In the context of cloud services, what does the term “cloud bursting” refer to?

Cloud bursting refers specifically to the practice of temporarily utilizing public cloud resources when the demand for services exceeds what is available in a private cloud environment. This approach allows organizations to maintain performance and availability during peak times by leveraging the scalability and flexibility of public cloud services.

In a typical scenario, an organization may utilize a private cloud for its standard operational needs but may experience sudden spikes in demand due to increased workloads, data processing requirements, or seasonal activities. When this happens, cloud bursting enables the organization to "burst" into the public cloud, tapping into additional resources as needed to handle the overflow. After the peak demand subsides, workloads can be scaled back to the private cloud, which helps in managing costs more effectively while maintaining service quality.

This practice is particularly beneficial as it allows businesses to balance the cost-effectiveness of private clouds with the flexible scalability of public clouds, ensuring that they can meet user demands without over-provisioning resources during quieter periods.