the cloud vs. physical servers

By now you might have some knowledge on data storage. In this blog post we are going to dive into the differences between Cloud Computing and Physical data storage as well as the pros and cons of each.

WHAT IS A PHYSICAL SERVER?

• Data centres are physical infrastructures used by enterprises to house computer, server, and networking systems.
• These physical servers within data centres typically involve storing, processing and serving large amounts of mission-critical data.

Physical servers were the original way of storing data, before the use of virtual computers became popular in the 1990s, leading to the development of the modern Cloud Computing infrastructure.

WHAT IS THE CLOUD?

• Microsoft Azure defines ‘The Cloud’ as a term used to describe a global network of servers, each with a unique function. The cloud is not a physical entity, but instead is a vast network of remote servers around the globe. 
• These servers being used to store and manage data, instead of accessing files and data from a specific device, you are accessing these through any internet-capable device.

Have you and your company made the plunge and modernised your data storage? If not here are some pros & cons for you to consider before making your decision:

BENEFITS FOR CLOUD:

• Cost savings: A virtualised computing environment allows multiple physical servers to be configured so as to increase or decrease the number of logical servers. This means you’re able to be flexible to the needs of your business without spending on any additional physical servers.
• Increased productivity: By deploying cloud computing you have access to data/files from anywhere at any time from an internet-capable device. This saves you time when it comes to installing and re-installing Windows, configuring firewall settings, restoring backups etc.
• Security: According to Gartner estimates, public cloud service workloads will suffer at least 60% fewer security incidents than those in traditional data centres. 

BENEFITS FOR PHYSICAL SERVERS:

• Reliability: Physical servers are not as reliant on a stable internet connection to function, making them somewhat more reliable than cloud-based servers.
• Physical access: Companies that choose to stick with their on-premises application often feel that keeping everything onsite gives them more control. As a third-party provider isn’t involved, fewer people have access to it. If you do choose to stay on-premises, you’ll be responsible for creating a security system for yourself.

Although there are still benefits of using physical servers over virtual servers, you can see the rise of cloud computing has stemmed from the countless benefits that come with storing data virtually.

Here at Total IT we can help your transition to The Cloud a lot easier with our Managed Cloud services. If you would like to learn more on how we can help you convert please head to our Managed Cloud page >> Managed Cloud - Total IT | IT Support for UK Businesses

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Author

Rebecca Boff - Marketing Coordinator