What is Hybrid Cloud? Benefits of Hybrid Architecture

In this blog post, we will explain to you what is hybrid cloud in IT architecture and hybrid cloud benefits. So let’s get started!

The introduction of cloud technology has opened the door to new opportunities for public, private, and hybrid clouds. To leverage cloud computing, several organizations are moving to a hybrid cloud.

A hybrid cloud offers flexibility and the liberty to support their investing needs between on-premises cloud technologies and off-premises public cloud services. Hence, you must know what is hybrid cloud and hybrid cloud benefits

Before we discuss hybrid cloud benefits, let’s first understand what is hybrid cloud.

What is Hybrid Cloud?

A hybrid cloud is a hybrid architecture that includes some degree of workload portability, orchestration, and administration between two or more environments. A hybrid cloud environment may need to have:

Minimum one private cloud and minimum one public cloud
Two or more than two private clouds
Two or more than two public clouds
A bare-metal or the virtual environment connected to a minimum of one cloud: public cloud or private cloud

Also Read: What is a hypervisor and how does it work?

Hybrid cloud technology comprises of best characteristics of both public and private clouds. It fulfills few general and vital functions like:

Consolidate IT resources
Workload portability between various environments
Connect several computers through a single network
Fast scaling out and quickly provision new resources
Incorporate a single, unified management tool
Usage of automation to orchestrate distinct processes
Deploying disaster recovery strategies

Now, as we have discussed what is hybrid cloud, let’s move ahead to see hybrid cloud benefits.

Hybrid Cloud Benefits

Hybrid cloud technology comprises of the most beneficial features from both private and public cloud technologies. The most primary benefit of a hybrid cloud is agility. Other hybrid cloud benefits are:

Cost Savings: Though deploying a hybrid cloud solution forces few additional expenses, but in the long run, it can remarkably reduce IT expenses. A hybrid cloud’s scalability makes it an exceptional alternative to a purely private cloud, which can be exceedingly costly in updating and expanding over time.
Scalability and Flexibility: Hybrid cloud systems offer exceptional flexibility. It can provide the essential IT resources on short notice, whenever required. When met with excessive demand, the on-demand or temporary use of the public cloud is known as “cloud bursting.” The excessive demand for resources relies on several factors, including geographic locations and events. The hybrid cloud’s public cloud component offers the required flexibility to deal with these unexpected and sudden IT loads.
Data Storage: If we talk about data storage, in a hybrid cloud, the on-premises cloud storage offers high-speed access. Data that is not required to be accessed continuously or is insignificant can be shifted to a safe but less expensive location. The data is still accessible. This setup offers a cost-efficient means to share it with particular parties such as users, clients, etc., based on preference.

Types of Hybrid Architecture

Traditional Hybrid Cloud Architecture

Traditional hybrid cloud includes the mixture of public and private clouds. Enterprises can develop the private cloud component independently or take the assistance of pre-packaged cloud infrastructure such as OpenStack. Generally, the private and public clouds are connected through LANs, WANs, or VPNs.

Modern Hybrid Cloud Architecture

Modern hybrid clouds can operate without the need to have a broad network of APIs. Alternatively, they use a standard operating system to develop and deploy apps through a centralized platform.

Based on several factors, including organizational demands, hybrid clouds may incorporate the following combinations of environments:

A virtual environment connected to at least one public or private cloud network.
Two or more than two public clouds
Two or more than two private clouds
One public cloud and one private cloud