Cloud computing has revolutionised the way businesses operate, allowing for greater efficiency and growth. However, with this cutting-edge technology comes new challenges, particularly when it comes to managing cloud connectivity.
In this article, we’ll share with you our 5 best tips to effectively manage your cloud connectivity, from avoiding hidden data costs to designing a flexible network based on your needs. By following these tips, you can ensure that your cloud connectivity runs smoothly and efficiently, so you can have as smooth operation of your applications as possible.
Table Of Contents
1. Beware Hidden Data Costs
While it is common for cloud computing to save you money since you only need to pay for the services you use, some cloud providers may charge you hidden fees for data leaving the cloud. These are called data egress fees.
Data input, called ingress, is the data users put into the cloud and is typically free. Taking data out of the cloud, however, is called data egress, and many cloud providers charge a hefty fee for it.
Depending on how many users you have working at once, you could incur a massive amount of egress fees as you use cloud services over time!
One way to avoid these hidden egress fees is by using private network connectivity for your cloud services. This private network between your devices and the cloud will offer greater data security and reduce the chances of packet loss, which can also lower data egress charges.
Keep in mind that organizations using multi-cloud services should make sure that all of their clouds are connected to one another through a private network. This can also help reduce data egress costs since some level of data transit will be minimized.
2. Stick to One Unified Network for Multi-Cloud Sprawls
While working with one cloud may work for smaller businesses, larger businesses often need to use several clouds to handle all of their different applications and data. Spreading the wealth in this way can help make communication with each cloud more efficient and can even save you money in the long run.
While this sounds great, managing multiple clouds at once can get disorganised quickly. Because of this, we recommend sticking to one unified network strategy and service provider, so they can manage everything for you according to your needs. This controlled management can improve both operational visibility and security.
For extremely complex cloud systems, we recommend integrating SD-WAN with cloud security to optimise your network.
3. Develop a Strong Cloud Connectivity Infrastructure
When business switch to a multi-cloud model, they often forget the transport component of their network.
While some providers claim to implement SD-WAN over low-cost broadband, this isn’t usually a great option for strong connectivity. In fact, it can lead to a lot of congestion on the network, which can cause delays and overall poor performance.
Your data needs to be transferred over the best-quality transport network possible to be most effective. To do this, make sure you work with a cloud provider that understands the importance of a strong underlay transport network.
Your service provider can help you develop an effective cloud connectivity strategy and infrastructure depending on your specific needs. They will also ensure that you have full control over your network, so both private and public cloud services are adequately supported.
4. Design a Flexible Network Based on Your Needs
Using cloud connectivity means your tools and applications need to work effectively with one another. For a high-performance multi-cloud model, you need to consider your overall architectural design and your business’s needs.
The first two levels of your architecture have to do with your business itself and the applications and the structure of your data across your workload. The third level of architecture has to do with your network design, which has to do with how your applications interact with each other and each user.
This three-level networking design is essential to make sure your cloud is functioning as optimally as possible. A flexible network with many mission-critical elements and overlay solutions can help link the entire process and make managing your network as easy as possible.
5. Look for Providers with Flexible Solutions
Finally, you should always select a public cloud provider that offers a variety of flexible solutions for your organisation.
While the offer of direct connection to the cloud sounds great at first, you should always enquire about scalability and how your connection may be able to change in the future as your organisation grows.
Excellent cloud providers will offer direct cloud connectivity, connectivity to multiple clouds, and other future-proof upgrades to solutions, so you know your operations can be scaled appropriately as your business evolves.
Conclusion
While cloud connectivity can provide significant convenience for businesses and users, managing this connectivity can be a daunting task at times. Luckily, there are options to help you navigate any challenges that arise, whether they be hidden fees or the need for future scalability.
Be sure to look for a reputable cloud provider that offers a variety of flexible solutions for your business, so you have as many options as possible. Your business will hopefully grow over time, so you want to make sure your cloud provider knows how to adjust solutions to your specific needs at any time.
By following these best tips, you can make informed decisions on effectively managing your cloud connectivity and improving your operational performance.