The hybrid cloud is all about blending your on-premises equipment, data, and applications with equipment, data, and applications in the cloud. Optimizing the functioning of this hybrid cloud requires multiple levels of integration to allow your applications to run smoothly whichever environment they’re running in.
Hybrid Cloud Impacts Applications in Multiple Ways
Achieving that level of optimization and integration is complicated by the fact that different applications will be impacted by the hybrid cloud differently. Some applications will reside entirely off premises, while others are entirely on premises, meaning they need distinct approaches to security. Other applications may take advantage of cloud bursting, so they need to be able to work in both environments. Some of the applications that run in the cloud may work just fine the way they are, while others may need to be rewritten to take advantage of the cloud’s flexibility.
Making all these different ways of using hybrid cloud work requires a plan that addresses the network, security, applications, data, and operations, and integrates all the elements to create a unified system.
Data Integration
Hybrid cloud computing requires data that lives both in the cloud and in the data center, with well-defined procedures to access it and to migrate it across platforms when necessary. Storage technologies such as NetApp provide tools that make it easy to connect data across platforms.
Application Integration
The goal of hybrid cloud is to let applications work together, wherever they are deployed. You may need to build tools, like APIs, that enable your cloud-based applications to work with your existing enterprise applications.
Network Integration
Network boundaries become unclear in any cloud configuration. Virtual private networks and direct connections between the cloud and your premises help make your cloud resources as easy to reach as your local servers. Make sure you have adequate network capacity to handle any bulk data migrations.
User Integration
The truest measure of an IT architecture’s success is how easy it is to use. Avoid confusing users with multiple login credentials and roles by integrating your identity and access management service across your public and private clouds.
Operations Integration
Hybrid cloud can be challenging for operations departments to manage, with services deployed in multiple locations. Make it easier on your operations team by building a single pane of glass view into system status and by automating workload deployment and management procedures as much as possible.
Security Integration
Data needs to be protected wherever it resides, and security measures need to apply across the entire system. You may need different tools on different platforms, but the policies applied should be consistent in all environments.
dcVAST works with a range of technologies to help companies build an integrated hybrid cloud, including Nutanix and NetApp. Our experienced team will help you design and implement a hybrid cloud solution that functions as an integrated platform to support your business. Contact us to learn how our services can help you leverage the benefits of a hybrid cloud architecture.
