Best Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) in 2024

What is a Virtual Private Cloud

A Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) is like a private, secure space within a public cloud. It's a virtual environment where businesses can run their code, store data, and host websites. This VPC is not physically located on their premises but is hosted remotely by a public cloud provider. This setup offers the benefits of both public and private cloud computing.

VPCs use virtual network functions and security measures to create logical isolation. This means businesses have precise control over which IP addresses or applications can access their resources, much like how you control who can see your social media posts. It's a way to combine the flexibility of the public cloud with the data protection of the private cloud.

How is a VPC Isolated Within a Public Cloud

When it comes to Virtual Private Clouds (VPCs), the fundamental objective is to create a secure, private space within the broader public cloud environment. To achieve this isolation, VPCs employ a combination of essential technologies, each playing a distinct role in keeping the VPC separate from other resources in the public cloud.

• Subnets: Dividing the Space: Subnets are like reserved sections within a network. In the context of a VPC, these subnets utilize private IP addresses, which are not accessible via the public Internet. They essentially create partitions within the VPC, ensuring that certain resources are isolated from the rest of the cloud infrastructure.
• VLANs: Virtual LANs: VLANs, or Virtual LANs, serve as another layer of separation. Unlike subnets, which operate at Layer 3 of the OSI model, VLANs function at Layer 2. They segment the network, ensuring that VPC resources are cordoned off from the broader network, similar to how subnets partition IP addresses.
• VPN: Encryption for Privacy: Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) add a layer of security by encrypting data, effectively creating a private network within the public cloud. This encrypted traffic flows through the publicly shared Internet infrastructure, such as routers and switches, making it inaccessible to prying eyes.

Key Features of Virtual Private Cloud

These key features of the VPC model are;

• On-Demand Scalability: VPCs provide you with full control over the size of your virtual network. You can deploy cloud resources precisely when your business needs them. This on-demand scalability means you can adjust resources dynamically and in real-time without any delay.
• Availability: VPCs ensure the availability of your applications and workloads through redundant resources and robust, fault-tolerant availability zone architectures. This high level of availability minimizes downtime and keeps your operations running smoothly.
• Security: Security is a paramount concern, and VPCs excel in this regard. They establish a logically isolated network where your data and applications remain separate from those of the cloud provider's other customers. You have granular control over resource and workload access, determining who can access them and how they do so.
• Affordability: VPC customers benefit from the cost-effectiveness of the public cloud. This translates to savings on hardware costs, reduced labor times, and efficient resource management. By using public cloud resources within the VPC framework, businesses can optimize their budget while enjoying the flexibility and security of a private cloud.

Benefits of Using Virtual Private Cloud

Virtual Private Clouds (VPCs) offer a range of benefits;

• Flexible Business Growth: VPCs provide the flexibility your business needs to grow and adapt quickly. With the ability to deploy cloud infrastructure resources, such as virtual servers, storage, and networking, on-demand, you can easily respond to changes in business requirements. Because of its flexibility, your company may scale up or down its resources as necessary to keep up with changing customer needs.
• Satisfied Customers: VPCs excel in providing high availability, offering nearly 100% uptime. This reliability translates to uninterrupted online experiences, critical for fostering client loyalty and brand trust.
• Reduced Risk and Enhanced Security: VPCs deliver heightened security at the instance or subnet level, or both. This robust security framework minimizes risks associated with data handling and access. With a secure VPC environment sensitive data and customer information are well protected.
• More Resources for Innovation: One of the key advantages of VPCs is the reduction in operational costs and the decreased demand on your internal IT team. This translates to more resources, both financial and human, that can be directed toward innovation and core business objectives.

The Architecture of Virtual Private Cloud are categorized into three main components;

1. Compute: Virtual Server Instances

   Virtual server instances, or VSIs (also known as virtual servers), are the computational powerhouses within a VPC. They are presented to users as virtual CPUs (vCPUs) with predefined computing capabilities, memory, and more. VSIs serve as the processing engine for your applications and workloads.

2. Storage: Block Storage Quotas

   VPC customers are typically allocated a specific block storage quota per account, with the flexibility to acquire additional storage as needed. This storage capacity can be likened to purchasing extra hard drive space to accommodate your data and applications.

3. Networking: Virtual Network Functions

   Networking components of a VPC enable you to configure and manage access to your cloud resources. These include;

   • Public Gateways: Deployed to make specific areas of your VPC environment accessible on the public Internet. This feature enables online visibility for the designated parts of your VPC.
   • Load Balancers: These distribute incoming traffic across multiple Virtual Server Instances (VSIs), optimizing availability and performance. They ensure that workloads are evenly distributed.
   • Routers: Routers direct traffic and facilitate communication between different network segments within your VPC. They ensure seamless connectivity and data transfer within your VPC environment.
   • Direct or Dedicated Links: These connections establish rapid and secure communication pathways between your on-premises enterprise IT environment, private cloud resources, and the resources within your VPC on the public cloud.

Virtual Private Cloud Vs Private Cloud

Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) and Private Cloud are both cloud computing solutions that provide organizations with isolated and secure environments to run their workloads.

