Cloud technology offers enterprises the tools needed to access essential services at any time and from any location. To take full advantage, innovation starts with cloud architecture. This growing field provides numerous benefits for both large and small businesses. However, managing cloud services can be a challenge without the right cloud architecture in place.
What is cloud architecture?
The term “cloud architecture” refers to the many components that cloud resources use to complete business tasks. These components relate to applications, databases, software, and many other systems that use cloud technology.
The front end components consist of fat client, thin client, and mobile devices. The back end components include servers and storage. The other two components are cloud-based delivery and the network (i.e. internet, intranet, inter-cloud).
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How do cloud-based services use cloud architecture?
The many cloud-based services out there each use their own cloud architectures.
A Software as a Service (SaaS) uses software that is hosted and accessed on the internet. This frees up the need to install software on your device in order to use the service.
Development as a Service (DaaS) uses development tools that are web based. This enables them to be shared with others in an efficient and easy manner.
Some clouds can be classified as Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) because they offer enterprises a usable platform along with the IT components required to operate them.
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) offers users infrastructure and hardware components for running the cloud. This includes equipment, such as servers, networks, and storage hardware. These components are offered on a pay-per-use basis, which makes them an affordable option for businesses.
Organizations typically use a combination of the aforementioned services. For this reason, they use variations of cloud architecture that suit their unique needs.
Types of cloud architecture
The main types of cloud architecture include:
- Public cloud architecture
- Private cloud architecture
- Hybrid cloud architecture
- Multi cloud architecture
Public cloud architecture
Public clouds utilize a multi-tenant architecture that allows users to share computer resources with other users. This makes it a cost-effective solution, which can provide additional resources as needed. These solutions also enable businesses to scale up their operations easily, which would not be possible to do with on-site data centers.
Public clouds are considered reliable due to their large network of connections that provide users with access to services. So if one server fails, the network can still be held up by the remaining ones.
This type of cloud offers enhanced security thanks to security functions implemented by cloud service providers. A good provider will stay up to date with their system’s status and monitor it for any anomalies or defects that could threaten user access.
Public clouds can be used to access complex applications through any device with internet access. The devices themselves perform very little computing as the application is hosted on the internet via the cloud provider’s servers.
Private cloud architecture
Private clouds typically consist of computing resources that cater to a single user or business. Enterprises have the option of hosting the cloud at their on-site data centers, or asking cloud service providers to host it for them.
Unlike public cloud architecture, your services and infrastructure are always kept on a private network that is accessible only to you and your business. The most obvious advantage of this arrangement is being able to customize the system to fit your unique needs. For this reason, institutions that require added security, such as banks and government agencies, often use private cloud architecture.
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Hybrid cloud architecture
Hybrid cloud architecture consists of a combination of private and public clouds. This computing environment allows data and applications to be shared between the private and public networks.
This can be advantageous for businesses who need to scale up their operations on short notice. Any overflow can be handled by the public cloud without sharing sensitive data.
Many organizations that use hybrid cloud architecture delegate simple and non-sensitive tasks to the public cloud, whereas important business application and data is retained on the private on-site server.
Multi-cloud architecture
Multi-cloud architecture uses many different cloud computing and storage services. With this approach, your applications, data, software and other cloud assets are distributed across multiple cloud environments.
This may sound similar to hybrid clouds, but this infrastructure typically uses two or more public clouds and private clouds. You can choose to have your network be all-public, all-private, or a combination of both.
The most obvious benefit of the multi-cloud architecture is that organizations do not have to rely on a single cloud service provider. This minimizes the risk of downtime and reduces the likelihood of data loss occurring.
The key difference between multi-cloud and hybrid cloud architecture is that the former uses different clouds for different tasks, while hybrid clouds typically work together to complete each task.
How does cloud architecture drive innovation?
Using the right kind of cloud architecture enables organizations to take on larger and more complex activities than ever before. Businesses can tackle a wide variety of tasks with confidence, knowing that their network can handle the additional load they place onto it.
Using a reliable cloud service provider who can take care of IT functions enables organizations to focus on non-IT related tasks, which could be related to growth and diversification. They can use cloud architecture to branch out and collaborate with other organizations while knowing that their sensitive data is kept safe.
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Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) provides access to specialized skills and capabilities contributing to improved competitiveness and efficiency.
Conclusion to Innovation Starts With Cloud Architecture
As you can see, there are many different types of cloud architecture available and innovation starts with cloud architecture. Get in touch with a reputable cloud service provider, such as Cloud Computing Technologies, to discover the kind that is right for your business. Cloud architecture will play an even greater role in the future, so it is important to get acquainted with this technology in the present and learn to use it to your advantage.
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