Cloud computing technologies
Cloud computing is the on-demand availability of computer system resources, especially data storage (cloud storage) and computing power, without direct active management by the user.
The term,“Cloud Computing” is generally used to describe data centers available to many users over the Internet.Large clouds, predominant today, often have functions distributed over multiple locations from central servers. If the connection to the user is relatively close, it may be designated an edge server.
Advocates of public and hybrid clouds note that cloud computing allows companies to avoid or minimize up-front IT infrastructure costs. Proponents also claim that cloud computing allows enterprises to get their applications up and running faster, with improved manageability and less maintenance, and that it enables IT teams to more rapidly adjust resources to meet fluctuating and unpredictable demand, providing the burst computing capability: high computing power at certain periods of peak demand
Hybrid cloud management services
The hybrid cloud is one system that combines different cloud environments, typically private and public. A hybrid cloud is usually supported by software that helps manage and automate workloads, allowing them to operate seamlessly across on-premise and public cloud environments.
Hybrid cloud management is complex. Beyond the technical aspects that are involved, it requires an in-depth understanding of security, governance, and end user requirements. Following are a few essential considerations for successful hybrid cloud management.
Security and governance
With today’s DevSecOps mindset, you need to plan security for your hybrid cloud from the get go. Identify the security requirements of on-premise and cloud environments, and use tools like Identity and Access Management (IaM) to create homogenous security interfaces across environments. Monitor to ensure security requirements like encryption do not affect performance.
Workload inventory
Understand which workloads are expected to run in the hybrid cloud, and how they leverage on-premise and public cloud resources. Map out applications and understand their value to users, expected loads, data requirements, integrations, networking, and anything else that can impact availability or performance.
Visibility across multiple cloud environments
Relying on dashboards or interfaces for each separate cloud environment can quickly become messy. Use a tool or technology that can collect data from all on-premise and public cloud systems and display them on a single pane of glass. Seeing everything in one place, with a common system for metrics and reporting, will make management much easier.
Service level agreements (SLA)
Hybrid clouds are very sensitive to performance, so SLAs are an essential part of planning. Construct public-private interfaces, data transfer pipelines and latencies so that you can comfortably meet user performance expectations. Use public and private cloud resources wisely to achieve high availability that can meet uptime requirements.
