What is a cloud computing network?

The definition of cloud computing is constantly changing, so the definition of cloud computing networks is changing. Essentially, the goal of cloud computing-whatever its model-is to create a flowing pool of resources between services and data centers, where users can store data and run applications as needed. Therefore, the cloud computing network has two tasks: turning the resource pool into a virtual resource, and then connecting users from all locations to those resources.

To achieve these functions, cloud computing networks-whether they are public, private, or mixed-must be able to:

Increase and decrease bandwidth as needed.

Achieve very low latency throughput between storage networks, data centers, and LANs.

Allow connectionless connections between servers to support automatic migration of virtual machines (VMS).

The functions on the management panel can be extended to the enterprise and service provider network.

Can always provide visibility in a changing environment.

Cloud computing networks can be viewed as three interdependent structures: front-end, responsible for connecting users to applications, the middle tier, implementing physical server interconnection and their virtual machine migrations, and storage networks. Larger cloud networks can be created as a 2-tier or 3-tier network.

Cloud computing networks support public cloud, private cloud and hybrid cloud

Companies can use cloud computing technology in many ways, but each brings a certain challenge to the network team. Many users now use a public cloud model that can access the applications and data that the public cloud mounts through the vendor's services, which provide resources through the public Internet for payment or subscription.

This is probably the easiest way for a network team to basically just secure access to the public Internet. Some companies use virtual private networks (VPNs) or dedicated lines to access some of the mounted applications and storage, which brings more work to the network team. One thing to consider here is to avoid bottlenecks on the main link. For example, if the branch's Internet traffic is transmitted through corporate headquarters, setting up cloud access in the same connection can clog up the network and affect critical applications.

Although it is generally more complex for companies to move cloud computing to a private or mixed cloud model. Larger companies tend to create internal or private clouds so they can migrate portions of their datacenter or configuration center to a mounted environment.

Others are willing to use a hybrid cloud model so that they can provide and manage a subset of resources in a private data center, while providing and managing other parts of the public cloud. This allows users to put their security-sensitive applications in a private environment and use a public cloud for less secure applications.

In both cases, the Enterprise network team must create an internal cloud computing network to seamlessly connect storage and servers to the LAN. In a mixed model, the network becomes more complex, because the network team must implement the public cloud and private cloud interconnection.