Hybrid Cloud Networking
What is Hybrid Cloud Networking?
Hybrid cloud networking is a mixture of different computing environments, most often consisting of combinations of private cloud, public cloud, and on-premises architecture. A hybrid cloud network is often shortened to “hybrid cloud.”
What is a hybrid cloud architecture?
Hybrid cloud architecture is the framework that facilitates the passing of data or the deployment of apps between multiple cloud-based services. Businesses use hybrid cloud services by mixing local, on-premises resources with private cloud and third-party public cloud services. An organization splits instrumentation between the three so workloads can move between the public and private cloud platforms as computing needs change.
What is hybrid cloud computing?
Fundamentally, hybrid cloud computing works by sharing information between onsite and offsite platforms. Interconnectivity between the platforms is achieved first through data virtualization followed by connective tools and protocols such as application programming interfaces (APIs), virtual private networks (VPNs), and/or wide area networks (WANs).
What are the benefits of hybrid cloud networking?
Transitioning to a hybrid cloud model changes nearly everything about how a company manages data and workloads. IT departments need to prepare to provide answers to how this fundamental transformation in people, process, and technology will ultimately benefit the overall business.
Most companies use a hybrid cloud model to:
• Simplify operations
• Reduce risk
• Increase workload efficiency
• Broaden capacity to meet spikes in demand
• Reduce costs
With all these benefits, a hybrid cloud model increases an enterprise’s overall agility and flexibility, changing the time required to offer new services from months to hours. And because developers can iterate, test, and deploy new applications offsite, fewer personnel are required to manage the process. In addition, IT departments can also reduce their on-premises cloud infrastructure, thus saving on major capital investments.
Moreover, with a hybrid cloud model, developers are able to create and modify their cloud infrastructure requirements themselves using software. That power also adds to increased speeds and efficiencies.
How do hybrid cloud networks connect?
Businesses use hybrid cloud services by mixing local, on-premises resources with private cloud and third-party public cloud services. An organization splits instrumentation between the three so workloads can move between the public and private cloud platforms as computing needs change.
These cloud networks connect via one of these three methods:
• Virtual private networks (VPNs) allow users to connect over public internet but with private, encrypted, secure connections.
• Wide area networks (WANs) allow users to connect over long distances and are more reliable than public internet. Note that WAN users should still employ a VPN for security.
• Application programming interfaces (APIs) are calls sent via HTTP request between clouds to connect networks, databases, and/or applications. APIs can be sent over WAN, VPN, or open internet networks.
What are the networking challenges in hybrid cloud environments?
A. Connectivity and Interoperability:
- Connecting on-premises and cloud networks: Establishing a secure connection between your local network and the cloud infrastructure.
- Ensuring seamless communication between environments: Making sure that data, applications, and network services flow smoothly between your local network and the cloud.
B. Network Latency and Performance:
- Optimizing network performance in hybrid cloud: Improving the speed and efficiency of your network in a hybrid cloud setup.
- Reducing latency for efficient data transfer: Finding ways to minimize delays and make data transfer faster between different environments. This can involve techniques like storing data closer to users, using specialized networks, and optimizing traffic flow.
C. Security and Compliance:
- Maintaining network security in hybrid cloud: Placing strong security measures in place, like firewalls and encryption, to protect data and applications in hybrid cloud environments.
- Compliance considerations for network traffic: Following industry regulations and requirements when handling and transferring data across the hybrid cloud network.
D. Scalability and Flexibility:
- Scaling network resources in response to demand: Adjusting network capacity as needed to handle varying workloads and traffic.
- Flexibility in network configuration and management: Having the ability to easily configure and manage network settings and services in both on-premises and cloud environments, allowing for flexibility and efficient use of resources.
What Are the Key Components of Hybrid Cloud Networking?
A. Virtual Private Network (VPN):
- VPN creates secure connections in hybrid cloud, ensuring data privacy and integrity.
- Organizations have options for VPN protocols and implementations to meet their specific security and performance needs.
B. Software-Defined Networking (SDN):
- SDN simplifies hybrid cloud networking with centralized control and management of resources.
- SDN automates network operations, making it easier to manage complex hybrid cloud infrastructures.
C. Network Virtualization:
- Network virtualization abstracts network functions, allowing multiple virtual networks on the same infrastructure.
- Benefits of network virtualization in hybrid cloud include improved resource use, simplified provisioning, and better isolation between applications.
D. Load Balancing and Traffic Management:
- Load balancing evenly distributes network traffic across hybrid cloud resources, optimizing resource utilization.
- It ensures high availability and performance, enhancing user experience and maximizing hybrid cloud utilization.
What are the different architectures for hybrid cloud networking?
