A data center is a facility that stores computer machines and their hardware equipment. This place is where organizations keep their IT operations and store all their websites, applications, and data. Components of data center include: 

• Servers 
• Networking Equipment
• Storage Systems 
• Power Infrastructure 
• Cooling Systems 
• Security Systems 
• Environmental Monitoring  
• Cabling Infrastructure 

What are the data center tiers? 

Data center tiers are a system used to categorize different types of data center infrastructure. They are divided into 4 tiers according to their reliability. Choosing the appropriate data center tier depends on an organization’s IT requirements, budget, and tolerance for downtime. 

Tier 1 Data Centers

A tier 1 data center is usually used by smaller businesses, or organizations that don’t rely too much on technology. It offers basic services and has the simplest infrastructure, with non-redundant capacity components. Moreover, tier 1 data centers only have a single path for power and cooling and offer an uptime of 99.67%. This means that the potential downtime each year is around 28.8 hours. This tier of data center also needs to be shut down completely during maintenance.  

Tier 2 Data Centers

Tier 2 data center is a bit more reliable than tier 1. It also has a single path for power and cooling and needs the system to shut down when there is maintenance to the power path and other infrastructure. However, tier 2 centers come with redundant capacity components. This helps lower the chance of the data center operations not working if a component fails. They also offer an uptime of 99.74%, which means their potential downtime is around 22 hours each year. This makes tier 2 data center a good fit for small businesses who need more reliability than tier 1. 

Tier 3 Data Centers

Tier 3 data centers are a big step up in reliability. They have extra systems that can keep things running even when they do maintenance. Tier 3 centers are available about 99.982% of the time, which means they might not work for about 1.6 hours each year. They’re great for businesses that need things to keep going without big disruptions. 

Tier 3 data centers have multiple paths for power and cooling, with backup redundancies and outage protection. They also can go through maintenance without disturbing their operations, making them a more reliable option compared to tier 1 and tier 2. The uptime they offer is 99.98%, which means their potential downtime per year is around 1.6 hours. 

Tier 4 Data Centers

Tier 4 data centers are the best solution for large corporations that have a high traffic and need their technology to run smoothly at all times. This is because tier 4 centers have redundancy for every component, ensuring that they can work at all times. They have many extra systems and different paths for power, cooling, and connecting to networks. Tier 4 data centers have an uptime of 99.99%, which means their potential downtime is 26.3 minutes per year. They are also designed to be able to maintain their operations even in the event of downtime. 

Why are data centers important? 

Companies use data centers because managing all their computing equipment, which can be in different branches, on their own can be challenging. Thanks to these facilities, companies can bring all their equipment to a centralized location and manage it conveniently. This is because data center facilities are designed to provide a safe environment to keep all the computers running smoothly. Moreover, data centers also need to comply with several regulations to make sure that their data is securely stored. Simply put, a data center is like the main control center for a company’s digital activities. Companies also have the option of having an on-premises data center or using a third-party data center. You can learn more about the benefits of using a data center here. 

History of Data Centers 

The Early Days (1940s) 

The world’s first data center was built in the 1940s at the University of Pennsylvania. It was to house the first computer ever created, which was the Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer (ENIAC). The one who built this was the US Army for military purposes at that time. 

These early computers were very complex to operate, and data centers were also just very simple facilities to house these computers. Most of the centers at that time also had no windows and only one secure door.  

Development of Personal Computers (1960s-1980s) 

During the 1960s-1970s, companies like IBM and Intel began to develop advanced, yet easy-to-use computers for everyone. Because of these innovations, more users deploy computers in the 1980s.  

As the number of computer users began to grow, organizations started to realize that they need to have a facility where they can put all their company servers there in order to manage them easier. These needs made data centers a popular solution for lots of companies. 

Data Center and Internet Boom (1990s) 

In the 1990s, the internet became a thing and wireless internet technologies were also introduced. Personal Computers have also become famous among people. In this period of time, companies also started to rely on the Internet for their business processes. This eventually caused the demand for data centers to increase even more. 

