Differences Between Virtualization, Private Clouds and Virtual Data Centers

RenovoData Admin — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 23:56:30 +0000

A Quickly Changing Data Backup Landscape

As technology continues to evolve, it is important for business owners and IT decision-makers to stay on top of what is currently available, what is coming in the future, and how these innovations relate to how companies do business.

The Differences

The first thing one must consider is that virtualization is essential to the private cloud but it is not a term or concept that can be used interchangeably. Why? Private cloud infrastructure builds on many of the capabilities that virtualization already provides to its users. Taking this point further, let’s now consider the difference between a private cloud and a virtual data center. A private cloud is not an “out of the box” alternative to a virtual data center. Virtualization is a critical underlying technology that enables the private cloud. Virtualization also provides a high level of system utilization which abstracts the workloads from the underlying hardware. The applications in each virtual machine (VM) are then decoupled from the servers. Workloads can be run on any suitable virtualized server. Also, workloads can easily be migrated between virtualized servers with only a small amount of disruption in performance—which may not be at all discernible for its users.

Virtualization

Virtualization provides significant benefits in workload provisioning, management, and protection, but it still requires direct support and intervention from IT staff. However, private cloud infrastructure builds on the benefits of virtualization to add new features that ultimately reduce reliance on IT staff. This includes self-service, scalability and chargebacks.

Self-service, also referred to as automation, allows users to designate and run new virtual machines without direct intervention from IT. If say the accounting department of a company wants to introduce a new server application, they can set up the VM, allocate computing resources, install the application and handle related tasks themselves instead of waiting for IT to get involved. Additionally, users can scale the computing resources for their VMs on demand depending on the amount of storage or memory, etc. that is required to maintain smooth functionality.

Private Cloud

The private cloud also integrates reporting and chargeback features, which can track computing resource use and bill VM owners automatically based on utilization. This allows the VM owners to understand the financial implications of their computing choices with an incentive to make the most frugal computing decisions possible for their department.

Operating a private cloud environment is not always easy. As with any important business decision, there are risks and rewards. Decision-makers need to consider the amount of planning and discipline required to take a “hands-on” approach to IT resources. Successful adoption of the private cloud requires an understanding of the company’s computing needs and the willingness to leave the traditional IT paradigm behind.

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Factors to Consider for Automated Replication via Private Cloud

RenovoData Admin — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 19:19:11 +0000

Having confidence in your ability to recover your company’s data when it matters most comes from trusting in the backup and restoration processes. Your enterprise-class backup and recovery software should provide a complete range of features that ensure the maximum in reliability, security, manageability, and affordability.

Two important processes to ensure reliability in your recoverability strategy should include:

Autonomic healing verifies the logical and physical integrity of the data written to the storage systems
Restore validation which ensures data is restorable by simulating real recoveries (without actually writing the restored data)

This standard is extremely difficult to attain with traditional tape or similar hardware-based backup methods. Cloud-based disaster recovery allows organizations of any size to maintain business continuity no matter what life throws our way. As we have previously covered in this blog, clouds range from public to private, plus the popular hybrid approach which includes aspects of both public and private clouds.

After you reach a decision regarding the type of cloud service you want to use, you will want to choose a service provider. Look for a service provider with a solid reputation that stays current with the latest innovations and trends. An example of just such a current trend is the increased use of Virtualization.

Virtualization provides a more effective usage of cloud computing resources. Replication is typically performed when resource availability and performance need to be enhanced. Replication enables operational workloads to easily leverage the benefits of cloud-based backup and storage by automating the ongoing management and maintenance of customer environments. Noteworthy business benefits of utilizing automated replication via a private cloud service include:

Faster recovery time objectives (RTO)
Recovery guarantee as determined by the service level agreement
Non-intrusive and easily assimilated into existing business infrastructure
Lower risk of human error in a hands-free and virtual recovery environment
Lower cost of recovery infrastructure compared to traditional methods

At RenovoData, we are singularly focused on delivering affordable, scalable, and reliable cloud-based backup and recovery services. Our comprehensive approach and commitment to excellent customer service makes RenovoData a trusted alliance, rather than just another service provider. Contact us below to find out more!

RenovoData is a leading regulatory-compliant, cloud data protection IT services company. Our solutions range from File and Database Backup, Server Recovery, Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS), Custom Cloud Hosting and Consulting solutions for on-premises and hosted environments.

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