Glossary of terms

Cloud bursting

Definition

Cloud bursting is a cloud computing deployment model that allows an organization to dynamically extend its on-premises infrastructure into the public cloud when additional computing resources are needed. This approach enables businesses to handle sudden spikes in demand or workload by temporarily leveraging the scalability and flexibility of cloud resources.

Main features

1. Hybrid architecture: Cloud bursting combines on-premises infrastructure with public cloud resources, creating a hybrid environment.

2. Automatic scaling: The system automatically detects when local resources are nearing capacity and seamlessly expands into the cloud.

3. Load balancing: Workloads are distributed between on-premises and cloud resources to optimize performance and cost-efficiency.

4. Resource elasticity: Cloud resources can be rapidly provisioned and de-provisioned as needed, allowing for flexibility in handling varying workloads.

5. Cost optimization: Organizations only pay for additional cloud resources when they are actually used, reducing overall infrastructure costs.

6. Data synchronization: Ensures that data remains consistent between on-premises and cloud environments during the bursting process.

7. Security and compliance: Implements measures to maintain data security and regulatory compliance when extending to the public cloud.

Scope

The scope of cloud bursting encompasses various aspects of IT infrastructure and operations:

1. Application types: Suitable for a wide range of applications, including web applications, batch processing jobs, and data analytics workloads.

2. Industries: Applicable across multiple sectors, such as e-commerce, finance, healthcare, and media, where demand can fluctuate significantly.

3. Workload management: Helps organizations handle seasonal peaks, unexpected surges in traffic, or resource-intensive computational tasks.

4. Disaster recovery: Can be used as part of a business continuity strategy, providing additional capacity during outages or disasters.

5. Development and testing: Allows development teams to access additional resources for testing and quality assurance without investing in permanent infrastructure.

6. Big data processing: Enables organizations to process large datasets or run complex analytics by leveraging cloud resources when needed.

7. Geographical expansion: Facilitates the expansion of services to new regions without significant upfront investment in local infrastructure.

8. Cost management: Helps organizations optimize their IT spending by balancing between owned infrastructure and pay-as-you-go cloud services.

9. Performance optimization: Ensures that applications maintain high performance levels even during peak usage periods.

10. Technology integration: Requires integration with various cloud providers, orchestration tools, and monitoring systems to function effectively.

Cloud bursting’s scope extends to addressing the challenges of balancing performance, cost, and flexibility in modern IT environments, making it a valuable strategy for organizations looking to optimize their infrastructure utilization and adapt to changing business needs.

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