In this chapter we will cover services that provide the ability for us to create a hybrid solution. A hybrid solution is based on applications that connect to data and services across a mix of data centers that can either be in the cloud or on-premises. This provides you with the ability to move your applications to the cloud in your own timeframe and in a manner that best fits the business situation. It also allows systems that are subject to regulations to keep part of the application (that is, the data tier) on-premises while still taking advantage of what the cloud provides for other tiers of the application. To do this, you need a solution that can adapt to how you design and develop your application.

While designing an application that will utilize both the corporate network and the cloud, you can create your hybrid connected configuration at either the network layer or the application layer. While connecting the data centers at the network layer...