What is a Virtual Private Cloud?

Data | The Computer Guys

Don’t know your way around cloud platforms?

A virtual private cloud (VPC) is the logical division of a service provider’s public cloud architecture to support private cloud computing. It offers the best of both worlds: between the granular control over virtual networks that a private cloud offers and the benefits of a more inclusive public cloud system, it’s an excellent solution for companies caught in the middle.

What’s the difference between private cloud hosting and a virtual private cloud?

There’s a lot of consternation over whether or not there’s a difference between the two, and it’s easy to make a mistake if you’re not informed. The single most significant difference between them is that in an on-premises private cloud model, an enterprise’s internal IT department acts as a service provider and the individual business units act as tenants. With a VPC, a public cloud provider functions as the service provider and the cloud’s subscribers are the tenants.

How does a virtual private cloud work?

In a VPC, the public service provider is responsible for maintaining the isolation of each cloud customer’s data from every other customer’s data in transit and inside the cloud provider’s network. The VPC uses security policies containing any combination of the following to protect that information:

  • Encryption
  • Tunneling
  • Private IP addressing
  • Allocation of a unique virtual local area network (LAN) to each customer

What are the benefits of a VPC?

Companies looking for a flexible solution to their cloud-based problems don’t have to wait around much longer—a VPC is a great resource for companies looking to increase flexibility for their network. Benefits include:

  • Granular network control, while still maintaining flexibility with off-premises, public cloud resources in a scalable pay model
  • Hybrid cloud deployment capabilities: Companies can use a VPC as an extension of its own unique data center without dealing with the complexities of constructing their own on-premises private cloud
  • Optimal cybersecurity: Traffic within the VPC can stay comfortably within the private firewall. Routing policies companies are able to specify which users are allowed to reach the cloud resources and which ones aren’t able to.
  • High-performing bandwidth efficiency: Your users will enjoy the shortest, most efficient path to the applications you need. The necessary bandwidth to reach the cloud will be provided and billed for on-demand.

Choose the perfect cloud solution for your company

Finding a unique cloud platform that aligns with your company’s long-term goals is about more than just what fits for now—you should always be planning for the future with your technology. Choosing a high-quality virtual private cloud solution is a sound investment that can reap dividends for years to come if aligned closely with your long-term vision. If you want to find out how a VPC can help your company flourish, reach out to The Computer Guys for more information.