Why should you choose a private cloud deployment model?

?A private cloud deployment model is akin to renting an apartment unit where we can have more control with the furnishings and renovation. ??Sometimes, we need more control when it comes to legacy applications or security processes that may not fit into a public cloud model. ??A public cloud model is akin to a service apartment with ready furnishings and renovation. There are readily services for the guest, but there might be limitations to customisation.

A private cloud deployment model is also called on-premises cloud. You or a different organisation is responsible for designing, configuring and managing the private cloud. You have complete low latency, high control and can customise according to business requirements. You can also expect predictable performance since resources are not shared with other users or organisations. Most CMT and FS industry customers use a private cloud for data privacy requirements - they want to keep sensitive data inside their data centre and the same network. In summary, the private cloud provides high control, security, and customisation. Some customers connect the private and public clouds and make it a hybrid cloud for specific business requirements.

From a business perspective, a private cloud deployment model represents an evolution in cloud computing. Instead of relying on third-party public cloud providers, organisations opt to develop and manage their own cloud infrastructure, be it on-premises or in a dedicated data centre. This model, distinct from public clouds used by multiple customers, offers exclusivity. Consequently, an organisation can craft a cloud environment that aligns closely with its distinct requirements. The model's allure lies in the control it affords over resources like servers, storage, and software. It ensures tailor-made solutions, potentially boosting operational efficiency.

Private cloud or on-premises act as an extension of existing datacenter of an enterprise. They are essentially registered to a single organization that owns and accesses it. Private cloud gives the capability to have great control and governance over compute, storage, network, and software in general.

The private cloud paradigm symbolizes a strategic pivot in digital infrastructure. Instead of leasing computing power from public cloud giants, enterprises commandeer their cloud destiny, whether anchored on-premises or in exclusive data centres. This bespoke environment, free from the multi-tenancy of public clouds, champions customization. As a result, the organization carves an ecosystem finely-tuned to its unique objectives. The intrinsic value of the private cloud model emanates from its unparalleled dominion over assets—hardware, storage, or software—paving the way for a finely-honed operational edge.

Private clouds are appealing for organizations looking for dedicated infrastructure, often for regulatory or licensing reasons. They're also ideal for those with latency-sensitive workloads, a need for customization, and more control. While these advantages can also be associated with on-premises solutions, the biggest feature of a "cloud" is its API support, which introduces robust automation capabilities. With this, organizations can effortlessly adopt Infrastructure as Code (IaC) practices, dynamically scale infrastructure based on real-time KPIs, and more.

A private cloud deployment model offers several benefits for organisations, particularly those with specific security, compliance, and customisation requirements. - Security & Control - Customisation - Predictable Performance - Control of Cost - Low Latency - No Lock-in E.g. Oracle Cloud offers Cloud @ Customer, and most Fortune 100 companies use this model for the above benefits. In summary, the private cloud offers businesses specific requirements, especially regarding data protection, regulatory compliance, and performance.

Alternatively, what is the pain point of an on-premises deployment that necessitates the need for private cloud? Without private cloud, an on-premise deployment may still be installed with their own hypervisor for virtualisation capabilities. However, it would not be possible to create virtual machines and perform certain mass functions to be deployed to all data centers within the cloud in one go. i.e. all have to be done one by one by the administrator. This is a huge pain-point for larger enterprises as users have to wait, sometimes as long as months if there are priorities given to urgent projects. Likewise, updates and such have to be installed manually by each data center instead of being pushed at once from a central cloud console.

A standout benefit of the private cloud model is the unparalleled control it bestows upon businesses over their cloud milieu and data assets. You handpick the hardware, software, and security specifics, fine-tuning them as operational landscapes evolve. Crucially, you're the steward of where your data resides, ensuring alignment with regulatory mandates and unfettered access. In contrast to public cloud counterparts, private clouds frequently deliver superior performance and dependability, devoid of the resource tug-of-war with other clients. They're bespoke ecosystems, crafted to cater explicitly to unique workloads, flexing in harmony with dynamic business demands.

As an employee in a cloud computing company, the reasons oragnisations would go for private cloud is due to greater security, and compliances. There are many reasons but the top reasons are mostly due to the organisation now knowing where their data is, and being able to have greater control accessibility to their data, and hence able to work around procedures, and protocols for greater industry compliances. Without private cloud, even with virtualisation capabilities, it is ineffective with high waiting time for users to constantly need to put in a ticket for the administrator to create VM for them. In worse cases, the user ends up going to another cloud provider, which causes security concerns.

Lack of expertise. Current infrastructure and software integration complexities. Need for continual uptime. Lack of majority buy-in leading to poor commitment and slow implementation. Unsure how to calculate ROI. Lack of understanding of cloud (Yes, even if you are trained in IT doesnt mean you're know cloud implementation). Migration complexities. Additional costs due to third-party software such as those for migration, backup/restore, and multi-cloud.

