Hybrid Cloud Data Architectures - Snowflake with On-Premise Systems

In this article we discuss Hybrid Cloud Data Architectures and how Snowflake can be integrated with existing on-premise systems. For many organisations, a wholesale move to the cloud is not immediate. Instead, a hybrid model — where on-prem systems continue to operate alongside Snowflake — becomes the reality.

Table of Contents

The Reality of Hybrid Data Ecosystems

Few enterprises can migrate entirely to the cloud overnight. On-premise databases, applications, and logging pipelines often remain business-critical. Snowflake’s cloud-native design offers flexibility by providing multiple integration methods that bridge on-prem systems with cloud-hosted data.

The goal of a hybrid architecture is to enable incremental cloud adoption, seamless integration, and minimal business disruption.

Snowflake Connectors and Ingestion Options

Snowflake supports a wide array of connectors and ingestion methods suited to hybrid environments:

• ODBC/JDBC Drivers
  Standardised drivers for connecting existing applications or ETL tools directly to Snowflake.

• Kafka Connector
  Enables streaming integration between on-premise Kafka clusters and Snowflake tables, suitable for event-driven pipelines.

• Snowpipe
  Automates continuous ingestion of data from staged files, including those written by on-prem systems to cloud object storage.

• Bulk Loading via COPY INTO
  Batch ingestion for large datasets exported from on-prem databases.

These options allow organisations to choose between real-time streaming, micro-batch ingestion, or bulk loads, depending on workload requirements.

Security and Networking Considerations

When extending on-premise systems to Snowflake, secure networking is critical:

• VPN Connectivity
  Establish secure tunnels between corporate networks and Snowflake’s cloud environment for controlled access.

• PrivateLink
  Provides private connectivity between your on-prem network (via cloud VPCs) and Snowflake, bypassing the public internet.

• Encryption
  All data in motion is encrypted by default using TLS. For on-prem staging to cloud storage, ensure client-side encryption policies are enforced where required.

• Access Controls
  Use Snowflake’s robust role-based access control (RBAC) to govern hybrid access, ensuring principle of least privilege is applied.

Real-World Integration Pattern

A typical hybrid integration pattern might include:

1. On-Prem Logging System generates log files continuously.
2. File Transfer or Streaming writes these logs to a cloud storage bucket (e.g., AWS S3).
3. Snowpipe monitors the bucket and ingests new files into Snowflake in near real time.
4. Snowflake Views and Warehouses provide analysts with live access to both historical and streaming data.

This pattern decouples the on-premise systems from Snowflake, allowing gradual modernisation without re-platforming core applications.

Implementation: Example Snowpipe Configuration

Below is an example Snowpipe configuration for ingesting log files exported from an on-prem system:

-- Create a stage pointing to the cloud bucket where on-prem logs are written
CREATE OR REPLACE STAGE my_log_stage
  URL='s3://my-onprem-logs-bucket/logs/'
  STORAGE_INTEGRATION = my_s3_integration
  FILE_FORMAT = (TYPE = JSON);

-- Define the target table in Snowflake
CREATE OR REPLACE TABLE onprem_logs (
    id STRING,
    message STRING,
    timestamp TIMESTAMP_NTZ
);

-- Create a pipe for continuous ingestion
CREATE OR REPLACE PIPE log_pipe
  AUTO_INGEST = TRUE
  AS
  COPY INTO onprem_logs
  FROM @my_log_stage
  FILE_FORMAT = (TYPE = JSON);

When new files are written to the S3 bucket by the on-prem system, Snowpipe automatically ingests them into the onprem_logs table, making them immediately available for analysis.

Features change from time to time with new capabilities being added regularly, it is recommended that you review the documentation for the latest on supported file formats and limitations.

Pros, Cons, and Migration Pathway

Pros

• Enables gradual migration without disrupting legacy systems.

• Supports multiple ingestion methods to match workload needs.

• Provides secure, compliant connectivity through VPN and PrivateLink.

• Reduces duplication of effort by reusing existing pipelines.

Cons

• Adds complexity with multiple environments to manage.

• Latency may increase depending on network configuration.

• Some legacy systems may require middleware or modernisation to integrate effectively.

• Requires careful cost monitoring (data egress, VPN, PrivateLink charges).

Migration Pathway

Start Small: Begin with non-critical datasets using Snowpipe or batch loading.

Expand Streaming: Introduce Kafka or other real-time connectors for event data.

Secure Networking: Transition from VPN to PrivateLink for robust connectivity.

Consolidate: Gradually migrate more workloads as on-prem systems retire, moving towards a cloud-first architecture.

Conclusion

Hybrid cloud architectures are not just a stepping stone — for many organisations they are the practical reality. Snowflake offers the connectors, security options, and ingestion patterns to seamlessly integrate with on-prem systems.

By leveraging ODBC/JDBC, Kafka, Snowpipe, and secure networking patterns, organisations can strike a balance between innovation and stability. The pathway to the cloud becomes gradual, controlled, and aligned with business priorities.

Features change from time to time with new capabilities being added regularly, it is recommended that you review the documentation for the latest on supported file formats and limitations.