Datacenter vs Cloud: what are the differences?
The difference between a data center and a cloud is not always easy to see. When it comes to IT infrastructure, however, both terms are of great importance. With the accelerated spread of information technologies, companies have to decide between two main solutions for managing their data and IT infrastructures: traditional data centers and the cloud. These two solutions have different approaches, with their own specific advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we will explore the differences between the datacenter and the cloud to help you choose the solution best suited to your needs.
a. Physical center vs. virtual solution
A datacenter is a dedicated physical infrastructure housing servers, storage systems and IT equipment. It can be owned and managed by the company itself (private datacenter) or by third parties specialized in hosting services (shared datacenter like UltraEdge). These data centers ensure the information's availability, performance and security, thanks to advanced cooling systems, backup generators and constant monitoring.
Cloud computing, by contrast, is based on a virtual infrastructure of a network of servers, operating systems and software housed in a datacenter. Rather than hosting physical servers on their own, companies rent computing power, storage space and applications from cloud providers. This solution enables on-demand flexibility, where resources can be scaled in real time, with access to services from any location via the Internet.
The Cloud cannot be described as a physical entity. Yet the entire network of servers of which it is composed is housed in a very specific cloud infrastructure, where many IT systems work together to bring a multitude of services to businesses. There are also datacenters belonging to cloud providers.
In fact, there are both datacenter hosts and cloud providers, most of whom own their own datacenters.
b. For which companies are cloud solutions best suited?
The cloud is designed for all businesses, whatever their activity. With the emergence of IoT and AI solutions, it is becoming urgent to adopt IT solutions that offer businesses greater accessibility, availability and flexibility. The choice between a cloud service and a datacenter will depend on multiple factors, and in most cases, hybrid solutions (datacenter and cloud) are implemented to further guarantee the highest availability of both applications and infrastructures.
1. High demand for agility and flexibility
When agility and flexibility are priorities, the cloud offers immediate scalability. Adopting a “Test and Launch” methodology is facilitated by the cloud's intrinsic agility. This streamlines processes and delivers targeted responses to fast-changing environments and challenges. Scalability enables companies to quickly roll out innovative products and services, as well as to adapt and evolve to meet both operational and market needs. It also allows them to scale up or down their IT resources according to real-time needs. This is particularly profitable for fast-growing companies, or those whose demand for resources is subject to strong fluctuations.
2. Global access made easier
Companies looking to avoid heavy upfront investment costs in physical infrastructure may find the cloud more cost effective, as they don't have to worry about buying and maintaining servers or hosting them. The cloud is also an ideal option for geographically distributed companies or those with remote employees, as it enables access to services and data from any location with an Internet connection. The cloud offers products that are securely accessible from any browser or mobile app, without requiring a VPN. Collaboration goes faster for your global teams!
3. Lower launch costs
And for startups and small businesses, the cloud is often more cost-effective in the short term, as they only pay for the resources they use, without first investing in major infrastructure.
Cloud solutions help accelerate digital transformation and improve business agility.
c. Why opt for datacenter data storage?
1. Sensitive data processing and storage
A company should opt for a datacenter in situations where control, security and, above all, compliance are top priorities. For example, companies handling sensitive data or subject to strict regulations, such as the financial or government sectors, may prefer to have their own infrastructure to better control data management.
2. A more profitable investment in the long run
For large companies with stable storage and computing needs, a datacenter can be more profitable long-term, notably by eliminating the cost of leasing cloud services and enabling infrastructures to be tailored to their specific needs. Yet it is always advisable to carry out a thorough FinOps study to assess and compare costs against the company's business projections.
3. Higher performance capacities
Lastly, companies with special requirements in performance (high bandwidth, low latency) or data localization (compliance with local regulations) may find physical datacenters better suited to their needs, and even better for proximity to certain customers, Edge datacenters are increasingly responding to this demand.
Conclusion
The Cloud, a storage solution provided by datacenters, is managed by a dedicated company and, in terms of cost, is a very attractive solution for many organizations.
In datacenter-terms, it should be noted that the infrastructure is physical and often managed in line with regulatory requirements. Nonetheless, any cloud solution relies on an hosted infrastructure in one or more datacenters, with a network totally transparent to its customers.