Eventually all modern data engineering teams hit a point where they can no longer Scale.
They may find it increasingly difficult to manage Data Pipelines; the Cost to Store Data is growing exponentially; and the provisioning of Infrastructure is taking far longer to deliver.
Suddenly, the Data Engineering teams biggest constraint is no longer on Data Modeling or Analytics but rather on Infrastructure.
Great! So now what? It's important at this point to understand what Cloud Infrastructure is, because as a Data Engineering Lead, Cloud Infrastructure is more than just an infrastructure problem, it is also impacting:
- Reliability of Your Data Pipeline
- Cost-Effectiveness of Your Data Pipeline
- Scalability of Your Analytics And AI Solutions
However, many teams begin using Cloud Services with little understanding of the underlying Infrastructure Model.
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This post will help you grasp the basic concepts:
- What IS Cloud Infrastructure
- Core Components of Cloud Infrastructure Architecture
- Types of Cloud Infrastructure Models
- How Your Data Engineering Teams Will Use Cloud Infrastructure
- How To Go About Choosing The Best Cloud Solution
What is Cloud Infrastructure?
In its simplest form, Cloud Infrastructure is a collection of hardware and software resources that provide support for computing workloads via the internet.
Core Concept
In essence, rather than Managing the Physical Servers, Organizations Use Cloud Providers to Deliver Computing Services Such As:
- Computing
- Storing
- Networking
- Securing
All on Demand.
Traditional vs Cloud Infrastructure
- Traditional Infrastructure Cloud Infrastructure
- Deployment (Location) On-Premise Remote, via the Cloud
- Scaling Limits Limited Scaling Unlimited Scaling (Elasticity)
- Cost Model Capital Expenses Operational Expense
- Maintenance Manual Maintenance Managed Maintenance
What is Cloud Infrastructure
Cloud Infrastructure provides the backbone of Cloud Computing:
Virtual Machines, Databases, Storage Systems and Networking Layers, making up the Core Components of Cloud Infrastructure:
Five Main Building Blocks
1. Computing
Virtual Machines, Containers & Serverless computing function to run applications and move data from one place to another.
2. Storage
Different types of storage include Object (S3), Block or File-based storage. These are the building blocks of Data Lakes and Data Warehouses.
3. Networking
Three areas are addressed by Networking:
- Data Transfer
- Load Balancing
- Connectivity
4. Security
Four aspects that make up Security are:
- Identity & Access Management (IAM)
- Encryption
- Compliance Controls
5. Management and Monitoring
The Management and Monitoring building blocks consist of:
- Observability
- Logging
- Performance Tracking
These five components create the foundation for all Cloud Systems.
Cloud Infrastructure is a combination of Computer, Storage, Networking, Security and Management systems working together.
Types of Cloud Infrastructure Models
There are three types of Cloud Infrastructure Models.
1. Public Cloud
The Public Cloud is owned and operated by a third-party company, such as Amazon, Microsoft or Google, who administers the cloud services and provides the infrastructure for usage. An example would be AWS S3.
2. Private Cloud
The Private Cloud is dedicated to a single entity. This cloud model provides the organization with more control over its hardware as compared to the Public Cloud and has higher capital costs.
3. Hybrid Cloud
The Hybrid Cloud includes both clouds; therefore, it combines the advantages of having more control, reduced capital investment, as well as maintaining the flexibility to scale in all directions as needed.
Depending on security, cost and scalability requirements, organizations can select the best fit based on the above-mentioned cloud infrastructure models.
Cloud Computing Services: IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS
Service Layer Understanding
- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) - Raw infrastructure providers, such as AWS EC2.
- Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Development platform providers, such as managed databases.
- Software as a Service (SaaS) - Managed application providers, such as BI tools.
Key Differences
- IaaS = control
- PaaS = convenience
- SaaS = simplicity
The key takeaway here is that cloud infrastructure is primarily an IaaS-based model; however, it also supports higher degree services (PaaS & SaaS).
How Does Cloud Infrastructure Support Data Engineering?
Here is where things become practical.
- As cloud infrastructures facilitate dynamic scaling of pipelines dependent upon load.
- Efficient execution of distributed processing tools (e.g., Spark) on cloud computing clusters.
- Object storage/Cloud storage enable tremendous scalability in storing data, e.g., for data lakes, backup systems and archive storage.
- Real-time processing of data via cloud-native streaming systems.
- AI/ML support by providing GPUs for compute and environments for training of models.
Importance of Cloud Infrastructure for On-Premise IT Systems
Cloud infrastructure enables enterprises to scale and improve upon their existing IT systems while reducing total cost of ownership and accelerating innovation.
The key takeaway is that cloud infrastructure provides the foundation for the modern data engineering systems.