IT Trends and Outsourcing (2000s) 

There was an increase in spending on IT in the 2000s as more people began using PCs and the internet. However, the financial crisis in 2008 caused companies to look for ways for cost-cutting measures. This is when ‘outsourcing’ started to become famous, as it is cheaper than trying to handle everything on their own. Many companies started to work together with third-party vendors (or other companies) to handle some of their business processes. This includes handling their data centers, as it helps them to focus on their business, and the experts can take care of their computing equipment. 

Scalability Focus (2010s) 

On the 2010s, more companies rely on the internet and technology for their business processes. E-commerce and online transactions have also grown at this period of time. Due to these increased workloads, companies realized the need for data centers that can keep up with the growing amount of work without slowing down, or in other words, a scalable data center. 

However, environmental concerns regarding these data centers are also starting to rise. A report published by Greenpeace in 2012 highlighted how these data centers are consuming lots of energy to operate. 

Era of Efficiency (2020s) 

These days, people are continuing to improve the quality of data centers. Data center providers are implementing ways to make their data centers sustainable and environmentally friendly. This is done by using more renewable energy sources (like solar energy or wind energy) as it can reduce the carbon footprint of data centers.  

Moreover, data center providers also have started to virtualize data centers. This is done to create a more scalable, secure, and reliable data center for companies. Virtualization reduces he number of servers needed, which eventually reduces energy consumption and resource usage. Virtualized data centers also allow the automation of backup processes for a company’s virtual resources. This helps companies minimize downtime and ensures business continuity. 

Future Trends and Conclusion 

We can expect that data centers will become even more advanced in the future. As more companies digitalize their business processes, data centers will continue to play an important role in helping lots of companies to run their business efficiently and smoothly.  

Data centers started simply as rooms that are filled with lots of computers, and now they have grown to become a facility that makes digital business processes possible, with more and more companies depending on them. We can also expect them to continue growing more in the future. 

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Based on Cisco’s 2022 Global Hybrid Cloud Trends Report, which surveyed 2500 IT decision-makers in 13 countries, 82% of IT leaders have adopted the hybrid cloud. However, the same survey also found that when deploying a hybrid cloud, the top 3 challenges are:

1. Security (37%)
2. Increased operational complexity and cost management (33%)
3. Compliance and privacy (31%)

What are Some Hybrid Cloud Best Practices?

To address the challenges mentioned in the previous section, businesses can implement a set of best practices to optimize their hybrid cloud deployment and mitigate potential risks. These are some of those best practices: 

Evaluate your needs and requirements

Evaluating your company’s needs and requirements ensures that your hybrid cloud deployment is tailored to your specific needs while avoiding unnecessary costs. This involves assessing storage needs, computing power, and network bandwidth. However, it’s important to note that this evaluation is an ongoing process. Regularly tracking resource usage and evolving needs allows you to optimize resource utilization and prevent unexpected costs. 

Additionally, consult with your provider to see if they allow you to pay only for what you use, or provide bundled service packages that can help you save money and avoid overspending. 

Check the hybrid cloud provider’s SLA

A provider’s Service Level Agreement outlines the provider’s guarantees regarding uptime, performance, availability, support, and security. Thus, before choosing a hybrid cloud provider, make sure that you review and understand their SLAs. By making sure that the SLA aligns with your organization’s requirements, you can minimize the risk of downtime and ensure business continuity.  

Implementing security measures

Security is a crucial best practice for hybrid cloud usage as you want to make sure all private information related to your business is kept confidential. Implementing security measures in your cloud environment can be done through encryption strategies, managing access controls, and regularly patching and updating your systems. Moreover, you should also continuously monitor your systems for potential security threats and make disaster recovery plans for your business, so that you can respond to any security issues quickly. It’s recommended to consult with your provider to see if they can help you with implementing these security measures so you don’t have to manage all that on your own.  

Who should use a hybrid cloud?

Small medium businesses (SMBs) 

Hybrid cloud is the perfect solution for small-medium businesses as it allows them to store their sensitive data securely in a private cloud while still utilizing the public cloud for scalable and cost-efficient resources. This ensures that the business has optimal website performance and delivers an excellent and secure customer experience. 

