What makes private cloud computing different than the public cloud computing?

Cloud storage is a computing service paradigm that allows a user to access data stored in a remote location at any point in time on any device through the internet. As we see more and more companies shifting towards the cloud, they also have their own set of requirements and needs they use the cloud for. Depending on these needs, the cloud is divided typically into Private Cloud and Public Cloud.

To understand the differences between private and public clouds, we first need to understand what they are and what they offer.

What is Public Cloud?

Essentially, public cloud means the data is hosted on a public data center, typically provided by the cloud service companies. This means all the users share a single database but function independently, much as different people may withdraw money from the same bank but only from their account.

Public Clouds can be better understood as your data living in a hostel, where you periodically pay for it, and all the other services are provided to you by your Cloud Provider.

Examples − AWS, Google Cloud, Azure, IBM, etc

Advantages of Public Cloud

  • Drastically decreases the upfront cost
  • Easier to set up
  • Easier to scale

What is Private Cloud?

Private Cloud storage means the data is hosted in a data center on your own infrastructure or on someone else’s infrastructure but reserved specifically for you. A single enterprise maintains a private Cloud, and data is shared over a private network.

Private Cloud can be better understood as your data living in a rented/bought house. You pay your Cloud Provider only for the house, and any additional cost that you have is yours to bear.

Examples − Red Hat, Oracle, VM Ware, Microsoft, etc

Advantages of Private Cloud

  • Increased Reliability
  • Security is usually very high
  • Having Dedicated servers ensures high performance.

The following table highlights the major differences between the private cloud and public cloud −

Basis of DifferencePrivate CloudPublic CloudCostPrivate Clouds tend to cost more than Public Clouds for reserving/constructing the data center.Public Clouds tend to cost less than Private Clouds, as you use pre-made data centers.SecurityConnection is possible only via a private network, which makes them extremely secureConnection is open on the internet, making them more vulnerable and less secure.PerformanceVery high performance because of private networksPerformance is moderateReliabilityReliability is very highLow to Moderate ReliabilityArchitectureHosted by the company on their infrastructureHosted by the ProviderScalabilityLimited Scalability, you may need to upgrade/expand the hardware.Practically Unlimited Scalability since the cloud provider has near infinite resources.ServersDedicated ServersShared ServersControlYour enterprise owns the infrastructure, hence very high control.Very little control, as the computers are shared between enterprises.

Conclusion

To summarize, Private Clouds are where your data is stored in a data center sectioned specifically for you, which may or may not be on your infrastructure, and Public Clouds are where your data is stored over public data centers which are on the infrastructure of your Cloud Service Provider. Hybrid Cloud is the technology that combines both to achieve the best of both worlds.

Choosing the right cloud solution for your business is a vital part of creating a strong hybrid IT strategy. Providing a balance across competing agendas is critical and aligning the right cloud infrastructure for the right use case can sometimes be a challenge.

Private Cloud

A private cloud solution will host your data on a dedicated server with access and management limited to your business only. The network is protected by a secure firewall and offers high performance due to its single usage.

Customers can customize the control and maintenance of their service. This means you can tailor your infrastructure to meet your business needs and to suit any security or infrastructure requirements you have.

Public Cloud

A public cloud solution stores your information off-site on a shared server managed and maintained by the service provider.

Support and updates are handled by the Cloud Service Provider and services are paid for on a subscription basis, reducing the need to invest large amounts of capital and freeing up your in-house IT resources.

This gives your business flexibility and allows for quick access to applications and data when testing or as part of a recovery plan. However, it does mean that you have limited control around when and what updates are performed on the system.

Differences

Although both public and private cloud offer hosting solutions, the way they operate differs when it comes to security, performance, and control.

Companies who require a high level of performance, control, and security should opt for a private cloud solution, whereas those who are perhaps smaller companies could consider a public cloud.

 Private CloudPublic Cloud

Infrastructure

Single-Tenant: Dedicated hardware and network for your business managed by an in-house technical team.

Multi-Tenant: Shared network hosted off-site and managed by your service provider.

Business requirement

High performance, security, and customization, and control options.

Affordable solutions that provide room for growth.

Best use

Protect your most sensitive data and applications

Disaster recovery and application testing for smaller, public-facing companies.

Scalability

Can be managed in-house. Extreme performance – fine-grained control for both storage and compute.

Depends on the Service Level Agreement but is usually easy via a self-managed tool the customer will use.

Support and maintenance

Your technical administrators.

Cloud Service Provider’s technical team.

Cost

Large upfront cost to implement the hardware, software, and staff resources. Maintenance and growth must also be built into ongoing costs. CapEx.

Affordable option offering a pay-as-you-go service fee.
OpEx – Pay as you go, scale-up, scale down as needed, charged by the minute.

Security

Isolated network environment. Enhanced security to meet data protection legislation.

Basic security compliance.
Some may offer bolt-on security options.

Performance

High performance from a dedicated server.

Competing users can reduce performance levels.

Whichever cloud solution you choose, it is important that you properly research your options and ensure you pick the best cloud solution to meet your induvial workload needs. Carefully consider the differences and remember that a hybrid solution can deliver the benefits of both.

What makes private cloud computing different than public cloud computing?

In its simplest, a private cloud is a service that is completely controlled by a single organization and not shared with others. While a public cloud is a subscription service that is also offered to any and all customers who want similar services.

What is the prime difference between public and private cloud?

The main differentiator between public and private clouds is that you aren't responsible for any of the management of a public cloud hosting solution. Your data is stored in the provider's data center and the provider is responsible for the management and maintenance of the data center.

Why would you choose private cloud computing over the public cloud?

Private cloud computing generally offers greater control and lower ongoing costs than public cloud, although it requires higher capital expenses and might not offer the variety of services that made public cloud increasingly popular.

Which distinguishes a private cloud from other cloud types?

Tracking usage is also helpful in improving services..
Public Cloud: Computing in which service provider makes all resources public over the internet. It is connected to the public Internet. ... .
Private Cloud: Computing in which service provider does not makes all resources public over the internet..