Managing databases in a hybrid cloud: eight key considerations

In a hybrid cloud database environment , Some data is stored and managed locally , Some data is moved to the public cloud . therefore , Running a database in a hybrid cloud introduces new data management considerations , These considerations must be addressed to ensure data security 、 Accurate and compliant , At the same time, ensure that the data can be processed effectively .

What is a hybrid cloud ？

Hybrid cloud combines public cloud services with traditional enterprises IT infrastructure （ Usually set to private cloud ）. Enterprises IT Aspects may include servers , These servers are directly managed by the enterprise in its own facilities , Or hosted in a third-party data center shared with other users . Some applications use familiar internals IT Process management , Other applications are managed through cloud specific processes .

Hybrid cloud database deployment extends the same concept to the data itself . But technology research consulting companies Everest Group Partners Yugal Joshi Express , Whether enterprises need to adopt hybrid cloud database model , It should depend on , Applications and workload requirements that require databases in the hybrid cloud . If that's the case , Hybrid architecture can provide complementary advantages for underlying applications - By simplifying access to the required data .

Although they usually provide lower cost and greater flexibility than local database systems , However, cloud services are not applicable to every enterprise or application .Joshi Express ：“ With the increase of data review 、 Strong data gravity 、 Delayed workload requirements 、 License complexity and data decentralization , Not all data can be put in one place , For example, public cloud , This is where hybrid models can add value .”

For deployment databases The advantages of the hybrid cloud

The benefits of a hybrid cloud database environment are like hybrid clouds for applications ： Provide access to automated cloud services 、 Open new options and improve portability .

Automated cloud services . Consultancy, Nucleus Research Research analyst for Alexander Wurm explains ：“ Deploy databases by using hybrid clouds , Enterprises can get the benefits of modern cloud , Such as regular updates and elastic scalability , Without affecting safety and reliability - Provided by existing local infrastructure that supports mission critical workloads .”

New options . Enterprises can also explore new options . Management consulting company Kearney Partner in digital transformation practice Joshua Swartz Express , If and safety 、 performance 、 Requirements related to key variables such as quality or cost change over time , You can use more options to rebalance your portfolio .

Portability . The hybrid cloud database approach also supports data and workload portability across multiple private and public cloud services . Data management and analysis platform provider 1010data Chief technology officer of the company Terry Sage call ：“ This in turn allows enterprises to choose to coordinate data and workloads across hybrid clouds , So as to avoid supplier lock , Realize cost and efficiency advantages , And the ability to expand and shrink the environment to meet service needs .” Besides , Portability makes recovery and business continuity planning easier , And encourage experimentation and innovation .

Considerations when planning a hybrid cloud database strategy

The benefits provided by hybrid cloud architecture can bring new opportunities to reduce costs ; However , They also introduce new security 、 performance 、 Integration and data quality challenges , These challenges need to be addressed first , To maximize the use of hybrid cloud database strategy . IT The team 、 Data managers and database administrators should consider the following issues before deploying databases in a hybrid cloud environment .

1. Digital transformation and application modernization goals

One of the best starting points is to determine various goals , To modernize and transform business processes and applications that power them .IT Management consulting company Capgemini Multi cloud management delivery architect Brian Schneider Express ：“ Enterprises not only need to understand the digital transformation objectives of their business , They also need to understand the results they hope to achieve by modernizing existing applications and the databases used by these applications .” The result should be to provide the most effective and efficient database options for business and end users .

This process should start from the discovery stage , It should cover the application team and business owners , To determine the current architecture 、 Pain points of application experience and end users , Then create a transformation roadmap to improve . It is important to involve stakeholders in this process . Data managers can help stakeholders understand local and cloud database technology advances that may affect Planning .

2. Appropriate grouping of applications and databases

Focusing on business and application goals also helps determine the best way to staging data to support different application needs . Hosting service provider Syntax Chief technology officer of the company Colin Dawes Pointed out that ：“ Mobile applications and databases need to be appropriately grouped into logical units .”

Creating these natural fault lines can help the data management team divide the overall system into manageable blocks .Dawes Warning , If you get this part of the process wrong , Performance and stability problems may occur , This leads to a complete rejection of the process by stakeholders .

