Loading...Cloud computing is changing how business gets done and, as time goes on, a number of different flavors of the cloud have been created. One of the perceived drawbacks of cloud computing is the fact that your data needs to be handled by a third party, often on the same server as other companies’ data. During this process, you may also lose control of how your data is managed, and may be forced to trust that your hosting company can effectively manage your information.
Since these drawbacks were preventing many companies from taking advantage of the advances in cloud computing, a solution was built that would minimize these drawbacks while delivering most of what the cloud has to offer.
What is the private cloud?
For companies where data security and control are essential, a private cloud offers many of the benefits of the public cloud without forcing you to give up physical control of your data. Instead of using a third party for hosting, you will use your own hardware in your own data center, meaning that your data never leaves your company.
A private cloud is easier to integrate with other parts of your network, and can run the same software that allows public clouds to expand and contract with fluctuating traffic levels. Instead of sharing resources with other companies, your resources are shared throughout your company, since it’s rare that all aspects of your business will experience traffic spikes at the same time. Cloud technology makes it easy to spin up and pull down servers, saving both time and money.
Managed clouds
If you want the security and control of a private cloud but don’t have the resources to build or maintain an entire data center, a managed hosting solution may be the answer. In this scenario, you still own your own hardware, but your systems are managed by a third party. The expertise of a third party hosting company ensures that this solution gets implemented quickly and that your cloud computing services work without issue. A managed cloud is often the best solution for companies taking their first steps into the cloud, as you get access to invaluable experience from the hosting company that will help you avoid some of the pitfalls that come with adopting new technologies.
Virtual and hybrid clouds
Private clouds also come in a few more forms that blend the scalability of the public cloud with the security of a private one. Virtual private clouds use a sequestered section of a larger server or data center in order to run your organization. This solution lets you maintain a degree of security, since you can run all your information through a private security infrastructure, while still allowing your cloud the rapid, massive expansion only possible on a public cloud.
The hybrid cloud is another alternative, and one that has been gaining a significant amount of momentum over the past few years. In this solution, part of your systems exists in a public or managed cloud, while others exist within your data center. Either you or the hosting company will then develop software that manages how these two areas interact. There are a number of different hybrid configurations, so this solution can be tailored to fit your exact needs.
Private clouds of all kinds are gaining momentum, especially in sectors that are forced to keep certain data secure at all times, and look to be a major part of the future of cloud computing.