When it comes to cloud deployment, you have options. While the concept of “the cloud” may be overwhelming to some, it’s not that different from regular computing. This type of computing still requires the same physical servers that form the backbone of computer networking. The only difference is that the cloud takes the processing power and storage capabilities of the hardware and moves them over the internet. This shift lets cloud providers use services from all over the world to make a strong computing network that can be utilized wherever there’s an internet connection.

An important part of cloud computing is deployment. This concept is simply the way a cloud platform is put into place, who has access to it, who owns it, and how it is hosted. There are four primary types of cloud deployment, and those are public, private, hybrid, and community clouds. In this blog series, we will break down each cloud deployment and explain its advantages and disadvantages.

What is a Public Cloud?

In simple terms, public clouds are available to the general public. Data is created and stored on third-party servers. If a company has low concerns over privacy, the public cloud is an excellent choice. Some popular public clouds are Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2), Microsoft Azure, Google App Engine, IBM Cloud, and others.

The Advantages

  • Easy infrastructure management. As public clouds are managed by a third party, it is an easy, hassle-free system.There is no need for a company to create its own software – the third party takes care of it.
  • Costs are low. Only pay for the service you use and there is no need to invest in software or hardware.
  • Up-time. Expect to be running 24/7. Public cloud networks are extensive, meaning there is availability and can rely on improved operation time.

The Disadvantages

  • Data security and privacy. When access to data is easy, public clouds don’t allow users to see where the information is being kept and who has access to it.
  • Lack of options. Public cloud providers usually have a one-size-fits-all approach with standard options. If a company has a unique need, they may not be able to meet those requirements.
  • Loss of control. When you outsource to the public cloud, it’s literally out of reach. Any configuration and other aspects of IT management are left to a group that are not directly involved in daily operations. 

To make the most use of cloud deployment, companies should look for the model that best suits its needs. When making this decision there are things to consider. Be sure to look at network and storage requirements, available resources, as well as the pros and cons of cloud each deployment model. Talk to 165 Halsey Street about our cloud deployment options today.