Hybrid Infrastructure
A hybrid infrastructure utilises solutions that include cloud infrastructure tools in combination with on-premise legacy infrastructure, or adopting a multi-cloud of both private and public cloud environments. At Cleartec, we help clients unpack the multitude of options available and devise a infrastructure strategy that can harness the benefits of hybrid infrastructure.
What is a Hybrid Infrastructure?
Hybrid infrastructure is fairly self explanatory. Hybrid means incorporating the cloud into an existing on-premises legacy environment. Combining data centres on-premise solutions, private cloud, and public cloud into one overriding strategy. The make up of the environment will vary depending on the needs and technology demands placed on a business, however it’s the utilization of the cloud within a more traditional environment, to essentially take advantages of both solutions, that will make it a hybrid infrastructure.
Private Cloud
Private cloud infrastructures utilize a public cloud-like environment that is isolated to one user in order to maintain privacy. The private options use an IP subnet combined with some sort of encryption or VLAN for added security. There is an added layer of isolation between simply the cloud itself and the privacy data, utilizing a secure data connection to achieve a private interface.
There are several cloud infrastructure services with private solutions out there, Cleartec can align you with the best vendor that will meet all your requirements and business objectives.
Public Cloud
Public cloud infrastructure services do not mean that everyone can access your cloud. This ultimately means that you are using a basic internet connection to access the cloud and cloud resources. No additional security such as a VPN or VLAN is required in order to access this cloud service. This gives individuals and businesses the ability to store data rather than maintain information on-premises or using expensive storage solutions.
With a public cloud, different users can share the infrastructure whilst having access limited to pre-authorized applications and tools.
There are several noteworthy public infrastructure servicers for Cloud providers as well. These include Microsoft, Amazon, Google, IBM, Oracle, HPE and more.
Hybrid Cloud
A hybrid cloud, or hybrid infrastructure, uses a combination of varying cloud types in order to meet their needs. In these scenarios, both public and private clouds access is used. In most cases, a full hybrid IT infrastructure is created by also using an on-premise infrastructure design in combination with cloud solutions.
This utilization could create a hybrid architecture, but only if communication and correlation between all elements of the infrastructure exist.
Taking Advantage Of A Hybrid Infrastructure With Cleartec
There are numerous advantages to incorporating the cloud into your existing environment and harnessing the power of both environments. At Cleartec, we will work with you to build an environment that specifically meets your needs. However, the key benefits to a blended environment include:
- Shift To Cloud At Your Own Pace - A lot of companies want to shift their enterprise IT from legacy infrastructure to cloud, but to completely move to a cloud environment can be expensive, extremely complex, with too many unknowns. Using a hybrid model allows that migration to take place progressively. As well as being more cost effective in the short term, a hybrid model allows you to assess the advantages of a cloud transformation for your company in real-time and without taking to much time and focus away from your every day business objectives and tasks.
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- On-demand Resources and Scaling - One of the biggest advantages of cloud computing is its on-demand scaling ability to data, users, applications and storage whenever required. This allows you to adapt to your businesses needs as they evolve and change. It is also less expensive and takes less time than making the same changes to your in-house infrastructure. Typically saving your IT resources time by up to 45% and being able to deploy as much as 75% faster.
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- Increased Data Processing Power At Your Disposal - On-premise servers are constrained by their physical design and, hence have limitations for the amount of load they can handle at a time. To increase the load-carrying capacity means improving the design which requires considerable resources and expertise. With cloud, you are no longer limited by your server constraints. With advanced scaling and better load balancing options, you can increase your data processing capacity as required.
- Secure Backup Options And Reduction In Downtime - Public clouds offer a monthly uptime of up to 99.99%. When utilized into a hybrid IT infrastructure , it reduces the chances of downtime caused by an unprecedented situation or server maintenance. This, in turn, gives you uninterrupted access to your servers for continuous processing and the ability to manage urgent workloads, for example, if only on-premise environment is down, your cloud architecture can manage the workload Furthermore, It also makes backup and data recovery much easier and less expensive. Cloud for secondary and cold storage is a much more cost effective solution.
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- Data Access Across the Globe - While you can only access the on-premise cloud privately, the public cloud can be accessed from anywhere around the world. This means that your remote workforce can access the data and use the resources from the same server to maintain work continuity across the organization. The Covid-19 pandemic has only reinforced the importance of having flexibility IT architecture to be able to adapt to every changing working trends and limitations.
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- Cost Optimization - Any type of customization and scaling on your on-premise server would require significant capital. However, adopting a Cloud Solutions on a pay-as-you-use model, allows the capex cost to remain lower and the subscription to role on a monthly basis. This gives organisation on average a 30% cost saving on capex and more importantly gives you a clear and accurate view of your spend each month. With this clear and more transparent model, you can budget better on an annual basis and forecast future expense should you decide to adopt more Digital ways of working in the future.
Why Hybrid Infrastructure with Cleartec?
If you don’t have in-house experience with Cloud infrastructure, the complexity and variety of cloud environments means you need to be working with external partners who can bring those skill gaps and experience to the project that will ensure you create and execute a strategy that is going to deliver the benefits of a hybrid environment tailored to your business.
Cleartec have the expertise and experience of working with all major public and private cloud environments and have successfully worked with a multitude of clients who have successfully migrated from legacy on-site architecture to a hybrid environment. Our expertise and client centric approach allow us to stand out from other Cloud specialists.
For more information about how Cleartec can help your business, contact our team and book a time to chat through your needs and options available, and how we might be help.
