On-Premise Cloud

What is an On-Premise Cloud?

On-premise cloud computing term is used for the cloud infrastructure which is running inside the company and is managed by a system such as OpenStack.

On-Premise Cloud

An on-premise cloud might seem to be a contradiction in terms, but it can be a reality. Really, this is nothing more than a private cloud that uses some on-premise equipment or devices. This contrasts directly with the public cloud, which uses only devices and systems located at the data center.

Why Does an On-Premise Cloud Matter?

So, why might a business choose an on-premise cloud over the public cloud? Really, it comes down to security, control and compliance with legal or industry regulations. With an on-premise cloud, you are in complete control of the security, ensuring that no one without authorization can access the information. There is also the fact that this level of control over hardware, software and data storage is often necessary for compliance with HIPAA and PCI regulations.

A business or organization could choose this sort of setup for a number of different reasons. One of those is to provide network connectivity for protected locations of the company’s intranet. Another could be to reduce the consumption of bandwidth by resource-intensive elements within the company’s structure. Keeping sensitive data local is also important, as is keeping regulated data in house.

What’s the Difference between Private Cloud and On-Premise Cloud?

Is there a difference between private cloud systems and on-premise cloud systems? Yes and no. While all on-premise cloud systems are by default private cloud systems, not all private cloud systems are on-premise systems. “On-premise” or more correctly, on-premises, systems indicate that there is at least one component of the system located on the business grounds. In some cases, this is the entire cloud. In others, it’s a single device that ties in with devices and systems located at an offsite data center. There is also the fact that some on-premises systems don’t actually count as part of the cloud.

How Can On-Premise Systems Be “Cloud”?

There’s some confusion about how a system that has on-premises components can qualify as a cloud system. The problem here is that cloud is a computing style, and it does not necessarily have anything to do with the location of the hardware, software or data storage for the system. Your organization could have all of the elements of your cloud system located within your own data center on your business’ property, and with the right access method, you could still benefit from cloud technology.

Connecting an On-Premise Cloud to the World

While an on-premise cloud does imply that at least some of the system is located within the business itself, that does not mean that it cannot connect to the wider world through the public cloud. This sort of setup is called a hybrid cloud, and it uses both private and public clouds to deliver a mix of better security, better affordability and better scalability than either public or private clouds are able to achieve on their own.

On-premise cloud can be an important tool for businesses, but a hybrid cloud may also be a viable answer depending on your needs.