As more organizations migrate their computing activities to the cloud, more questions arise as to the appropriate type of cloud service for the organization in question. What is an advantage of using a private cloud over a virtual private cloud (VPC?) In this article, we’ll compare and contrast these two types of cloud computing to provide some answers.
Cloud computing allows the storage, access, and retrieval of data and software applications using the internet rather than accessing physical hardware servers. Cloud computing allows organizations to rent virtual access to a cloud server rather than having to invest in hardware that takes up space and is expensive to upgrade or replace. Cloud computing provides the means for quick and easy scaling at a lower cost than what would be required if done using physical hardware.
When an organization uses a private cloud, they are the sole user and controller of that entity. An in-house IT team must be assembled to manage a private cloud. This in-house IT team could act as the cloud’s service provider or cloud space can be rented or purchased from an outside cloud service provider.
A virtual private cloud exists on a public cloud, but it’s ring-fenced to create virtual private environments for each organization on the public cloud. Data and services are not shared by the various users. Each user has access to a collection of their own private IP addresses (known as a subnet) that aren’t publicly accessible.
It’s often asked how a VPC remains private when it’s part of a public cloud. First of all, there are both virtual and physical divisions between the various VPCs that reside on the public cloud. This ensures that the data and computing functions of a VPC remain secure and separate from other VPCs on the same cloud. All data on the public cloud passes through a virtual private network (VPN) which uses encryption to ensure that the identifying properties remain invisible. Each user of a VPC is also provided with a virtual local area network (VLAN) to ensure that there is no crossover between various VPCs.
Private clouds remain private by definition. The cloud is shared with no other entities or organizations. A single organization is responsible for setting up the infrastructure, managing the systems, and providing security. No other organization or entity should be able to access a private cloud.
One of the main advantages of using a private cloud is the security factor. This is especially important for organizations that deal with sensitive data. The infrastructure is only accessible to a single organization which means there’s a greatly reduced risk of data and services being breached by outside parties.
A private cloud allows an organization to use their own IT department to act as the service provider. The organization isn’t dependent on the workings of another organization or a virtual landlord to ensure that the systems remain secure and functioning properly. In a VPC situation, the organization is still reliant on a cloud service provider for tenancy.
A private cloud generally allows more flexibility than a VPC on a public cloud. A private cloud can be customized to allow bespoke programs and applications to operate which can often be more difficult in a VPC or public cloud situation. A private cloud arrangement allows resources to be easily channelled towards applications that require more computing power.
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