Cloud Computing
Cloud Infrastructure Services: Benefits, Types, and Challenges Unlocked
With the advent of technology,
the way businesses used to work have changed a lot. From internal operations to
customer expectations, businesses have gone through an immense transformation
in recent times. And one of the main challenges that entrepreneurs often faced
was of data security and cloud computing
solutions were just a game-changer in this department. These smart
solutions are now known to offer businesses with more security, agility, and
the ability to deliver converged experiences to their customers. In the past,
enterprises used to spend a lot on building their IT capabilities, but now
things have changed. A lot more can be achieved in a limited budget. Cloud
infrastructure acts as a silver bullet here and has provided the benefits of
storage, virtualization, computing capabilities to the enterprises that too on
reduced cost.
In this article, we are going
to read more in-depth about cloud infrastructure, its type, and some of its
benefits.
What is Cloud Infrastructure
Cloud infrastructure is the tool
needed to build a cloud. It virtualizes the resources and presents it to the
users through application program interfaces. Now, companies can rent cloud
infrastructure from service providers like Amazon Web Services, Google
Cloud, and Microsoft Azure and need to invest much in developing their
on-premise IT infrastructure. Networking equipment, servers, and data storage
are the main physical components of cloud infrastructure. It typically uses
locally attached storage, both solid-state drives (SSDs) and hard disk drives
(HDDs), instead of shared disk arrays on a storage area network.
Types of Cloud Infrastructure
Based on the architecture and the services offered, there are various types of cloud computing solutions. Let’s know them in detail:
Cloud Infrastructure: Architecture Model
Private cloud architecture model
You can create a private cloud
yourself with your resources. It is solely dedicated to a single user with
completely isolated access. If a company’s business revolves around an
application and its data, private cloud architecture offers the services
on-premises and in-house. It provides the highest security though can be a bit
expensive. These are also called internal clouds or corporate clouds.
Public cloud architecture model
In the public cloud architecture
model, the complete computing infrastructure is located on the premises of a
cloud computing company that offers the cloud service. Alibaba Cloud, Amazon
Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure are a few
of the largest public cloud service providers. It is cost-effective as the
cloud provider is responsible for the creation and maintenance of the
resources. A user can simply purchase resources on an hourly basis and work
with the resources available in the cloud provider’s premises.
Hybrid Cloud architecture model
This uses both public and private
clouds depending on the requirement and purpose. Organizations that deal with
sensitive data may choose on-site servers where data privacy can be maintained
while the ones hosting fewer sensitive data can maintain on the public cloud
where cost may be lower.
Cloud Infrastructure: Delivery Model
IaaS
Infrastructure as a Service
allows you to rent IT infrastructure- the actual servers, network,
virtualization, and data storage through an internet connection. It works on
pay-for-use service and is available as a public, private or hybrid
infrastructure.
PaaS
Platform as a Service is
where cloud computing service providers deploy the
infrastructure and software framework. Here the user can develop and handle the
apps running on the platform.
SaaS
Software as a service works as
per demand and on a subscription basis. It is managed from a central location
and helps you maintain typically mobile or web applications that users can
access via a web browser. A SaaS service provider can fully manage the
applications, data, runtime, middleware, operating systems, services, storage,
networking, and virtualization with the help of SaaS.
Advantages of Using Cloud Infrastructure Services
Cost
Cloud infrastructure makes a
company pay only for as-needed services. Traditional desktop software costs a
lot to companies in terms of finance. Cloud computing significantly lowers the
IT expenses as it is available at much cheaper rates.
Storage
There is no worry about running a
shortage of storage space. By opting for cloud infrastructure services,
businesses can easily store and manage data on off-site file servers instead of
building their own physical data centers. It gives us almost unlimited storage
capacity.
Agility and flexibility
Cloud Infrastructure services are
offered as self-managed where service changes can be made within minutes. The
high speed lets you deploy the service quickly in a few minutes. It offers the
flexibility of work from home through virtual software. Thus, offers the
flexibility to access data shared on mobile devices whenever and wherever. The
connection is always on as long as one has an internet connection.
Backup and recovery
Backing up and restoring the data
is quite easy as all the information is stored on the cloud. This is usually a
time-consuming process if done in on-premise technology. Amazon Simple Storage
Service (S3), Microsoft
Azure, and Google Cloud Storage offer manageable services along with
remote-back up facilities.
Security
Cloud computing services
are much secure if the right cloud security measures are in place. Cloud
security offers multiple levels of control to provide continuity and protection
in a network infrastructure. 24/7 monitoring and live monitoring is the best
practices of cloud infrastructure security solutions.
Challenges while using Cloud Infrastructure
Data stealing
Some of the cloud services use
another provider's server, hence there is a probability that the data is less
secure. If the external server is shut down due to any natural disaster or
financial crisis, this creates a loss to the user. Continuous Data Protection
should be implemented to avoid issues with data recovery in case of a sudden
attack.
Vendor overturn
The cloud is still evolving and
hence rapidly fluctuates with new technologies. Also, the whole business is
dependable on one infrastructure so if there is any massive overhaul, it could
be a big destruction to the business.
Also Read: 7
Reasons Why You Should Choose Cloud Computing Services for Your Business
Connection reliance
A good network is what a cloud
infrastructure works on. Any technical issues in the internet connection may
lead the cloud server to go down. This slows down the linked data,
applications, and software also.
Control
In the public cloud, the control is with the service provider and at times organizations have limited access over the data. This keeps the company restricted to the changes related to designing, implementation, testing, and deployment.
Conclusion
Cloud computing is making all the
behind the scenes possible whether it is sending an email, watching movies, or
editing documents. As there is more involvement in the cloud services,
organizations are turning towards cloud
infrastructure service providers to less-hands on with maintaining and
managing their services and other storage tools. Cloud computing benefits both
small and large industries and thus can scale up to massive capacities in an
instant without having to invest in new infrastructure, train new personnel, or
license new software. A secure and reliable IT operation with less effort and
cost is all that is in line with your needs.