To understand the key differences between the two, see the table;

Features	Virtual Private Cloud (VPC)	Private Cloud
Provider	Cloud provider	Organization
Deployment	Hosted	On-premises or colocation
Control	Shared control	Complete control
Scalability	Highly scalable	Scalability depends on the organization's resources

Virtual Private Cloud Vs Public Cloud

Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) and Public Cloud are distinct cloud computing models. VPC offers businesses an isolated, highly secure environment within the broader public cloud, affording greater control and customization. In contrast, the Public Cloud shares resources with multiple users, providing cost-efficiency but with less security and customization. VPC is the preferred choice for organizations prioritizing heightened security and tailored configurations.

Read the comparison table to understand the main difference between Virtual Private Cloud and Public Cloud:

Features	Virtual Private Cloud (VPC)	Public Cloud
Isolation	Provides isolated environments for organizations to run their workloads	Public cloud resources are shared by all customers
Security	Offers a high level of security by isolating workloads from other tenants in the public cloud	Although many security safeguards are put in place by public cloud providers, users are ultimately in charge of ensuring the security of their own data and apps
Control	Organizations have more control over their VPC environment than they do over a public cloud environment	Public cloud providers manage the underlying infrastructure, so organizations have less control over their environment
Scalability	Given VPCs scalability, businesses may easily and rapidly add or remove resources as needed	Public clouds are also highly scalable, but organizations may need to work with their provider to increase or decrease their resource allocation
Flexibility	Offers organizations a high degree of flexibility, allowing them to customize their environment to meet their specific needs	Public clouds also offer a high degree of flexibility, but organizations may be limited by the services and features that are offered by their provider
Cost	Can be more cost-effective than public cloud for organizations with specific needs, such as high security or compliance requirements	Public cloud is typically the most cost-effective option for organizations with low to moderate computing needs

Virtual Private Cloud Vs Virtual Private Network

Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) and Virtual Private Network (VPN) are distinct technologies. VPC creates a secure, isolated cloud environment, offering resources for running applications. A virtual private network (VPN), on the other hand, is a network connection that guarantees safe data transfer between two locations, usually via the Internet.

To understand the distinct features of the two, see the comparison table below:

Features	Virtual Private Cloud (VPC)	Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Purpose	To provide businesses a private, secure cloud environment in which they can execute their operations	To facilitate safe communication over an open network
Deployment	Deployed by cloud providers	Deployed by organizations or by third-party VPN providers
Coverage	Cover an entire network or a specific subnet	Used to connect individual devices or entire networks
Security	Use a variety of security measures to protect workloads, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and access control lists	Use encryption to protect data in transit
Scalability	Due to the excellent scalability of VPCs, businesses may rapidly and simply add or remove resources as needed	VPNs can also be scalable, but the scalability of a VPN will depend on the resources of the VPN server
Cost	The cost of a VPC will vary depending on the cloud provider and the resources that are used	The cost of a VPN will vary depending on the VPN provider and the features that are used

Top Virtual Private Cloud Examples

Software	Features	Price
Azure Virtual Network	Enhance security & isolation, Rely on reach of Azure, Sophisticated network topologies, Extend datacenter to cloud, Flexibility for building apps	Price On Request
Aruba VPC	Maximum compatibility & integration, Full control, Real-time platform scaling, Failure-resistant networking, No unexpected costs	Price On Request
Scaleway VPC	Private by design, Private LAN, Multi-Private Networks, Managed DHCP, Resilience	Price On Request
Huawei VPC	Enhance Security & Isolation, Choose Right Bandwidth, Extend Data Center to Cloud, Define & Control Traffic Flows, Flexible configuration	Price On Request
Google VPC	VPC network, VPC flow logs, Bring your own IPs, VPC peering, Firewall	Price On Request
Alibaba VPC	Layer-2 logical isolation, Custom network environment, Access control, Internet portal management, Hybrid cloud architecture	Price On Request
Lumen Edge Private Cloud	Simplify operations, Maximize security, Enable applications, Highly customizable options, Help reduce human errors	Price On Request
Tencent VPC	Software-defined Network, High-performance Internet connectivity, Hybrid Cloud Deployment, Interconnection with Cloud Resources, Security Control	Price On Request
AWS VPC	Virtual Private Cloud, Logically isolated virtual network, Secure & monitor connections, Restrict instance access, Customize your virtual network	Price On Request
Quip	Spreadsheets, One-on-one & Group Chat, Mobile Access, Performance SSO, API	Price On Request

Factors to Consider When Selecting Virtual Private Cloud 

Choosing the right Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) for your business calls for a careful consideration of several crucial components;

• Selecting the Right Private Cloud Platform: A traditional Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) stack includes essential elements like storage, networking, servers, operating systems, middleware, and virtualized/container-based environments. When evaluating virtual private cloud platforms, it's important to assess the features and capabilities that align with your hosting needs.
• Geographic Dependencies: Regulations and data-related legislation widely depend on geographic location. As Virtual private cloud services span multiple regions it necessitates a platform capable of managing geographical variations.
• Automation: Automation is fundamental in translating policies, processes, and transactions into actionable operations. This involves resource provisioning, cloud environment monitoring, management, and reporting. User authentication is an automated function that ensures authorized access and optimizes performance.
• Data Security: Data encryption is a common practice in Virtual private clouds as it demands a thorough understanding of encryption policies. Enterprises are increasingly responsible for managing encryption, particularly in hybrid cloud environments.
• Choosing the Right Vendor: A vendor must be adaptable to evolving requirements, whether it involves transitioning to a hybrid cloud, accommodating new workloads, or adjusting to changing IT demands.