Cloud Computing Deployment Models

Cloud computing has rapidly grown in popularity, as it provides many business benefits. As cloud computing becomes more popular, it is becoming more important to understand the different types of cloud deployment models available. The best deployment architecture varies depending upon the amount of data you want to store and who has access to the infrastructure.

A cloud computing deployment model identifies the specific type of cloud environment based on ownership, scale, and access. In addition, the cloud’s nature, purpose, and location are also important. Cloud computing deployment types may impact the relationship between the infrastructure and the user.

There are five different types of cloud deployment models:

1. Public Cloud: Public clouds allow anyone to access the system and services. It is less secure than other options as the access is delivered over the internet to general people. In this model, the infrastructure is owned by the entity delivering cloud services rather than the consumer. Public clouds are an attractive option because they require little investment and are a pay-per-use service, making them cost-effective. The entire infrastructure is provided by the cloud service provider, which means there is no need to set up, manage or maintain hardware. The dynamic nature of public clouds also ensures that you can access additional cloud resources if your business grows. On the flip side, this deployment model may have vulnerabilities that cannot protect fully from cyber attacks, and the service provider may experience outages that impact your ability to stay productive.
2. Private Cloud: The private cloud computing deployment model is the opposite of the public model. It provides a single environment for the user without requiring the sharing of hardware infrastructure. It is sometimes called an internal cloud, which refers to accessing cloud resources within a given border or organization. This model is often protected by powerful firewalls and overseen by the company’s IT department, making it more secure than other models. Other benefits include greater control over integration and operations, support for legacy systems, and the ability to be customized. However, this model may cost more since you must pay for all software, hardware, and other resources. The organization will also be limited in scalability defined by its resources and have higher maintenance requirements.
3. Community Cloud: Community clouds are similar to public clouds, but the systems and services may be restricted to only include a group of organizations. These cloud deployments can address the specific needs of a community, interest, or business. Infrastructure is often shared between the organizations and managed by a third party. This cloud model is cost-effective since multiple organizations share the costs and often provide better security. Additionally, community clouds are great for collaboration and data sharing. However, community clouds may present challenges since sharing resources could restrict access to bandwidth and storage capacity. As a relatively new cloud computing deployment model, this option is not as popular or available across all industries.
4. Hybrid Cloud: A hybrid cloud is a mixture of public and private cloud configurations to deliver the advantages of both types of models. You may host the app in a safe environment with hybrid clouds while leveraging the public cloud’s cost savings. In addition, organizations can move data and applications between different clouds using a combination of two or more cloud deployment methods. This option provides the best level of flexibility and control while ensuring scalability. It is also very secure since the data is separated. The drawback with this option is that it is often complex to deploy as it needs to integrate two or more cloud architectures. However, it makes sense for organizations with multiple use cases or those needing to separate sensitive data.
5. Multi-Cloud: A multi-cloud deployment model uses multiple cloud providers simultaneously. It is similar to hybrid clouds, but rather than merging public and private clouds, this model uses many public clouds. This model can improve the availability of services and reduce latency. In addition, the organization can choose to mix and match the best features of each cloud service provider to meet their needs.

Each cloud deployment model can meet different organizational needs. Therefore, before choosing your organization, you must first understand exactly what you need. Then, with that information in mind, you can look at the different value propositions and costs associated with each deployment model. Getting expert insight into your company’s unique cloud computing needs is also a good idea. For more information about the types of cloud deployment models, contact Sagacent Technologies today!

Sagacent Technologies offers technology management and support, including proactive/preventative maintenance, onsite and offsite data back-ups, network and security audits, mobility solutions, disaster planning, and emergency business resumption services. The company serves clients of 10 to 150 employees within the Silicon Valley region.