Two key characteristics of the public cloud, which distinguish it from private or hybrid cloud models, are:
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Multi-Tenancy and Resource Sharing:
- In public cloud environments, computing resources such as servers, storage, and networking capabilities are shared among multiple tenants (different organizations or individuals). This shared infrastructure model allows for efficient utilization of resources and cost savings, as the cost of these resources is spread across all users. However, it also means that your applications and services are running on the same physical hardware as those of other organizations.
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Scalability and Elasticity:
- Public clouds offer significant scalability and elasticity. This means that they can provide resources on-demand, allowing users to easily scale up or down based on their requirements. This is particularly useful for handling varying workloads or unexpected spikes in demand. The public cloud's vast pool of resources enables this flexibility, which is often difficult to achieve in private or hybrid cloud environments without substantial investment.
These characteristics make the public cloud a popular choice for businesses and individuals looking for cost-effective, scalable, and flexible computing resources.