What is private cloud?
Private cloud is a cloud environment in which the servers, storage and networking are allocated exclusively to a single organisation. It uses virtualisation to turn that dedicated hardware into a flexible pool of resources, and can be hosted in a provider’s datacentre or in your own facilities, and managed by you or by a provider. Our insight on What is Private Cloud? covers this in more detail.
What is hybrid cloud?
Hybrid cloud is a mixed IT infrastructure that connects and unifies traditional on-premise infrastructure, private cloud and public cloud, running different workloads in the environment best suited to handling them. Data is integrated across the environments, which are usually managed by the provider or through one encompassing tool.
A hybrid environment is bespoke, since the combination varies from organisation to organisation. A common arrangement is an on-premise environment alongside a private cloud, or a private cloud for sensitive workloads alongside public cloud for others.
What are the key differences between hybrid and private cloud?
Architecture
A private cloud is a single environment built on dedicated hardware. A hybrid cloud combines two or more environments, which may include private cloud, public cloud and on-premise infrastructure, connected so that they work together. A private cloud is therefore often a component of a hybrid cloud, not an alternative to it.
Workload placement
In a private cloud, all your workloads run on the same dedicated platform. In a hybrid cloud, each workload is placed in the environment that suits it best, for example sensitive or resource-intensive workloads in private cloud, workloads with variable demand in public cloud, and legacy systems that cannot move yet on-premise.
Integration and complexity
Hybrid cloud adds complexity, because networking, security, monitoring and data movement all have to work across the boundaries between environments. Latency between environments, data consistency and communication between components need attention at the design stage. A private cloud on its own has one environment to design, secure and monitor.
Cost and billing
A private cloud typically has a fixed monthly cost, which makes budgeting predictable. A hybrid cloud combines the billing models of its components, such as fixed costs for the private cloud alongside consumption-based charges for public cloud, so it needs closer tracking, and data transfer between environments can add to the cost.
Security and compliance
With a private cloud, security policies and compliance evidence relate to one environment. In a hybrid cloud, you need consistent security and governance across every environment, and you need to know where each workload and its data sit, which is easier with a single management layer.
Management
A private cloud can be managed as one platform. A hybrid cloud is managed across several, which is why it is usually run by one provider or through one management tool, so that the whole environment is monitored, patched and optimised consistently.
When is private cloud enough?
A private cloud on its own is often the simplest choice when:
- Your workloads have steady, predictable demand
- Most of your workloads need dedicated infrastructure, isolation or a specific hosting location
- You want one environment to design, secure and manage
- You do not rely on particular platform services from public cloud providers
A private cloud can also stay entirely private or connect to public cloud and on-premise systems where a hybrid model is required, so it can start on its own and be connected to other environments later. hyve
When does hybrid cloud make sense?
Hybrid cloud is often the better fit when:
- Legacy systems have to stay on-premise while new workloads move to the cloud, which makes hybrid a practical stepping stone for phased migration
- Different workloads have different security, compliance or performance needs
- Some workloads have variable or short-lived demand that suits public cloud
- Applications depend on specific public cloud services alongside workloads that need dedicated infrastructure
- You want to test new applications without building dedicated infrastructure for them
Hybrid cloud is also different from multi-cloud, which uses two or more public cloud providers and does not need a private or on-premise component. Our insight on hybrid cloud vs multi-cloud covers the difference.
How do you choose between hybrid and private cloud?
Questions worth asking include:
- Do all your workloads need dedicated infrastructure, or only some?
- Do you have legacy systems that must stay where they are?
- How variable is demand across your workloads?
- Do any applications depend on public cloud services?
- Do you have the expertise to run several environments, or would one provider managing them together help?
- How will you keep security, compliance and costs consistent across environments?
Considering these requirements early helps ensure the platform can support both current workloads and future growth.
The next steps
Private cloud and hybrid cloud are not competing choices so much as points on a spectrum, from a single dedicated environment to a mix of environments joined together. Understanding the differences is the first step, and the right design depends on your workloads, compliance requirements and plans for growth.
We design, integrate and manage hybrid environments, as well as private, enterprise and public cloud, so each workload can be placed where it performs best and costs are effective. If you are deciding between them, speak to one of our Cloud Consultants about your requirements, or explore our Managed Private Cloud and Hybrid Cloud options.