3. Cost benefit analysis and other methods

The data manager needs to analyze and modernize the existing local database 、 The costs and benefits associated with moving to the cloud or adopting a hybrid approach . Compared with pure cloud or local methods , The deployment and management of hybrid clouds are inherently more complex and expensive . Data intelligence platform provider BigID Senior vice president of customer service George Chedzhemov Express ：“ Enterprises should calculate additional costs and management expenses , And prove its rationality through income and business needs .”

The increased cost may be worth it , But for deploying new cloud database services , Enterprises also need to carefully weigh the challenges , After all, these services pose additional difficulties as part of a hybrid strategy .Chedzhemov Think , Proprietary methods （ for example AWS DynamoDB or Google Cloud Spanner） Deployment options may be limited . He recommended based on MySQL、PostgreSQL、MongoDB and Apache Cassandra And other open standard cloud services , To improve the compatibility of cross local and cloud services .

4. Data output costs

Hybrid cloud database strategy should include data flow . The data transmission cost of using local database originally can be ignored , After migrating to a mixed environment , The cost of data transmission may be high .Sage Pointed out that ：“ These costs can be high , And depends on the amount of data copied to support the hybrid cloud database strategy .”

Through appropriate architecture , Some of these costs can be reduced . For all that , If data flows through expensive channels , Appropriate controls should be implemented .

5. Data delay

Due to the data transmission between different cloud service providers and the distance between physical resources , Hybrid cloud databases also introduce network latency .Sage say , Hybrid methods usually lead to longer routes and more network hops , This may increase the data transmission time by milliseconds or even seconds . In planning , The decision to consider network latency and revisit the selected physical area . She suggested ：“ Sometimes it makes more sense to host different cloud service providers in similar geographical areas to reduce costs and network latency .”

When planning whether cloud or local nodes have a more active or passive role , You also need to consider configuration options from the perspective of latency . for example , Take the initiative - Active cluster configurations usually have less competitive latency between private and public clouds ,Wurm say , Take the initiative - Passive configuration may be a better choice for asset intensive industries with a large amount of edge data .

6. Data security

Blockchain database platform provider Fluree CEO and co-founder of the company Brian Platz Express , Managing and protecting data must be part of a hybrid cloud database strategy , Because the complexity of hybrid cloud environment will increase the potential attack surface . He explained that the ：“ It is important to , Draw the architectural flow of data in all possible environments , And deploy security and governance measures , And manage in all possible environments 、 Deploy 、 When migrating and virtualizing data , Protection data .”

Consider using continuous integration / Continuously deliver testing and version control to reduce security risks . It is also worth exploring data centric security governance , This protects data as it moves across various networks and clouds .

7. New tools and skill requirements

Hybrid cloud databases may introduce new data workflows that need to be addressed .Everest Group The company's Joshi Express , The set of data management tools for public and local systems may vary , This may increase operating costs . He suggested developing standard operating models and tool strategies , Used to extend 、 Cross skill and plug and play operations .

Follow these ideas , Different skills may need to support these new workflows .Joshi admit ：“ Finding talent for the public cloud is difficult , But for hybrid clouds , It's even worse .”

8. Balance stability and simplicity

Any new infrastructure used to store and transmit data is likely to produce new points of failure . Consider how to minimize the interference to the operation when the system or network is offline .Kearney The company's Swartz call ：“ Solving this problem is a bit like an insurance policy , It is absolutely possible to create redundancy and fail safe mechanisms , But the cost is quite high .” Most companies follow the approach of layering data according to business criticality , And only provide the most expensive redundancy for the most critical data .

Equally important , Be prepared for the work required to integrate multiple systems . Each additional system or database brings another interface needed for integration with core applications and systems . Developing an architecture with fewer interfaces can reduce management risks .

Swartz say , Compared with pure cloud or local methods , Managing a hybrid cloud environment can be much more complex , The cost will be higher . change 、 to update 、 Patches and enhancements require more extensive and refined Planning 、 Testing and monitoring , To avoid the domino effect of compatibility problems .