flexibility and elasticity of public cloud, businesses can benefit from these attributes to serve peak demand, seasonal fluctuations or unexpected events for data systems. Cloud service providers can provide real-time scale and access with familiar processes, which will also benefit stable cloud control.
Optimized Resources
Self-service from hybrid cloud computing can reduce IT workload for in-house IT employees. Since the system automatically handles some repetitive tasks, you can focus on core and complex tasks instead. In addition, the cost of implementing a hybrid approach will also be more affordable than other methods when choosing a practical implementation for each workload. It can be selected from factors such as performance, functionality, and security.
Challenges When Implementing Hybrid Cloud
However, nothing is perfect, and there will still be limitations. With technology, this is inevitable. Here are some challenges when businesses choose mixed environments like hybrid:
Security
Any data storage system will have a percentage of potential risks and vulnerabilities, and hybrid cloud is no exception, even if it complies with information security conditions. Businesses must be equipped with enough knowledge and expertise about security regulations for different cloud and on-premise infrastructure environments to promptly respond to unexpected situations. Dealing with cyber attacks, data breaches, or misuse of cloud resources can also occur due to external hackers or security vulnerabilities from third-party vendors.
Extra Complexity
Hybrid cloud computing means the ability to link and integrate multiple data structures and computing environments, which increases the complexity of deployment. The implementation team needs to achieve a high level of expertise and be proficient in tools to manage, migrate, monitor and optimize their database on various storage spaces and platforms. Challenges in solving compatibility and interaction between multi-cloud or CSPs also require technical expertise. Hence, not every business can afford such IT staff.
Expenses
The flexibility benefits of hybrid cloud require more upfront investment as well as maintenance fees. Enterprises must pay for hardware, software and microservices utilized on public and private clouds. Moreover, costs for management tools, security and network bandwidth to operate the entire data system also need to be considered. There is no way but for businesses to compromise on costs to have a robust and high-performance cloud infrastructure for smooth operations of the organization. Hybrid cloud computing is probably not a game-changer for tight budgets.
Conclusion
After obtaining the fundamentals about hybrid cloud computing and its structure, perhaps businesses already know what they need to equip themselves to deploy their integrated cloud infrastructure system.
If the high level of expertise required to operate hybrid systems and applications for your business is unavailable, you can seek support from data migration experts for your infrastructure and cloud services needs. Contact us for further understanding of our system integrations and data services within 16+ years of competency.
