What is Multi-Cloud? {Definition, Use Cases & Benefits}

This article is an introduction to multi-cloud computing. Read on to learn how companies use multiple cloud offerings to add flexibility to their business planning and improve overall IT efficiency.

Multi-Cloud Definition

A multi-cloud is a cloud computing strategy in which a company relies on multiple cloud providers instead of a single vendor. An organization can pick and choose the best services from each provider based on the following factors:

Service cost.

• Technical requirements.
• Geographic availability.
• The driving force behind the multi-cloud concept is that no single provider can offer a solution to all the problems a business can face. Different vendors specialize in other areas and tasks, so companies can use multiple clouds to create a custom infrastructure that ideally fits all business goals.

Here are a few examples of how a company can use a multi-cloud setup:

A company using Google Cloud Platform (GCP) for development and testing while relying on Azure for business analytics.

• An organization using different providers for IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS services.
• A company using Azure in the US and Alibaba in Asia to ensure the app does not suffer from latency.
• An organization consuming emails as service from one vendor, CRM services from another, and IaaS from a third provider.
• Distributing workloads between different cloud vendors provides the following competitive advantages:

Better application performance.

• The flexibility to quickly adopt the right technology for any task.
• Lack of vendor lock-in.
• Reduced barriers to innovation.
• Better disaster mitigation.
• Less risk of downtime and data loss.
• This strategy typically includes a combination of major public cloud providers. However, a multi-cloud setup can also have private clouds and traditional on-premise data centers in the architecture.

Multi-Cloud vs. Hybrid Cloud

Multi-cloud implies the presence of two or more cloud deployments of the same type (either public or private) from different vendors. A hybrid cloud is a blend of public and private clouds that allows for orchestration between the two infrastructures.

The components of a hybrid cloud solution function together, so data and processes interact extensively. The hybrid solution typically manages a single IT solution between both infrastructures.

In a multi-cloud setup, different clouds handle different tasks and applications, so there is not as much overlap as in a hybrid design. Each cloud can be a separate entity and may manage different workflows. Depending on the architecture, a multi-cloud can also use hybridization to allow individual systems to communicate to a degree.

Read more in-depth about Multi-Cloud vs Hybrid Cloud.

Multi-Cloud Architecture

Multi-cloud architectures vary based on the type and number of cloud services a business decides to deploy. The design is also influenced by the role of each cloud. The master deployment can be hosted on-premises or in the cloud. It includes:

Management components that add and modify artifacts to runtimes.

Analytics and cloud monitoring.

• Master data sources (either in a master/slave or master/master deployment).
• Runtime components that serve the user traffic.
• The public clouds of our example contain runtime components and the master/slave data sources with the app’ A company can host the master deployment on-premise or in the cloud, and this element includes:
• Management components that add and modify artifacts to runtimes.

Analytics and cloud monitoring.

Master data sources (either in a master/slave or master/master deployment).

• Runtime components that serve the user traffic.
• The public clouds in our example contain runtime components and master/slave data sources with the app’s runtime and metadata.
• When designing a multi-cloud architecture, consider the following factors:
• Data operations (where data resides, who accesses it, and from what location).

The geographic spread of applications, databases, and web services.

How far data travels and how to create a flow with the least latency.

What API formats and encodings can ensure a seamless experience for IT admins.

Companies must design the multi-cloud architecture with precision to avoid pitfalls in the future. The infographic below shows the four most common types of architecture. The infographic below shows the four most common types of architecture.

Use Cases for Multi-Cloud

Below are six use cases that demonstrate how companies can take advantage of multi-cloud architectures.

Multi-Component Applications

Multi-cloud is a good fit with any system that has different components with distinct requirements.

For example, an app may require short notice scalability for web and application servers. The backend needs raw processing power. A single cloud provider can lock a company into a particular template and prevent CTOs from ensuring an optimal setup for both components.However, in a multi-cloud environment, a company has the flexibility to distribute workloads to ensure each component has the correct type of cloud service.Container Operations

Containerization allows teams to house all the files a program requires to run inside a single unit (

• container). Containerized software can be used to move between systems, apps, and deployments with less error. Docker and Kubernetes are the two most prominent players in the current container space.
• Multi-cloud and containerization seamlessly align with each other. Here are four use cases that show how the two technologies work together:Container migration:
• Consistent networking helps developers shift workloads from on-prem to public clouds, as well as between public clouds.Peak-time expansion:
• A company can distribute a load across multiple containers across multiple clouds. This flexibility is ideal when single-day transactions are far higher than average.Service relocation:

If the primary cloud experiences an outage, the team can quickly move services or microservices to other clouds and avoid downtime.

Automatic failovers:

• A multi-cloud setup can automatically failover to another cloud in case of an outage.
• On and Off-Ramping Data
• Multi-cloud environments can move data from the data center to the cloud and back quickly and efficiently. Storage clouds can:

Speed up migrations with compression and change block tracking.

Enable simplified data transfer processes.

