Explained: What is a private cloud?

We're going to let you in on a little secret: for cost-efficient operations, large companies are better off opting for data in the private cloud. Paying for various public clouds can add up over time. With your private cloud, you have control over your own capacity and scalability. It's time to tell you everything about this approach to cloud computing.

Private cloud: meaning of this term

"What is a private cloud?" you might wonder. Put simply, it's a completely isolated cloud environment. Private clouds are the opposite of public clouds. You never end up on shared cloud infrastructure. This private cloud can run at a cloud provider or on your own infrastructure within the walls of your company (on-premises).

A cloud provider offers you a private environment exclusively for you. In contrast, in the public cloud, you don't know in advance on which machines your data runs, and you share physical hardware with multiple organizations.

Why private cloud is important

For clarity's sake, we're not painting the public cloud as insecure. Quite the opposite. Here at Combell, we prioritize safety. 😉 But some companies want extra assurances regarding security and data protection.

That's one of the main reasons why organizations opt for the private cloud. In your own environment, you have full control. Working this way, along with your cloud provider, will provide extra protection against unauthorized access and issues like data breaches.

Hospitals and schools

Is your organization linked to the financial sector, healthcare, or even the education sector? Then it's certainly worth exploring the possibilities of the private cloud.

For example, banks handle vast amounts of sensitive financial data. With a private cloud, such organizations can process and manage all data in an environment that complies with strict regulations that the financial sector must adhere to.

Hospitals and schools (as well as colleges and universities) also prefer to work in the private cloud. For instance, to ensure the privacy of patient records or to set up learning management systems. These are all mission-critical data that must reside in an ultra-secure environment.

Reliability and flexibility

There are other reasons why private cloud is important for businesses. With private clouds, you get the flexibility to adapt your IT infrastructure to the specific needs of your organization. Resources can scale quickly as needed, allowing for more efficient and cost-effective operations.

Private cloud environments offer developers a dedicated cloud environment where they can work. You can easily host your own software and applications in the private cloud, giving you full control over configuration and customization. Additionally, the reliability and performance of the private cloud should not be underestimated.

Managed private cloud

Interested in a fully isolated environment that only you use? But don't want to manage and secure your cloud infrastructure yourself? Then you should opt for Combell's managed private cloud. With our managed services, you can leave all your worries behind.

We provide multi-layer protection through a Multi-Tier network and redundant firewalls. You get a fully private back-end, and for ultimate security, we can even develop a multi-data center solution. 😉

Advantages of private cloud

Stringent security

You have more control over the security of a private cloud than a public cloud because you do not share resources and are not subject to general security measures. This is important for large government agencies or financial institutions.

Greater flexibility

Unlike the public cloud, with a private cloud, you can determine how many resources are allocated to a single server. Public clouds have limits per cloud server, but in your own cloud environment, you have more freedom.

Compliance with privacy regulations

If you process personal data, even in small amounts, you must comply with data protection regulations like the GDPR. When working in the private cloud, you can ensure that data management and security are handled securely, ensuring compliance with legal requirements.

Disadvantages of private cloud

Costs

The cost of a private cloud is typically higher than that of a public cloud because you have the environment all to yourself. However, this should not deter you, especially for larger companies. Launching too many public clouds can end up being more expensive than the private cloud option.

Management

Working in the private cloud requires having the right expertise in-house. You need IT experts to manage and maintain your infrastructure. It's essential to understand that maintaining a private cloud can be labor-intensive, involving tasks such as performance monitoring, software patching, managing security measures, and planning and executing upgrades and updates.

To turn this disadvantage into an advantage, consider a managed private cloud. It offers ease of use and minimal maintenance, with Combell taking care of the challenging tasks. Remember?

How does a private cloud work?

Warning: we're now delving into the most technical part of this blog. Because you or your own tech experts might want to know how the private cloud as an application works. It can help you gain a better understanding of the possibilities. 🙂

The entire circle that encompasses working in the cloud consists of physical servers, storage devices, and network equipment, virtualized through virtualization technology. With virtualization, multiple virtual machines (VMs) can run on the same physical hardware, allowing you to use your resources more efficiently.

If you manage your private cloud yourself, at Combell, you'll have access to your own platform (a vCenter). There, you can completely configure your requested resources, including customized CPUs, memory, and necessary storage.

As our customer, you are responsible for your virtual machine, the operating system, and the applications. On our side, we take care of the hardware and virtualization via VMWare. We also monitor your resource usage and alert you if you're approaching the limit.

Convenient! If other issues arise in the meantime, you can contact our free support 24/7.

A robust cloud security involves multiple layers because threats can come from anywhere. Therefore, Combell ensures security at multiple levels, from physical security to protection against DDoS attacks.

Furthermore, there's clear isolation between the different VMs in the private cloud, providing you with additional security layers. It's this robust security that makes private clouds a suitable place for sensitive and critical data.

The combined use of virtualization, self-service, and advanced security makes private clouds a powerful tool for organizations that prioritize control, adaptability, and security in the realm of cloud computing.

What about the public or hybrid cloud?

Of course, there are alternatives to the private cloud. The experts at Combell are happy to match your company with the right cloud solution. They may recommend the public or hybrid cloud, depending on various factors, such as the size of your project, your data, and the budget you want to allocate.

Both hyperscale cloud providers and local hosting companies offer public clouds. Public cloud is often ideal for startup entrepreneurs looking to take their first steps into the cloud. It is cost-effective and easy to implement since your IT infrastructure is hosted by an external provider.

This saves you the costs of purchasing and maintaining hardware and software. You benefit from the provider's economies of scale and have access to various services and resources.

Pilot towards the Cloud

On the other hand, if you have a larger company or are working on complex projects, a private cloud or hybrid cloud may be the best choice. A hybrid cloud combines the benefits of both public and private clouds. You may also hear the term virtual private cloud.

With this, you can dynamically move data and workloads between the two environments, depending on your project's requirements. This gives you the flexibility to handle peak loads in the public cloud while keeping confidential data and critical applications in your private cloud.

In short, choosing the right cloud solution depends on your organization's specific needs. It's essential to thoroughly evaluate which cloud environment aligns best with your data storage and IT management goals. However, you'd better leave that evaluation and analysis to Combell. A good provider is your pilot towards the cloud. 😀

Private cloud, something for your data?

Whether you are a startup or an established company with multiple locations, opting for a private cloud solution offers a range of benefits. It allows you to tailor your IT infrastructure to your specific needs and budget.

If you're looking for a cloud solution that supports your company's growth and can adapt flexibly to changing circumstances, consider transitioning to a private cloud. At Combell, we are ready to guide you through a seamless transition to the cloud, ensuring you always have the right hosting solution that perfectly suits your business.

Contact us today to discuss how we can support your company!