Software developers

Hybrid cloud provides software developers with an affordable and flexible platform to build, test, and deploy applications quickly and efficiently. Developers can still keep their sensitive data on the private cloud while using budget-friendly resources from the public cloud for development and testing needs. 

Regulatory-driven businesses

Hybrid cloud allow businesses that have strict compliance requirements to maintain control over sensitive information by safely storing them in the private cloud while still enjoying the scalability and cost benefits of public cloud services. This is so they can comply with regulatory standards and ensure data privacy and security, while still saving some costs.  

Media and entertainment industry

Businesses in the media and entertainment industry has to deal with large files that require big-sized storage. This includes high-resolution video, images, and graphics. Using the this type of cloud can help them store and process those data cost-effectively. They can also use the public cloud resources for their content distribution and streaming while safely storing their valuable assets and information on the private cloud. This helps them to ensure a smooth content delivery while maintaining the protection of intellectual property. 

Educational institutions and research organizations

Hybrid cloud can help educational institutions and research organizations as they allow them to keep their students and research data secure on the private cloud while taking advantage of the public cloud for hosting online courses and learning platforms. This way, they can enjoy easy and convenient access to resources, while still keeping their sensitive data private.  

Overall, a hybrid cloud is a perfect solution for organizations or individuals who want flexibility, scalability, affordability, and secure data management by combining private and public cloud environments to meet their specific needs.

Click here to learn more about how Hybrid Cloud works. 

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There are a lot of things that you can do with a dedicated server. This includes hosting online games, e-commerce sites, websites, and applications.  A lot of users choose to use a dedicated server because of its security, performance, and customization features. 

To put it simply, a dedicated server is like a powerful computer that you can rent to play a game with your friends. Using your computer to run the game may cause technical problems, and you have to solve them on your own. However, you don’t have to worry about all that when you rent a powerful computer that is made specifically for running that game. This explains why renting is a popular option these days for both businesses and end-users.

Trends and Statistics

Based on research published by Maximize Market Research, the global dedicated server hosting market was valued at USD 12 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 24 billion by 2029. The study also mentioned that the growth in demand is mainly driven by the increase in virtualization and cybersecurity awareness. Dedicated servers provide users with more control and security, allowing them to handle their own security measures instead of relying solely on the provider. Moreover, the region that is expected to hold the highest share in the market is North America. 

Dedicated vs Shared Server

There are some differences between the two kinds of hosting services, which are:

Performance

Dedicated server offers better performance and faster speed than a shared server as it gives you full access to all the resources of the server. This includes the CPU, RAM, and storage. Meanwhile, with a shared server, you have to share those resources with other websites, which can slow down the speed. 

Prices

A dedicated server is often more costly compared to a shared server because you are paying for the entire server’s resources. Meanwhile, with a shared server, you will share the cost of those resources with the other users. 

Security

A dedicated server offers a higher level of security as it allows you to be the only user who has access to the server. This gives you more control over the security aspects of your server. Meanwhile, a shared server is more vulnerable as your website can be affected by security problems from other users.

Scalability

A dedicated server is more scalable than a shared server due to the difficulty of upgrading the RAM and CPU on the shared server. Albeit, there is a heavy upfront cost, you will see savings overtime. Like a car payment, once you pay off the car loan, the only bill you have left is gas and maintenance resulting in a consistent predictable bill. Opposed to a shared sever which charges for the amount of resources you use causing an unpredictable and potentially high monthly payment.

Customization features

You can always customize a dedicated server to fit your needs, as you have complete control over the server. However, when using a shared server, the number of features you can customize may be very limited. This is because you still have to share the resources of the server with other users.

Technical expertise requirement

Typically, a dedicated server will require the user to have more technical expertise compared to a shared server. This is because the user will handle the server maintenance and management. Meanwhile, with a shared server, the server management will be handled by the provider.

Who Should Consider Using a Dedicated Server?

Software developers

If you are a software developer that is looking for a server with customizable features, then you should consider using a dedicated server. It gives you the freedom to scale the resources up or down according to your needs. Additionally, it provides you with greater power and reliability.

