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Storage Infrastructure in a Hybrid Cloud World

This Omdia report provides advice for enterprises looking to make best use of storage infrastructure in a hybrid cloud environment.

This is an extract from Omdia’s Data Center Storage in a Hybrid Cloud Report, which was recently published as a part of its Data Center Storage Intelligence Service.

Catalyst

Many organizations consider the hybrid cloud to be a bridge between legacy and public cloud infrastructure. However, the hybrid cloud is an IT operating concept in which applications can run anywhere in a single hybrid cloud environment and should be deployed optimally in a storage infrastructure based on performance, cost, availability, security, and competitive technology advantages. The challenges for many organizations are to fully develop the hybrid cloud concept, put the infrastructure elements in place to enable it, and understand how data center (DC) operators can use it to their organization’s advantage.

Omdia View

An enterprise hybrid cloud often means working with a single cloud service provider (CSP) to simply move applications and data from on-premises to a public cloud, but, in Omdia’s view, it should mean much more than that. A fully developed hybrid cloud environment allows multiple DCs to become one environment, with applications and data being run on the most suitable server and storage infrastructure depending on current operational needs. The hybrid cloud enables DC operators the mobility to position applications on a spectrum of storage infrastructure based on performance, availability, and security lifecycle needs. Storage options in a fully developed hybrid cloud should range from standard (lowest cost) to customized (purpose-built unique advantage). In a sense, the hybrid cloud is the sum of all an enterprise's accessible infrastructure in a single unified cloud. DC operators need to continually decide where best to run each individual application in this one big interconnected heterogenous storage environment.

Key messages

  • Most enterprises use multiple DCs and survey respondents indicate that they will eventually or are currently deploying hybrid cloud storage.
  • The hybrid cloud is an operating concept that allows applications to be run on the most appropriate server and storage infrastructure, be that custom (purpose-built) or standard (public cloud).
  • Consider the hybrid cloud to be a single environment in which applications and storage can be run anywhere depending on the best fit for the needs of the application.

Recommendations

The hybrid cloud is quickly becoming a necessity for many, as it enables workload placement and relocation to optimize costs. The hybrid cloud also allows more cost-effective workflows in the areas of backup, aged data tiering, and operational recovery at alternate sites. The benefits of public cloud elasticity and the continued rightsizing of infrastructure can allow for better budget management by flexing the infrastructure that is paid for during quiet times. Fully using a hybrid cloud environment provides DC operators with the data mobility to position applications on a spectrum ranging from standardized to customized storage usage depending on the application’s need. Organizations should invest in hybrid cloud so they can continually decide where best to run each individual application within a hybrid cloud environment as an application moves through its business lifecycle.

Download the full report.