As Cloud Computing is becoming a mainstream infrastructure for enterprise software, more and more companies are migrating to cloud platforms. This article discusses the differences between public and private clouds. It also explains the different options that are available to run private clouds.
Author: David Eisner, Dataprise, http://www.dataprise.com/
Most of us have heard of cloud computing. This type of computing provides users with the advantage of being able to share resources, as well as simplify the infrastructure planning process. To understand the type of computing that will work best for your business, it is imperative to take a close look at the difference between public and private cloud computing.
Understanding Public Clouds
If your business opts for a public cloud computing module, the cloud itself will be operated by a third-party service provider. You will benefit from having another party operate your cloud for you because infrastructure expenses will be kept to a minimum. In fact, most public cloud computing modules are available on a pay-as-you-go basis. Public clouds also tend to be much larger than private enterprise clouds, meaning you will have on-demand scalability no matter your computing needs.
All of the following are limited and supported by the service provider on public clouds; however, your enterprise can customize these settings according to your needs:
– Availability variances
– Security Protections
– Configurations
Understanding Private Clouds
Private clouds are just as you might imagine them – they are private and built exclusively for your business. With a private cloud, you can host an assortment of applications, while at the same time overcome security and control issues that are often endured when using public cloud computing. If your business opts for a private cloud, there are two types:
On-premise: You will likely hear this type of private cloud referred to as an internal cloud. If you choose this type of cloud, it will be hosted in your own data center, and it will provide enhanced standardized processes as well as better protection. On the downside, though, it will likely be limited in size. You will incur large amounts of overhead costs, too, when using an on-premise private cloud, including having to employ a full IT team, which can cost you more than $500,000 a year.
Externally hosted: A third-party service provider will host this type of cloud, but it will still be hosted exclusively to your business. The resources won’t be shared publicly, and neither will your stored information. If you want to use an externally hosted cloud, you will gain a full guarantee of privacy. Using an externally hosted cloud will be cheaper than an on-premise cloud, yet more expensive than using a public cloud.
Tips for Choosing the Right Cloud
First of all, let’s start off by stating that if your business has the money, then by all means it will be best to have an on-premise private cloud created for you – but keep in mind you can easily reach millions of dollars in costs when developing and maintaining your own private cloud.
For the rest of you, though, your best option will be either a public cloud or an externally hosted private cloud. If money is an object, a public cloud will be cheaper by far than using an externally hosted private cloud.
At the same time, if you have major security and data protection needs, you may want to consider using an externally hosted private cloud. It’s completely up to you, but the final decision should be based on the preferences and needs of your business as well as your business’s financial status.
Author Bio
David Eisner is the President & CEO of Dataprise Cloud Services, an IT Services company based in Maryland.