Cloud Deployment Models

Introduction

Suppose you want to start a business, and you need to deploy a cloud model for this. And you keep on thinking, "Why are so many models present, and which one to choose for the business?" Well, the cloud deployment model is something on which individuals should think to make a perfect setting for their business.

                    
                                                                                            Source 

The answer to which cloud model is ideal depends on the organization's computing and business needs. And it is very crucial to choose the right one from various types of cloud service deployment models. This ensures the performance, scalability, security, and cost-effectiveness of the business. 

Now let's understand what a cloud deployment model is and the different types of Cloud Computing deployment models.

Cloud Deployment Models

The cloud deployment model identifies the specific type of cloud environment based on various parameters such as access, scale, cloud's nature, and purpose. The location of the servers which you use and control over them depends on the cloud deployment model. It helps to design your cloud infrastructure.

Different types of cloud deployment models are

1. Public cloud
2. Private cloud
3. Hybrid cloud
4. Community cloud

Now let’s discuss them in detail.

Public Cloud

As the name suggests, the public cloud is for all. Public cloud allows systems and services to be easily accessible by the general public. Due to the vast openness to the general public, the cloud may be considered as less secure. This type of deployment model is perfect for organizations with growing and fluctuating demands and also for organizations that are not much concerned about security. 

In this deployment model, you pay for services, networking, virtualization, and storage that are available on the public internet. This model is also successful in development and testing environments because its configuration and deployment are very quick and easy.

Advantages

1. Its cost is very less compared to other deployment models. Moreover, its pay-per-use service with less upfront cost. This makes it ideal for businesses that require quick access to resources.
2. There is no need for hardware setup; cloud service providers fund the entire infrastructure.
3. Apart from no hardware setup, there is also no need for infrastructure management and other maintenance.

Disadvantages

1. It is less secure since it is accessible to the general public; therefore, it may lead to cyber-attacks and vulnerabilities.
2. It is less reliable because the same server is open to all.
3. There is an upper cap on the usage of resources.

Private Cloud

Private cloud deployment model is the opposite of the public cloud deployment model. Companies look for greater control over data, resources and find private clouds a more suitable choice. These clouds are integrated with the company's data center and managed by the IT team. Alternatively, the cloud can also be hosted externally. Private cloud offers bigger resources and specifications along with customization to meet organizational requirements. It also becomes a good choice for frequently changing requirements.

Advantages

1. Private cloud provides data privacy, only authorized personnel gets access. 
2. Unlike a public cloud deployment, a private cloud allows customization. This allows a company to meet specific needs.
3. The resources are segmented within the same infrastructure to improve access and security.
4. Private clouds are designed to work with legacy systems that are unable to access the public cloud.

Disadvantages

1. It has a higher cost. Here the investment will be larger than public cloud. Along with the high cost of hardware and software, one needs to pay for staff and training as well.
2. It has predefined scalability. Chosen hardware will only allow scaling in a certain direction.
3. Maintenance cost is also high since it is managed in-house.

Hybrid Cloud

As the name implies, a hybrid cloud is a combination of two or more cloud models. Each cloud model in the hybrid architecture functions differentially, but overall it is all part of the same architecture. In this model, internal and external providers can offer resources as per need. 

Let’s understand this hybrid need with an example, a company with critical data will prefer storing sensitive data on a private cloud while less sensitive on the public cloud. So hybrid deployment model is the best solution.

With the help of a hybrid solution, one may host the application in a safe environment while taking the leverages of the public cloud’s cost savings. The hybrid cloud is also used in ‘cloud bursting’ in which organizations running an application on a private cloud can burst into the public cloud in case of heavy load.

Advantages

1. It is cost-effective. The overall cost of the hybrid model decreases since it uses the public cloud to store data.
2. The chances of data theft and other attacks are reduced because data is properly segmented.
3. It is more flexible in creating a custom solution for requirements.

Disadvantages

1. It is complex to set up a hybrid cloud since it is an integration of two or more cloud architectures.
2. Lack of control is also an issue here.
3. The model is more suitable for organizations that have multiple use cases and requirements to store data differentially.

Community Cloud

Community cloud operates in a way similar to the public cloud. The only difference is that the community cloud allows access only to a specific set of users who share a common objective and use case. This type of deployment model is hosted internally or by a third-party vendor.

Advantages

1. It is much cheaper than private and public clouds.
2. The protocol and configurations of the community cloud align with industry standards.

Disadvantages

1. There are shared resources that restrict bandwidth and storage capacity.
2. It is a recently introduced model and is not much popular.