Cloud deployment is the utilization of cloud environments to run applications through the use of different models, such as software-as-a-service (SaaS), platform-as-a-service (Paas), and infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS). By utilizing a cloud solution, organizations can help reduce capital expenditures (CAPEX) and allow for flexible operational costs (OPEX) in response to changing needs. Cloud deployments allow for computing resources to be moved away from a company’s physical location and exist entirely on a cloud platform. By doing so, businesses can access improved computing power through the use of multiple servers, utilize online virtual machines, and take advantage of online data centers for increased storage ability.
Cloud deployment also allows for different computing environments, including public cloud, private cloud, community cloud, and hybrid.
A public cloud deployment model, such as Microsoft Azure or Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2), is available to the general public and will run on third-party servers. Public clouds are managed by the service provider, meaning they take care of all the software and hardware, making it generally easy to use and scale as needed. Benefits of a public cloud model include:
A private cloud platform is used by a single company or organization, but otherwise functions very similarly to a public cloud. A private cloud is most often used for securing sensitive data, and often uses multiple firewalls. Generally, there will be a dedicated cloud server that cannot be accessed by anyone from outside of the organization. Benefits of a private cloud include:
A community cloud model is similar to a private cloud, but rather than allowing only one organization access, several organizations with similar backgrounds will share the infrastructure, while simultaneously maintaining higher security than a public cloud. Community cloud advantages include:
A hybrid cloud model allows for a combination of the above models (public, private, and community) as needed by organizations to find the solution that best meets their needs. For example, they could secure sensitive data on a private cloud, while hosting non-critical data on a private cloud. Benefits of a hybrid model include:
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