Companies that manage large amounts of data

Security is key when it comes to handling sensitive information. If your business has to handle lots of sensitive information, then a dedicated server will be the right choice for you. This is because you will be fully in charge of your website’s security aspects. With full control, you can apply the security measures and configurations that you need to protect both your business and customers. With a shared server, there is a chance that a threat actor will be able to break through your security system due to another organization’s lack of due diligence.

E-commerce or business sites

No one likes to wait for too long. Thus, having a website that loads very slowly can lead to a high bounce rate. This can therefore lead to low engagement rates on your site. The good news is, utilizing a dedicated server can help you prevent them. Dedicated servers can also help you give a better experience to your customers as it allows you to customize the security aspects of your site. Thus, dedicated servers can help to give your audience a reliable and secure user experience.

Online gaming companies

If your website is designed to host online games, then a dedicated server is a good choice for you. This is because dedicated servers are reliable, and also very scalable, making it possible for you to upgrade your resources at any time, depending on your online game’s workload and/or needs, making sure your website has a stable speed. Thus, using a dedicated server can help to provide the best gaming experience for your clients.

Overall, a dedicated server is the best option for people or businesses that need a reliable, secure, yet customizable infrastructure.

When it comes to choosing the right provider for your business, you should make sure that your provider can meet your support, scalability, security, and performance requirements as it impacts your IT operations and business’ overall success. You can contact one of our IT experts here to learn about how we can help you integrate a dedicated server into your business.

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IAM Key Components

IAM involves several key components, including authentication, authorization, and user provisioning and de-provisioning. Authentication is the process of verifying the identity of a user or device that is requesting access to a cloud resource. This can be achieved through various methods, such as passwords, security tokens, and biometric factors like fingerprints or facial recognition. By verifying the user’s identity, organizations can ensure that only authorized users have access to their cloud resources.

Authorization is the process of granting or denying access to a specific cloud resource based on the user’s identity and access privileges. Access privileges are typically assigned based on the user’s role or job function within the organization. For example, a user with administrative privileges would have access to more sensitive data and systems than a user with a basic user role.

Added Layer of Security

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is becoming increasingly popular as an added layer of security for the authentication process. MFA requires users to provide more than one form of authentication, such as a password and a security token, to verify their identity. This helps to prevent unauthorized access by ensuring that a potential attacker would need to possess more than just one factor of authentication to gain access to cloud resources.

Role-based access control (RBAC) is a model for managing access to cloud resources based on the user’s role or job function within the organization. RBAC allows organizations to manage access to resources more efficiently and securely by limiting access to only those users who require it to perform their job duties. This reduces the risk of data breaches and other security incidents that may occur due to unauthorized access.

User provisioning and de-provisioning are crucial components of IAM that ensure that users are provided with the necessary access privileges when they join an organization, and those privileges are removed when they leave the organization. This helps to prevent former employees from retaining access to sensitive data and systems after they have left the organization.

Conclusion

Ultimately, IAM is a critical aspect of cloud security that allows organizations to manage the digital identities of their users and control their access to cloud resources. By implementing IAM frameworks, organizations can reduce the risk of data breaches and other security incidents that may occur due to unauthorized access to cloud resources. IAM provides organizations with greater control over their cloud resources, ensuring that only authorized users have access to sensitive data and systems. As more and more organizations move their operations to the cloud, IAM will become increasingly important in ensuring the security of cloud-based data and systems.

Let’s start the conversation today! Click here to discuss how Wowrack can enhance your organizations security.

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Transparency and Accountability

One of the main benefits of open data is transparency and accountability. By making data available to the public, cities can increase transparency in their operations and decision-making processes. This can help build trust between the government and its citizens and can also lead to more effective and efficient governance. Having public information like this can also be used to hold governments accountable for their actions, as citizens can use that information to track the performance of government programs and services.

Open Data Helps with Informed Decision-Making

Open data can also help businesses and individuals make more informed decisions. By providing access to data on various aspects of city life, such as crime rates, housing prices, and transportation options, individuals can make more informed decisions about where to live, work, and play. Businesses can use the data to identify new market opportunities and to make more informed investment decisions. This can lead to more efficient and effective use of resources and can ultimately improve the economic well-being of cities.