Major challenges is data center space and investment and managing and supporting infrastructure, this could be shared responsibility of the cloud provider, but still requires significant amount of the efforts from hosting organization.

Top challenges with Private cloud is as follows. 1. High Capex - high upfront costs. 2. Reduced flexibility 3. Operational overhead - patching, maintaining and upgrading hardware and software. 4. Constrained innovation and adaptability - ability to incorporate latest technologies and features. 5. Expertise - strong talent pool to design, deploy and maintain systems on regular basis. If anything breaks time to resolution can be inconsistent every time.

Opting for a private cloud deployment offers heightened security, customization, and predictable performance, making it ideal for organizations with sensitive data and compliance needs. However, it comes with higher costs, complexity, and limited scalability, requiring a skilled IT team and facing resource underutilization challenges. Make your choice based on your organization's specific requirements and resources.

Private cloud deployments bring challenges. Foremost is the significant investment and expertise needed, as organisations are tasked with setting up, securing, and maintaining their infrastructure. This demands in-depth technical acumen and ongoing costs for hardware, software, energy, and space. Unlike public clouds, private setups might not provide the same flexibility and innovation. Limited by internal resources, they might miss cutting-edge features available in public clouds or face integration issues with diverse platforms.

Always start with customer in mind. Evaluate the business needs, goals, and baseline current capabilities while aligning with Total addressable Market (TAM) and stakeholders needs. Stringent security and performance requirements are often the drivers for choosing Private cloud. Public clouds are secure as well but they may not need your specific requirements. If the company is entitled to stable workload patterns, predictable demand, strong in-house technical skillset - Private cloud could be a best bet provided NFR’s have been rigorously evaluated and analyzed. Every enterprise is different. If you are unsure about the fit and would want to leverage best of the worlds in public, hybrid, or multi-cloud domain seek professional help.

Choosing a private cloud model requires: - Understanding business needs, including compliance and application demands - Setting a clear budget - Ensuring in-house expertise or readiness to hire - Evaluating security needs - Gauging integration ease with existing IT setups - Considering scalability and adaptability - Researching vendors to avoid lock-in and align with requirements - Emphasizing DR and redundancy - Considering accessibility and potential latency - Consulting peers and case studies - Thoroughly testing through pilots and ensuring future adaptability. Thorough evaluation and expert consultation are key to making informed decisions.

When weighing the option of a private cloud deployment, it's pivotal to reflect on your organisation's unique demands. If your data is sensitive, necessitating bespoke security and control, or if your application needs surpass what public clouds offer, a private cloud might be ideal. Similarly, if your resource demands are consistent and you possess the expertise to oversee your cloud, a private model is beneficial. However, should there be uncertainties, exploring public, hybrid, or multi-cloud models might better align with your goals, presenting distinct advantages and compromises.

Choosing Cloud deployment models (Public/Private/Hybrid/Distributed/Multicloud, etc.) requires proper cloud assessment and requirements such as Latency, Security, Compliance, regulatory requirements and Data privacy. Identifying the right talent to manage the private cloud is also crucial. The customer usually uses an in-house team but invests in training if required—plan for DR or Reduncy sites. Most importantly, spend time on Testing and PoC and make sure it addresses all your requirements. Sometimes, you must take external experts' advice or support at a particular stage.

In summary, a private cloud provides an organisation exclusive control, customisation, and security over its resources. It is suitable for businesses with specific latency, security, compliance, or performance, regulatory requirements (e.g., HIPAA, PCI DSS), and it can be integrated with public cloud resources to create a hybrid cloud environment when needed. In my experience, Cloud assessment is crucial in choosing the right cloud deployment models. Before making a final decision, consider conducting a PoC to test the private cloud deployment model and ensure it solves the problem. Also, train the right talent to keep the private cloud GREEN.

The cloud service you choose will depend on your business needs. Private cloud fits the bill if Security and Performance are non-negotiable and stringent. Rigorously analyze the non-functional requirements (NFR). Approach with a open ended questions and evaluate “what if” scenarios. Top considerations would include, Data ownership, security, performance and availability, support, integration, enhancements, contract flexibility and customer references.

When deliberating a private cloud model, also consider: - Does the vendor provide 24/7 support, updates, and security patches? - Can the infrastructure support short-term surges and long-term expansion? - Exit Strategy: If you need to migrate away, how challenging will it be? - Understand data export tools and processes. - Ecosystem Integration: How well does it blend with third-party tools, platforms, or services you already use? - Energy Consumption - Operational Complexity - Financial Models - Security Audits - Feedback Loop - Documentation & Training