Multi-cloud is an approach for combining multiple clouds (public or private) from multiple cloud vendors, and this is not an aggregation of different services from different vendors. Instead, it demands a mandatory glue – cloud-agnostic approach with interoperability across all providers. And moving to a multi-cloud environment requires careful planning, careful coordination of individuals and resources, patience, and positive thinking.
Nowadays, cloud storage is becoming increasingly popular among businesses. As a result, almost every organisation, more or less consciously, makes use of multiple online storage spaces. This article will deliver a short and quick overview of what the Cloud is, what types of storage are available, and what is the best Multi-cloud strategy for managing multiple spaces simultaneously.
What is Cloud Computing?
Cloud computing is characterised as access to servers, data storage, and applications via a network (Internet). These computing resources are placed in a remote data centre administered by the provider who owns the cloud services.
This network storage space emerged from the necessity to construct a memory accessible from anywhere, by multiple individuals, at any time, and, most importantly, with any device that has Internet connectivity. This will wean us away from tangible devices: "My laptop is missing?" No worries, I can access my clients' info from my mobile or another PC. At the same time, I can also restrict access to "old" devices.
Multiple parameters should be considered when selecting the best Cloud for your business. First, the type of technical infrastructure, followed by the expenses we are ready to pay, and finally, the platform that meets the IT team's requirements.
What are IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS?
Among the numerous types of Cloud Computing services presently available is "Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS)." These enable businesses to simplify life by assigning all infrastructure management and maintenance to third-party organisations. In other words, the company will only need to connect to the Internet, connect to the service/platform/infrastructure it requires, and begin operations.
SaaS, in particular, are services that any user can access without much IT understanding. The technologies we utilise to connect with colleagues, video call clients, and plan worldwide meeting presentations are just a few examples.
PaaS and IaaS, on the other hand, are IT-related services. For example, with Platform as a Service, you gain access to an environment that includes all the tools needed to develop, manage, and run the software. In contrast, Infrastructure as a Service allows you to connect to external infrastructure controlled by a third party over the Internet.
Although cloud providers aim to offer as many services as possible in a single package, it is doubtful that a company would find all it requires from a single cloud provider. This creates the necessity to manage multiple clouds simultaneously through a well-designed multi-cloud strategy.
Different types of Cloud
Before moving into the multi-cloud strategy, it's important to grasp the distinctions between the Cloud Computing architectures that will host services. Data can be kept in several ways inside a single organisation.
- On-premise digital storage: The infrastructure is located on the company's premises, and data is saved and managed using software only the organisation can access.
- Private Cloud: A third party provides the infrastructure but is entirely dedicated to the service buyer. The cloud provider benefits from economies of scale: it spreads costs (e.g., maintenance, updates, etc.) across multiple hardware, achieving efficiency levels that a single company would not achieve. As a result, this solution cuts expenses while maintaining high-security security standards: customers have exclusive access to the data infrastructure.
- Public Cloud: The infrastructure is given outside and without exclusivity in the public cloud. In other words, data from several companies are saved on a single piece of hardware. In addition, each customer will have a unique interface for accessing their data. This solution has significant cost advantages because cloud providers can efficiently exploit the infrastructure, lowering the cost of the service and making it more accessible to SMEs.
- Hybrid Cloud: mixes private and public Clouds to reap the benefits of both: greatest security for sensitive data and lowest prices for others.
In this scenario, we have a choice between two approaches:
- The "classic" Multi-cloud strategy includes using different Clouds separately, with no connection.
- The term "interoperable" Instead, a multi-cloud strategy tries to maximise a system's ability to function efficiently with several Clouds. In other words, it enables the intelligent and effective integration and management of multiple storage places simultaneously. Cross-platform communication, process sharing, and database interaction are all important.
- Interoperability needs a single Cloud Management System capable of tracking the performance of many Clouds and managing activities within them.
Undoubtedly, we must also weigh the disadvantages: achieving interoperability requires a bigger economic and "physical" effort. Indeed, the IT department must undertake the tough task of rethinking processes, improving workflows, and allowing Clouds to communicate with one another. This must be accomplished by incorporating the entire organisation in a collaborative effort, correlating changes in working techniques with newly accessible tools.
What are the advantages of interoperable multi-cloud?
Enterprises' efforts to create an interoperable multi-cloud strategy are paid back in the long run. But why are businesses opting for an interoperable approach?
- Security is one of the prime advantages. The multi-cloud architecture necessitates a "command platform" (Cloud Management System) for managing accesses, knowing the structure of the Cloud at all times, the processes, and knowing and managing the many storage areas in which data lives.
- Enhances business performance: Through platform communication, it is possible to make processes more efficient, removing barriers and slowdowns. This can reduce workload for all coworkers while also enhancing performance and quality.
Final Words
In this evolving digital era, having a well-defined plan for storing digital data is becoming increasingly important. Even though achieving interoperability may be difficult for some, it is useful to assess the many "silos" in which the data sits to be aware of which clouds are being used and, if necessary, to perform targeted optimisations accordingly.
So, to enter the mainstream of this fast-moving world of revolutionary technologies and rapidly advancing economies, businesses must take advantage of and adopt the necessary adaptations with the help of highly effective AI services to thrive bigger and better each day.
Author bio: Vishnu Narayan is a content writer, working at ThinkPalm Technologies, a software & mobile app development services company focusing on technologies like BigData, IoT, and AI services. He is a passionate writer, a tech enthusiast, and an avid reader who tries to tour the globe with a heart that longs to see more sunsets than Netflix!