A. Hub-and-Spoke Architecture:
- Hub-and-Spoke Architecture uses a central hub for connecting hybrid cloud environments, allowing traffic routing and data exchange.
- It provides an organized and controlled approach to network connectivity, enabling efficient management and ensuring security.
B. Mesh Architecture:
- Mesh Architecture creates direct connections between hybrid cloud resources, enabling flexible and decentralized communication.
- Mesh networking offers benefits such as scalability, resilience, and optimized traffic paths. However, it may involve increased complexity and potentially higher network costs.
C. Cloud Gateway Architecture:
- Cloud Gateway Architecture connects on-premises networks with cloud gateways, ensuring secure connectivity and data transfer.
- Gateways act as intermediaries, maintaining security controls and compliance while facilitating communication and preserving data integrity.
D. Direct Connect/ExpressRoute:
- Direct Connect/ExpressRoute establishes dedicated and private connections to cloud providers, avoiding the public internet.
- This architecture improves network performance, security, and reliability, offering faster speeds, more bandwidth, and greater control over data transmission.
How to ensure network security in hybrid cloud networking?
A. Identity and Access Management (IAM):
- IAM manages user identities and access in hybrid cloud, ensuring secure resource usage.
- It includes authentication and authorization mechanisms for secure access control.
B. Network Segmentation and Security Groups:
- Network segmentation isolates and secures different segments in hybrid cloud.
- Firewall rules and security group configurations control access and prevent unauthorized entry.
C. Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS):
- IDS/IPS monitors and prevents network intrusions in hybrid cloud.
- Implementing IDS/IPS solutions enhances security by detecting and stopping potential threats.
D. Data Encryption and Secure Communication:
- Encryption protocols secure data transfer in hybrid cloud networking.
- Secure communication channels and encryption keys protect data from unauthorized access during transmission.
E. Control Access to IT Resources Across the Hybrid Cloud Environment:
- Use identity-based access control mechanisms such as Network Access Control and ZTNA to manage user and device access to applications, data, and resources.
- Deploy Secure Web Gateways to protect against malicious web activity by analyzing incoming web traffic and filtering out harmful requests, such as cross-site scripting (XSS) and SQL injection.
What are the best practices of hybrid cloud networking?
A. Network Planning and Design:
- Assess network needs and plan for hybrid cloud capacity.
- Design networks that are reliable and scalable for hybrid cloud environments.
B. Network Monitoring and Performance Optimization:
- Monitor network performance and analyze traffic patterns.
- Troubleshoot issues and optimize network resources for better efficiency.
C. Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity:
- Implement strategies to ensure network resilience and backup in hybrid cloud.
- Prepare for potential disruptions and have plans in place for quick recovery.
D. Collaboration and Service Level Agreements (SLAs):
- Foster teamwork between IT teams and cloud providers.
- Establish and manage SLAs to ensure reliable hybrid cloud networking.
What could be the future trends in hybrid cloud networking?
A. Edge Computing and Distributed Networking:
- Edge computing brings computing resources closer to the data source, reducing latency and improving real-time processing in hybrid cloud environments.
- Distributed networking leverages edge locations to distribute network functions, enhancing performance and scalability.
B. Intent-Based Networking (IBN):
- Intent-Based Networking simplifies network management by allowing administrators to define desired outcomes rather than manual configuration.
- IBN uses automation and machine learning to dynamically adapt network configurations based on intent, improving agility and reducing errors.
C. Network Function Virtualization (NFV):
- NFV virtualizes network functions, allowing them to run on standard servers instead of dedicated hardware.
- By decoupling network functions from specific hardware, NFV increases flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness in hybrid cloud networking.
How does HPE enhance hybrid cloud networking and simplify cloud transformation?
HPE brings agility to apps and data to eliminate complexity and silos and drive speed and flexibility with common tools, processes, and automation. We’ll help you address the non-cloud-native apps that are slowing you down and get you on the path to a unified, modern cloud strategy. You can take advantage of many of our solutions to make a clean transition. Develop a cloud road map to prepare people, processes, and technology for holistic cloud transformation with the HPE Transformation Program for Cloud service.
Shift to agile IT solutions with HPE Pointnext Services. With HPE Pointnext, you get advice on IT strategy to transform hybrid cloud environments, take advantage of AI, and innovate at the edge.
Bring the cloud experience to your non-cloud-native apps with HPE Ezmeral Container Platform. Containerize monolithic applications to improve efficiency, increase agility, and provide portability—rebuilding and refactoring apps that need to move to the cloud.
Manage your ultimate hybrid cloud estate with HPE GreenLake so you can more effectively run, manage, and optimize your entire hybrid estate. Simply point and click to get a single integrated view into the cost, governance, performance, and security status of your hybrid estate, as well as comprehensive compliance capabilities and broader cost insights and analytics.