Cloud Network versus OpenVPN Network

Cloud Network versus OpenVPN Network. Mainly will explains why you should have Secure Private Network when using either VPS or Cloud Nodes. If you signed up for Cloud Hosting, then out of the box you have isolated private and secure network with private IP Address Range to use between Cloud Servers you create. If you signed up for VPS Hosting, then you have to build your own Secure Private Network using OpenVPN in case you need to connect 2 or more VPS privately and securely together. Having said this, let’s discuss briefly the difference between the 2 Networks.

Cloud Private Network

Or Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) as AWS call it. In such cloud environment, each cloud server will have a virtual network card where you can configure it with a static or DHCP private IP Address. Besides, there will be a gateway and DNS setting to use in case the cloud server wants to connect to the internet using Network Address Translation (NAT). The NAT/Gateway can be another Cloud Server as centralized firewall/gateway for all the Cloud Servers.

OpenVPN Private Network

Connects 2 or more VPS Nodes securely and privately together, the VPS Nodes won’t have a virtual Network Card such the Cloud Servers, rather, they will have a Virtual Tunnel interface. Each VPS virtual Tunnel interface (tun0 and tun1) will be assigned a private Static IP Address previously configured at the OpenVPN Server side.

Since all VPS connect together to the same OpenVPN server, then connected VPS Nodes can ping each other, hence, a private and secure communication can be achieved among the VPS Nodes using VPN.

Multi-VPS vs. One VPS

Availability and Load Balance are the reasons behind having more than one VPS or more than Cloud Server. VPS Hosting for Single or Multisite WordPress Hosting Hub project describes ways and possibilities to build redundant VPS Hosting platform in order to host either single or Multisite wordpress.

Application Needs

If you decide that certain application don’t really need more than one VPS, therefore, no need to worry about VPN. If you decide that your application is fine to run with Multi-VPS Hosting using OpenVPN private Network, then go for it. Other applications might require internal private Network address between the instances and not just a VPN tunnel, therefore, if you have the money, host your application using Cloud Hosting .

In fact, you will have more options and flexibility, as if you are using your own Home/Office Network. But remember, the catch in here is the price itself, it might look cheap when you look at Cloud server where its hourly rate is $0.15/hour, but this number ticks per hour!

Let’s do the Math: $0.152430=$108 Per Month Per Instance or Cloud Server. So, a regular VPS with OpenVPN Private Network will save you half of the price. Even pennies can make huge difference on the long run. OpenVPN with VPS is great for certain application needs and you might find it more than efficient for a single VPS Web Hosting Solution.

However, the Bandwidth inside the private network of Public Cloud is free of charge, meaning, you don’t pay for any internal/private data transfer or communication between the cloud servers, rather, with VPS Hosting, any OpenVPN communication will deduct from your balance. Again, you need to set the system and monitor. The best of all in terms of VPS, is to find a VPS Hosting provider where they provide you with unlimited bandwidth.

Hosting on Different Sites

For redundancy and high availability, all VPS and Cloud providers gives you the option to choose at which Site you want to create your VPS or Instance. It is highly recommend to divide the load between 2 sites or at least have your standby platform at SiteB. For those who wants to have a Cloud Network instead of regular VPS.

Please keep in mind that you need to configure your centralized Firewall with Port Forwarding, very similar concept to your home or office Firewall, but if you choose a regular VPS setup, then all you need in order to communicate with a VPS located at different Site is the VPS Public IP address.

Using OpenVPN inside a Cloud Network

Of course not to connect your Cloud Servers together, since they are connected already using the Private IP address Range. But, there will be another use for the OpenVPN Server which is: To Bridge 2 Sites together or to Cascade connection between 2 Cloud Sites.

Maybe you need to connect a customer VPS to your Cloud Network, or you want to connect from your Home/Office to manage some cloud Servers securely (Cloud Hosting Providers charge you to use their VPN solution), the possibilities are endless. But yes, you can use OpenVPN Server where ever you want as long as you are using the right connection method.

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