Cloud Deployment Model
Cloud deployment model defines the location where the data is stored and how the customers interact with it. The Cloud Deployment Model also depends on how much of your own infrastructure you want or need to manage.
Deployment Methods of Cloud Computing
1. Public Cloud
One of the most common deployment model with no local hardware to manage or keep up-to-date – such that everything runs on your cloud provider’s hardware. We can save additional costs by sharing computing resources with other cloud users. Businesses can use multiple public cloud providers of varying scale. Microsoft Azure is an example of a public cloud provider.
Advantages of Public Cloud
- High scalability/agility – you don’t have to buy a new server in order to scale
- Pay-as-you-go pricing – you pay only for what you use, no CapEx costs
- You’re not responsible for maintenance or updates of the hardware
- Minimal technical knowledge to set up and use – you can leverage the skills and expertise of the cloud provider to ensure workloads are secure, safe, and highly available
Disadvantages of Public Cloud
- May have specific security requirements that cannot be met by using public cloud
- May be government policies, industry standards, or legal requirements which public clouds cannot meet
- We do not own the hardware or services and cannot manage them as per requirement
- Unique business requirements, such as having to maintain a legacy application might be hard to meet
2. Private cloud
Private cloud is used to create a cloud environment in our own datacenter and provide self-service access to compute resources to users in the organization. Private cloud offers a simulation of a public cloud to the users, but it remain completely responsible for the purchase and maintenance of the hardware and software services you provide.
Advantages of Private Cloud
- Ensures the configuration can support any scenario or legacy application
- Private cloud hold control (and responsibility) over security
- Private clouds can meet strict security, compliance, or legal requirements
- Private cloud ensures Economies at scale and integration with Azure Security Center
Disadvantages of Private Cloud
- Involves some initial CapEx costs and must purchase the hardware for startup and maintenance
- Owning the equipment limits the agility – to scale you must buy, install, and setup new hardware
- Private clouds require IT skills and expertise that’s hard to come by
A use case scenario for a private cloud would be when an organization has data that cannot be put in the public cloud, perhaps for legal reasons. An example scenario may be where government policy requires specific data to be kept in-country or privately.
A private cloud can provide cloud functionality to external customers as well, or to specific internal departments such as Accounting or Human Resources.
3. Hybrid cloud
Hybrid cloud combines public and private clouds, allowing you to run your applications in the most appropriate location. This is very helpful when you have some things that cannot be put in the cloud, maybe for legal reasons.
Advantages of Hybrid Cloud
- You can keep any systems running and accessible that use out-of-date hardware or an out-of-date operating system
- You have flexibility with what you run locally versus in the cloud
- You can take advantage of economies of scale from public cloud providers for services and resources where it’s cheaper, and then supplement with your own equipment when it’s not
- You can use your own equipment to meet security, compliance, or legacy scenarios where you need to completely control the environment
Disadvantages of Hybrid Cloud
- It can be more expensive than selecting one deployment model since it involves some CapEx cost up front
- It can be more complicated to set up and manage
Conclusion
Since Cloud computing is flexible therefore it gives the ability to choose how you want to deploy it. The cloud deployment model you choose depends on your budget, and on your security, scalability, and maintenance needs.