Offer direct compatibility across clouds.

On and off-ramping data with a multi-cloud is a simple, cost-effective process with a pay-as-you-go structure.

Improvements to CI/CD Pipelines

Multi-cloud allows the data an app produces and consumes to travel between environments based on the needs of the developers and end-users. This feature makes multiple clouds ideal for DevOps teams and quick CI/CD processes.

Multiple clouds allow DevOps engineers to efficiently manage data sets and clones for building, testing, and deployments. Portable and accessible cloud structures extend to all databases, file servers, and file shares, enabling more automation and scalability.

Multi-cloud is also ideal for the “blue/green” deployment model. This release model involves transferring traffic from an older version of an application to a newer, identical release. A solution to Shadow IT

Shadow computing occurs when different departments within an organization choose to use different cloud service providers to meet their team’s needs. Multi-cloud allows companies to provide each department with a solution that meets their needs. Meanwhile, the company enjoys visibility into everyday operations and ensures there are no security gaps.

Cloud Backups and Recovery

Multiple clouds also make backup and archiving easier, cheaper, and reliable. This design increases the performance and scalability of object storage and allows companies to use the setup for critical data retention.

Relying on multiple cloud providers also allows a business to have a backup infrastructure available for disaster recovery. Duplicate sets of infrastructure in different data centers are an ideal setup for handling outage scenarios.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Multi-Cloud

Poor setups and integrations can cause performance issues

Multi-Cloud Advantages

Below are the most notable benefits that come with deploying multiple clouds.

No Vendor Lock-In

Multi-cloud setups make it easy to migrate away from providers as parts of the infrastructure remain in place during migration. If one of the providers is underperforming or a new vendor opportunity arises, moving the architecture to another cloud environment is quick and straightforward.

The lack of lock-in is also vital as cloud computing evolves quickly, and companies must respond to market changes with speed. Distributing business between different vendors can also give some leverage during negotiations.

The Right Cloud Service for Every Business Need

No cloud provider has the “one-size-fits-all” tool for every business need. Vendors typically construct generalist solutions that make compromises in various areas.

• Multi-cloud enables organizations to merge different best-of-breed platforms and form robust overall solutions. A company can select the correct infrastructure option for each task and ensure all systems have ideal setups in terms of:
• Performance requirements.
• Data location.
• Scalability.

Compliance rules.

For example, a high-traffic application may require high performance from a cloud vendor. A component that handles confidential data may require a cloud provider in a region where there are no top-tier service providers. A company in this situation can use different IaaS platforms to solve this problem.

No Single Points of Failure

Multi-cloud solutions lower the risk of single points of failure. As a result, a single service error is not likely to take the entire application offline.

Relying on multiple clouds also reduces the risk of a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks. Multiple cloud environments ensure that a business always has resources and data storage available to avoid downtime. A multiple cloud environment ensures that a business always has resources and data storage available to avoid downtime.

High Service Availability

As apps run across multiple clouds, services can run without interruption even if one cloud goes down.

Multi-cloud also eliminates latency issues as a company can deploy clouds to different regions based on where users reside. Data does not have to travel between nodes because the cloud nearest to the end user can handle the request. This eliminates delays. If you have users on different sides of the globe, route them to the cloud closest to the user and ensure lower latency and a better customer experience.

Better Data Management

Applications generate different data types. Data that is accessed twice a month by the team may be stored in databases, whereas data that receives 1,000 computations a day will reside on parcels. By sharing data across multiple clouds, a company can use the appropriate service for each data-related function.

Distributed workloads also help store and control data that falls under specific regulations. Multi-cloud environments help better align with governance, risk management, and compliance regulations.

Multi-Cloud Disadvantages

While multi-cloud offers many advantages, a company must consider the model’s challenges before deploying multiple clouds. The setup cost is the biggest roadblock. Hiring two or more providers is expensive, and a business should be financially healthy before considering the multi-cloud.

Working with several vendors also creates challenges within the IT team. Each new cloud provider has unique:

• Management rules.
• Monitoring tools.
• Data transmission rates.
• Security protocols.

Teams require the right skill sets to ensure complex multi-cloud environments operate without performance or latency issues. This complexity also impacts the financial side as a company must account for new employees and training programs.

Cloud security is another common concern. Multi-cloud does eliminate single points of failure but at a cost of an increased attack surface. More providers mean more integrations and potential weak points, so the security team must work around the clock to ensure there are no exploitable gaps.

A Deployment Model Unlike Any Other Option on the Market

Multi-cloud is gaining momentum as businesses pursue the benefits of five-nines availability and the lack of vendor lock-ins. This deployment model enables a company create bespoke cloud environments to meet the technical requirements of an IT system. While complex and with some drawbacks, no other cloud computing type can offer the same level of customization.

While multi-cloud can improve availability and eliminate vendor lock-in, the success of using multiple clouds is not a guarantee. Multi-cloud strategies are essential for companies to avoid operational and financial problems.