Data Center to Cloud- Move into the Cloud

The fact that virtual data centers in the cloud can be provisioned or scaled down with just a few mouse clicks is part of the reason for moving to the cloud. In the modern data center, software-defined networking (SDN) manages traffic flows via software. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) from public and private clouds spins up whole systems on-demand. When new applications are needed, Platform as a Service (PaaS) and container technologies are available in an instant.

While many organizations have already made the jump to the cloud, others are less certain. The cloud provides a number of advantages, but many companies are concerned about the cost and the lack of visibility, accountability, and transparency of public cloud infrastructure.

Data Center vs. The Cloud: Which is Best for Your Organization?

There is no “one-size-fits-all” solution for every organization. Ultimately, the decision to use a public cloud, private cloud, hybrid cloud, or traditional data center depends on the degree of privacy and control needed, as well as the pressure to curb costs and increase transparency. The following chart summarizes the benefits and drawbacks of each approach:

	Traditional Data Center	Cloud Computing	Hybrid Cloud
Benefits:	Owner has complete control over hardware Cost of use is slightly easier to understand Privacy can be maintained in industries where it is required	Little in the way of up-front costs Resources are scalable with use and need Pay for what you use Requires little knowledge or manpower to get started Rapid implementation Platform independent Easy to access remotely Automatically updated Ongoing security	Opportunity to try out the cloud without a full commitment (or full migration) All benefits of a cloud platform are available for use Cloud can serve as a backup for on-prem data centers and vice versa Can operate behind a firewall (good for added security) Allows more control over some parts of the cloud
Disadvantages:	High up-front capital cost Takes up space, uses power whether used or not Requires a dedicated team to maintain Hard to access remotely Security solely dependent on local team Updates are not automatic; again rely on local team	Less control over the actual hardware and operating system Services offerings and cost structures can be hard to understand at times Privacy and access must be monitored closely	Keeping track of multiple clouds can be tricky; might require a third party dashboard
Good for:	Smaller organizations that already have a heavy capital investment in IT Organizations that need to be excessively cautious about data privacy	Most organizations of any size	Larger organizations with existing IT infrastructure, but who also want to start their cloud journey