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What is Community Cloud Computing?
A community cloud is a type of cloud deployment model in which a shared infrastructure is made available for the sole use of a particular group of customers from businesses that share concerns, like mission and security requirements, guidelines, and issues related to compliance. It combines the collaboration of a public cloud with the privacy and control of a private cloud. It lets multiple companies share a platform without compromising security or compliance.
Its main objective is to enable collaboration among several users on community-owned projects and apps. A centralized cloud infrastructure is usually used in this approach to meet the needs, security specifications, or compliance norms of a certain industry. It offers a shared cloud environment that combines services from several cloud solution types to address issues unique to a given industry.
Technically speaking, it is made to help its members share data, collaborate on projects, and support one another. It can be hosted either on-site or off-site in a data center controlled by a third-party cloud provider or by one of the tenants. A cloud provider or the organization itself may be in charge of the management. The underlying infrastructure, which frequently includes specialized security protocols, compliance processes, and governance models, is set up to satisfy the community’s common needs.
Types of Community Cloud
Ownership, management, and the type of shared resources are the factors used to classify these clouds.
Categorization Based on Ownership
The sorts of community clouds that fall under this category are as follows:
- Community cloud on-site: The collaborating organisations own and run the infrastructure on their grounds. In order to have the most control over their data and applications, organisations invest in both hardware and software. Organisations with stringent security requirements and the technical know-how to oversee intricate cloud systems can benefit from this configuration.
- Community cloud from a third party: The infrastructure is owned and run by a third-party cloud provider that provides services to the community. Companies can take advantage of the provider’s cloud management experience and save money on capital expenditures. This concept works well for businesses that want to outsource infrastructure maintenance while preserving a confidential working environment.
Categorization Based on Management
The governance framework and operational effectiveness are impacted by management duties. This category includes the following:
- Community cloud that is run internally: The cloud infrastructure is jointly managed by the collaborating organizations. In order to coordinate management actions and guarantee adherence to established standards, this strategy necessitates a robust governance system.
- Community cloud that is run by the provider: On behalf of the organizations, a cloud service provider oversees the community cloud. By shifting the operational burden to the supplier, this approach enables businesses to concentrate on their primary strengths.
Character of Common Resources
The kind of resources and services that members of the community share determines this classification. Among the varieties are:
- Vertical Community cloud: Applications and infrastructure created to satisfy industry-specific needs are shared by organizations in the same sector or industry. For instance, hospitals that share a cloud environment designed for medically regulated healthcare applications.
- Horizontal Community cloud: Businesses from various industries use the same features or services. Regardless of the industry sector, this strategy emphasises common platforms for tasks like finance, procurement, and human resources.
Community Cloud pricing
In contrast to private clouds, it lowers individual costs by pooling resources and infrastructure among several organizations. Through this shared arrangement, businesses may use cutting-edge cloud services without having to pay for them entirely.
Because community clouds offer specialised security and compliance features catered to particular group requirements, they may be more expensive than public clouds. They do, however, provide improved security and control, which is essential for businesses with stringent needs.
To evaluate community clouds against alternative solutions, organizations need to do a total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis. Indirect costs like possible downtime and training are taken into account in this study, along with direct costs like infrastructure and operating expenses.