Managing IT resources to deliver services in a scalable and cost-effective way can be challenging. While cloud computing has become a popular solution for many, some organizations require more control over their infrastructure than the traditional cloud can provide; fortunately, there’s an alternative solution — bare metal cloud.
Bare metal cloud servers address these pain points, offering greater control, customization, and security over their infrastructure to meet specific business needs. In this guide, we will explore what bare metal cloud is and how it works, its benefits, and how it differs from traditional cloud computing.
What is a bare metal server?
Before we dive into the bare metal cloud, it's important to understand what a bare metal server is. A bare metal server, or a dedicated server, is a physical server completely dedicated to a single tenant. Unlike virtual servers, bare metal servers do not share resources with other users, which provides better performance and security.
Organizations usually use bare metal servers in scenarios where applications require high levels of performance and cloud customization, which they cannot achieve through virtualization. They also offer better security compared to virtual servers as the physical hardware is isolated from other users, reducing the risk of breaches or data leakage.
Bare metal servers are also highly customizable. Users can configure the server to meet their needs and have full control over the hardware. Users can also be sure that the server will perform consistently without being affected by other users' activities since they don’t share resources with other tenants.
What is bare metal cloud server?
A bare metal cloud server, or a cloud dedicated server, is a game-changer for industries as it has democratized high-performance computing.
Bare metal cloud is a cloud service where users rent a physical machine (bare metal server) from a service provider without the need to own and manage one, yet maintain the same performance, control, and security. Using cloud infrastructure, it offers the power of a traditional bare metal server with instantaneous provisioning.
Using a physical server instead of a virtual one eliminates the overhead of virtualization, resulting in faster processing times and lower latency. This advantage makes the bare metal cloud ideal for applications where every millisecond counts, such as gaming or financial industries.
It’s also possible to choose the specific hardware components they want, such as choosing their preferred operating system and a level of customization that is impossible with traditional cloud computing. Security is also a significant advantage of the bare metal cloud, as each server is dedicated to a single tenant, eliminating the risk of "noisy neighbors."
However, bare metal clouds can be more expensive than virtualized environments, as each server is dedicated to a single tenant, resulting in underutilization and higher costs. Despite these challenges, the bare metal cloud's popularity is growing in industries requiring higher performance, such as software development and IT. And it is likely to become an increasingly popular option as more businesses demand greater control over their infrastructure.
Bare metal vs bare metal cloud
A bare metal server and a bare metal cloud server may sound similar, but key differences exist. Simply put, it isn’t about the server but how the service provider offers and implements them.
Whereas a bare metal server is a physical server, hardware that has to be bought, owned, and maintained by the organization, a bare metal cloud server uses cloud infrastructure that allows bare metal servers to be offered as a service. Bare metal servers are an underlying component of the infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) in cloud computing.
Bare metal cloud providers offer users access to dedicated servers on-demand, which can be quickly provisioned and managed through a web-based portal.
Here are other bare metal vs. bare metal cloud key differences and advantages:
Scalability
The physical hardware they run on limits bare metal servers, and scaling up requires purchasing additional servers and infrastructure. In contrast, bare metal cloud providers can quickly provision additional servers on-demand, allowing businesses to scale their infrastructure to meet changing needs easily.
Flexibility
Bare metal servers typically require businesses to purchase and maintain their hardware, which can be expensive and time-consuming. But with bare metal clouds, users can easily customize their infrastructure through a web-based portal without the need to manage and maintain the underlying hardware.
Convenience and accessibility
The bare metal cloud offers better accessibility and convenience than bare metal servers. With bare metal servers, businesses typically need to be physically present to install, configure, and maintain their hardware. With the bare metal cloud, users can manage their infrastructure remotely, using a web-based portal from anywhere with an internet connection.
Despite these advantages, businesses may have better options than a bare metal cloud because it can be more expensive than traditional virtualized cloud environments, making it less suitable for companies with limited budgets. Additionally, since each server is dedicated to a single tenant, there is no opportunity for resource sharing, which can result in underutilization and higher costs.
Also read: Benefits of Kubernetes on bare metal
Bare metal vs cloud hosting
The difference between a bare metal cloud and other cloud service providers comes from the way a single computer’s hardware (processors, memory, storage, etc.) is virtualized, e.g., divided into several separate virtual computers – virtual machines (VM).
Traditional cloud services, like virtual private servers (VPS) or cloud hosting, are based on virtual machines. A virtual machine monitor (VMM), also known as a hypervisor (software that operates virtual machines), runs on top of the host operating system (OS) and becomes a third software layer on top of the hardware to create multiple servers, shared by multiple tenants.
Type 2, a hosted hypervisor. Source: flexiant.com
A bare metal cloud server, on the other hand, doesn’t come with a pre-installed hypervisor. Instead, the hypervisor is installed directly onto the server, giving users complete control over their resources – a fully dedicated cloud infrastructure that isn’t shared with other tenants.
Type 1 hypervisor. Source: flexiant.com
Therefore, dedicated resources are the main advantage when comparing bare metal vs virtual machines used in other cloud computing setups, as it allows users to have a full hardware setup and control, whereas VM servers require users to share the resources with other tenants.
What is a bare metal hypervisor?
Bare metal hypervisors, known as Type 1 hypervisors, are designed to run directly on the physical server's hardware. This design provides several over traditional hypervisors that require an underlying operating system, offering greater flexibility and scalability.
One of the main advantages is performance. By running directly on the hardware, bare metal hypervisors eliminate the need for an additional software layer, resulting in faster processing times and lower latency.
Users can easily provision and manage virtual machines and allocate resources as needed without being limited by the underlying operating system. This makes bare metal hypervisors ideal for organizations that require high levels of customization and control over their infrastructure.
