Cloud Deployment Models: A Beginner’s Guide
Learn about the different cloud deployment models and how to choose the right one for your business. There are 5 main cloud deployment models: public cloud, private cloud, hybrid cloud, multi-cloud, and community cloud. Each model has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to choose the right one for your business needs.
Cloud computing involves the delivery of IT services via the Internet. It provides the flexibility to establish a virtual computing environment using various Cloud Deployment Models.
In cloud computing, users have access to a shared pool of computer resources, including servers, storage, and programs, available in the cloud. The process of acquiring additional resources when needed is simple.
Clouds enable quick setup of resources, and unnecessary resources can be easily released. This pay-as-you-go approach ensures that you only pay for the resources you use, while the responsibility for maintenance lies with your cloud provider.
Deployment models categorize cloud environments based on factors like ownership, scale, access, and purpose. In this article, we discuss the five popular cloud deployment models along with guidance on their usage.
What is a Cloud Deployment Model?
The Cloud Deployment Model functions as a virtual computing environment with a deployment architecture that varies depending on the amount of data you want to store and who has access to the infrastructure.
A cloud deployment model plays a crucial role in determining the management of cloud services and the associated responsibility model. It encompasses the definition of your cloud architecture, the scalability of your computing resources, the level of customization allowed, the services provided to you, and the extent of ownership you have over the build.
Additionally, cloud deployment models establish the relationships between the cloud infrastructure and your users, specifying the level of user control and implementation.
Types of Cloud Computing Deployment Models
The cloud deployment model determines the precise nature of the cloud environment, taking into account factors such as ownership, scale, access, and the purpose of the cloud. It outlines the location of the servers being used and the entity that exercises control over them.
Essentially, a cloud deployment model specifies the structure of your cloud infrastructure, the extent to which you can make modifications, and whether you will receive pre-existing services or need to build everything from scratch.
Furthermore, the relationship between the infrastructure and your users is also established by the type of cloud deployment chosen.
Below is a table that summarizes the key differences between the 5 cloud deployment models:
| On-premises data center | Location | Security | Cost | Scalability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Cloud | Vendor | Third-party data centers | Shared | Low | High |
| Private Cloud | Organization | On-premises data center | Dedicated | High | Medium |
| Community Cloud | Shared by a community of organizations | Third-party data centers | Shared | Varies | Varies |
| Hybrid Cloud | Organization | Both on-premises and third-party data centers | Varies | Varies | Varies |
| Multi-Cloud | Organization | Multiple third-party data centers | Varies | Varies | Varies |
Public cloud
In a public cloud deployment, one key characteristic is that you do not own any hardware or infrastructure. Instead, all the necessary resources are provided to you by a cloud service provider. The term public in the cloud signifies that this type of cloud is accessible to the general public, and resources are shared among multiple users, known as “multitenancy.”
Without relying on a cloud provider, you would need to possess sufficient resources to handle peak loads, resulting in underutilized servers most of the time. This approach prioritizes performance optimization but proves less cost-effective. Alternatively, you could provision only enough servers to handle average loads, but this would result in application failure or poor performance during peak periods. In such cases, your workloads may not have the necessary resources, but cost savings can be achieved. Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, IBM Cloud, and Google Cloud are all popular public cloud providers.
Advantages of the Public Cloud Model
- Minimal Investment
- No setup cost
- Infrastructure Management is not required
- No maintenance
- Dynamic Scalability
Disadvantages of the Public Cloud Model
- Less secure
- Low customization
Private cloud
The private cloud deployment model stands in stark contrast to the public cloud deployment model. It offers a dedicated environment tailored to a single user or customer, eliminating the need to share hardware with others. The key distinction between private and public clouds lies in the management of hardware resources. Referred to as the “internal cloud,” it enables access to systems and services within a specific boundary or organization. The private cloud platform operates in a secure, cloud-based environment protected by robust firewalls and overseen by the organization’s IT department. This approach grants greater control and flexibility over cloud resources. Some well-known private cloud providers are Red Hat OpenStack, Rackspace, IBM Bluemix Private Cloud, Microsoft Azure Stack, and VMware Private Cloud.
