Private cloud hosting is a more effective way of using the cloud compared to dedicated hosting mainly because of the cost, although of course, there are other reasons as well. With a dedicated server, there is still a need for private hardware to be used if there is a need forprivacy, which can be a burden at times for the enterprise. In this article, let's learn about Private Cloud and why should choose Private Cloud Hosting.
What is a Private Cloud?
A private cloud is a particular model of cloud computing that involves a distinct and secure cloud based environment in which only the specified client can operate. As with other cloud models, private clouds will provide computing power as a service within a virtualised environment using an underlying pool of physical computing resource. However, under the private cloud model, the cloud (the pool of resource) is only accessible by a single organisation providing that organisation with greater control and privacy.The technical mechanisms used to provide the different services which can be classed as being private cloud services can vary considerably and so it is hard to define what constitutes a private cloud from a technical aspect. Instead such services are usually categorised by the features that they offer to their client. Traits that characterise private clouds include the ring fencing of a cloud for the sole use of one organisation and higher levels of network security. They can be defined in contrast to a public cloud which has multiple clients accessing virtualised services which all draw their resource from the same pool of servers across public networks. Private cloud services draw their resource from a dsitinct pool of physical computers but these may be hosted internally or externally and may be accessed across private leased lines or secure encrypted connections via public networks.
The additional security offered by the ring fenced cloud model is ideal for any organisation, including enterprise, that needs to store and process private data or carry out sensitive tasks. For example, a private cloud service could be utilised by a financial company that is required by regulation to store sensitive data internally and who will still want to benefit from some of the advantages of cloud computing within their business infrastructure, such as on demand resource allocation.
The private cloud model is closer to the more traditional model of individual local access networks (LANs) used in the past by enterprise but with the added advantages of virtualisation. The features and benefits of private clouds therefore are:
- Higher security and privacy; public clouds services can implement a certain level of security but private clouds - using techniques such as distinct pools of resources with access restricted to connections made from behind one organisation’s firewall, dedicated leased lines and/or on-site internal hosting - can ensure that operations are kept out of the reach of prying eyes
- More control; as a private cloud is only accessible by a single organisation, that organisation will have the ability to configure and manage it inline with their needs to achieve a tailored network solution. However, this level of control removes somes the economies of scale generated in public clouds by having centralised management of the hardware
- Cost and energy efficiency; implementing a private cloud model can improve the allocation of resources within an organisation by ensuring that the availability of resources to individual departments/business functions can directly and flexibly respond to their demand. Therefore, although they are not as cost effective as a public cloud services due to smaller economies of scale and increased management costs, they do make more efficient use of the computing resource than traditional LANs as they minimise the investment into unused capacity. Not only does this provide a cost saving but it can reduce an organisation’s carbon footprint too
- Improved reliability; even where resources (servers, networks etc.) are hosted internally, the creation of virtualised operating environments means that the network is more resilient to individual failures across the physical infrastructure. Virtual partitions can, for example, pull their resource from the remaining unaffected servers. In addition, where the cloud is hosted with a third party, the organisation can still benefit from the physical security afforded to infrastructure hosted within data centres
- Cloud bursting; some providers may offer the opportunity to employ cloud bursting, within a private cloud offering, in the event of spikes in demand. This service allows the provider to switch certain non-sensitive functions to a public cloud to free up more space in the private cloud for the sensitive functions that require it. Private clouds can even be integrated with public cloud services to form hybrid clouds where non-sensitive functions are always allocated to the public cloud to maximise the efficiencies on offer.
Reasons Why Private cloud hosting is Required
SecurityThe first reason why private cloud hosting is required for enterprises is security. Of course, a hosting system is good if it has good security. This includes cryptography, network security, and data protection. This is very important because it allows users to privately store and access data. One such example of this is found in Dropbox. Users can upload and download data on the cloud, provided that they are a member of that folder, or they were given access to the file. Having a private cloud allows users to have a more secure data management, which in turn helps the enterprise maintain data consistency.
Virtualization
The second reason why private hosting is required is virtualization. For each cloud server, a virtual machine is required. At the very least, a virtual machine allows enterprises to have a unique means of accessing data. One such example is Intranet hosting. Because of this, companies are able to privatize all data traffic flowing through the cloud in order to not leak any confidential information.
Flexibility
The third reason is flexibility. With a private cloud required, users are able to access data, provided that they have access over it. It is ideal to privatize the cloud especially when there is confidential data. At the same time, data will be readily available anytime, anywhere, and is always on-demand. This is especially true in e-commerce and other online transactions. With a private cloud, everything that a user needs to know is within his/her reach.
The third reason is flexibility. With a private cloud required, users are able to access data, provided that they have access over it. It is ideal to privatize the cloud especially when there is confidential data. At the same time, data will be readily available anytime, anywhere, and is always on-demand. This is especially true in e-commerce and other online transactions. With a private cloud, everything that a user needs to know is within his/her reach.
Performance
The fourth reason is performance. A private server will always perform better than public ones because of less data traffic and more features. Public clouds are typicallygeneric, while private clouds are more task-specific and intensive, which is why there is more pressure in improving performance for the private cloud. Bad performance will yield slower results not only for the user, but also for the cloud hosts.
The fourth reason is performance. A private server will always perform better than public ones because of less data traffic and more features. Public clouds are typicallygeneric, while private clouds are more task-specific and intensive, which is why there is more pressure in improving performance for the private cloud. Bad performance will yield slower results not only for the user, but also for the cloud hosts.
Data Redundancy
The last reason why private cloud hosting is required is to reduce data redundancy. A redundant data will take up space, and private clouds work best when data is filtered. Anyone can access public clouds, and even though they are more scalable than private clouds, they are more prone to redundancy. With private clouds required, redundancy is reduced by making each transaction unique, for example.
The last reason why private cloud hosting is required is to reduce data redundancy. A redundant data will take up space, and private clouds work best when data is filtered. Anyone can access public clouds, and even though they are more scalable than private clouds, they are more prone to redundancy. With private clouds required, redundancy is reduced by making each transaction unique, for example.