Understanding the Different Types of Cloud Computing Models

In this article, we will explore five types of cloud computing deployment models: Public Cloud, Private Cloud, Hybrid Cloud, Community Cloud, and Multi-Cloud.

Video explanation of same article: https://youtu.be/MjM1CDiNWgU

1. Public Cloud

In a public cloud, the same infrastructure is used by multiple organizations. This model is cost-effective because you don’t have to worry about setting up and managing the infrastructure. You can rely on a cloud service provider for everything.

However, since the infrastructure is shared by different organizations, it is less secure. Despite this, public cloud services are highly scalable, as most providers offer the flexibility to scale services up or down based on your needs. It is also easier to manage, as the cloud provider takes care of infrastructure maintenance.

2. Private Cloud

In a private cloud, the infrastructure is dedicated to a single organization. It is not shared with others, making it more secure. The organization using the cloud can customize and modify the infrastructure or services as needed, making it highly flexible.

However, scaling a private cloud is more difficult because the organization has to bear the entire cost of expansion. It is also expensive to maintain, but the level of customization and security makes it suitable for organizations with strict privacy requirements.

3. Hybrid Cloud

A hybrid cloud combines both public and private clouds, offering the benefits of each. Sensitive data can be stored in the private cloud for enhanced security, while less sensitive data can be stored in the public cloud for cost-effectiveness.

The hybrid cloud is secure and customizable but can be difficult to manage because you need to oversee both public and private clouds. One downside of this model is that it may slow down your application, as communication between the two clouds can introduce time delays.

4. Community Cloud

In a community cloud, multiple organizations with similar goals share the same cloud infrastructure. This model is cost-effective, as the cost of infrastructure and service management is distributed among the members.

While this setup encourages resource sharing, it is less scalable and customizable. Decisions to scale or modify the infrastructure may not suit all members of the community, making it challenging to meet everyone's needs.Partner companies can utilize community cloud for resource sharing and to distribute costs among members. This enables collaborative efforts while reducing individual expenses.

5. Multi-Cloud

In a multi-cloud environment, an organization uses services from multiple cloud providers to achieve the best performance and cost savings. For example, you may use AWS for one aspect of your application and Google Cloud for another.

Using multiple providers can make the system design more complex, potentially leading to security risks if not managed carefully. However, this approach also improves availability. For instance, if AWS services go down, you can switch to Google Cloud or Azure to maintain operations.

An example of the multi-cloud model is hosting an online game in AWS servers located in India, while using another provider’s servers in South Africa to reduce latency for players in that region. By hosting the game in a cloud service available in South Africa, latency is minimized as data no longer needs to travel from India to South Africa. This ensures smoother gameplay and a better user experience.