Open Data Promotes Innovation

Open data can also promote innovation. By making data available to the public, cities can encourage entrepreneurs and innovators to develop new products and services that address city problems. For example, public knowledge on traffic patterns and congestion can be used to develop new transportation services that are more efficient and cost-effective. Similarly, open data on energy consumption can be used to develop new energy management systems that reduce energy consumption and costs.

Challenges

While the benefits of open data are clear, there are also challenges to implementing initiatives. Such as ensuring data quality and reliability. Open facts and statistics can only be useful if the information is accurate and up to date. Another challenge is protecting individual privacy. Initiatives must balance the need for transparency with the need to protect the privacy of individuals. Finally, there is also the challenge of ensuring that this kind of information is accessible to all members of society, including those who may not have access to the internet or technology.

In conclusion, open data is a trending topic in data cities, and it has the potential to revolutionize the way cities are managed. By providing transparency and accountability, promoting informed decision-making, and encouraging innovation, having publicly made stats and facts can help cities become more efficient and effective. However, there are also challenges to implementing initiatives, and cities must be aware of these challenges and work to address them in order to fully realize the benefits.

You can learn more about the latest news by exploring our blog! Follow our link to learn about How Smart City Technologies are Transforming Urban Living!

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City Optimization

One of the key aspects of smart cities is the use of IoT devices and sensors to collect and analyze data from various sources. These devices are embedded in city infrastructure, such as streetlights and public transportation, to gather real-time data on different aspects of city operations. This data is then analyzed using advanced analytics to gain insights and inform decision-making.

Optimizing city operations is a primary goal of smart city technologies. By analyzing data from IoT devices and sensors, city administrators can make data-driven decisions to improve the efficiency of city services. For instance, using real-time data on traffic patterns, city planners can optimize traffic flow and reduce congestion, leading to smoother transportation and improved mobility for citizens.

Similarly, monitoring waste levels in trash bins using sensors can enable efficient waste collection, reducing costs and minimizing environmental impact. Smart city technologies can also help manage energy consumption by analyzing data on energy usage in buildings and public spaces, leading to more effective energy management and conservation measures.

Smart Cities and Data Analytics

Improving the quality of life for citizens is another significant impact of smart city technologies. By leveraging data analytics, cities can enhance public services and better understand the needs of their citizens. Smart city technologies can enable smart grids that improve energy reliability, reducing power outages and ensuring a stable energy supply. Smart lighting systems can enhance safety in public spaces by automatically adjusting lighting levels based on real-time data to improve visibility and reduce crime rates.

Enhancing sustainability is a crucial aspect of smart city technologies. By optimizing resource management and reducing environmental impact, smart cities can contribute to a more sustainable future. Additionally, smart agriculture systems can optimize irrigation based on weather data and soil conditions, leading to more efficient water usage and improved crop yields. Furthermore, smart city technologies can support renewable energy generation by analyzing data on solar radiation and wind patterns to optimize the placement and efficiency of solar panels and wind turbines.

Smart Cities Provide Opportunities

In addition to the immediate benefits, smart cities also have the potential to promote innovation and social equity. The deployment of smart city technologies can attract foster entrepreneurship and create new job opportunities in technology and related fields. Initiatives can also address social equity by ensuring that the benefits of these technologies are accessible to all citizens, regardless of their socio-economic background. For instance, providing access to digital services and technologies in underserved communities can help bridge the digital divide and promote inclusivity.

However, it’s important to note that the adoption of smart city technologies also raises concerns about data privacy, security, and ethical implications. As cities collect and analyze vast amounts of data, ensuring the privacy and security of citizen data becomes critical. Cities must establish robust data governance frameworks and adhere to ethical data use practices to protect citizens’ privacy and maintain trust.

In conclusion, smart city technologies are transforming urban living by leveraging IoT devices, sensors, and data analytics to optimize city operations, improve the quality of life for citizens. Wowrack is always innovating and looking to discuss opportunities on cutting edge technology. Click here to contact one of our reps and get the conversation started.