In addition, bare metal hypervisors offer improved security. Since they run directly on the hardware, there is less surface area for potential vulnerabilities, reducing the risk of attacks or data breaches.
Bare metal hypervisors also provide better isolation between virtual machines, ensuring that if one virtual machine is compromised, it does not affect the others.
What is bare metal cloud used for?
Bare metal cloud is a versatile infrastructure solution well-suited for industries requiring high-performance computing, like blockchain, gaming, big data analytics, and scientific research.
Furthermore, businesses like healthcare and finance can use the bare metal cloud to address strict security and compliance measures. Generally, the bare metal cloud is a good fit for organizations requiring greater control over their infrastructure.
Online gaming platforms:
Bare metal cloud can help achieve low latency, high throughput, and customization capabilities, allowing gaming companies to choose specific hardware configurations that meet their game's requirements.
Blockchain:
Strong hosting infrastructure is crucial for blockchains, as nodes need to be responsive, linked, and perform well for distributed ledgers to reach a consensus as quickly as possible. Furthermore, every blockchain-based project has its individual needs, which is why bare metal cloud is often a great choice for those looking for a cost-effective solution with dedicated resources, advanced monitoring, and flexibility.
Big data analytics:
Bare metal cloud can provide high-performance computing power to process as well as analyze large data sets fast. This setup is critical for real-time decision-making in industries like finance and e-commerce.
In scientific research:
Organizations can use bare metal clouds to run complex simulations and scientific models requiring significant computing power. Bare metal cloud provides researchers with the resources to quickly provision and manage the infrastructure needed for these simulations, allowing for faster research and development.
How does bare metal cloud work?
Bare metal cloud provides users with dedicated physical servers that are provisioned and managed through a web-based portal. Users have complete control over their infrastructure, including the operating system, hardware, and networking. Bare metal cloud providers typically offer a range of server configurations and additional services such as load balancing and storage.
When a user requests a bare metal server, the cloud provider quickly provisions the server, installs the requested operating system and any other software required, and then hands over control to the user. This process is much faster than traditional server provisioning, which can take days or weeks to complete. Users can also easily scale their infrastructure up or down as needed, adding or removing servers as demand fluctuates.
Bare metal cloud providers typically offer flexible pricing models, with users only paying for the resources they use. This setup can be a more cost-effective solution than traditional dedicated servers, which require users to purchase and maintain their hardware. Additionally, bare metal cloud providers often offer advanced features, such as hardware-level security and encryption, to help protect against cyber threats.
Bare metal cloud security
Bare metal cloud security is a critical aspect for any business, especially those in industries requiring strict data privacy regulations. For example, businesses in the healthcare or financial sectors may need to comply with HIPAA or PCI DSS regulations.
Choosing a bare metal cloud provider that complies with these regulations can ensure your business remains compliant. Additionally, businesses should consider the security measures offered by the provider, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and regular audits.
As businesses are increasingly moving their operations to the cloud, the demand for skilled IT professionals grows. Pursuing a bachelor of computer science online accredited degree can equip individuals with the knowledge needed to help organizations manage their IT infrastructure, including security considerations for the bare metal cloud. Keeping up with the latest security trends and regulations, they can ensure their organization's infrastructure remains secure and compliant.
Bare metal cloud providers: how to choose?
Source: Google Cloud Brand Pulse Survey, Q4 2022.
As the global economy continues improving, 41.4% of cloud leaders plan to increase their use of cloud-based services and products, per the 2022 Google Cloud Brand Pulse Survey. With promising yet uncertain times, businesses are migrating from legacy platforms to cloud-based solutions.
However, choosing the right bare metal cloud service provider is a daunting task. There are several bare metal cloud providers with features, pricing, and customer support. When choosing a provider, it's important to consider factors such as server configuration options, network performance, uptime guarantees, and customer support.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to choose the best bare metal cloud provider for your business:
- Determine your business needs: Before choosing a bare metal cloud provider, it's important to determine your business needs, such as the type of applications you run and the level of performance required. This practice will help you narrow your options and choose a provider that meets your requirements.
- Compare server configurations: Bare metal cloud providers offer a range of server configurations, such as CPU, RAM, and storage options. Compare the available configurations to determine which provider best matches your business needs.
- Evaluate network performance: Network performance is critical to the success of your business, particularly if you're running applications that require low latency and high throughput. Look for providers offering high-speed, low-latency networks to ensure your applications perform optimally.
- Check uptime guarantees: Downtime can be costly for businesses, so choosing a provider that offers strong uptime guarantees is essential. Look for providers that offer at least 99.99% uptime guarantees to minimize the risk of downtime.
- Consider customer support: In the event of an issue or outage, it's important to have access to reliable customer support. Look for providers that offer 24/7 support with fast response times to ensure you quickly resolve issues.
- Compare pricing: Bare metal cloud can be more expensive than traditional cloud computing, so comparing pricing is vital to ensure it's a cost-effective solution for your business. Look for providers that offer transparent pricing with no hidden fees or long-term contracts.
Bottom line
In a world where technology constantly evolves, the bare metal cloud provides a reliable and secure solution for businesses looking to manage their IT infrastructure.
Whether you're in finance, gaming, or scientific research, bare metal cloud offers unparalleled control over your resources, giving you the power to optimize performance and scale with ease. And with the right provider, you can rest assured that your data is protected by the latest security measures, ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of your sensitive information.
So if you're looking to take your business to the next level, consider the benefits of bare metal cloud and find a bare metal dedicated server provider that can help you achieve your goals.
At Cherry Servers, we offer cost-effective open source cloud-native services to give developers full control. Opt for a pre-built dedicated bare metal cloud server or customize your hardware per your company's needs — you get cloud automation with hardware level control: deployed within minutes, with hourly billing and free technical support.
