Microsoft Hybrid Cloud is a cloud computing environment that allows organizations to combine the benefits of both on-premises infrastructure and cloud computing. In a hybrid cloud environment, some applications and services run on-premises, while others run in the cloud.
Microsoft Hybrid Cloud is built on the foundation of Microsoft Azure, and it provides a seamless experience between on-premises and cloud resources. Here are some examples of how organizations can use Microsoft Hybrid Cloud:
- Hybrid Virtual Machines: With Azure Arc, organizations can manage and deploy virtual machines across multiple environments, including on-premises, in the cloud, or at the edge. This allows organizations to have a single control plane for managing their VMs, regardless of where they are running. For example, a financial company can use Azure Arc to manage their virtual machines running in both their data center and Azure cloud.
- Hybrid Storage: With Azure Stack, organizations can deploy a hybrid storage solution that enables them to use Azure services on-premises. This allows organizations to store data on-premises for compliance or latency reasons while still being able to use Azure services for backup, disaster recovery, or archiving. For example, a healthcare organization can use Azure Stack to store patient data on-premises while still being able to use Azure services for analytics or reporting.
- Hybrid Networking: With Azure ExpressRoute, organizations can create a dedicated private connection between their on-premises infrastructure and Azure data centers. This provides a more reliable and secure connection than a traditional internet connection, and it allows organizations to extend their on-premises network into Azure. For example, a manufacturing company can use Azure ExpressRoute to connect their on-premises factory network to Azure, allowing them to use Azure services for machine learning or predictive maintenance.
- Hybrid Identity: With Azure Active Directory, organizations can have a single identity and access management system for both on-premises and cloud resources. This allows organizations to manage access to their applications and services from a single location, regardless of where they are running. For example, a government agency can use Azure Active Directory to manage access to both their on-premises applications and cloud applications, ensuring that users have the appropriate access to each application.
- Hybrid DevOps: With Azure Arc, organizations can extend their DevOps practices across on-premises and cloud resources. This allows them to use the same tools and processes to manage their infrastructure, regardless of where it is running. For example, a software development company can use Azure Arc to manage their Kubernetes clusters running on-premises and in the cloud, allowing them to deploy their applications with the same CI/CD pipeline.
Here are some examples of how organizations can use Microsoft Hybrid Cloud:
- Hybrid Virtual Machines: Organizations can use Azure Arc to manage their virtual machines across multiple environments, including on-premises, in the cloud, or at the edge. This allows organizations to have a single control plane for managing their VMs, regardless of where they are running. For example, a retail company may have their point-of-sale system running on-premises while their website and e-commerce platform are running in Azure. With Azure Arc, they can manage both environments as a single entity, ensuring that their VMs are up-to-date and secure.
- Hybrid Storage: Azure Stack allows organizations to deploy a hybrid storage solution that enables them to use Azure services on-premises. This allows organizations to store data on-premises for compliance or latency reasons while still being able to use Azure services for backup, disaster recovery, or archiving. For example, a manufacturing company may have their engineering data stored on-premises, but they want to use Azure services for data analytics. With Azure Stack, they can use Azure Data Services to analyze their engineering data in real-time, while still maintaining control over their data.
- Hybrid Networking: Azure ExpressRoute allows organizations to create a dedicated private connection between their on-premises infrastructure and Azure data centers. This provides a more reliable and secure connection than a traditional internet connection, and it allows organizations to extend their on-premises network into Azure. For example, a healthcare organization may have a patient record system running on-premises, but they want to use Azure services for machine learning to identify potential health risks. With Azure ExpressRoute, they can securely transfer patient data to Azure while ensuring that the data remains compliant with industry regulations.
- Hybrid Identity: Azure Active Directory allows organizations to have a single identity and access management system for both on-premises and cloud resources. This allows organizations to manage access to their applications and services from a single location, regardless of where they are running. For example, a financial company may have their HR system running on-premises, but they want to use Office 365 for email and collaboration. With Azure Active Directory, they can manage user identities and access to both systems from a single location, making it easier to manage user accounts and ensure compliance.
- Hybrid DevOps: Azure Arc allows organizations to extend their DevOps practices across on-premises and cloud resources. This allows them to use the same tools and processes to manage their infrastructure, regardless of where it is running. For example, a software development company may have their development and test environments running on-premises, but they want to deploy their applications to Azure. With Azure Arc, they can use the same CI/CD pipeline for both environments, ensuring that their applications are deployed consistently and reliably.
Microsoft Hybrid Cloud provides organizations with the flexibility and agility to run their applications and services in a way that best suits their needs. It allows them to combine the benefits of on-premises infrastructure with the scalability and agility of the cloud, while maintaining a consistent experience across both environments.