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Afterall, 80% of enterprises follow a hybrid cloud strategy according to a 2022 survey. In this blog post, we will explore how a hybrid cloud works and why it is becoming increasingly popular.

What is a Hybrid Cloud?

A hybrid cloud is a computing environment that combines public and private cloud resources, allowing businesses to take advantage of the benefits of both. Private cloud resources are dedicated to a single organization, while public cloud resources are shared among multiple organizations. By combining these resources, businesses can enjoy greater flexibility, scalability, and cost savings while maintaining the security and control offered by private cloud resources.

How does a Hybrid Cloud Work?

A hybrid cloud works by integrating public and private cloud environments to create a single, cohesive infrastructure. This is achieved through the use of cloud orchestration tools that enable the management and automation of workloads across both environments.

These tools can be used to manage resources such as storage, networking, and computing power, ensuring that workloads are allocated to the most appropriate environment based on their specific requirements.

For example, a business may choose to use a private cloud environment to store sensitive data and run critical applications, while using a public cloud environment to host less critical applications or to handle peak demand periods. This allows the business to take advantage of the scalability and cost-effectiveness of the public cloud while maintaining the security and control of their private cloud environment.

Benefits

The benefits of a hybrid cloud are many, including:

• Greater flexibility: A hybrid cloud environment allows businesses to choose the most appropriate environment for each workload, providing greater flexibility and agility.
• Improved scalability: With a hybrid cloud, businesses can take advantage of the scalability of the public cloud while still maintaining control over their private cloud resources.
• Cost savings: By using a combination of public and private cloud resources, businesses can optimize their IT spending and reduce costs.
• Enhanced security: Private cloud resources offer greater security and control, while public cloud resources provide additional redundancy and disaster recovery capabilities.
• Increased innovation: A hybrid cloud environment allows businesses to experiment with new technologies and services without committing to full-scale implementation.

Challenges

While a hybrid cloud offers many benefits, there are also challenges to consider. These include:

• Complexity: Managing a hybrid cloud environment can be complex, requiring specialized skills and expertise.
• Integration: Integrating public and private cloud environments requires careful planning and coordination to ensure compatibility and interoperability.
• Security: Ensuring the security of data and applications across a hybrid cloud environment requires a comprehensive security strategy that addresses both public and private cloud resources.

Conclusion

Hybrid cloud computing has emerged as the preferred model for many businesses, offering a flexible, scalable, and cost-effective solution to their IT needs. By combining public and private cloud resources, businesses can take advantage of the benefits of both while maintaining control over their most sensitive data and applications.

While there are challenges to implementing a hybrid cloud, the benefits are many, and businesses that take the time to plan and execute a hybrid cloud strategy can enjoy significant advantages over their competitors.

Contact us today if you would like to learn more about hybrid cloud computing and how it can help you business scale.

The post Hybrid Cloud Computing Combining the Best of Both Worlds appeared first on Wowrack Blog.

However, as a business grows and becomes more complex, it may need to add additional servers to handle the increased workload.

How Many Network Servers for Small Business Should You Have?

There are a few different reasons why a small business might need multiple servers:

1. Increase the capacity and performance of the server environment
   If a business is experiencing a lot of traffic on its website or is running a lot of resource-intensive applications, it may need additional servers to handle the increased demand.
   
2. Improve reliability and availability
   Having multiple servers, a business can ensure that its systems remain up and running even if one of the servers experiences a problem.
   
3. Enhanced security
   Separating different applications and data onto different servers, a business can reduce the risk of a security breach.

It’s generally a good idea for small businesses to have at least one server, as it can provide a range of benefits, such as improved collaboration, enhanced record-keeping, and easier communication. The number of servers a small business needs will depend on the size of the business, the complexity of its operations, and the amount of data and applications it needs to store and manage.

A small business may be able to get by with a single server if it has a small number of employees and a limited number of applications and data to manage. However, as the business grows and becomes more complex, it may need to add additional servers to handle the increased workload. It’s a good idea to consult with experts when setting up a small office server to ensure that it is functional and meets the needs of the business.

