Hybrid Cloud explained
More than 75% of all German companies now use the cloud. And for good reason. After all, companies can act faster, more effectively and more profitably than ever before. In recent years, the hybrid cloud in particular has been gaining ground as a superior application for private users. In this article, we explain why this is so and whether the hybrid cloud is also the right choice for your company.
Hybrid Cloud: The future of cloud computing
As the name suggests, the hybrid cloud is a hybrid between two different cloud architectures: the private cloud and the public cloud. For a long time, users had to choose between one of the two models, both of which have advantages and disadvantages. Now, with a hybrid cloud, a company can access the benefits of both while eliminating any disadvantages.
In the past, many companies opted for a private cloud, for example, because this way sensitive data is only stored on their own servers and applications can be used exclusively. However, when it comes to scalability, availability, ease of use and cost optimization, the private cloud is hopelessly inferior to a public cloud.
With a hybrid cloud, companies can enjoy the best of both worlds, so to speak: For applications that require high scalability or where large amounts of data are to be provided as regionally as possible, the public cloud side of the larger hybrid structure is used. Then, when it comes to storing sensitive data or applications that need to be tailored precisely to the user, for example, the private cloud is used.
The definition of a hybrid cloud is then exactly that: at least one private cloud and one public cloud are connected as closely and seamlessly as possible. This is done through APIs, VPNs and LAN and WAN networks. In modern hybrid structures, developers also focus on ensuring that the same apps can run in both the public and private environments to enable the most seamless and resource-saving transitions possible.
Cloud models in comparison
As mentioned earlier, the hybrid cloud is a hybrid of private and public cloud. In order to understand why the hybrid model is becoming increasingly popular, it is important to understand what actually distinguishes the other two structures. Because only then can you understand where the strengths of the architectures lie and how you can use them in your own company.
The public cloud
A public cloud is distributed by a provider via the Internet as SaaS (Software as a Service). The hardware and infrastructure are completely in the hands of the provider. Each user can theoretically access the same applications and resources as all other users. Google Drive and Microsoft Office are well-known examples of this architecture.
Private cloud
In a private cloud, a user exclusively uses applications, resources and IT infrastructures. However, private cloud no longer necessarily means that the infrastructure is owned by the user, but only that it is used exclusively by a single user. In this way, a higher level of security and compliance can be achieved. However, private solutions are less scalable and more expensive than public solutions and also require more expertise.
Advantages and disadvantages of the hybrid cloud
More and more companies are opting for the hybrid cloud. After all, it allows them to benefit from all the advantages of both the public and private clouds. The only real disadvantage is that it can be a bit more complex and expensive to install or set up, as yes, both a public and private cloud need to be built and then connected.
Advantages:
- Secure
- Scalable
- Efficient
- Sensitive data can be stored privately
- Users benefit from public cloud updates
- All mission-critical areas remain in company hands
Disadvantages:
- More effort to install
Hybrid cloud and edge computing
Cloud computing has countless advantages, but also application limitations. Particularly with the Internet of Things (IoT), where countless scanners generate massive amounts of data, cloud services can quickly become overloaded or unnecessarily expensive, as all the data from each scanner is sent to the cloud and analyzed there.
For these application areas, therefore, a new type of IT architecture has proven itself in recent years: Edge computing. Here, the data is already read out and evaluated at the edges of the network. Local applications can also be automated in this way without having to establish contact with the cloud.
Only the really important data and results are then forwarded to the cloud or the central data center. This saves valuable resources and makes processes significantly faster. The best cloud architecture for the application of edge computing is certainly the hybrid cloud.
Because under a use of a hybrid cloud, the end device and a public cloud can merge into a hybrid. The public cloud as part of the larger hybrid cloud architecture can, for example, perform management and maintenance work. Sensitive data can then be forwarded to the private part of the own cloud architecture for storage and evaluation.