A cloud server is a centralized server that can be remotely accessed by users. It is typically access over internet, although it is also possible to access the cloud server through a private or internal network.
Cloud computing offers an immense range of benefits in terms of logistics, costs, and scalability. Your business can access a cloud server located anywhere in the world and make use of all conventional benefits of a server without the need to purchase or host one.
With a traditional server, you must have on-premises infrastructure installed and maintained at a steep cost. A cloud computing environment lets you access the power, processing, and storage abilities of a server so that you only pay for what you use. This makes it more affordable. At the same time, you can rapidly scale up your resources as much as you want without any delays at all.
Types of Cloud Computing
A cloud server can be categorized in one of the four following types of cloud computing:
Private Cloud
A private cloud is typically owned, maintained, and accessed by a single company. This type of cloud server suits medium to large businesses who can afford to build both physical and virtual infrastructure of a private cloud. In most cases, only the employees of the owning entity can access the private cloud. This access can be remote, or through an on-premises intranet.
Public Cloud
A public cloud computing environment is built by an independent third-party provider. This type of cloud can be accessed by multiple companies, businesses, and users. Examples of public cloud include Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, and Google Cloud.
Using a public cloud has obvious benefits. You don’t need to invest in any infrastructure or oversee day-to-day maintenance of the cloud servers. Instead, the provider charges you a fee for accessing the cloud and in return, takes care of everything else.
Hybrid Cloud
A hybrid cloud computing model incorporates elements of both a public cloud and a private cloud. You get to benefit from the best of both types of cloud servers. Your business can access remote and public cloud resources as well as on-site private cloud environments. You can accordingly segregate your company’s cloud computing tasks based on security priorities.
For instance, you can use an on-site private cloud to store sensitive data or access content at the best possible speeds. In contrast, if you have other generic data that has a long shelf-life and doesn’t need to be accessed too often, you can use a remote and public cloud server to store it.
Multicloud
A multicloud environment is similar to a hybrid environment, except that it lacks a proper integration between multiple clouds. In a multicloud server, you essentially manage multiple cloud computing environments for different IT needs. These multiple clouds are separate and isolated from each other.
A multicloud server allows you to achieve better security and performance by using different cloud computing environments for different tasks. This is particularly suitable for larger organizations with resource-intensive needs.
The cloud server model that is right for your business depends on the size of your business, the resources you require, your expected scalability needs, and more. It is important to put some thought into considering all the models before determining which cloud server works best for you.