Major Providers of Cloud Infrastructure
When looking at cloud infrastructures, the major players are:
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Microsoft Azure
- Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
Advantages of Leading Providers
Providers strive to provide enterprise-class, global scale solutions with value-added features (advanced tooling and security) to ensure performance and reliability for customers.
Comparison
- AWS offers the most extensive services
- Azure offers enterprise integration
- GCP provides advanced data & AI capabilities
The key takeaway is that the decision depends on use case and ecosystem fit.
Cloud Hosting: Public vs Private vs Hybrid
Public cloud hosting is less expensive to use, allows for greater flexibility and capacity than private cloud hosting, but also provides less security.
Private cloud hosts offer more security and control, are generally more expensive to use than public cloud, and are best suited for workloads that require a high degree of confidentiality.
Hybrid cloud combines the features of both.
Decision Factors
- Legal and compliance
- Financial implications
- Operational requirements
Key takeaway: Many companies are adopting hybrid cloud solutions.
Benefits of Cloud to Data Organizations
- Scalability
- Cost Efficiency
- Flexibility
- Faster Deployment
- Global Availability
With a cloud-based IT strategy, organizations using a cloud infrastructure can achieve increased agility, scalability, and innovation.
Key takeaway: Cloud infrastructure is changing how organizations scale.
Security and Governance in Cloud Infrastructure
Security will continue to be a primary concern.
Key Areas
- Identity/access management
- Encryption
- Network protection
Cloud security is often characterized by a shared responsibility between the customer and the provider.
Responsibility Model
- Provider → infrastructure security
- Customer → data and access
Best Practices
- Least privilege access
- Encrypt data
- Continuous monitoring
What is Cloud Infrastructure Security?
Cloud infrastructure security is intended to ensure that systems and data are secured in a distributed environment.
Key takeaway: Security is a shared responsibility.
Common Challenges in Adopting Cloud Infrastructure
- Cost Management and Control
- Multi-Cloud Complexity
- Skills Gap
- Vendor Lock-in
- Governance Issues
Key Takeaway: Strong operational discipline is required.
How do You Determine Which Cloud Infrastructure Strategy to Use
Step 1: Define Workloads
- Batch Processing
- Real-Time Analytics
- AI Workloads
Step 2: Evaluate Providers
- Performance
- Cost
- Ecosystem
Step 3: Select Deployment Model
- Public
- Private
- Hybrid
Step 4: Governance Planning
- Access Control
- Security Control
Step 5: Continual Optimization
Monitor and optimize.
Key Takeaway: Strategy matters more than tools.
Conclusion: Cloud Infrastructure as a Competitive Advantage
A clear understanding of Cloud Infrastructure is a requirement for all Data Engineering Leaders.
Cloud Infrastructure is the foundation of:
- Building the Data Infrastructure for the Business
- Where AI Systems are Deployed
- Delivering Business Insights
The goal of the business is not simply "to move to the Cloud" but rather to create IT Systems that:
- Provide Effective Scaling
- Consistently Operate
- Deliver Quantifiable Business Value
With Logiciel Solutions, we support Data Engineering Teams through the Design and Implementation of AI First Cloud Infrastructure so that they may optimize their delivery and reduce their operational overhead. Our Architects and Operators are committed to ensuring your Cloud Infrastructure supports your Business Goals as you scale.
We invite you to learn how to implement AI First Cloud Infrastructure to support your data platform with confidence.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cloud Infrastructure? How does it Enable Enterprise IT?
Cloud Infrastructure provides the ability to use scalable computing capabilities via the Internet. Common examples are processing, storage, and networking. Cloud Infrastructure enables Enterprise IT as a means to support a flexible deployment method while providing cost savings associated with traditional Hardware Infrastructure investments while allowing for scaling without having to deal with traditional physical hardware.
What are the components of Cloud Infrastructure?
The key components are components are compute resources, storage systems, networking layers, Security frameworks, and Management Systems. Collectively, they work together to enable scalable, reliable systems in support of applications, analytics and data processing workloads.
Who are the leading providers of Cloud Infrastructure Services?
The leaders are AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform. They have Global Infrastructure, Services, and Security suitable for Enterprise level Solution Providers.
What are the core components that make up Cloud Infrastructure?
The core components include compute resources, storage systems, networking layers, security frameworks and monitoring tools. Collectively, they provide the underlying platform for all Cloud Based Solutions by enabling Scalable, High Performing Workloads.
What types of Cloud Infrastructure are available to Businesses?
There are three models to deploy in another Cloud Infrastructure: Public, Private and Hybrid. Depending on the Business Needs, each provides different levels of control, Scalability, and cost-effectiveness.
