Single cloud vs. Multi-cloud
Cloud-based solutions offer clear benefits when it comes to cost, scalability and reliability, as well as freeing up valuable time and resources previously spent on maintaining a room full of servers.
A multi-cloud solution is a deployment model comprised of more than one cloud service (public or private), from more than one cloud provider. The collaborative solution has become a buzzword in the technology industry over the past few years, with research from Hashicorp showing that 76% of organisations worldwide use a multi-cloud operating model, with at least one shared and one private cloud.
Although the term is often used synonymously with hybrid cloud, these are two different approaches. Hybrid cloud incorporates an on-premise or private cloud environment in tandem with a public cloud, which can be from one or multiple providers. To find out more about the difference between the two, take a look at our insight on hybrid cloud vs multi-cloud.
Like every technology solution, multi-cloud comes with benefits and challenges to consider.
The Pros
Cherry-picking
Every cloud is built differently, whether it is the physical infrastructure, functionality, characteristics or pricing models. It can be difficult to predict which singular cloud solution is the right fit for your applications and business needs when there is such a vast choice. In this sense, multi-cloud allows you to cherry-pick the best strengths and capabilities of multiple providers and run them simultaneously for different projects.
Reduce cloud concentration risk
A concern for many businesses is the risk of cloud concentration – becoming overly reliant on a single cloud platform. When you have all of your critical data and applications in one platform, a single incident risks your entire operation. Diversifying your infrastructure spreads the risk, and multi-cloud is a common method of diversification. Multi-cloud allows you to split your workloads and data, so that if an incident affects one platform, data centre or provider, it does not impact all of your infrastructure. For more information, you can read our insight on mitigating cloud concentration risk. It is important to note that multi-cloud is not the only strategy to reduce cloud concentration risk, so it is still worth considering whether this is the best strategy for your needs.
Reduce the risk of downtime
By spreading your online workloads across two or more providers, your infrastructure becomes more resilient to downtime. Having uptime SLAs across multiple cloud networks makes the possibility of simultaneous downtime almost impossible. You could, if you wish, keep replicas of your applications in two separate clouds as a disaster recovery strategy, so that if one cloud service provider (CSP) goes down, your business operations don’t.
Low latency
If your cloud network is stored in distant locations away from the end-user, access to data and apps will not be instantaneous. When data traffic has to travel across several nodes before reaching the end-user, minor delays can be caused – this delay is known as latency. If you opt for multi-cloud infrastructure, you could strategically deploy in multiple data centres that are close to your end-users, meaning the requested data can be served with minimum server hops. This is particularly useful for global businesses wishing to serve data across the world whilst maintaining a centralised end-user experience.However, if you choose a global hosting provider like Hyve, with a data centre presence in 5 continents across 35 locations, low latency and the ability to deploy across the world is equally as possible in a single-provider solution.
The Cons
Cost & management complexity
Understandably, small to medium-sized enterprises with a smaller budget often hesitate to take a multi-cloud approach due to the cost management involved when dealing with several providers. In addition to managing your costs, managing all of your assets can be a complicated and expensive process. If you are managing multi-cloud infrastructure in-house, you will need staff with the correct skills and expertise, which often means a high salary. The management will be complex, as each provider will have their own systems and interfaces, and there are more platforms to monitor, with additional processes potentially costing staff time and resources. If you are outsourcing management, this removes this requirement from you, but you will need to pay management fees for each provider. On this basis, a single-provider is likely to be a more cost-effective option, with less stress on your in-house resources.
Complex structures
The nuances of configuring and managing each CSP requires extensive knowledge of multiple principles – something that isn’t necessarily easy to find in an employee. In order to maximise the performance of each cloud, employees need essential expertise in deploying and running several clouds. This often results in hiring more staff to manage the multi-cloud solution with confidence, ensuring it is both secure and highly available. Many providers, such as Hyve, offer third-party management services for public cloud hosted by another provider, in addition to their own managed cloud solutions. This option allows you to benefit from a multi-cloud solution, while also having the benefit of dealing with a single provider, and not having to manage your multiple platforms in-house.
Increased security risks
Multi-cloud makes security more difficult, as traditional security tools can’t manage all potential risks across multiple providers. Public cloud already gives you less control over your data than private cloud, and using two or more public cloud platforms gives you even less, while also providing a wider attack surface for your applications. It is crucial that all providers involved in a multi-cloud solution are efficiently coordinated, and use threat detection and prevention tools to work together to address any potential security issues.
Optimising your infrastructure
Whether you are looking for a single cloud or multi-cloud solution, Hyve can support you. Our in-depth consultation process means our experts can discuss all of the pros and cons of each solution for your business, and design bespoke infrastructure to meet your needs. We can also provide a management layer for your existing public cloud platforms as part of a multi-cloud strategy.
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