Building a Private Cloud for Backup Storage

Companies that are grappling with huge amounts of data, and are looking to secure them efficiently need to look at private cloud data storage as a great option. So, what exactly is a private cloud, you may ask. Private cloud is a cloud computing model wherein a secure cloud environment is created for specified clients.

Private cloud has many benefits

Private cloud has many benefits including scalability and automated resources management. In the a scenario where businesses are uncomfortable about handing their data over to third-party vendors, private cloud becomes a great option. Many vendors have started creating private cloud for data storage, and the benefits are many. When you choose a service provider of cloud backup and storage, make sure that the data storage solutions are: READ MORE

Key Features the Define an Enterprise-Grade Cloud Service

There has been a tremendous increase in the cloud computing industry in the past decade. With every company either using a private or public cloud, functioning effectively with cloud services is a daunting task. That being said, what is now the most trending question is, ‘Should I use public cloud services or own a private cloud?’

A survey conducted by Right Scale saw 18% of respondents using only public cloud, while a mere 9% relied completely on a private cloud (Right Scale, 2016). The benefits that come with using a public cloud, like high security, cost-effectiveness, etc. definitely increases the chances of businesses using public cloud instead of private. However, to get maximum benefits, the provider you choose matters the most. Most providers today use terms like security, high availability, transparency, etc. however, how many of those providers actually abide to these promises? While there are many features that define a good enterprise cloud hosting provider, here are three that stand out from the lot: 

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Common Myths About Cloud Hosting Busted

The question of ‘if’ a company should move to cloud hosting services has been replaced by ‘when’ they will. Cloud hosting has rapidly gained a lot of popularity over time. The promise of reliability and security, along with low costs has given the cloud industry a major leverage. In fact, a report published by Gartner says that, in 2016 alone, the cloud industry saw an increase of 16.5% in revenue, which totals to nearly $204 billion (Gartner, 2016).

That being said, even though cloud has become very popular, there are still many myths and misconceptions that tend to steer a lot of companies in the wrong direction. When companies consider moving their data to the cloud, the most common question asked is, ‘is the cloud secure?’. While reasonable, as security is always a priority for every company, most of these doubts and concerns stem from unreasonable misconceptions. Hence, to demystify these concerns, here are the most common myths about cloud hosting debunked:

Myth 1: You don't know what it is

‘Don’t know, won’t use’ is probably the motto for most company owners. Especially when they are small-scale as the risks are high. Hence, many companies refrain from using cloud services as they claim to not know what it is. However, this is far from the fact. If you own a business, you are probably already using the cloud! Cloud technology is simple remote access computing, with all the required hardware and software stored in one location. So, if you are using Google or online banking, you are already using the cloud!

Myth 2: Security is compromised

Probably one of the biggest concerns for any company, it is popularly believed that cloud servers are easier to hack. But, what most the owners don't know is that, no matter where the location, two simpler types of servers have the same level of potential vulnerability risk. So, cloud hosting security doesn't depend on the location, but the tools and methods used to protect it. Hence, if you choose to manage and maintain a private cloud, not only will it be more expensive, but you will also require more resources to maintain its security. On the other hand, most external cloud hosting providers have security expertise and are capable of preventing most security breaches.

Myth 3: They contribute to global warming

It is true that high level of assembled datacenters and the widespread of cloud computing has resulted in more power consumption and an increase in carbon dioxide production that causes global warming. However, modern datacenters are far more energy efficient that their predecessors. Not only do they use advanced and natural air cooling systems, but also employ step-down voltage lines closer to the servers. Hence, modern datacenters limit the use of electricity, thus effectively reducing the cause of global warming.

Most cloud computing myths are a result of miscommunication and lack of knowledge. Moreover, many companies believe in the ‘one-size-cloud-fits-all’ norm. However, there are actually many different types of customised packages that cloud datacenters provide, based on your requirement and cloud hosting security needs. So, businesses should gain a clear understanding on the functioning of cloud and choose a service provider that helps give them best results!

