What to Know about Multi-cloud
Read on to learn about multi-cloud and how it is different from hybrid cloud computing.)
We have seen the public cloud. We have seen the private cloud. We have seen the rise of hybrid cloud that is the combination of both public cloud and private cloud.
Now, what’s next?
Enter multi-cloud.
Multicloud? What’s that?
Well, it is the use of multiple cloud computing and storage services in a single heterogeneous architecture (as defined by Wikipedia).
Most readers must be thinking that it is a kind of hybrid cloud.
But it’s not actually. There is a huge difference between multi-cloud and hybrid cloud.
So here we are going to explain everything about multi-cloud, including how it is different from hybrid and features as well.
What is Multicloud?
Multicloud means using multiple public cloud services, generally from multiple different vendors.
The purpose of this move is to use different clouds for various tasks. For example, some organizations may use it to reduce single vendor lock-in. Some organizations may use it for their different applications like marketing and software development. For example, marketing and sales may need different cloud services than the one for software development. Moreover, some organizations use multi-clouds as certain laws, corporate policies or regulations require the date to physically reside in multiple locations.
This way, multiple clouds help organizations reduce dependence on any sole provider and gain flexibility as well.
One more thing—multicloud is not a cloud type, rather it is a strategy to use more than one cloud vendor or type.
How Multicloud is Different from Hybrid Cloud?
Hybrid cloud is the combination of both public and private cloud. It differs from multicloud in two ways.
Firstly, it is a combination of private and public clouds. Multi-cloud, on the other hand, can include several clouds of a single type, for example, it contains several public clouds or the cloud types in a certain ratio.
Secondly, the components of the hybrid cloud generally work together. In a multi-cloud, every included cloud type has its function and methodology without affecting the other.
Here’s a practical scenario…
An application being operated in a hybrid environment can use load balancing, web, and app services from a public cloud while the database and storage will be in a private cloud.
However, a multi cloud may lack this hybrid environment. The applications may operate all compute and networking activities in AWS while using the database from Azure. In this multi-cloud environment, some apps use resources only in Azure while separate apps use resources only in AWS or apps may use public cloud resources while other utilizes the private cloud resources.
When to Use Multicloud?
Disaster Recovery and HA:
Distributing cloud workloads across various cloud providers let companies create robust and resilient apps, thereby ensuring continued operations during failures and breakdowns across cloud providers.
Cost Efficiency:
Cloud services are tagged differently by several cloud providers. Organizations looking to lower cloud usage costs can opt for services across cloud vendors based on their budget by implying a multi-cloud strategy.
Unique Requirements:
Individual cloud services can also meet a company’s unique requirement for each project.
Flexibility:
With multi-cloud approach, you can reduce your dependence on any single cloud vendor.
Scalability:
Multi-cloud strategy also provides scalability and lets companies use resources according to the requirements.
Compliance:
The multi-cloud strategy also lets organizations meet compliance needs. Not all cloud vendors are located in the markets where companies are looking to have a local presence. Using multiple data centers from various cloud providers let them meet these necessities.
Bottom Line:
Multi-cloud has some advantages over traditional cloud types. However, it comes with multiple connectivity challenges. Setting up secure and reliable sync among multiple cloud vendors is almost a manual process and can be costly.
What do you think? Let us know by commenting below.
