Choosing between cloud solutions can be challenging. Should you opt for the flexibility and scalability of public cloud or the control and security of private cloud? That choice becomes easier when you consider a third option – one that bridges the gap between the two: the virtual private cloud (VPC).
In this blog, we’ll give you the round up on VPCs and help you figure out whether a virtual private cloud infrastructure could be right for you.
What is a VPC?
A virtual private cloud (VPC) is a private cloud that can be set up and hosted within a public cloud. Setting up a VPC offers the best of both worlds by combining public cloud flexibility with the added network controls that come with private cloud infrastructure.
Adopting a VPC infrastructure can be extremely beneficial, especially for growing enterprises in need of both scalability and robust security. Virtual private cloud providers are typically quick to provision and offer short-term contracts ideally suited to organizations with fluctuating workloads.
Virtual private cloud explained
A VPC works by using targeted technologies such as subnets, virtual private networks (VPNs), and virtual local area networks (VLANs), which can’t be accessed by unauthorized public cloud tenants, to isolate your computing resources.
- Subnet: A logical partition of an IP network that can be used to subdivide larger networks into smaller, private networks.
- VPN: Establishes an encrypted connection between devices and the internet to provide a secure channel for your data on public networks.
- VLAN: A ‘Virtual’ LAN groups devices so that they appear to be on the same LAN and can be used to logically partition networks.
Is a virtual private cloud right for you?
Given all the benefits, VPCs are an attractive solution. Nevertheless, it’s important to consider whether the virtual private cloud is right for your unique business and network needs. Here’s a quick-fire VPC suitability checklist to get you started.
- Your requirements are unpredictable
If your business needs tend to change rapidly then a VPC could be right for you. VPCs deploy resources on a need-by-need basis and adapt to shifting demand with the full flexibility of a public cloud environment. For tenants, that means better resource utilization, availability, and the ability to respond to demand fluctuation swiftly.
- You’re security conscious
Even though the physical infrastructure of a VPC is shared with other tenants, VPCs keep your data and applications safe and secure in a logically isolated network. That means even devices that share a physical network cannot communicate so you’ll never have to share space or compute resources with other tenants.
- You want to reduce costs
VPCs typically require less physical hardware and keep costs down by splitting the cost of the physical infrastructure between all tenants. Plus, you’ll only pay for what you need. Unlike traditional hosting environments, multi-tenanted VPCs work within a virtual environment allowing for shorter-term contracts and faster provisioning that allows businesses to scale usage up and down as needed.
Are you VPC ready?
VPCs are a great option for growing businesses looking for a flexible, scalable, and affordable hosting solution. Opting for VPCs promises the agility of the public cloud plus that all-important private cloud security.
