Large volume of data and individual company requirements require complex solutions. A single cloud is often only able to cover a part of the requirements efficiently. The multi cloud has the advantage that several cloud service providers and platforms can be combined. On this basis the relevant services and applications can be selected and also bring more flexibility into cloud computing. Here the multi cloud can also be seen as a type of development of the hybrid cloud model and offers users further key advantages.
What is a Multi Cloud?
A multi cloud is a combination of at least two – but mostly of multiple different clouds, which work in cooperation as one large common data cloud and function in parallel. The multi cloud has established itself in cloud computing due to various advantages and offers users more service, an improved infrastructure and increased performance. Provider dependence reduces, and the risk of server failures is minimised when these services are distributed to multiple and/or specialised clouds. A suitable infrastructure can be selected for every business partner and customer and therefore individual requirements are met. Multi clouds are a combination of multiple clouds in a system, which is used in parallel, and matched to individual requirements. The orchestrated cloud from multiple individual components behaves in its performance like an individual cloud, which offers far more possibilities and guarantees increased security.
What is the difference between Multi Cloud and Hybrid Cloud?
In this context, the hybrid cloud can be seen as a type of precursor of the multi cloud. The primary difference between these two solutions is based on the strategy of the in-house IT department. The hybrid cloud offers a connection of public and private clouds.
This is different with a multi cloud. Here different clouds of different providers are combined with each other. The hybrid cloud is a system of a provider, in which the user files its private and public data combined and, as already mentioned, processes it in a hybrid environment. The multi cloud consists of multiple individual clouds and can include several public and private clouds. There is far more scope in the selection of services and service specifications through the combined use of services of several providers than with the previously common hybrid solution. If a cloud server fails, then this does not mean that the website or e-commerce shop are no longer publicly visible. The transfer to another provider excludes performance losses and turns out to be a practical solution in particular with larger and very sensitive data volumes.
The Advantages of the Multi Cloud
The user of multi clouds benefits from a number of advantages through increased flexibility. As there is a suitable solution for any requirement, applications and options do not have to be changed, but only the decision for the relevant provider has to be made. In order to utilise all advantages, interfaces have to be configured and clouds have to be coordinated with each other, which reduces outages and incompatibility of data volumes and memory space.
The most important advantages of a combined solution are based on:
- flexibility and individuality in usage capacity
- independence and reliability
- high security standards also with complex requirements
Changes of the solution are always possible with changing requirements. Here the company does not need to change the provider, but can simply match the clouds to its requirements. In a multi cloud, the user can select at any time the required components and use the module, which meets the relevant requirements and the basics of the required capacity. A multi cloud can be configured freely in its content and therefore adapted to the requirement and business expectations.
The Disadvantages of the Multi Cloud
Despite all advantages, it cannot be disputed that there are also disadvantages with the multi cloud. Selecting a particularly complex system requires meticulous management and expertise at the highest level and more time for the set-up and administration of a particularly complex system. The solution´s interfaces require specialist administration. In times of increased security standards and guidelines for data protection concepts, work effort increases by a time period, which are associated with the number of implemented clouds. Every provider has different requirements and specifications, which have to be known and accepted by the user. With a multi cloud it is therefore important to know exactly which details are required with each provider when setting features and functions and which range of services are included in the respective cloud. Multiple use of clouds in cloud computing is a time intensive task, solved only by experts. Therefore this concept is mainly used in large corporations or in companies, which outsource their IT department and allow experienced experts to implement arising tasks.
Examples of the Multi Cloud from IT (Applications)
In the digital age, 98% of all companies use the internet and therefore have to be able to rely on their IT infrastructure. Whether in industry, in sales or in trade: a functioning and reliable IT infrastructure is an important foundation for customer acceptance and reliability. In sectors, which conduct their business mainly online, such as e-commerce businesses, the multi cloud offers a favourable solution. Freelancers, the self-employed, retailers and small business owners, who would like to store their private and business solutions combined, are well advised with a multi cloud. In hospitals and doctors‘ surgeries, in the pharmaceutical industry or public authorities, complete server failures have to be fully excluded. Here multi cloud is the only secure solution, as the failure of one provider does not result in a total loss. With this multiple solution, companies with a high security requirement gain best performance and create themselves capacities, which are not available with a single cloud.
Conclusion – Multi Cloud Management establishes itself continuously
More and more users opt for the multi cloud. With the progress of digitalisation a new requirement has arisen, whereby security and user specific aspects are paramount. Multi clouds can score permanently with more security and avoidance of complete failures and meet the ever increasing demands of companies in all sectors. It is important to pay attention to the range of services and infrastructure conditions of individual clouds. The combination achieves flexibility and creates new opportunities, if the selection is done with competency and focus on the required services.
Image sources:
- Image 1: © geralt | pixabay.com
- Image 2: © geralt | pixabay.com
- Image 3: © geralt | pixabay.com