Why Businesses Should Consider Colocation Hosting

Colocation hosting has transformed the way businesses handle their in-house IT systems and set-ups. Colocation servers and hosting services are a huge boon for a business that are looking to locate their servers in a third-party space.

Essentially, a colocation service provider offers space in a location also called data centre. Businesses or companies can put up their servers in that space, but are provided bandwidth, power and IP address, apart from high security.

Some of the other benefits of colocation hosting are as follows:

•   Colocation servers are reliable and offer 24x7 support for IT infrastructure.

•   Colocation server hosting means businesses can cut down operating costs and channelise resources from IT systems/server installations to other aspects of the business. Maintenance of servers is expensive and you would actually need to bring in staff and professionals to ensure smooth functioning. On the other hand, when you switch to a provider of colocation servers and services, you cut down costs that come with maintenance and hiring. Also, you can share power costs with others in a colocation data centre. Your budget can come down drastically. One more benefit is that you save costs on bandwidth and gain higher speed.

•   Colocation service providers ensure that efficiency is optimal and data centres have the best experts and professionals to help you. There is round-the-clock monitoring and, therefore, there are no glitches or shut-downs.

•   If you are keen on environmental friendliness, you will be doing the earth a service by opting for data centers the maintain the highest of green standards. Efficient cooling systems and power networks are all in place in line with your eco consciousness.

•   When you host your own servers, it could take a long time to actually get it up and running. However, when you choose a dedicated service provider, your colocation servers will be operational in no time. This can certainly give you that decisive edge over your competitors.

•   Because security is high on the list of priorities for businesses, especially those handling huge volumes of sensitive data, companies prefer to hand over colocation hosting to the experts. This ensures peace of mind, and a company does not have to invest in data protection infrastructure or staff.

•   You have the choice of picking a vendor or hardware that you want and not just what is on offer. The service provider will install the operating system of your choice immediately.

•   Scalability is yet another important aspect when a business considers colocation hosting. What if your business grows and you may need more servers? The demands of a growing business are huge, and you may not have the capacity to scale up servers and space. You would need more space for servers, and also new staff for maintenance of the same. In such a scenario, colocation servers come in handy. All you need to do is sign up for extra space. Sometimes, you may be cutting down operations and may not need too much server space. In that case, you can effortlessly scale down. Colocation services are flexible and can be customised to match the needs of each business. 

How colocation can benefit your organisation

With new advancements in technology, the benefits of opting for colocation data center services is no secret. In fact, according to a survey conducted by the Synergy Research Group, the worldwide cloud computing market grew 21% to $110 billion in 2015. This includes cloud infrastructure services, software services and hardware (Synergy Research Group, 2016).

But, why are colocation data centers gaining leverage over running an in-house data center? The answer is simple. If a company chooses to run their own data center, not only will it be very expensive, but it also doesn't allow the company’s IT team to focus on what is really important. Thus, data colocation services allow businesses to make maximum use of their resources, taking their business on the road to success. Here are a few pointers that state the importance of a colocation data center for your organisation:

Minimize Costs

Setting up an in-house data center can be an extremely daunting task. Moreover, think about the cost required to set up and in-house data center, maintenance, staffing, security, disaster recovery, power backup. And, these just cover the tip of the iceberg. On the other hand, data center services in India give you all the necessary amenities, infrastructure and equipment's needed,  as well as, takes care of power, cooling, connectivity and other factors that are required for the smooth running of a data center.

Security

Information loss for any company can be critical. It can actually be the breaking point for an organisation. In such a situation, power outages, natural disasters, and other factors could prove lethal for your company. Moreover, a cloud intrusion could compromise your business data to external sources. This is a risk, not worth taking. A data center, however, will have power generators, backup batteries, fire alarms, coded access, data backup and many other features to ensure complete safety of your data and information.

Connected, Always

For smooth functioning of any business, you need to have a secure, diverse and reliable network connectivity, which an in-house data center might fail to provide. Data centers are usually connected to multiple network providers, which ensures that you are always connected.

Data center providers in India have the capability to have businesses up and running within a few hours. Moreover, they also provide flexibility, that lets your business grow without any hassles. So, choose the best data center provider today, and focus on being productive instead of busy!