What Is the Best Server for Large Businesses?

Rack servers are a type of server that are designed to be mounted in a rack, which is a standard-sized frame that can hold multiple servers and other networking equipment. Rack servers are typically more powerful and feature-rich than other types of servers, such as tower servers, and are often used by businesses that need a high level of performance and capacity. They are also more space-efficient than tower servers, as they can be stacked vertically in a rack, which can be helpful for businesses that have limited space available.

If your business is outgrowing its current server setup and you are considering moving to rack servers, you may have the option to lease rack space in a colocation facility. After all, 2019 global IT survey, 33% of respondents said that their company operates between three and five owned or collocated data centers and 7% of surveyed organizations operate more than 50 data centers.

Colocation centers are specialized data center facilities that provide space, power, and connectivity for businesses to locate their servers and other IT equipment. Colocating can be a good option for businesses that want to outsource the management and maintenance of their IT infrastructure and take advantage of the scalability and cost benefits of a shared environment. If you are considering leasing rack space in a colocation facility, it’s a good idea to carefully evaluate your options and choose a provider that meets the specific needs of your business.

Ultimately, it depends on your business and what it needs to operate. If you are interested in getting a colocation, or if you would like to learn more about our data center and services, please fill out our contact form and one of our staff will reach out to you ASAP!

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Private Cloud

To see the difference between cloud solutions, we must have a basis at first. So, let’s take a look at the private cloud.

Private cloud only allows one user or tenant to use the cloud environment. A special connection is often necessary in accessing the private cloud. This allows the “private” element of the setup by not sharing anything with other customers or users of the vendor.

This setup allows the user of the private cloud to easily customize and scale the setup according to the user’s need.

While the idea of “private” might highly interest you, not all kinds of businesses need to use this setup. The following are the kind of workloads that are ideal in using a private cloud:

• Sensitive data
• A business that requires strong security for its IT workload and infrastructure
• Enterprise that demand high performance and customizable IT infrastructures
• Company that requires a complex and customizable data center
• Highly regulated industries and government agencies

Before using this solution, it is better to know the pros and cons of using the private cloud.

Pros:

• Flexibility: As the space of the cloud is only meant for one tenant or user, it is easy to transform the cloud based on the ever-changing need of your business.
• Higher Security: Users who require strict regulation regarding the safety and security of their data can easily apply protocols, measures, or configurations within the cloud as necessitated.
• Scalability Without Tradeoff: Users can easily scale the private cloud without sacrificing the security of the system and reduction in performance.
• Efficient in Performance: Private cloud is always known for high reliability and performance.

Cons:

• Higher Price: The privilege of being “private” does not always come cheap, as private clouds always tend to cost more than public clouds.
• Difficulty for Mobile User: Private cloud sometimes require special arrangement such as VPN to be able to connect into the cloud. Thus, mobile devices may have none to limited access within the cloud.
• Planned Scalability: While the private cloud can be scaled like any other cloud solution, the private cloud cannot be scaled at the spur of the moment and require planning.

Public Cloud

A public cloud is a cloud computing model in which the space within the cloud is shared between the customers.

This form of cloud computing is the most popular one out of the three that we will be discussing today. The public cloud could offer a wide arrange of choices for the growing need for IT solutions and computing resources.

The use of the public cloud could range from a small service such as email, apps, or storage. An enterprise-grade infrastructure environment can also be supported by public cloud..

You can look at the pros and cons that need to be considered before using this cloud service.

Pros:

• Affordability: Flexible pricing options are available based on the specification that you use makes it easily affordable to use.
• Business Focus: As the third-party vendor taking care of the necessary infrastructure and maintenance, user can put their focus straight into their business.
• Easy to Scale: Public cloud is very easy to scale and can be done at a moment’s notice, allowing it to be adaptable against a spike in the network.

Cons:

• Lack of Security: Unlike the private cloud, the public cloud is used by multiple tenants within the same cloud. This reduces the amount of security and protocol that can be used in the environment.
• Lack of Cost Control: Generally, the TCO or total cost ownership can skyrocket when using the public cloud for large-scale usage.
• Low Technical Control: The public cloud is a poor choice if certain compliances are required to be met. This is due to little to no control and visibility of the infrastructure.

