Hybrid clouds are network infrastructure configurations that combine at least one linkage between public and private cloud networks. These configurations are managed using software-defined networking technologies that meld these disparate networks under a single pane of glass control. Users of the hybrid cloud interact with it as if it were one seamlessly unified network.
Hybrid clouds are different from multicloud configurations by always including at least one private cloud, whereas multiclouds combine multiple public clouds, which themselves may be part of a hybrid cloud.
Hybrid clouds enable organizations to reduce the costly inefficiencies of maintaining their own infrastructure. Additionally, hybrid clouds help companies address scaling concerns, and offer security features.
The central aim of hybrid clouds is to create secure, seamless connectivity between networks of different modes. Using WANs, VPNs, and APIs, hybrid networks can interconnect on-premises and private networks with one or more public cloud resources.
Hybrid cloud and multicloud are often used interchangeably, however, there are several key differences. A private network becomes a hybrid cloud network when a public cloud network is connected with it in such a way that they begin to act as one network. Whereas, a multicloud architecture is two or more public cloud networks connected together in a way where they seem to operate as a single unit. If a second public cloud is attached to a hybrid cloud, then it becomes a network with both hybrid and multicloud characteristics.
Hybrid clouds utilize diverse and complex configurations on private networks while relying on abundant cloud resources to run the day-to-day business. Multicloud configuration can be used for redundancy measures, or edge to cloud infrastructure solutions, by duplicating data at several locations, users can access it with greater speed and reliability. Even if one cloud in a multicloud setup goes down, the others can fill in the space until fixes are completed.
The true benefit of hybrid clouds is to enable digital transformation initiatives. Traditional IT infrastructures have been on-premise, costly, and prone to obsolescence. While new investments are required to develop hybrid clouds, the availability of resources and services in the public cloud allows companies to flexibly make adjustments and improvements to their IT infrastructure with confidence that they will meet business needs.
As with any major shift in IT policy, adopting a hybrid cloud architecture brings its own unique challenges. Appropriate planning for business needs, considerations, and goals is a key mitigating factor for many of the following hybrid cloud challenges.
1. Compliance Issues — As the government steps in and regulates more online activities and how information is treated online, companies will be required to address compliance. Depending on the size of an organization, this can entail additional investments. If storing sensitive information in the cloud, almost certainly, the government will require some variety of certification of compliance, so ensuring that providers have those is necessary.
2. Hybrid Cloud Management and Monitoring — Working with a top-tier cloud provider with greater technical capabilities can make management and monitoring integrations easier. If capabilities are less robust, then integrating management systems from both public and on-premise private cloud infrastructures will prove to be challenging. Ensure capabilities are aligned with need.
3. Integration — Engineering insight is needed when building cohesive environments from private and public clouds. Considerations include, where to situate workloads, which infrastructure will satisfy expected demands, and the implementation and management of processes and policies that will keep systems functioning together.
4. Migration Complexity — Migrating to the cloud refers to moving data and applications into new environments. Depending on their complexity, this can be as simple as transferring files up to a host with a compatible environment, to a complete refactoring of business applications to run on cloud resources.
5. Network Infrastructure — Nearly every consideration comes into play when addressing network infrastructure. Security, bandwidth, latency, essentially the overall performance of the network which relies on underlying infrastructure. Hybrid clouds help to alleviate this by offering flexible infrastructure, but understanding the future scaling needs of business applications will help inform how best to set up for infrastructure success.
6. Security — Security will be a top concern for hybrid cloud configurations for the foreseeable future. Security in hybrid clouds best practices do exist to address some exceptionally critical points of security, such as encrypting data in transit and at rest, utilizing identity and access management (IAM) capabilities, and using Secure Shell Protocol (SSH) network protocols to communicate across unsecured networks.
Hybrid cloud management is the set of practices and tools used by IT professionals to ensure that a company's interconnected networks are operating and secure. Management practices of hybrid clouds are specific to the hybrid cloud configuration, so IT teams must rely on several on-premise and outside solutions to accommodate their ends. The following solutions are common deployments in hybrid cloud management.
Cloud platforms are computer and storage infrastructure including software services offered to companies via the Internet. Cloud technologies can be remotely accessed, and resources can be added when needed. Sophisticated cloud platforms that offer the capability can be used to hybridize cloud configurations, integrating public resources with private networks. The following are some of the most popular cloud providers according to Gartner's research:
Hybrid clouds can be configured for many scenarios. Here are just a few typical use cases organizations rely on hybrid clouds: