Types of Cloud

Cloud computing is a revolutionary technology transforming how we store,

access, and process data. It simply refers to delivering computing
resources, such as servers, storage, databases, software, and
applications, over the Internet. Cloud computing uses a network of remote
computer systems housed on the net to save and process data rather
than relying on physical infrastructure.

Cloud service companies use advanced security techniques, which include

encryption, firewalls, and access restrictions, to secure your data from
unauthorized access. Moreover, because your information is saved in the
cloud, it is secure even if your nearby devices are damaged, misplaced, or
stolen. Redundancy and cloud backups guarantee that your data may be
restored promptly and effectively in case of any unexpected situations.

Types of Cloud
There are the following 5 types of cloud that you can deploy according to
the organization's needs-

o Public Cloud
o Private Cloud
o Hybrid Cloud
o Community Cloud
o Multi Cloud

Public Cloud
Public cloud is open to all to store and access information via the Internet
using the pay-per-usage method.

In public cloud, computing resources are managed and operated by the

Cloud Service Provider (CSP). The CSP looks after the supporting
infrastructure and ensures that the resources are accessible to and
scalable for the users.

Due to its open architecture, anyone with an internet connection may use
the public cloud, regardless of location or company size. Users can use the
CSP's numerous services, store their data, and run apps. By using a pay-
per-usage strategy, customers can be assured that they will only be
charged for the resources they actually use, which is a smart financial
choice.

Example: Amazon elastic compute cloud (EC2), IBM SmartCloud

Enterprise, Microsoft, Google App Engine, Windows Azure Services
Platform.

Characteristics of Public Cloud

The public cloud has the following key characteristics:

o Accessibility: Public cloud services are available to anyone with an

internet connection. Users can access their data and programs at
any time and from anywhere.
 o Shared Infrastructure: Several users share the infrastructure in
public cloud settings. Cost reductions and effective resource use are
made possible by this.
o Scalability: By using the public cloud, users can easily adjust the
resources they need based on their requirements, allowing for quick
scaling up or down.
o Pay-per-Usage: When using the public cloud, payment is based on
usage, so users only pay for the resources they actually use. This
helps optimize costs and eliminates the need for upfront
investments.
o Managed by Service Providers: Cloud service providers manage
and maintain public cloud infrastructure. They handle hardware
maintenance, software updates, and security tasks, relieving users
of these responsibilities.
o Reliability and Redundancy: Public cloud providers ensure high
reliability by implementing redundant systems and multiple data
centers. By doing this, the probability of losing data and
experiencing service disruptions is reduced.
o Security Measures: Public cloud providers implement robust
security measures to protect user data. These include encryption,
access controls, and regular security audits.

Advantages of Public Cloud

There are the following advantages of Public Cloud -

o Public cloud is owned at a lower cost than the private and hybrid
cloud.
o Public cloud is maintained by the cloud service provider, so do not
need to worry about the maintenance.
o Public cloud is easier to integrate. Hence it offers a better flexibility
approach to consumers.
o Public cloud is location independent because its services are
delivered through the internet.
o Public cloud is highly scalable as per the requirement of computing
resources.
 o It is accessible by the general public, so there is no limit to the
number of users.
o Rapid deployment of services and applications.
o Reduced time and effort in hardware procurement and setup.
o The cloud provider offers a range of services and resources that you
can avail of.
o Built-in redundancy and resilience for enhanced reliability.

Disadvantages of Public Cloud

o Public Cloud is less secure because resources are shared publicly.

o Performance depends upon the high-speed internet network link to
the cloud provider.
o The data is not under the control of the client.
o Dependency on the cloud service provider for availability and
service level agreements.
o Compliance challenges in meeting industry-specific regulations and
standards.
o Risk of vendor lock-in and limited portability of applications and
data.
o Concerns about data privacy and confidentiality.
o Potential for unexpected costs with usage-based pricing models.
o Lack of customization options and flexibility compared to private or
hybrid cloud environments.
o Reliance to the cloud provider's support and responsiveness for
issue resolution.

Private Cloud
Private cloud is also known as an . It is used by organizations to build and
manage their own data centers internally or by the third party. It can be
deployed using Opensource tools such as Openstack and Eucalyptus.
Examples: VMware vSphere, OpenStack, Microsoft Azure Stack, Oracle
Cloud at Customer, and IBM Cloud Private.

Based on the location and management, National Institute of Standards

and Technology (NIST) divide private cloud into the following two parts-

o On-premise private cloud: An on-premise private cloud is

situated within the physical infrastructure of the organization. It
involves setting up and running a specific data center that offers
cloud services just for internal usage by the company. The
infrastructure is still completely under the hands of the organization,
which gives them the freedom to modify and set it up in any way
they see fit. Organizations can successfully manage security and
compliance issues with this degree of control. However, on-premise
private cloud setup and management necessitate significant
hardware, software, and IT knowledge expenditures.
o Outsourced private cloud: An outsourced private cloud involves
partnering with a third-party service provider to host and manage
the cloud infrastructure on behalf of the organization. The provider
may operate the private cloud in their data center or a colocation
 facility. In this arrangement, the organization benefits from the
expertise and resources of the service provider, alleviating the
burden of infrastructure management. The outsourced private cloud
model offers scalability, as the provider can adjust resources based
on the organization's needs. Due to its flexibility, it is a desirable
choice for businesses that desire the advantages of a private cloud
deployment without the initial capital outlay and ongoing
maintenance expenses involved with an on-premise
implementation.

Compared to public cloud options, both on-premise and external private

clouds give businesses more control over their data, apps, and security.
Private clouds are particularly suitable for organizations with strict
compliance requirements, sensitive data, or specialized workloads that
demand high levels of customization and security.

Characteristics of Private Cloud

The private cloud has the following key characteristics:

o Exclusive Use: Private cloud is dedicated to a single organization,

ensuring the resources and services are tailored to its needs. It is
like having a personal cloud environment exclusively for that
organization.
o Control and Security: Private cloud offers organizations higher
control and security than public cloud options. Organizations have
more control over data governance, access controls, and security
measures.
o Customization and Flexibility: Private cloud allows organizations
to customize the infrastructure according to their specific
requirements. They can configure resources, networks, and storage
to optimize performance and efficiency.
o Scalability and Resource Allocation: The private cloud can scale
and allocate resources. According to demand, businesses may scale
up or down their infrastructure, effectively using their resources.
o Performance and dependability: Private clouds give businesses
more control over the infrastructure at the foundation, improving
performance and dependability.
 o Compliance and Regulatory Requirements: Organizations may
more easily fulfill certain compliance and regulatory standards using
the private cloud. It provides the freedom to put in place strong
security measures, follow data residency laws, and follow industry-
specific norms.
o Hybrid Cloud Integration: Private cloud can be integrated with
public cloud services, forming a hybrid cloud infrastructure. This
integration allows organizations to leverage the benefits of both
private and public clouds.

Advantages of Private Cloud

There are the following advantages of the Private Cloud -

o Private cloud provides a high level of security and privacy to the

users.
o Private cloud offers better performance with improved speed and
space capacity.
o It allows the IT team to quickly allocate and deliver on-demand IT
resources.
o The organization has full control over the cloud because it is
managed by the organization itself. So, there is no need for the
organization to depends on anybody.
o It is suitable for organizations that require a separate cloud for their
personal use and data security is the first priority.
o Customizable to meet specific business needs and compliance
regulations.
o Higher reliability and uptime compared to public cloud
environments.
o Seamless integration with existing on-premises systems and
applications.
o Better compliance and governance capabilities for industry-specific
regulations.
o Enhanced flexibility in resource allocation and application
deployment.
Disadvantages of Private Cloud

o Skilled people are required to manage and operate cloud services.

o Private cloud is accessible within the organization, so the area of
operations is limited.
o Private cloud is not suitable for organizations that have a high user
base, and organizations that do not have the prebuilt infrastructure,
sufficient manpower to maintain and manage the cloud.
o Higher upfront costs and ongoing maintenance expenses.
o Scaling resources can be challenging compared to public or hybrid
cloud options.
o Relies on internal IT staff for management and troubleshooting.
o Slower deployment timelines and implementation compared to
public cloud solutions.
o Limited access to the latest advancements and innovations offered
by public cloud providers.
o Reduced flexibility and agility compared to public cloud options.
o Challenges in keeping up with hardware and software upgrades and
compatibility.
o Higher risks of technology becoming outdated and the need for
regular infrastructure updates.

Hybrid Cloud
Hybrid Cloud is a combination of the public cloud and the private cloud.
we can say:
Hybrid Cloud = Public Cloud + Private Cloud

Hybrid cloud is partially secure because the services which are running on
the public cloud can be accessed by anyone, while the services which are
running on a private cloud can be accessed only by the organization's
users. In a hybrid cloud setup, organizations can leverage the benefits of
both public and private clouds to create a flexible and scalable computing
environment. The public cloud portion allows using cloud services
provided by third-party providers, accessible over the Internet.

Example: Google Application Suite (Gmail, Google Apps, and Google

Drive), Office 365 (MS Office on the Web and One Drive), Amazon Web
Services.

Characteristics of Hybrid Cloud

o Integration of Public and Private Clouds: Hybrid cloud

seamlessly integrates public and private clouds, allowing
organizations to leverage both advantages. It provides a unified
platform where workloads and data can be deployed and managed
across both environments.
o Flexibility and Scalability: Hybrid cloud offers resource allocation
and scalability flexibility. Organizations can dynamically scale their
infrastructure by utilizing additional resources from the public cloud
 while maintaining control over critical workloads on the private
cloud.
o Enhanced Security and Control: Hybrid cloud allows
organizations to maintain higher security and control over their
sensitive data and critical applications. Private cloud components
provide a secure and dedicated environment, while public cloud
resources can be used for non-sensitive tasks, ensuring a balanced
approach to data protection.
o Cost Optimization: Hybrid cloud enables organizations to optimize
costs by utilizing the cost-effective public cloud for non-sensitive
workloads while keeping mission-critical applications and data on
the more cost-efficient private cloud. This approach allows for
efficient resource allocation and cost management.
o Data and Application Portability: Organizations can move
workloads and data between public and private clouds as needed
with a hybrid cloud. This portability offers agility and the ability to
adapt to changing business requirements, ensuring optimal
performance and responsiveness.
o Compliance and Regulatory Compliance: Hybrid cloud helps
organizations address compliance and regulatory requirements
more effectively. Sensitive data and applications can be kept within
the private cloud, ensuring compliance with industry-specific
regulations while leveraging the public cloud for other non-sensitive
operations.
o Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity: Hybrid cloud
facilitates robust disaster recovery and business continuity
strategies. Organizations can replicate critical data and applications
between the private and public clouds, ensuring redundancy and
minimizing the risk of data loss or service disruptions.

Advantages of Hybrid Cloud

There are the following advantages of Hybrid Cloud -

o Hybrid cloud is suitable for organizations that require more security

than the public cloud.
 o Hybrid cloud helps you to deliver new products and services more
quickly.
o Hybrid cloud provides an excellent way to reduce the risk.
o Hybrid cloud offers flexible resources because of the public cloud
and secure resources because of the private cloud.
o Hybrid facilitates seamless integration between on-premises
infrastructure and cloud environments.
o Hybrid provides greater control over sensitive data and compliance
requirements.
o Hybrid enables efficient workload distribution based on specific
needs and performance requirements.
o Hybrid offers cost optimization by allowing organizations to choose
the most suitable cloud platform for different workloads.
o Hybrid enhances business continuity and disaster recovery
capabilities with private and public cloud resources.
o Hybrid supports hybrid cloud architecture, allowing applications and
data to be deployed across multiple cloud environments based on
their unique requirements.

Disadvantages of Hybrid Cloud

o In Hybrid Cloud, security feature is not as good as the private cloud.

o Managing a hybrid cloud is complex because it is difficult to manage
more than one type of deployment model.
o In the hybrid cloud, the reliability of the services depends on cloud
service providers.
o Potential challenges in data integration and ensuring seamless
connectivity between different cloud platforms.
o Higher costs due to the need for managing and integrating multiple
cloud environments.
o Increased complexity in data governance and compliance
management across different cloud providers.
o Dependency on stable and high-bandwidth internet connections for
efficient hybrid cloud operations.
 o Potential compatibility issues between various cloud platforms and
applications.
o Risk of vendor lock-in and limited portability of applications and data
across different cloud providers.
o Requires skilled IT staff with expertise in managing hybrid cloud
environments.

Community Cloud
Community cloud allows systems and services to be accessible by a group
of several organizations to share the information between the
organization and a specific community. It is owned, managed, and
operated by one or more organizations in the community, a third party, or
a combination of them.

In a community cloud setup, the participating organizations, which can be

from the same industry, government sector, or any other community,
collaborate to establish a shared cloud infrastructure. This infrastructure
allows them to access shared services, applications, and data relevant to
their community.

Example: Health Care community cloud

Characteristics of Community Cloud

o Shared Infrastructure: Community cloud provides a shared
infrastructure accessible to a specific community of organizations.
The participating organizations can leverage this common cloud
infrastructure to meet their shared computing needs and objectives.
o Community-specific Services: The community cloud provides
resources, apps, and services adapted to the participating
organizations' demands. These services are created to meet the
community's specific requirements and difficulties while promoting
effective communication and information exchange.
o Community Ownership and Management: The community cloud
is owned, managed, and operated by one or more organizations
from the community, a third party, or a combination of both. The
involved organizations have a say in the governance and decision-
making procedures to ensure that the cloud infrastructure meets
their shared objectives.
o Enhanced Security and Compliance: Community cloud
emphasizes security and compliance measures relevant to the
specific community. It allows for implementing robust security
controls, access management, and compliance frameworks that
meet the community's regulatory requirements and industry
standards.
o Cost Sharing and Efficiency: Participating organizations in a
community cloud benefit from cost sharing. By sharing the
infrastructure and resources, the costs associated with establishing
and maintaining the cloud environment are distributed among the
community members. This leads to cost efficiency and reduced
financial burden for individual organizations.
o Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing: The community cloud
encourages communication and information exchange amongst
participating businesses. It gives community members a forum for
project collaboration, information sharing, and resource exploitation.
This encourages creativity, education, and effectiveness within the
neighborhood.
o Scalability and Flexibility: Community cloud enables
organizations to scale up or reduce their resources in response to
 demand. This allows the community to adjust to shifting computing
requirements and efficiently use cloud resources as needed.

Advantages of Community Cloud

There are the following advantages of Community Cloud -

o Community cloud is cost-effective because the whole cloud is being

shared by several organizations or communities.
o Community cloud is suitable for organizations that want to have a
collaborative cloud with more security features than the public
cloud.
o It provides better security than the public cloud.
o It provdes collaborative and distributive environment.
o Community cloud allows us to share cloud resources, infrastructure,
and other capabilities among various organizations.
o Offers customization options to meet the unique needs and
requirements of the community.
o Simplifies compliance with industry-specific regulations and
standards through shared security measures.
o Provides scalability and flexibility, allowing organizations to scale
resources based on changing demands.
o Promotes efficient resource utilization, reducing wastage, and
optimizing performance within the community.
o Enables organizations to leverage shared expertise and
experiences, leading to improved decision-making and problem-
solving.

Disadvantages of Community Cloud

o Community cloud is not a good choice for every organization.

o Security features are not as good as the private cloud.
o It is not suitable if there is no collaboration.
o The fixed amount of data storage and bandwidth is shared among
all community members.
 o Challenges in ensuring consistent performance and availability
when multiple organizations share the same resources.
o Limited scalability options as the shared resources determine the
community cloud's capacity.
o Potential conflicts of interest among community members regarding
resource allocation and usage.
o Transparent governance and agreement frameworks are required to
address potential disputes and ensure fair resource distribution.
o Inadequate technical support and service level agreements (SLAs)
compared to private or public cloud options.

Multi-Cloud
Multi-cloud is a strategy in cloud computing where companies utilize more
than one cloud service provider or platform to meet their computing
needs. It involves distributing workloads, applications, and statistics
throughout numerous cloud environments consisting of public, private,
and hybrid clouds.

Adopting a multi-cloud approach allows businesses to have the ability to

select and leverage the most appropriate cloud services from different
providers based on their specific necessities. This allows them to harness
each provider's distinctive capabilities and services, mitigating the risk of
relying solely on one vendor while benefiting from competitive pricing
models. '

Examples: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google

Cloud Platform (GCP).
Characteristics of Multi-cloud

o Multiple Cloud Providers: The key characteristic of multi-cloud is

the utilization of multiple cloud service providers. Organizations can
leverage the offerings of different providers, such as Amazon web
services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and
others, to access a huge range of services and capabilities.
o Diversification and Risk Reduction: Thanks to multi-cloud,
organizations may distribute workloads, apps, and data across
several cloud environments. This diversification decreases the
danger of vendor lock-in, and the effects of any service interruptions
or outages from a single cloud provider are lessened.
o Flexibility and Vendor Independence: Businesses using multi-
cloud can choose the finest cloud services from various providers
per their requirements. This approach enables companies to
leverage each provider's unique benefits and avoids needing to
depend solely on a single supplier for all their cloud computing
requirements.
o Optimisation of Services and Costs: Organisations may optimize
their services and costs by using a multi-cloud strategy and
choosing the most affordable and appropriate cloud provider for
each workload or application. They can use specialized services
from many sources to meet certain demands, taking advantage of
competitive pricing structures.
o Enhanced Reliability and Performance: Multi-cloud enhances
reliability and performance by utilizing multiple cloud environments.
By utilizing the infrastructure and resources of various providers,
organizations can achieve high availability, scalability, and
enhanced performance for their applications and services
o Data Sovereignty and Compliance: Multi-cloud allows
organizations to address data sovereignty and compliance
requirements by choosing cloud providers with data centers in
specific regions or jurisdictions. It provides flexibility in managing
data residency and regulatory compliance obligations.
o Interoperability and Integration: Multi-cloud necessitates
interoperability and integration between different cloud platforms.
 Organizations must ensure seamless data exchange, application
compatibility, and integration of services across the various cloud
environments they utilize.

Advantages of Multi-Cloud:
There are the following advantages of multi-Cloud -

o It allows organizations to choose the most suitable cloud services

from different providers based on their specific requirements.
o Distributing workloads and data across multiple cloud environments
enhances reliability and ensures resilience in case of service
disruptions or downtime.
o By utilizing its providers, organizations can avoid dependency on a
single vendor and mitigate the risks associated with vendor lock-in.
o Organizations can optimize services and costs by selecting the most
cost-effective and suitable cloud provider for each workload or
application.
o Leveraging the infrastructure and resources of different cloud
providers allows organizations to achieve high availability,
scalability, and improved performance.
o It enables organizations to select cloud providers with data centers
in specific regions, addressing data sovereignty and compliance
requirements.
o Access to specialized services and capabilities from different
providers promotes innovation and allows organizations to leverage
the best-in-class offerings in the market.
o Distributing workloads across multiple clouds reduces the risk of
data loss or service disruptions, providing enhanced disaster
recovery capabilities.

Disadvantages of Multi-Cloud:

o Increased complexity in managing multiple cloud environments.

o
 o Potential for higher costs due to multiple subscriptions and data transfer fees.
o Challenges in ensuring data governance and compliance across multiple clouds.
o Integration difficulties and compatibility issues between different cloud providers.
o Potential for increased management overhead and resource requirements.
o Risk of vendor dependencies and interoperability challenges.

Difference between public cloud, private cloud, hybrid cloud, and community cloud -
The below table shows the difference between public cloud, private cloud, hybrid cloud, and community cloud.

Parameter Public Cloud Private Cloud Hybrid Cloud Community Cloud Multi-Cloud

Host Service provider Enterprise (Third Enterprise (Third Community (Third Multiple cloud
party) party) party) providers

Users General public Selected users Selected users Community Multiple

members organizations

Access Internet Internet, VPN Internet, VPN Internet, VPN Internet, VPN

Owner Service provider Enterprise Enterprise Community Multiple

organizations

Cost Pay-per-usage Infrastructure Mixed (variable) Shared cost among Variable depending
investment members on usage
Security Provider's Enhanced control Varied (depends Varied (depends on Varied (depends on
responsibility on setup) setup) setup)

Scalability Highly scalable Scalable within Scalable within Scalable within Scalable within
resources resources resources resources

Customizatio Limited control High control Varied (depends Varied (depends on Varied (depends on
n on setup) setup) setup)

Resource Not shared Not shared Varied (depends Shared among Shared among
Sharing on setup) community providers