What Are the Advantages of Cloud Servers?
Cloud servers have become increasingly popular for businesses looking for alternatives to traditional on-premises servers. For companies handling data-intensive workloads, cloud servers can be essential to meet network demands efficiently. While in-house servers have been favored for decades, their high costs and potential for data loss have prompted many businesses to migrate to cloud-based solutions. So, what exactly are the advantages of cloud servers?
Some key advantages of using a cloud server include:
- Low capital cost
- Quick deployment
- High resilience
- Flexibility
- Strong security
These advantages give cloud servers a strong edge over in-house servers, making them a cost-effective, secure, and efficient choice for businesses.
Keep reading to explore the core features and benefits of cloud servers.
What Are the Advantages of a Cloud Server?
In the past, businesses commonly used in-house servers to handle their network requirements. While these servers do offer some advantages, such as physical control and independence from an internet connection, cloud servers are now leading as the optimal solution. Here’s a breakdown of their key benefits.
Capital Cost
Cloud servers are rented on a monthly basis, requiring no upfront cost or large capital investment. This setup improves cash flow by eliminating big initial expenses.
Typical Cost of a Cloud Server
A small business in-house server might cost around £4,000-5,000, while larger setups can reach hundreds of thousands of pounds, tying up valuable capital. In contrast, comparable cloud servers can be rented for around £100-150 per month, with prices scaling based on specific needs.
Speed of Deployment
With traditional servers, setup typically involves waiting for hardware orders, installations, and configurations, which can take days or even weeks. Cloud servers, on the other hand, are deployed virtually within minutes. An engineer selects the settings, and automation handles the installation.
Read more on how quickly server migrations can be completed in our detailed blog.
Resilience
Cloud servers provide enhanced resilience and disaster recovery options that would be cost-prohibitive with traditional infrastructure. If a physical server fails, virtual servers in cloud clusters automatically continue to operate without interruption. Additional features like Zone Redundancy and Geo Redundancy offer even greater stability by spreading resources across different data centers and locations.
Flexibility and Elasticity
Traditional servers have a limited lifespan, often resulting in overspending on hardware that anticipates future needs. In contrast, cloud servers are scalable on demand. If resource needs change, it’s easy to adjust CPU, memory, or storage allocations.
Example: A cloud server might be configured with high resources during peak office hours but scaled down during off-hours, saving on costs while maintaining functionality.
Security
Cloud security is robust due to significant investments from major providers like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google. These providers can incorporate advanced security technologies at a fraction of the cost for individual businesses, ensuring that cloud servers remain secure without huge expenses.
How Can I Set Up a Cloud Server?
To get started with a cloud server, reach out to a Managed Service Provider. At 777 Networks, we specialize in providing professional cloud migration services across the UK.
Contact us today to learn more.