Public, Private and Hybrid Cloud: What's What?

Public, private and hybrid Cloud are all fairly different. Each has it's advantages and disadvantages, and therefore worth investigating before you invest. Allow me to explain each one in the hope that I can deepen your understanding of the Cloud to ensure that you make the right decision if and when you consider the move. Public Cloud Most of us are already using the Public Cloud if we access our e-mails via Google or Hotmail for example. Services are provided solely over the Internet, making it highly efficient and cost effective. This is usually a good solution for sole traders and freelancers. Advantages of Public Cloud  

• It is usually low cost
• You can access IT software over the Internet to save purchasing it yourself or paying for licenses
• There is minimal, if any set up cost
• It saves time: Software can be installed quickly and if something goes wrong, it can be fixed very fast
• It's the quickest and easiest way to 'trial' the Cloud

  Disadvantages of Public Cloud  

• You don't physically have a server in your office, which some people like to see
• You don't have quite as much control of your IT
• It relies on your Internet connection - if you have a weak or unreliable one, you may have trouble accessing your work

  Private Cloud A Private Cloud limits access to the service to a specific group of people for example. Your work is stored in a data center owned by your cloud provider, or can be stored on a server in your office. This is usually a good solution for small and medium businesses, or those who have strict security issues to adhere to. Advantages of Private Cloud  

• You can still access your work remotely
• It is more secure than the Public Cloud
• Because it ran on hardware, you can have more control of your data
• There is usually more storage on a Private Cloud

  Disadvantages of Private Cloud  

• It usually costs more money than the Public Cloud
• Risk of hardware damage whether your server is stored on-site or at a data centre

  Hybrid Cloud The dictionary definition of Hybrid = Something having two kinds of components that produce the same or similar results. How this applies to Cloud Computing is that businesses get use of a Private Cloud with access to the cloud for odd times of high usage. This solution is great for larger businesses who might expect a sudden influx of web traffic or enquiries. Advantages of Hybrid Cloud  

• Gives you the best of both Clouds
• Highly scalable

  Disadvantages of Hybrid Cloud  

• Slightly more complex
• Often the more expensive option

  I hope this has helped to demystify some of the Cloud terminology. I'm certain we'll see more emerge over the coming months and years.

SpiderGroup is an IT Company based in the Southwest (UK) who specialise in Cloud Computing for small and medium businesses.