Cloud computing deployment models

When selecting a cloud strategy, a business must consider a few factors, such as required cloud application components, preferred resource management tools, and legacy IT infrastructure requirements.

The three cloud computing deployment models are cloud-based, on-premises, and hybrid.

Cloud-based implementations.

• Run all parts of the application in the cloud.
• Migrate existing applications to the cloud.
• Design and create new applications in the cloud.

In a cloud-based deployment model, you can migrate existing applications to the cloud, or design and build new applications in the cloud. You can build those applications on low-level infrastructure that requires your IT staff to manage them. Alternatively, you can build them using higher-level services that reduce the management, architecture, and scaling requirements of the core infrastructure.

For example, a company could create an application made up of virtual servers, databases, and network components that are fully cloud-based.

On-site implementations.

• Deploy resources using virtualization and resource management tools.
• Increase resource utilization with the use of virtualization and application management technologies.

On-premise deployment is also known as “private cloud deployment.” In this model, resources are deployed on-premises using virtualization and resource management tools.

For example, you might have applications that run on technology that is fully maintained in the on-premises data center. Although this model closely resembles legacy IT infrastructure, with the addition of virtualization and application management technologies, it is possible to increase resource utilization.

Hybrid Implementations

• Connect cloud-based resources to on-premises infrastructure.
• Integrate cloud-based resources with legacy IT applications.

In a hybrid deployment, the cloud-based resources are connected to the on-premises infrastructure. You may want to use this approach in various situations. For example, you have legacy applications that are better kept on-premises, or government regulations require your business to keep certain records on-premises.

For example, suppose a business wants to use cloud services that can automate batch data processing and analysis. However, the company has several legacy applications that are more suitable on-premises and will not be migrated to the cloud. With a hybrid deployment, the company could keep legacy applications on-premises and benefit from data and analytics services that run in the cloud.

Benefits of cloud computing

Consider why a company might choose to take a specific approach to cloud computing when addressing business needs.

• Change the initial expense for variable expenses
• Stop spending money running and maintaining your data center.
• Stop estimating capacity
• Benefit from large economies of scale
• Increase speed and agility
• Acquire global scale in a matter of minutes