Hybrid Cloud
Definition
Hybrid Cloud combines both private and public cloud services, allowing organizations to leverage the benefits of both environments for flexibility and
Use Cases
- Netflix: Content delivery and streaming platform operations with some legacy/on-prem components — Netflix runs the majority of its streaming platform on AWS, while historically retaining certain legacy systems and workflows in its own facilities during its migration journey. This is commonly cited as a real-world example of operating across on-premises and public cloud during transition periods. (Improved scalability and global reach by leveraging public cloud elasticity while reducing dependence on fixed on-prem capacity over time.)
- BMW Group: Enterprise application modernization and data/analytics across multiple environments — BMW Group has publicly discussed using cloud platforms (including AWS) alongside existing enterprise environments, a common hybrid approach for integrating legacy systems with cloud-native services during modernization. (Faster delivery of digital services and the ability to scale compute for analytics and development workloads while maintaining integration with existing systems.)
- The Home Depot: Retail technology modernization while maintaining integration with existing data center systems — The Home Depot has publicly shared its cloud adoption (notably on Google Cloud) while continuing to operate and integrate with existing enterprise systems, which is a typical hybrid pattern during large-scale transformation. (Greater agility for application development and improved ability to handle variable demand while continuing to support critical legacy integrations.)
Provider Equivalents
- AWS: AWS Outposts
- Azure: Azure Stack (Azure Stack Hub / Azure Stack HCI)
- GCP: Google Distributed Cloud (incl. Anthos)
- OCI: Oracle Cloud@Customer
Frequently Asked Questions
- What's the difference between hybrid cloud and multi-cloud?
- Hybrid cloud combines on-premises (private) infrastructure with public cloud services and connects them so they can work together. Multi-cloud means using more than one public cloud provider (like AWS plus Azure), and it may or may not include on-premises systems.
- When should I use a hybrid cloud?
- Use hybrid cloud when you need to keep some workloads or data on-premises (for latency, data residency, regulatory requirements, or legacy dependencies) but still want public cloud benefits like rapid scaling, managed services, and faster experimentation. It’s also common during phased migrations where you can’t move everything at once.
- How much does a hybrid cloud cost?
- Hybrid cloud costs include on-premises expenses (hardware, data center space, power, cooling, staff, and maintenance) plus public cloud charges (compute, storage, managed services). You also pay for connectivity and integration (VPN/direct connections, data transfer/egress, monitoring, security tooling). Costs vary most based on network bandwidth, data movement between environments, and how much you can standardize operations and automation.
Category: cloud
Difficulty: advanced
Related Terms
See Also