In the evolving landscape of cloud computing, businesses face the challenge of finding the right balance between on-premises infrastructure and the scalability of the public cloud. A hybrid cloud strategy, leveraging Azure Local (formerly Azure Stack HCI) and Azure Public Cloud, offers a powerful solution for diverse workloads.
Table Of Contents:
The Case for Hybrid Cloud: Combining Azure Local and Public Azure
Organizations are increasingly adopting hybrid cloud strategies to meet unique workload demands. Azure Local offers on-premises capabilities for workloads requiring low latency, while Azure Public Cloud provides global scalability and advanced services. By combining these environments, businesses can achieve flexibility, control, and operational efficiency.
Azure Local: The On-Premises Edge
Azure Local is a hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) solution that hosts virtualized Windows and Linux workloads in a hybrid on-premises environment. It is ideal for scenarios such as:
- Edge Computing: Ideal for scenarios where data needs to be processed near its source, such as retail outlets or factories. This reduces latency and enhances real-time decision-making.
- Data Sovereignty and Compliance: Supports industries like healthcare and finance, which require strict adherence to regulatory standards and data residency.
- Resilient Connectivity: Ensures reliability for regions or operations with inconsistent internet access, maintaining local functionality while syncing with Azure Public Cloud.
Public Azure: Unlimited Scalability and Global Reach
Azure Public Cloud’s strengths complement Azure Local’s capabilities:
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Elastic Scalability: Scale resources on-demand without large upfront investments.
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Global Infrastructure: Leverage Azure’s extensive data center network for global reach and availability.
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Advanced Tools: Access innovative solutions, including AI, data analytics, and development tools, integrated within Azure’s ecosystem.
Optimizing the Azure Local-Public Azure Balance
To build an effective hybrid cloud strategy, consider the following:
Assess Workload Suitability
Each workload has unique requirements. Azure Local is suitable for workloads requiring low latency and on-premises control, while public Azure is better for applications demanding global scale and advanced services.
Leverage Hybr® for Unified Management
Hybr® Multi-Cloud Features namely VM Provisioning & Management, Tenant Networks and Micro-segmentation, Approval Workflows, Governance and Policy Management, Usage Metering, and Backups are now available for Azure Local/ Azure Stack HCI. Discover Hybrid Cloud Solutions for Azure Local/ Azure Stack HCI.
- Resource Provisioning and Management: Create and Manage Virtual Machine instances with Enriched Policy Management and Metering & Billing Features.
- Virtual Networks and Management: Create, Configure and Manage Virtual Networks and bring an Isolated Highly-Secured Environment for your applications
- Governance and Policy Management: Integrate your Existing Datacenters, Private and Public cloud environments with Automated/ Necessitated Policy Management, Soft budget, Auditing, Utilization Tracking, etc.
- Usage Meteringand Backups: Showback / Chargeback your customers with Flexible Cloud Pricing Models (Fixed payment, Pay-as-you-go and Hybrid). Extensible, Out-of-the-box Usage Aggregators for Veeam and Commvault.
Focus on Data and Application Portability
Ensure seamless data and application movement between Azure Local and Public Cloud using tools like Azure Arc. Portability enables flexibility and reduces dependency on a single environment.
Address Security Concerns
Hybrid cloud solutions must prioritize security. Azure’s native security tools, combined with Hybr®’s integrated features, offer robust protection for data and applications across environments.
Advanced Considerations for Hybrid Cloud Strategy
Picking between Azure public cloud and Azure local (like Azure Stack HCI) for your hybrid cloud depends on a few things. Think about what your company really needs. This will help you make the best choice.
Regulatory Compliance and Custom Solutions
Azure Local provides a customizable environment that ensures compliance with industry-specific regulations. Public Azure can act as a scalable extension, complementing localized compliance efforts.
Leveraging Azure Ecosystem Consistency
Azure’s unified tools and APIs ensure that development and management remain consistent, regardless of whether resources are on-premises or in the cloud.
Advisory Services
Organizations can benefit from advisory services to align their IT goals with hybrid cloud capabilities. These services help businesses develop strategies tailored to their unique needs.
Making the Right Choice: A Decision Matrix
Choosing between Azure local and public cloud depends on matching specific requirements with cloud capabilities. There’s no single right answer; the best option varies based on individual circumstances. The following table provides a comparison:
Azure Public Cloud operates on a pay-as-you-go cost model, making it highly scalable and ideal for fluctuating demands. It provides less direct control over resources and relies on a shared responsibility model for security. Compliance is dependent on the provider's certifications, and deployment is typically fast and easy.
On the other hand, Azure Local has higher upfront costs but offers scalability limited by on-premises resources. It provides more direct control over infrastructure, greater security control, and easier compliance for regulated industries. However, deployment is more complex compared to Azure Public Cloud.
When evaluating options, factor in organizational goals, regulatory requirements, and long-term cost considerations to make an informed decision.
Conclusion
The decision between Azure Local and Public Cloud isn’t about choosing one over the other but about leveraging the strengths of both. A hybrid approach allows organizations to meet their unique requirements, enhance operational efficiency, and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Enable multi-tenancy and self-service provisioning in Azure Local/Azure Stack HCI with consumption-based metering and billing solutions for your customers by leveraging Hybr®. It acts as a one-stop shop for all your investments across data center platforms, private, and public cloud environments. Tools like Hybr® play a vital role in managing this integration, enabling a seamless and secure hybrid cloud experience.
Request a Demo of Hybr® to explore how it can transform your hybrid cloud strategy today!
Resources:
- Azure Local vs. Azure Stack HCI: Everything You Need to Know
- Azure Local: Your Next Cloud Frontier?