Cloud bursting

Definition

Cloud bursting is a hybrid cloud deployment model where an application runs in a private cloud and can dynamically burst into a public cloud when demand exceeds the capacity of the private cloud. This approach allows businesses to efficiently manage resources and maintain performance during peak usage times without over-provisioning in the private environment. By leveraging the scalability of public cloud resources, organizations can handle increased workloads while keeping sensitive data secure in their private infrastructure.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cloud bursting helps organizations optimize costs by utilizing public cloud resources only when necessary, avoiding the expense of maintaining high-capacity private infrastructure at all times.
2. This approach is particularly beneficial for applications with unpredictable usage patterns or seasonal spikes in demand, such as e-commerce websites during holiday sales.
3. Security and compliance are key considerations when implementing cloud bursting, as organizations must ensure sensitive data remains protected when transferred to public cloud environments.
4. Cloud bursting requires careful planning and configuration to ensure seamless integration between private and public clouds, including proper network connectivity and data synchronization.
5. Monitoring tools are essential for managing cloud bursting effectively, as they provide insights into resource utilization and performance across both cloud environments.

Review Questions

• How does cloud bursting improve resource management for applications with varying workloads?
  • Cloud bursting enhances resource management by allowing applications to utilize the private cloud for normal operations while automatically leveraging the public cloud when demand spikes. This dynamic allocation of resources means that organizations can meet sudden increases in workload without having to permanently invest in additional infrastructure. As a result, businesses can maintain performance levels during peak times while minimizing costs associated with unused resources.
• Discuss the security considerations that organizations must address when implementing cloud bursting strategies.
  • When organizations adopt cloud bursting strategies, they need to consider how to secure sensitive data that may be temporarily moved to public clouds. This includes ensuring compliance with regulations regarding data privacy and protection, as well as implementing encryption protocols for data in transit and at rest. Furthermore, organizations should have clear policies and governance frameworks in place to manage access control and monitor activities within both their private and public cloud environments.
• Evaluate the impact of cloud bursting on business scalability and operational efficiency in today's digital landscape.
  • Cloud bursting significantly enhances business scalability by providing the flexibility to rapidly adjust resources based on real-time demand. This adaptability allows companies to respond quickly to market changes, launch new services, or accommodate unexpected traffic without lengthy delays associated with traditional infrastructure scaling. Additionally, by optimizing resource utilization through a hybrid approach, organizations can achieve greater operational efficiency, reduce costs, and focus their IT efforts on innovation rather than infrastructure maintenance.

Related terms

Hybrid Cloud: A computing environment that combines a private cloud with one or more public clouds, allowing data and applications to be shared between them.

Elasticity: The ability of a system to automatically expand and contract its resources based on workload demands, ensuring optimal performance and cost efficiency.

Load Balancing: The distribution of workloads across multiple computing resources to ensure no single resource is overwhelmed, improving application responsiveness and availability.