In March 2019, the world’s tech giants went offline, including a series of hitches on Gmail, Google Drive, Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The outage was an eye opener for thousands of users and enterprise leaders, as it highlighted the unforeseen risks of storing data on public cloud locations.
When a public cloud environment fails, it doesn’t offer users the option to restore data. Now that we understand the risks associated with data storage on software as a service (SaaS) platforms, businesses are looking at deploying an extra layer of protection with private cloud solutions.
But before you go for such a solution, weigh out its costs and benefits.
Merits of private cloud
A recent worldwide market study by International Data Corporation (IDC) shows that revenue from sales of IT infrastructure equipment grew 48.4% year over year to $15.4 billion in the second quarter of 2018.
Of that, spending on private cloud reached $4.6 billion, an increase of 28.2% year over year. Enterprises deploy private clouds for:
Increased control– With a private cloud solution in place, you can build and configure your private cloud infrastructure in whichever way you like. For instance, you can use any operating system or application and allocate resources in a manner that suits your needs. Thus, you gain total control over server access and the data stored on it.
Enhanced security– In addition to the robust security implemented in individual virtual machines, a private cloud solution can be isolated from all except the organization that owns it. Such restricted access, which integrates with a company’s firewall as well as other remote access policies, provides an additional layer of security. With a private cloud solution catering to a single client, security is inherently and significantly higher than what a public cloud model with multiple users offers.
Improved customization- With greater control over the infrastructure and hardware, components can be customized whenever required. For instance, the hard drives and RAM can be upgraded to optimize performance while more resource-intensive applications can be specified to run on a particular frequency.
Demerits of private cloud
The private cloud environment has the following disadvantages:
Increased operational costs
The start-up costs for hardware acquisition in a private cloud setup is significantly higher compared to a public cloud model. Consequently, while building your own private cloud, you will face a large capital outlay.
To get rid of this issue, you can, however, rent a private cloud solution from a hosting service provider, for a monthly fee.
Undetermined underutilization– Determining capacity with a private cloud model is often an uphill task. When overbuilt, it will be underutilized. The cost of capacity underutilization is a cost you incur, not your provider. If the private cloud setup is underpowered, then it will not be capable of meeting expectations. This has prompted some organizations to enable cloud bursting.
Prolonged platform scaling– Since you are unlikely to retain un-utilized capacity, large upward changes in your requirements will need enterprise infrastructure scaling. This usually takes longer than simply scaling a virtual machine within its existing capacity.
Having said that, if you are looking to accelerate service innovation with a private cloud environment, get in touch with HCLTech today.
We help deploy the ideal Private Cloud solution that helps you meet the demands of your business by reducing risks and associated costs. HCLTech uses industry-leading tools and approaches along with advanced technologies to build and run your end-to-end private cloud solution, seamlessly integrating it into your IT ecosystem.
References
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/13/technology/facebook-instagram-down.html