A Cloud server sounds quite different from a traditional client-server, but it is not different in architecture. Cloud servers are still a server located far away from the enterprise that rents it. It is one of the important similarities that clients are oblivious about when migrating to a cloud server. Client-server models are still very much useful and can serve the same purpose as a cloud server. The cloud server’s versatility sets it apart from a traditional one and is a bankable option if you think of investing in it in the future.

Who needs a Cloud Server?

Enterprises that cannot do without the 24/7 availability of their applications and websites need a cloud server. The client-server model can provide round-the-clock availability, but it is not possible if you consider it realistically. Any client-server will undergo periodic maintenance and up-gradation and will shut down for some time to implement it.

The size or scale of implementation is not an issue with cloud servers as they are available on a rent per machine basis. Today a client might need a server with just a few 100 GB of space with a dual-core processor and 2-4 GB RAM. As the business prospers and the application becomes more resource-intensive, you can easily upgrade your system configuration. If you compare the ease of scalability, client servers are cumbersome to scale-up. Scaling down a client-server means selling-off already purchased hardware at half or one-third of the original cost.

The next major advantage of cloud servers is that there is no threshold of expansion. You can request a server of 10 times your current capacity, and the cloud service provider will do that. The cloud service providers impose no upper limit, which is important for businesses such as retail, where the user base can expand or shrink drastically.

Wait! There is more

Apart from the availability and scalability, cloud servers are a reliable option to protect your data. Data redundancy on a client servers needs upgrading your storage every time you need to create a backup. One or two backup instances are easy to manage but rolling back and forth among multiple instances is not possible on a client-server.

Upgrading hardware resources every few months put a financial strain on the business as directly sourcing a new component cost more. The purchase costs do not remain stable and go up as hardware prices soar in the consumer market. The enterprise is not aware of the constant need for up-gradation and eventually feels cheated and overspends capital on IT resources.

On top of abrupt costs, maintenance is another hectic issue with client servers. Every time the hardware encounters a critical failure, a maintenance team must rush to the rescue. Not every enterprise can afford an in-house maintenance team for prompt resolution of hardware troubles. The application uptime and the employee work are affected by even a minuscule hardware error. Cloud service providers can bear the upgrades’ cost and have a professional team for addressing any hardware errors.

Conclusion

Client servers are good only if you wish to keep the data securely shrouded on your servers. Apart from that, there is no reason you should not investigate upgrading to a cloud server or a hybrid server for your enterprise data.

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