Hybrid Cloud
Definition
Hybrid cloud is a computing environment that combines a private cloud with one or more public cloud services, with proprietary software enabling communication between each distinct service. It allows workloads to move between private and public clouds as computing needs and costs change.
Why It Matters
Hybrid cloud offers the "best of both worlds." It allows organizations to keep sensitive data and critical workloads in a secure private cloud, while leveraging the vast, scalable resources of the public cloud for less sensitive tasks or to handle traffic spikes.
Contextual Example
A retail company runs its main e-commerce website on its private cloud for security. On Black Friday, it uses "cloud bursting" to provision additional web servers in the public cloud (like AWS) to handle the temporary surge in traffic.
Common Misunderstandings
- A key element of hybrid cloud is orchestration and management tools that allow seamless integration between the public and private environments.
- It is a popular strategy for large enterprises.