Hybrid Cloud

Lastly, we have hybrid cloud as the last form of cloud computing model. This form of cloud computing is a unique one. In a sense that it combines elements of the private and public cloud into one.

You can find some of the common set up used by hybrid cloud:

• Businesses use private cloud environments for their day-to-day operation and IT needs while employing public cloud in case of a spike in network traffic, or
• Enterprise use public cloud as the common workspace and private cloud as a place to store sensitive data or information.

Other than combining two cloud solutions, the user of hybrid cloud could also choose to be homogeneous or heterogeneous.

Homogeneous refers to the use of cloud solutions from the same cloud provider. Meanwhile, heterogenous refers to the use of cloud solutions from two different cloud providers.

Combining two cloud solutions caused a whole new pros and cons that you need to consider. Thus, you might find the difference between cloud solutions in the hybrid cloud as a mix of private and public cloud.

Pros:

• Scale with Security: Hybrid cloud combination between two clouds allows this system to be able to scale without sacrificing security as the private cloud could.
• Cost Control: With the division of tasks that is possible with a hybrid cloud, businesses can choose which cloud to be scaled based on the workload.
• Reliability: The distribution of workload across two different cloud – or even services – allow businesses to have maximum reliability and data retention.

Cons:

• Complexity: Combining both public and private cloud adds another layer of complexity. This is true both in the operation and management of the cloud environment.
• Higher Price: Using both public and private clouds can be overwhelming and hard to track. Thus without proper management, the cost of the service could balloon.

Wowrack Cloud Infrastructure

Understanding the difference between cloud solutions is the first step in using a cloud environment. Wowrack offers all forms of cloud solutions from public, private, to a hybrid cloud. All of which, you can choose depending on your workload needs.

With data centers located all around the world and reliably certified by such as ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Type II/SSAE 18, Wowrack to assure your data availability and security to the highest standard.

So, are you ready to drive your workload to the cloud? Let’s start with us today!

The post The Difference Between Cloud Solutions appeared first on Wowrack Blog.

Back in 2001, when Wowrack began its journey for the first time in global hosting markets, we put in mind that we were doing more than delivering a service. We were also delivering a quality, a need that our customers require.

Almost two decades after, precisely in 2020, Wowrack ranked 7th and 8th as the best private and hybrid cloud providers respectively according to HostReview. The 15th Annual Web Hosting Awards put Wowrack as one of world’s top ten cloud providers alongside big players in the market.

The assessment, accordingly, covers the overall quality of services a hosting company delivers to the clients. In other words, this includes technology, security, support teams, and so forth. Also, the reviewer evaluates how a company perceives emerging trends and solves complex challenges businesses face worldwide.

But what does this have to do with Wowrack—and, especially, with you?

Wowrack Delivers a Service Quality to Global Customers

Upon delivering services, our team follows strict protocols and such standards as SOC2 Type II/SSAE 18. This is to ensure that everything will go according to plan and nothing goes wrong in the process. Long story short, it is part of our commitment to always deliver the best quality our customers can get.

We completely understand that our customers’ businesses are critical. They, indifferent from us, have customers that they have to accommodate 24/7. There are needs that they have to cater and that is why failure is not an option.

That being said, how can they smoothly facilitate their customers without having a reliable infrastructure that runs without a problem?

This becomes a critical mission that Wowrack has: to provide the best IT infrastructure solutions for our customers. The infrastructure that we provide varies. Depending of what customers need, Wowrack has private, public, and hybrid cloud, as well as colocation.

However, to know what you actually need better, we suggest you to consult to the expert. After all, we can agree that self-diagnosis can oftentimes lead to a more problematic outcome.

However, after getting into one of the prestigious awards in the world, here comes the following question. What’s next?

Wowrack will always commit to deliver the best services that our customers actually need. In so doing, we will continuously improve our services better, whether in terms of technology or support.

The post Wowrack Belongs to Top 10 Global Private and Hybrid Cloud Providers 2020 appeared first on Wowrack Blog.