The concept of cloud computing became a market sensation earlier in the 21st century. Multinational tech giants like Amazon and Google started rolling out cloud-based solutions to help big companies share data and applications.
There are various types of clouds, like private and public cloud models. Distributed cloud is a new models yet to reach its potential.
Key Takeaways
- Distributed Cloud spreads computing resources across various geographical locations, while Hybrid Cloud combines private and public cloud resources.
- Distributed Cloud helps reduce latency and improve data sovereignty, whereas Hybrid Cloud offers flexibility and scalability.
- Both cloud models provide cost savings and increased efficiency, but Hybrid Cloud is more suitable for organizations with varying workloads and requirements.
Distributed Cloud vs Hybrid Cloud
Distributed cloud is a cloud computing model in which cloud services are distributed to different physical locations rather than being centralized. A Hybrid cloud model can provide greater flexibility and control over data and applications by combining public and private cloud services.
Distributed cloud model runs a public cloud infrastructure which means applications and data can be accessed from third-party data centres and not only the cloud providers’ servers.
There are various types of other clouds,, but distributed cloud is better than most because it performs better by reducing latency and inconsistency.
Hybrid cloud computing, as can be understood by the name itself, defines a combination of more than one cloud computing model. It is a mixed computing infrastructure combining private and public cloud services.
The best examples of hybrid clouds are Microsoft Azure and AWS.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Distributed Cloud | Hybrid Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A hybrid cloud is a type of data infrastructure that can combine a private and a public cloud and allows data sharing between them. | Distributed cloud is comparatively new in the market, and Google has launched it recently. |
| Launch | A hybrid cloud was introduced in the market in 2011. | The distributed cloud operates in a network of decentralized servers which means that failure in one server doesn’t affect the other servers. |
| Resilience | Due to a lack of visibility, the hybrid cloud finds it challenging to meet regulatory compliances. | A hybrid cloud is less resilient than distributed cloud. |
| Compliance | Distributed cloud has better regulatory compliance as data stays in the originating location. | It is one of the best advantages of distributed cloud system as it can add more servers to the existing resources and more power to the existing servers. |
| Scalability | Distributed cloud is public, and thus they are more prone to cyber-attacks. | Hybrid clouds are not as scalable as distributed clouds. |
| Security | The distributed cloud model is used by cloud providers to reduce the latency of delivery. Example: a content delivery network (CDN) | The hybrid cloud model ensures better safety by storing sensitive data in the private cloud environment. |
| Implementation | Hybrid clouds are used such that sensitive information is stored in a private environment and share less sensitive information in the public environment when workload increases. | Hybrid clouds are used such that sensitive information is stored in a private environment, and when workload increases, less sensitive information is shared through the public domain. |
What is Distributed Cloud?
Distributed cloud is going to be the next-gen ultimate cloud infrastructure due to its unlimited storage capabilities and accessing data from several geographic locations.
This cloud model provides on-demand computing resources from storage to various applications. Google has recently launched its Distributed Cloud Edge and eventually made other tech giants will adapt to this cloud environment.
Distributed cloud is known for reducing latency, better scalability compliance, and cost-saving. Although the distributed cloud is a public cloud, the individual data protection is possible through various virtualization techniques.
In a distributed cloud model, the computation workload is deployed at various server points known as points of presence (POPs).
This makes distributed cloud model very flexible . If one of the servers is compromised, it doesn’t affect other servers.
In this infrastructure, the cloud provider mainly expands the centralized cloud by deploying several micro-cloud satellites in various parts of the world. So, the user sees everything as a part of a single cloud.
Distributed cloud has improved transparency over hybrid cloud models.
One of the best examples to explain distributed cloud protocol is the content delivery network (CDN) that improves both the delivery speed and streaming performance of video content.
Distributed cloud is of enormous advantage in the healthcare sector since it minimizes latency.
What is Hybrid Cloud?
Hybrid cloud infrastructure is ubiquitous when running a big enterprise.
The workload of a big company (data, applications, etc.) are better accessed, managed, and performed in an optimized environment for increasing effectiveness.
A hybrid cloud combines one private and one public cloud to create a single and flexible cloud environment.
But there can also be more than one public cloud involved from a different cloud provider, known as hybrid multi-cloud.
A hybrid cloud system helps a company distribute its workload in several ways. The sensitive data goes into the safe, private cloud environment, whereas the rest is made public for all users for various purposes.
Hybrid cloud offers multiple functionalities from multiple cloud computing vendors.
For each workload, an optimal cloud environment can be chosen, and the movement of information from private to public cloud and vice-versa can also be done freely.
A hybrid cloud is better for businesses than a private or public cloud installation.
Though the capital cost for deployment can go a little high (because it involves both types of cloud), in the long run, it is more effective. IBM is one of the leading tech companies to offer hybrid cloud solutions.
Main Differences Between Distributed Cloud and Hybrid Cloud
- Distributed cloud is a public cloud model that enables the geographical distribution of centrally managed data. On the other hand, a hybrid cloud is a type of data infrastructure that can combine a private and a public cloud.
- Distributed cloud was launched much later in the market than a hybrid cloud model.
- Distributed cloud models are more resilient than hybrid cloud models.
- Distributed cloud has better regulatory compliance than the hybrid cloud due to the lack of visibility in the latter one.
- Distributed clouds are more scalable as compared to hybrid clouds.
- Distributed clouds reduce latency and improve performance, whereas hybrid clouds are used to compartmentalize sensitive data and then distribute less sensitive data between two environments.
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1084804520302149
- https://arxiv.org/abs/1904.10489
Last Updated : 05 July, 2023
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
The article provides an insightful comparison of distributed cloud and hybrid cloud. As we witness the widespread adoption of cloud computing, understanding the differences between these models becomes increasingly important for organizations looking to optimize their cloud infrastructure.
Definitely, Moore. Organizations must consider factors such as resilience, scalability, and regulatory compliance when evaluating cloud models. The discussion of these aspects in the article is beneficial for decision-making.
This article provides a clear and informative comparison of distributed cloud and hybrid cloud models. It is evident that both have their strengths, and organizations should assess their specific needs to determine the optimal model for them.
I agree, the piece presents a comprehensive analysis. The distributed cloud seems like a promising direction for the future of cloud computing. It’s interesting to see the implications for data security and compliance.
The technological landscape is continually evolving, and cloud computing models are no exception. It’s valuable to stay informed about the latest advancements such as distributed cloud, as they have significant implications for the performance and security of cloud services.
While distributed cloud offers advantages such as reduced latency and improved performance, it’s critical to consider the security implications and potential vulnerabilities. Cyber security is a key concern in the era of cloud computing.
Absolutely, Scott. The security considerations should be carefully evaluated when choosing between distributed cloud and hybrid cloud. Both models have unique security challenges.
Distributed cloud and Hybrid cloud both have their advantages, but as the technology is developing, we are likely to see distributed cloud becoming more relevant over the coming years. It addresses the issues of latency and scalability.
The explanation of distributed cloud and hybrid cloud models is quite detailed and provides valuable insights into the differences between the two. It helps readers understand the implications for latency, compliance, and resilience.