DCaaS: Bridging the Gap between Cloud and Infrastructure Solutions
Over the past decade or so, businesses have hurried to migrate much of their computing infrastructure into the cloud. The reason is simple: relying on cloud services gives businesses the ability to scale and enjoy predictable infrastructure costs. However, there are some downsides to cloud services that render them inappropriate in certain situations. For example, some businesses run legacy server-based applications that cannot operate in a traditional cloud environment. Others have regulatory oversight processes that require maintaining physical control over certain data.
In such situations, a new solution known as Datacenter as a Service (DCaaS) may be more appropriate. It provides businesses with all the control they would have if they built their own datacenter, except that it resides within a provider’s existing space. DCaaS services allow for complete infrastructure customization, including the ability for businesses to operate their hardware. To end-users, the experience is seamless, thanks to the high-bandwidth WAN connections linking the datacenter with the wider world.
In this article, we will explore DCaaS, its distinctions from options like Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and cloud hosting, and discuss when it makes sense for businesses to utilize it.
What Is DCaaS?
DCaaS is straightforward to comprehend. It serves as a successor to traditional colocation, wherein the provider manages the datacenter itself, provisions internet access, and rents out space and resources to multiple tenants. However, tenants must provide their server hardware or lease it from the provider. Additionally, most DCaaS providers permit tenants to use their sensors and remote-control systems, enabling them to detect and respond to conditions in the datacenter in real-time.
DCaaS offers several advantages relative to IaaS and cloud services. One is that businesses retain complete control of the underlying server hardware and its security. Additionally, DCaaS allows businesses complete discretion regarding their chosen server and operating system architecture. There is no need to use a provider’s chosen virtualization technology or be limited by a list of available OS options.
It is important to note that most DCaaS providers do offer on-site infrastructure management for businesses that need it. This means a business can turn over as much or as little of its hardware and software management to the provider as necessary and expediently.
Cloud vs. IaaS vs. DCaaS
One of the biggest challenges businesses encounter when evaluating IT infrastructure solutions is distinguishing between them. Options like DCaaS and IaaS, as well as various commercial cloud providers, often seem similar, making it difficult for business leaders to make informed decisions about where to allocate their IT budget. However, there are specific distinctions that help clarify the differences between these major options.
Key Distinctions of Cloud Services
Cloud services provide businesses with scalable computing power shared among various organizations and the provider itself. For instance, Microsoft’s Azure service serves over 450,000 clients globally, including the tech giant itself. Similarly, Amazon’s AWS boasts over 1.4 million clients. Users can build applications and services by connecting provisioned services like compute, storage, and networking. Alternatively, they can utilize these services to create hosted servers, essentially replicating a datacenter in the cloud.
The greatest advantage of using cloud services is the ability for businesses to select and pay for specific resources individually, a model known as a la carte. For instance, businesses can utilize cloud storage as a standalone service without employing any other computing resources. Alternatively, they can opt for a hosted database instance to serve as a backend for existing on-premises hardware. The potential combinations and possibilities are endless, making cloud services an exceptionally flexible option.
Key Distinctions of IaaS
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is a type of cloud computing model enabling businesses to replicate entire infrastructure setups in the cloud. It facilitates the provisioning of servers, routers, switches, or any other physical IT infrastructure in virtual form. However, it is crucial to note that in an IaaS setting, all physical hardware is owned by the provider and may be shared with other users or tenants.
The primary advantage of Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is that it enables businesses to replace all their on-premises hardware with cloud-based counterparts. Additionally, they gain the ability to scale their infrastructure up or down without the need to purchase new equipment. Instead, they can request additional resources from the provider and receive them from the existing shared infrastructure. However, it is important to note that IaaS can be unnecessarily expensive for businesses with static computing needs, as the pricing includes scaling abilities that the business may not require.
Key Distinctions of DCaaS
Finally, DCaaS enables businesses to transfer their physical infrastructure into a third-party managed datacenter. With DCaaS, there are no shared servers or hardware, and the business retains complete control over its assets. While scaling up is certainly possible with DCaaS services, doing so requires procuring more hardware or agreeing to lease hardware from the provider. It is an ideal solution for businesses that desire total control over their data and prefer not to share resources with other tenants.
When Is DCaaS an Appropriate Solution?
The most common situation in which DCaaS is an appropriate solution is when businesses with existing on-premises server infrastructure outgrow their facilities. In this scenario, it is possible to utilize a DCaaS provider as a means of expanding the existing infrastructure, utilizing a high-bandwidth WAN connection to link the two locations into a single logical unit. Alternatively, businesses in this situation may choose to relocate all their existing assets into the DCaaS provider’s space. This provides them with ample additional room to grow and frees up valuable space within their own facilities.
Another scenario in which DCaaS makes sense, is for businesses with specific cybersecurity requirements that traditional IaaS and cloud providers cannot or do not meet. For instance, businesses may wish to have multiple failover locations in key geographic areas to mitigate the risk of DDoS attacks. Additionally, for businesses with specific regulatory obligations to fulfill, such as meeting physical security minimums, other hosting options may not easily satisfy these requirements.
DCaaS is also an excellent option for businesses that wish to establish a private cloud but aim to contain its management costs. By utilizing existing space in a DCaaS provider’s datacenters, it is possible to minimize both the overhead and some of the risks associated with a self-managed private cloud system.
Reliable I.T. Infrastructure Partner
While DCaaS is not the right solution for every business, it is worth considering as an option when business needs evolve. It can be an excellent way for businesses to enhance existing physical data centers or to alleviate the staffing and costs associated with managing a data center themselves.
Outsource IT can be an invaluable partner in helping a business navigate its infrastructure choices, including offering built-to-suit managed cloud services to meet a variety of computing needs. To learn more about our cloud productivity and hosting options, contact one of our knowledgeable account managers today.