Organizations leverage cloud infrastructure to build hybrid and private clouds that deliver cloud computing services. To fully effectively deliver the benefits of cloud computing, organizations are implementing cloud-enabled infrastructure as part of their data center modernization.

How Does Cloud Infrastructure Work?

Cloud computing infrastructure includes the following components:

  • Servers - physical servers provide "host" machines for multiple virtual machines (VMs) or "guests'
  • Virtualization - virtualization technologies abstract physical elements and location. IT resources – servers, applications, desktops, storage, and networking – are uncoupled from physical devices and presented as logical resources.
  • Storage - SAN, network attached storage (NAS), and unified systems provide storage for primary block and file data, data archiving, backup, and business continuance.
  • Network - switches interconnect physical servers and storage.
  • Management - cloud infrastructure management includes server, network, and storage orchestration, configuration management, performance monitoring, storage resource management, and usage metering
  • Security - components ensure information security and data integrity, fulfill compliance and confidentiality needs, manage risk, and provide governance.
  • Backup & recovery - virtual servers, NAS, and virtual desktops are backed up automatically.
  • Infrastructure systems - pre-integrated software and hardware, such as complete backup systems with de-duplication and pre-racked platforms containing servers, hypervisor, network, and storage, streamline cloud infrastructure deployment and further reduce complexity.