Bare Metal vs Cloud Server
In summary, Bare Metal refers to physical servers located in a data center, whereas the Cloud consists of virtual servers offered by any vendor.
Bare Metal
Advantages
- It is more configurable compared to the Cloud. Users have greater control and can manage resources like RAM and CPU as desired.
- Since no sharing is involved, and only the user utilizes the server, it can be inferred that it is more secure in terms of privacy and security. However, the user is responsible for security, and any mistakes fall on them. (That said, some bare metal server providers may offer security packages.)
- If used physically/dedicatedly, there is no virtualization, making it more efficient in terms of performance.
Disadvantages
- Lower scalability compared to the Cloud.
- Initial costs, maintenance, hardware, and operational expenses may be higher.
- Setup is more complex compared to the Cloud.
- Many concerns (e.g., security, backups, monitoring) may need to be handled independently.
Cloud
Advantages
- Easily scalable. If traffic to our application increases, we can quickly take action.
- Many concerns and configurations are handled by the provider, which reduces the workload. There is only a learning curve initially.
- Setup is easier compared to bare metal servers. One can start quickly and at a low cost. It has less upfront cost compared to bare metal servers.
- Maintenance is simpler compared to bare metal servers and is generally managed by the provider.
Disadvantages
- It may be necessary to find a provider close to our region. Otherwise, delays in communication with the server may occur.
- Vendor Lock-In: After working with a specific cloud provider, it might be difficult to switch to another due to certain reasons. Additionally, we are dependent on the vendor for aspects such as cost, uptime, and control.
- Cloud systems may be more complex to manage compared to bare metal servers. Gaining knowledge about the provider we are using is essential.
- Since the pay-as-you-go model is generally used, costs can increase significantly during periods of high traffic.
From a cost perspective, it cannot be definitively stated that one is cheaper or more expensive than the other. Costs vary depending on the project and specific requirements. Therefore, the most logical approach is to identify the needs (RAM, CPU, traffic) and make a comparison along with a potential cost estimate. (How to Save Money on AWS).
When using bare metal, attention must be paid to quality; otherwise, issues such as unreliable connections or power outages may arise. (This is also valid for the Cloud if a well-known provider such as AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure is not used.)
If there is unpredictable traffic, a need for quick scaling, or if we want to avoid dealing with maintenance, the Cloud might be the better choice.
If high performance (e.g., for gaming servers or video rendering) or additional privacy is required, Bare Metal could be more suitable.
