Private Cloud vs Public Cloud
If you have been researching cloud computing, then you must be aware of Private Vs Public cloud debate. Before you decide which end of the debate you side with, it is important to know the differences between the two technologies. Explore this article and know about the differences before you choose the path.
Private Cloud:
A Private cloud is a distinct and secure cloud-based environment in which only the specified candidate/organization can operate. Compared with other cloud models, private clouds will provide computing power as a service within a virtualized environment using an underlying pool of physical computing resource. However, the private cloud model is only accessible by a single organization providing it with superlative control and privacy. Private cloud offers hosted services to a limited number of people behind a firewall, so it minimizes the security concerns for some organizations.
Private cloud computing, by definition, is a single-tenant environment where the hardware storage and network are dedicated to a single client or organization. The features and benefits of private cloud are therefore as follows:
Security and Privacy: Public cloud services can implement a certain level of security, but a private cloud uses a technique called distinct pools of resources with access denied to connections made from behind one organization’s firewall, devoted leased lines or on-site internal hosting by ensuring that operations are kept out from meddlesome eyes.
Control: Private cloud is only accessible for a single organization, that organization will have the ability to configure and manage it in-line with their needs to achieve customized network solutions.
Cost and Efficiency: Private cloud is not as cost effective as public cloud services due to smaller economies of scale and increased management costs, they do make more efficient computing resources than traditional LAN’s as they minimise the investment in unused capacity.
Hybrid Deployments: If a zealous server is required to run a high-speed database application, that hardware can be integrated into a private cloud, hybridizing the solution between virtual servers and dedicated servers. This can’t be achieved in a public cloud.
To reduce an organization’s on-premises IT footprint, cloud providers, such as Rackspace and VMware, can deploy private cloud infrastructures.
Public Cloud:
The most observable model of cloud computing to many users is the Public cloud model, under which cloud services are provided in a virtualized environment, constructed using pooled shared physical resources, and accessible over a public network such as internet.
Public clouds provides services and access to multiple users using the same shared infrastructure. Amazon (AWS), Microsoft (Azure), VMWare are some of the key players in this space. Public clouds are broadly used by individuals who are less likely to need the level of groundwork and security offered by private clouds. However, users can still utilise public clouds to make their operations significantly more efficient. Even though it possesses security risks, a public cloud is considered more useful than its counterparts because of several reasons.
The following are the features offered by public cloud:
Cost Effective: Initial cost is minimum, but if the data is stored for a very long period of time, it proves to be expensive.
Reliability: There are sheer number of servers and networks involved in creating a public cloud. The major advantage in a public cloud is if one physical compound fails, the cloud still runs unaffected on the remaining components. In other words, there will be no failure which would make a public cloud service vulnerable.
Flexibility: There are multitudinous services available in the market which follow the public cloud model and that are ready to be accessed as a service from any internet enabled devices. These services can fulfil most computing requirements and can deliver their benefits to private and enterprise clients. Businesses can integrate their public cloud services with private cloud services, where they need to perform sensitive business functions, to create hybrid clouds.
Location Independence: The availability of public cloud services through an internet connection ensure that the services are available wherever the client is located. This provides many opportunities to enterprises which has remote access to IT infrastructure or online document collaboration from multiple locations.
The Debate: Despite being different from each other on many factors, it is difficult to say which cloud service stands out. Both the services have equal advantages and disadvantages. Nevertheless, factors concerning security, access patterns, confidentiality, and professional workforce in public and private cloud computing are yet to be enhanced so that the technology proves to be beneficial for establishing and established businesses.
Cloud Bursting: Businesses may also use a combination of a private and public cloud services with hybrid cloud deployment. This allows users to scale computing requirements beyond the private cloud and into the public cloud – a capability called cloud bursting.