The National Institute for Standard Technology (NIST) finally released its official definition of cloud computing last year. However, it’s obvious that more than a little confusion still exists about what technology exactly is and is not.  Gartner hopes to clear that up for you. The firm has released a list of of common misconceptions about the private cloud.

Surprise, virtualization doesn’t equal private cloud

Cloud washing is rampant in this area. Just because a hypervisor is put onto a server does not mean it’s private cloud computing. According to Gartner, although virtualization is a key component to cloud computing, virtualization alone cannot be considered a private cloud infrastructure. The environment must support self-service and the ability to elastically scale for it to be an official a cloud environment.

The cloud is not all about the money

Vendors often pitch the cloud as an automatic way for cash strapped IT organizations to save money. The cloud does not automatically save money, but it does offer a way to reallocate resources more efficiently and potentially reduce hardware costs , which can enable organizations to reduce their overall capital expenditures. However, according to Gartner, cost savings should not be the primary driver for cloud adoption.

Private clouds are not always on-premise

Many people assume a private cloud always indicates an on premises deployment.  Gartner says,  “Private cloud computing is defined by privacy, not location, ownership or management responsibility,” Organizations should examine exactly what a vendor means when they describe an offering as a private cloud. Is it truly isolated or is it a pool resource isolated via connectivity (e.g. VPN). When in doubt clarify.

Private cloud isn’t just in the infrastructure layer

Many assume that private clouds are all about virtual infrastructure services. Infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) is the fastest growing segment in the private cloud market, but it is not the only segment.

The private cloud may not always be so private

Gartner predicts that the majority of private clouds will eventually become hybrid clouds, that leverage some public cloud resources as organizations become more comfortable with cloud technology.

Even given Gartner’s effort to clarify the nature of the private cloud, there are still plenty grey areas and there will continue to be until the technology has matured. The same cycle occurs in almost every technology from NoSQL to data center “fabric” to cloud where the market grows faster the standardization effort. The sam