Cloud Computing mainly has three deployment models namely Private, Public, and Hybrid cloud. A public cloud is a cloud deployment model in which cloud resources are offered over the internet and open to all users and organizations. The public cloud is a major deployment model used today. Adopting the public cloud is more cost-effective as third-party providers manage the resources. Let us understand the public cloud in detail in this article.
Working Of Public Cloud
A public cloud is a widely used cloud computing model where companies and individuals can access services like storage, applications, and virtual machines over the internet. These services are provided by third-party companies and are available to anyone who subscribes or pays for them. Here's an easy breakdown of how it works:
1. Infrastructure and Ownership
- Provider-Owned Systems: Companies like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud own and manage the entire setup, which includes data centers, servers, networking equipment, and software.
- Shared Resources: Users share the infrastructure (like servers and storage) with others, but their data and activities are securely separated. This shared setup, called multi-tenancy, ensures cost efficiency while maintaining privacy.
2. Service Delivery
Public cloud services are delivered via the Internet and fall into three main categories:
- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): Offers basic computing resources like virtual machines, storage, and networks. Users control the software they install on these virtual systems (e.g., AWS EC2, Google Compute Engine).
- Platform as a Service (PaaS): Provides tools for developers to build and deploy apps without worrying about managing the underlying hardware or operating systems (e.g., Google App Engine, Azure App Service).
- Software as a Service (SaaS): Ready-to-use software applications that are accessible online, like Google Workspace, Microsoft 365 or Salesforce.
Public Cloud Architecture
- Cloud Data Center: It consists of cloud infrastructure which may be located at multiple locations.
- Organizations: Organizations are users of the public cloud who share the cloud infrastructure.
- Users: Users are standalone users of the public cloud who also share the cloud infrastructure resources
Difference between Private, Public and Hybrid cloud
Private Cloud | Public Cloud | Hybrid Cloud |
|---|
Private cloud infrastructure is hosted by organization and it is isolated for outside access. | Public cloud infrastructure is hosted by third party service provider which can be access by any public user. | Hybrid cloud consists of infrastructure which is hosted in public and private cloud model. |
Infrastructure is completely managed by organization recurring cost. | Infrastructure is managed by third party provider making users only pay for the resource usage. | Infrastructure is maintained by both organization and provider making flexible cost. |
More security and control over data as infrastructure is isolated to organization. | Security is managed by third party provider and less control over data as data is stored as providers infrastructure. | Flexible for storing data and managing security. |
More usage cost as resources has to be managed on own. | Less usage cost as users have to only pay for what they use. | Cost occurs for private infrastructure while public infrastructure is less costly. |
Limited in terms of scalability as limited infrastructure. | Highly scalable as more resources are available. | Scalable due to implementation of both models. |
Availability depends on infrastructure locality | More availability as infrastructure is mostly spread across various regions. | Allows high availability because of private and public infrastructure. |
Security Considerations in Public Cloud
Security in public cloud is shared responsibility for user and provider. To maintain the best security of data and infrastructure following methods can be used :
- Data can be segregated and isolated with the help of security policies to avoid unauthorized access.
- IAM can be implemented for roles, permissions and authorization is public cloud which provides granular security over infrastructure.
- Ensure Cloud service provider has good patch management and updating of cloud infrastructure allowing security from latest malware and viruses.
- Network security can be maintained by both CSP and User with the help of Security Groups, Firewalls and NACLs.
How can AWS supports public cloud requirements ?
AWS is one of the major cloud service provider which offers public cloud environments with high availability and scalability.
- Aws offers global infrastructure which is spread across globe. It is divided by regions which have multiple datacenters.
- AWS offers cost effective pricing for usage and allows nearly zero downtime infrastructure.
- It offers various Infrastructure services like Compute, Storage , Database , Networking and Other Services which can be used by user.
- It offers best security and fault tolerance by implementation of latest security standards and protocols within infrastructure.
Advantages of Public Cloud
- Public cloud allows high scalability as the computing resources are available virtually unlimited.
- As the data centers are located across various regions and geographies public cloud provides high availability and fault tolerance to users.
- Public cloud allows use of resources on pay as you go model which provides cost efficiency.
- It also reduces upfront cost of cloud infrastructure as it is maintained by third party cloud provider.
Disadvantages of Public Cloud
- Public cloud is less secure and private as compared to other deployment models as the infrastructure is managed and owned by third party.
- It provides limited control over infrastructure as compared to private cloud deployments.
- Vendor lock in can happen because of using services from single cloud service provider.
- To use public cloud internet connection is required otherwise private connection to infrastructure is required which creates dependency.
What are some common use cases for public cloud?
Public cloud services are used for a wide range of use cases, including web hosting, application development and testing, data storage and backup, disaster recovery, big data analytics, machine learning, Internet of Things (IoT) applications, and more.
What are the potential challenges or drawbacks of using public cloud?
While public cloud offers many benefits, including scalability and cost-effectiveness, it also presents some challenges. These may include concerns about data security and privacy, potential downtime or service disruptions, dependency on the internet connection, and the risk of vendor lock-in.
Can I migrate existing applications and data to the public cloud?
Yes, many organizations migrate their existing applications and data to the public cloud to take advantage of its benefits. However, the process of migration requires careful planning and consideration of factors such as compatibility, security, performance, and cost.
How does public cloud support disaster recovery and business continuity?
Public cloud services provide built-in redundancy and failover capabilities, allowing organizations to replicate their data and applications across multiple geographic regions. This helps ensure high availability and enables rapid recovery in the event of a disaster or outage.
What are some popular public cloud providers?
Some of the leading public cloud providers include Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), IBM Cloud, and Oracle Cloud. Each provider offers a unique set of services and features, so it's essential to evaluate your specific requirements before choosing a provider.
Similar Reads
What is Private Cloud ? A Private Cloud is a dedicated cloud computing environment exclusively for a single organization. Unlike public clouds where resources are shared among multiple users a private cloud provides a more secure and controlled environment typically hosted on-premises or in a third-party data center. This
8 min read
What Is AWS Cloud9 ? AWS cloud9 is a cloud-based integrated development environment (IDE) that helps us to write, run, and debug our code from a web browser. It supports various programming languages and can integrate with other AWS services easily. With cloud9 we can easily able to share the development environment wit
6 min read
What is a Hybrid Cloud? A hybrid cloud combines public and private cloud services, giving businesses the best of both worlds—scalability from public clouds and security from private clouds. This setup allows companies to store sensitive data privately while using cost-effective public cloud resources for non-sensitive work
8 min read
What is Cloud Computing Replacing? Cloud computing is an internet-based paradigm for providing computer services. These services cover a broad range, from software applications to processing power and storage. Without the need for substantial on-premise gear, the cloud functions as a virtual location where users can access resources
8 min read
What is Cloud Federation? Cloud Federation, also known as Federated Cloud is the deployment and management of several external and internal cloud computing services to match business needs. It is a multi-national cloud system that integrates private, community, and public clouds into scalable computing platforms. Federated c
4 min read
What is Mobile Cloud Computing? MCC stands for Mobile Cloud Computing which is defined as a combination of mobile computing, cloud computing, and wireless network that come up together purpose such as rich computational resources to mobile users, network operators, as well as to cloud computing providers. Mobile Cloud Computing is
5 min read