# Cloud architecture

- Link: https://aztandc.com/services/cloud-architecture
- Published: 2026-09-10T19:44:31-07:00
- Author: aztandc

## Cloud Architecture Built Around Your Site

AZTANDC LLC designs the cloud and delivery architecture behind websites and applications:
where they are hosted, how traffic reaches them, how they are protected, and how
we know they are available. We combine Microsoft Azure and Cloudflare with practical
hosting for WordPress and custom applications, so the infrastructure fits the site
and the way the business uses it.

## Microsoft Azure Architecture

Azure gives organizations room to grow without rebuilding their platform. We plan
environments around the application’s real requirements for availability, traffic,
data, and budget.

 * Azure hosting architecture for websites, applications, APIs, and databases
 * Azure Front Door and Application Gateway configuration with Web Application Firewall(
   WAF) policies
 * Azure SQL and storage planning, including database sizing and cost considerations
 * Separate development, staging, and production environments
 * Azure Monitor and Log Analytics for logging, diagnostics, and alerting
 * WAF log analysis to find out why legitimate requests are blocked, and to tune
   rules without weakening protection (see [how to find why a request was blocked](https://aztandc.com/articles/azure-front-door-waf-find-blocked-requests))

## Cloudflare DNS, CDN, and Edge Protection

Placing a site behind an edge network can improve speed and reduce exposure before
requests reach your servers. We configure Cloudflare to match how the site actually
works, including forms, APIs, logins, and integrations.

 * DNS configuration and documentation of important records and service dependencies
 * CDN and caching rules that speed up delivery without serving stale or private
   content
 * WAF and bot controls with exclusions for legitimate REST, webhook, payment, and
   CRM traffic
 * DDoS protection and TLS/HTTPS enforcement
 * Origin protection so the hosting server accepts traffic only from approved sources

## Hosting for WordPress and Custom Applications

Different applications need different hosting. We evaluate shared, VPS, managed 
WordPress, and cloud options, and recommend the one that fits the site’s traffic,
integrations, security needs, and support model. Our approach is outlined in [WordPress Security Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All](https://aztandc.com/articles/wordpress-security-isnt-one-size-fits-all).

 * Hosting recommendations and migrations for WordPress, WooCommerce, and custom
   PHP applications
 * Headless and API-driven architectures, including CORS and token considerations
 * Staging workflows for testing plugin, caching, and firewall changes before production
 * Backup and rollback planning for releases

## Uptime Monitoring and Global Availability

A site that is down, slow, or broken in one region is a problem for the people trying
to use it. We set up monitoring so issues are found early and the right people are
notified.

 * Website and application uptime monitoring
 * SSL certificate and domain-expiration monitoring where supported
 * Monitoring of public forms and other critical functions
 * Performance and availability alerts with clear escalation procedures

## Built for U.S. and International Traffic

Serving visitors in more than one market takes planning. We design environments 
for multi-region delivery, including projects that involve China-based infrastructure
and Azure China. Regional hosting, privacy requirements, and performance for local
visitors are considered together. See our [international and accessibility services](https://aztandc.com/services/international-accessibility)
for related work.

## How We Work

 1. **Review.** We document the current hosting, DNS, CDN, and security setup, along
    with the integrations the site depends on.
 2. **Design.** We recommend an architecture based on reliability, security, performance,
    and cost.
 3. **Implement and test.** We build or adjust the environment, then test forms, logins,
    ecommerce, APIs, analytics, and administrative workflows.
 4. **Monitor and support.** We keep the environment monitored and documented, and 
    adjust it as traffic, content, and requirements change.

You do not have to replace your current vendors to work with us. We can review a
proposed architecture or hosting estimate and tell you whether it is appropriate
for production. Cloud architecture works alongside our [security, backups, and SSL services](https://aztandc.com/services/security-backups-ssl).

Talk with AZTANDC LLC about Azure, Cloudflare, hosting, migration, monitoring, or
the architecture behind your next launch.

[Contact us](https://aztandc.com/contact)