What is hybrid cloud?

Hybrid cloud is an IT infrastructure model that enables applications to run across two or more different environments. It typically combines a mix of at least one private and one public cloud, such as an on-premise data centre and public cloud computing environment. This allows organisations to move workloads between both for optimal performance.

Hybrid cloud architecture is becoming more widespread, with a CAGR of 18.73% from 2020 to 2026, as  organisations look to combine the best of both worlds and keep pace with the proliferation of data. It can also be a deployment model for either compliance, regulatory, risk, latency or data sovereignty issues.

How does hybrid cloud work?

1. A virtual private network (VPN), which enables cloud information and on-premises infrastructure to communicate securely over the public internet
2. API integration, where applications, databases and platforms are connected via API calls which are sent as HTTP requests
3. The use of a wide area network (WAN) which enables the connection of computers over long distances

What does a hybrid cloud architecture look like?

In a hybrid cloud architecture, public cloud and private cloud typically work together to create a hybrid deployment. There are three main components to establish a hybrid cloud, these are:

• A public Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) platform – Where infrastructure is hosted on the cloud as opposed to an on-premises data centre.

• Private computing resources – A cloud environment hosted within a data centre and used exclusively by one organisation.

• An adequate network connection – Effective network connectivity between both environments, either via the public Internet or over a private network.

Ideally hybrid cloud should be managed by one overarching tool to reduce complexity and improve efficiency.

What is the difference between hybrid, public, private and multi-cloud?

While the concept of hybrid cloud has been established, it’s also important to understand how this differs with public, private and multi-cloud models.

• Public clouds are multi-tenant environments offered over the public internet with the computing and infrastructure provided by a third party. This could be SaaS, PaaS or IaaS services.

• Private cloud is a cloud infrastructure accessed exclusively by only one organisation.

• Multi-cloud is the use of multiple public cloud services from more than one vendor, such as AWS and Azure.

Why should I choose hybrid cloud?

There are many reasons to adopt a hybrid cloud strategy. It provides organisations with the best of both public and private cloud environments and has many benefits including high availability, ease of use and lower costs when compared to other models. It is also a good way to build confidence in cloud by using it to develop and carry out a transformation programme and execute a cloud journey in a phased, controlled manner. Key benefits of hybrid cloud include:

• Flexibility: Hybrid cloud enables organisations to take advantage of the flexibility of the cloud without compromising on security or compliance. For example, non-sensitive data can be shifted to the public cloud in times of increased demand on the private cloud provision.

• Compliance and security: The security measures of cloud providers and data centre operators will be significantly more advanced and robust than typical in-house systems. Data stored in data centres and travelling across cloud networks is encrypted making it much harder to access for unauthorised individuals. Risks can be mitigated further by connecting to cloud services through colocation data centres with high physical security and PCI DSS accreditations.

• Cost reduction: Accessing cloud services over the internet can lead to substantial data egress fees when the data is pulled back out of the cloud. With hybrid cloud, organisations can flex and scale IT infrastructure when needed and keep tighter control of costs. It also allows businesses to free up resources and make cost savings by delivering less mission-critical applications via the public cloud.

• Agility & Scalability: Unlike on-premise deployments, hybrid cloud allows rapid scaling of space, connectivity and bandwidth at pace. It provides organisations with the ability to deploy applications easily on-demand, allowing them to adapt infrastructure effortlessly as and when requirements change.

• Resource optimisation: In a hybrid environment, organisations can achieve workload portability and shift workloads between private IT environments and public clouds depending on needs and business priorities. This provides maximum efficiency for applications.

• Resilience: cloud enables data to reside close the place where it is used which reduced latency and downtime. Organisations benefit from on-demand access to data without being tied to one central location, with the ability to switch to alternative sites if required, ensuring operations can continue in the event of a disaster.

• Control & complexity: Not everything is suited to move to the cloud and legacy applications can be complex and difficult to migrate. Hybrid cloud minimises complexity by enabling organisations to keep some data on-premise and some in the cloud, reducing time and resources spent refactoring applications that may be likely to be superseded in the next few years.

• Consistency: With hybrid cloud, organisations can provide consistent operations across public and private clouds, reducing the risk of operational inefficiencies and the time spent managing disparate technology and processes.

• Innovation: Modern hybrid infrastructures also facilitate the adoption of new technology like artificial intelligence and machine learning, which can be used to enhance operations.

Different types of hybrid cloud platforms

To improvement management of hybrid cloud environments, many organisations are turning to hybrid cloud management platforms. A number of different platforms exist; however, the most common types are:

• Customer managed: The customer has full ownership and management of its hybrid cloud environment.

• Vendor managed: The hybrid cloud environment is managed by the vendors providing the service as a part of a managed service.

• Partner managed: A company employs a third-party partner to manage their hybrid cloud estate for them.

• Cloud provider-managed: a newer approach where public cloud providers offer hybrid cloud platforms that extend public cloud services into private data centres. Examples include AWS Outposts and Azure Stack.

Why choose Telehouse for hybrid cloud?

Telehouse provides secure, reliable and fast access to cloud connectivity services for leading organisations worldwide through our global network of interconnected data centres. All Telehouse data centres are highly connected and fully compliant, providing the foundations that organisations need to enable seamless hybrid cloud connectivity. Our

Cloud Link

provisioning service provides a multi-cloud connectivity exchange that enables you to connect to multiple cloud services easily and securely through a single, dedicated private connection. You can seamlessly procure and manage your direct connections in real time through our online portal, with no configuration required.

Key benefits of choosing Telehouse for hybrid cloud connectivity include:

• Strategic connections to over 900 carriers, ISPs and ASPs, as well as LINX, the London Internet Exchange.

• Fast, secure and direct connections between your on-premises systems and applications hosted in public, private or hybrid clouds.

• Private connections to major public cloud providers through Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute or Amazon Web Services Direct Connect.

• 24/7 support and security to guarantee the reliability and availability of your infrastructure.

• Guaranteed uptime with a service level agreement (SLA) of 99.999% globally for power availability.

• PCI DSS accredited providing secure and resilient connectivity solutions for financial services companies.

• Improved sustainability with all our data centres 100% powered by renewable energy.

To find out more, get in touch at: T: +44 (0) 20 7512 0550 E: sales@uk.telehouse.net