Hybrid cloud combines the control of an on-premises data center or private cloud with the scalability of a public cloud. In a hybrid cloud, each workload can be placed in its optimal environment to support high performance and reduce overall costs.

What is hybrid cloud?
Hybrid cloud is a cloud computing model that combines the advantages of private cloud and public cloud. In hybrid cloud management, each workload can be assigned to the most appropriate cloud environment.

Applications and database on cloud that require a high level of control, customization, or security can run in an on-premises private cloud, while other workloads can take advantage of the scalability and flexibility of the public cloud. Both cloud computing models play a role in hybrid cloud architecture.

Over time, many organizations have adopted this combination of on-premises resources and public cloud services. They might start in a data center with a private cloud and then move some applications or services to the public cloud for greater flexibility.

Instead, they may start with a cloud-native approach and move some workloads from the public cloud back to an on-premises private cloud environment to improve control. In both cases, the result is a hybrid cloud model.

How hybrid cloud works
In a hybrid cloud model, some workloads are deployed in on-premises data centers or private clouds, other workloads reside in the public cloud, and applications or data are moved between the two environments. Hybrid cloud models offer a high degree of flexibility through various deployment options.

Benefits of hybrid cloud
The benefits of a hybrid cloud include the control and visibility of local compute, storage and network resources unique to a private cloud, along with the flexibility, scalability and reduced capital costs of a public cloud. By running each workload in the most appropriate environment, organizations can optimize cloud performance, flexibility and cost.