Morpheus gives Neo two options in the film The Matrix: the blue pill or the red pill. Quite the same way, companies across any industry today might face the complicated choice of having to pick between either a public or private cloud option. No wonder, hybrid cloud is slowly but steadily winning the race.
But this blog focuses on the two poles: private or public cloud and which is the best choice?
Managed public cloud services and managed private cloud services serve distinct functions and offer impressive benefits, but together they make up a diversified and complicated cloud technology ecosystem. However, for enterprises who could do the evolution correctly, the move to the cloud for data storage, IT modernization, and security management has allowed organizations to be disruptive.
Understanding the distinction between a private cloud-managed service and public cloud-managed service, as well as the fundamentals of cloud computing, is essential before determining which cloud is right for your company or taking a stance in the ongoing discussion.
What is Cloud Computing or Cloud Services?
Simply put, the cloud is a network of interconnected computing servers that provide on-demand access to shared resources like files, storage, and programs. Many different data centers across the world house these servers.
Companies may avoid the cost and hassle of in-house server management and upkeep with managed cloud providers. So, let's talk about the two primary cloud deployment models - Private Cloud and Public Cloud.
Private Cloud and Managed Private Cloud Service
Private cloud platforms are a cloud deployment strategy in which the cloud resources are reserved for the sole use of a single company. In this configuration, services are hosted either within the company's private network or in remote data centers operated by partner private cloud service providers. This enables the underlying enterprises to tailor infrastructure elements such as networks, hardware, and storage to their needs. As a result of its flexibility and scalability, it is widely used by businesses that deal with sensitive information.
Public Cloud and Managed Public Cloud Service
In contrast to the dedicated infrastructure of a private cloud, which serves just one company, public cloud infrastructure helps multiple, unconnected users. Here, third-party providers offer cloud computing services to everyone with access via the public internet. Under this paradigm, companies and developers can access high-powered computer resources, storage, infrastructure, and software at affordable prices.
A Comparison: Private Cloud vs. Public Cloud
|
Parameter |
Public Cloud |
Private Cloud |
|---|---|---|
|
Infrastructure Model |
Shared compute, network, storage infrastructure amongst multiple companies and firms |
Fully customized, dedicated IT infrastructure for a single firm |
|
Availability |
Base availability metrics offered by the cloud provider |
Highest availability as the cloud could be hosted closest to enterprise location and fine-tuned to the firm’s objectives |
|
Access to native technologies |
On-demand integration of cloud applications on a pay per use model |
Need custom configuration and deployment of additional resources and applications to the private model |
|
Security and Compliance |
Limited to global security and compliance capabilities offered by the cloud provider |
Fully secure closed, dedicated ecosystem promising high levels of protection |
|
DR and Continuity |
Responsibility of the cloud provider, common DR facilities available to all customer tenants accessing resources |
Can configure dedicated DR sites on secondary, tertiary locations |
|
Cost |
Billed based on shared resources utilized per month, pay-per-use |
High costs due to dedicated infra, resource allocations for the client enterprise |
When you Choose Private Cloud Services – the Blue Pill?
A private cloud is a way to go if you need multi-layered data and IT infrastructure protection. By taking matters into your own hands and becoming private, you eliminate the need to rely on other parties to maintain order. In the absence of intermediaries, security is improved.
Control over your data center infrastructure is another incentive to build a private cloud. You could run your cloud if you're already investing resources into maintaining a data center. Avoid outsourcing functions that can be handled internally by avoiding unnecessary hassle.
Some businesses want to create private clouds to exercise complete command and tailor the environment to their specific needs. When everything is handled in-house, you get to make all the calls. Everything, including the installed hardware and compliance strategies, is under your complete command and reserved for your usage.
When Should you Choose Managed Public Cloud Services Over the Red Pill?
While there are benefits in operating on private cloud, implementing the same could be a challenging feat. For this to succeed, businesses must devote substantial resources. Such a dedication entails allocating reserved resources, which might lead to preference of public cloud. This third-party management is the main advantage of public clouds. You must shell out cash for whatever gear and software you require. The service provider is responsible for all upkeep and security patches. The service provider's responsibility, not the customer, is to deal with hardware failure and replacement.
The use of public clouds does come with some drawbacks. As they almost always share resources, a provider's oversight might cause slowness and accessibility problems. On top of that, in a public cloud setting, you could pay for resources you have yet to use. You also cannot guarantee the safety and integrity of the system.
Public Cloud or Private Cloud: Make the Right Choice with Cloud4C
There should not be any room of ambiguity while deciding which cloud model to go with, be it private cloud or public cloud. Both models have pros and cons and businesses should base their decision on cost, scalability, business needs, performance, and flexibility.
A combination of the two can be the ideal choice if you're confident in managing each independently. Hybrid cloud computing models that combine public and private cloud advantages are gaining popularity among enterprises. Moreover, you can finally relax about your cloud challenges when you have Cloud4C as your trusted partner. As the world’s leading application-focused cloud managed services provider with extensive expertise in mission-critical IT transformations, we provide businesses with cost-effective, automation-driven migration, modernization, and management of IT landscapes on private, public, hybrid, and multicloud of choice in a single SLA till application layer, guaranteeing maximum availability end-to-end without fail.
