“The Cloud is more than technology- It’s a generational shift”. In the context of Cloud technology, Cloud bursting refers to an application configuration, which offers economical advantage by setting up a configuration between a public cloud and a private cloud for handling the peaks in IT demands. It enables a private cloud to burst into the public cloud for accessing extra computing resources, without the service being interrupted. A high demand usage or a manual request can automatically trigger cloud bursts.
The technology involved in cloud bursting involves IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service), which is a cloud computing infrastructure. It lets developers dynamically configure cloud resources based on demand. Certain DevOps tools are used for the purpose of specifying capacity thresholds or for triggering events that cause cloud bursting.
To digress, cloud technology is used in web hosting too, for the purpose of hosting websites. The files of websites are stored on the servers of web hosting companies and are delivered from there over the Internet for making websites accessible. The most popular web hosting service providers are usually referred to as the “Best Website Hosting Company”, the “Best Windows Hosting Company”, the “Best Cloud Hosting Company” etc.
Why is Cloud bursting needed?
An increase in computational resources’ demand triggers cloud bursts. The most common Cloud bursting situations are caused by marketing campaigns, software development, big data modelling and queries and seasonal businesses.
A huge volume of traffic is generated by marketing campaigns. This requires extended Cloud resources for which cloud bursting can be utilized. Cloud bursting is needed for software development and analytics. Multiple virtual machines are often used for testing purposes by DevOps teams. These are usually needed for a short amount of time. Moreover, tasks related to CI/CD are ideal for bursting into the public cloud. The execution of one-time queries or generation of models by big data companies often exceeds the capacity of their private cloud. Cloud bursting proves to be beneficial for this. AI and ML model training, High-fidelity 3D rendering, autonomous vehicle simulation etc. are some of the examples of big data tasks. Additionally, seasonal businesses also require extra computational resources in peak hours.
Features of Cloud Bursting
The main features of Cloud bursting are mentioned below, in no particular order.
Monitoring continuously the load of applications
Transferring the extra workload to the public cloud when limit is reached
Maintaining data and application consistency between public and private cloud
Turning the cloud bursting off when load is at normal level
Pay-out, based on usage, to the service provider for storage and compute
Cloud Bursting Architecture
Cloud bursting has a flexible as well as scalable architecture. It provides the option to use cloud-based IT resources for meeting high demands of use. Its architectural model utilizes resource application mechanisms and automated scaling listener. The automated scaling listener determines the time when a request should be redirected towards a cloud’s IT resources. There are other mechanisms that are used in conjunction with the automated scaling listener and the resource replication for automating cloud bursts. In this way, a cloud bursting architecture results in dynamic scaling for the available IT resources, when a specified threshold is attained.
Challenges in Cloud Bursting
Cloud bursting isn’t devoid of challenges. Not every application can be moved to the public cloud. Often sensitive business information prevents such a move. In the context of keeping data in the public cloud, there can be security related issues and issues with regulation and compliance. Often issues with bandwidth can restrict the movement of data/applications and can cause delays in the start. For some applications there can be an inability to address latency or performance related issues. Rapid technological developments have ensured that these challenges get addressed adequately.
Benefits of Cloud Bursting
Cloud Bursting has its share of benefits. The main benefits have to do with flexible scaling, reduction in operating costs and business continuity. Cloud bursting enables adjustments to cloud capacity needs that are changing. If a private cloud experiences an unexpected surge in traffic, it is possible to seamlessly expand to the public cloud. When a public cloud is accessed it offers access to resources that are limitless. Additionally, cloud bursting aids in keeping free local cloud resources, which can be utilized for other purposes. Another advantage of using cloud bursting is a reduction in operating costs. In it, businesses pay for only the additional resources, based on requirement. This aids in reducing the costs with regard to private cloud infrastructure by ensuring that a minimal set of resources are maintained, which are required for those applications that are confidential and critical. Last but not the least is the added advantage of business continuity that is provided by cloud bursting. It ensures that services and applications that are important do not encounter any disruption in service.
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