Advantages of the Private Cloud Model
- Better Control
- Data Security and Privacy
- Supports Legacy Systems
- Customization
Disadvantages of the Private Cloud Model
- Less scalable
- Costly
Community cloud
Imagine a cloud that’s like a secret club, exclusively dedicated to a select group of organizations within the same community. This is what we call a community cloud. It’s not like a public cloud that’s open to everyone, nor is it quite a private cloud with a single user. Instead, it strikes a balance by accommodating multiple users and organizations.
To grasp the concept better, consider a community cloud as a shared space utilized by various banks. It’s akin to a special neighborhood where these banks come together to harness the power of cloud computing. The beauty of a community cloud lies in its ability to cater to the unique needs of a specific community. You can almost think of it as a gated community, where residents share similar interests and goals.
In a community cloud, organizations within the community can collaborate, leverage shared resources, and benefit from a tailored cloud environment. It’s like having access to a club exclusively designed for a specific group, enabling them to work together efficiently and foster innovation.
Advantages of the Community Cloud Model
- Cost Effective
- Security
- Shared resources: It allows you to share resources, infrastructure, etc. with multiple organizations.
- Collaboration and data sharing
Disadvantages of the Community Cloud Model
- Limited Scalability
- Rigid in customization
Hybrid cloud
The hybrid cloud model offers the perfect blend of public and private clouds, making it a popular choice for companies navigating their cloud migration journey. It allows organizations to maximize their existing hardware investments while harnessing the advantages of the public cloud. This flexible approach facilitates a seamless transition over time and caters to security requirements by securely managing critical applications and sensitive data on-premises. Ensuring smooth real-time communication between the two clouds becomes paramount, highlighting the critical role of bandwidth.
Advantages of the Hybrid Cloud Model
- Flexibility and control
- Cost
- Security
Disadvantages of the Hybrid Cloud Model
- Difficult to manage
- Slow data transmission
Multi-cloud
The multi-cloud model involves utilizing multiple cloud providers simultaneously. While similar to the hybrid cloud deployment model, the multi-cloud approach differs by incorporating multiple public clouds instead of combining private and public clouds.
The motivations behind adopting a multi-cloud deployment are twofold: redundancy and cost optimization for specific technology preferences. For example, running Microsoft SQL Server in the Azure public cloud may offer significant cost savings and ease of use compared to deploying it on compute instances provided by another public cloud provider. By leveraging different public clouds, organizations can achieve greater flexibility and capitalize on cost-effective solutions tailored to their specific needs.
Advantages of the Multi-Cloud Model
- Reduced Latency
- Reduce vendor stickiness and lock-in
- High availability of service
Disadvantages of the Multi-Cloud Model
- Complex
- Security issue
Cloud computing models
Infrastructure as a service (IaaS)
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is a powerful solution that delivers external computer infrastructure to support operational needs. Typically, IaaS caters to networking equipment, devices, databases, and web servers, providing essential services in these areas.
Designed to assist large organizations and enterprises, IaaS empowers them to efficiently manage and construct their IT platforms. This infrastructure offers flexibility, allowing customization and scalability based on the specific requirements of the client. With IaaS, organizations can leverage external resources to optimize their operations and meet their evolving technological demands.
Platform as a service (PaaS)
Platform as a Service (PaaS) revolutionizes the development process by empowering developers to create applications and services over the Internet using a comprehensive platform.
With PaaS, developers can efficiently build and deploy their applications while enjoying the benefits of a fully managed platform. This cloud computing model allows businesses to maintain control over their crucial business applications, ensuring a seamless development experience and enabling focus on core functionalities. By leveraging PaaS, organizations can accelerate their development cycles, streamline operations, and unlock new opportunities for innovation.
Software as a service (SaaS)
Software as a Service (SaaS) is a leading cloud computing model that enables the seamless delivery of services and applications via the Internet. SaaS applications, also known as Web-Based Software or Hosted Software, are accessible online, eliminating the need for local installation.
With approximately 60 percent market share in cloud solutions, SaaS is a highly favored choice among companies. Its popularity stems from the numerous benefits it offers, including ease of use, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. By adopting SaaS, businesses can streamline their operations, reduce IT overheads, and leverage cutting-edge software without the need for complex infrastructure management.