Network considerations in cloud computing

For many cloud computing applications, network performance will be the key to cloud computing performance. The implications are best understood by considering a kind of issue matrix: Public and private cloud applications in one dimension and cloud access versus intra-cloud networking in the other.

Public cloud access networking
First, public cloud access networking is most often through the Internet, though some cloud providers may be able to support virtual private networks (VPNs) for large customers. Accessing public cloud services will always create a tension between security and performance. Not all cloud computing providers will support encrypted tunnels, so your information may be sent in the open on the Internet. Where encryption is available, using it will certainly increase delay and may impact performance.

The only way to reduce delay without compromising security is by minimizing transit "hops". The Internet is a complex federation of interconnected providers, and reaching a given cloud computing service may involve transiting several provider networks. You will need to determine how your cloud provider choices are connected to other ISPs, particularly those you use regularly. The best cloud/ISP combination in terms of delay will almost always be one with the smallest number of hops.

Private cloud access networking
The second network consideration is private cloud access networking. Most often, enterprises will access their own private clouds using the same technol...