Organizations can gain all the cloud benefits in a private environment that provides greater control.
Cloud computing provides organizations of any size with access to tools and resources that they likely would not be able to purchase and manage on their own. The cloud creates more flexibility, agility and operational efficiency. It enables users to access data and applications from any device or location, which leads to improved productivity and responsiveness.
However, not every workload is eligible for the public cloud. Due to legal and regulatory requirements, certain workloads and sensitive data are restricted to a private cloud environment. Because a private cloud is dedicated to a single organization, data and access can be more closely controlled.
There are many misconceptions about the private cloud that prevent organizations from exploring its advantages. A thorough understanding of what the private cloud is, what technologies are required and what options are available can help organizations make more informed decisions about their IT infrastructure.
Cloud Characteristics
People tend to think of the cloud as technology that exists in someone else’s data center, but it’s much more than that. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has identified five essential characteristics of cloud computing.
- On-Demand Self-Service. Users can access the tools and services they need without assistance from the cloud service provider.
- Broad Network Access. Cloud services can be accessed through virtually any Internet-connected device.
- Resource Pooling. Multiple organizations access services from the same pool of resources, which are assigned based upon demand.
- Rapid Elasticity. Tools and services can be added or removed as needed, often automatically.
- Measured Service. Resource usage is monitored, controlled, optimized and reported, and organizations typically pay a monthly fee for resources used.
Private cloud is one of the four deployment models defined by the NIST. A private cloud has distinct architectural layers as it relates to NIST characteristics for cloud computing.
On the bottom is the hardware layer. This includes all data center infrastructure, which must be managed in conjunction with other levels of the architecture. There is the virtualization layer, which enables resource pooling and elasticity and accelerates the sharing and provisioning of capacity. The automation layer connects hardware and virtual resources with the management layer, where automated management tasks take place. At the top is the orchestration layer, which brings together various tools and processes to make automation possible. Automation and orchestration are key components that enable self-service and optimization.
Cost Benefits
Many organizations are hesitant to adopt a private cloud because of the misconception that it’s too difficult to implement and too expensive, certainly more expensive than the public cloud. Private cloud vendors and technology have matured to the point that private clouds are relatively simple to deploy and require minimal personnel to manage.
In addition, the relatively fixed cost of a private cloud can compare favorably with the ongoing subscription-based fees of the public cloud. While the public cloud makes it easy to scale services up or down as needed, that flexibility comes at a cost. Many organizations have realized significant cost savings by shifting workloads to a private cloud and only using the public cloud where it makes the most sense.
Another option is the virtual private cloud, which is hosted in an isolated environment within a public cloud. In this model, the public cloud essentially serves as an extension of your on-premises data center. A virtual private cloud might meet certain legal and compliance requirements while allowing you to take advantage of some public cloud benefits. Deploying a virtual private cloud also tends to be simpler than building a traditional private cloud.
There’s more to cloud computing than most people realize, and the public cloud isn’t the only option. Before automatically dismissing private cloud because of myths about cost and complexity, organizations should analyze its true cost and see if a virtual private cloud is an option.
