What is Multicloud Networking? Advantages, Use cases

What is Multicloud Networking?

Designing, implementing, and running a network across several public cloud environments is made possible by multicloud networking. Through a single point of management, MCN systems provide uniform network policy, security, governance, and visibility across various cloud environments.

The hybrid cloud, which combines the usage of private and public cloud environments, usually from a single provider, is distinct from multicloud. Private and/or public clouds are both possible in multicloud, which combines the finest services from many suppliers to provide a unique solution for the unique requirements of an organisation.

An explanation of multicloud networking

Automated, policy-based networking for connectivity and network services of dispersed workloads in and across different clouds is offered by multicloud networking (MCN). MCN systems are controlled, elastically scalable, highly available, secure, and offered as network software or as a service.

MCN gives businesses the ability to manage, secure, and govern their data across networks that span several data centres and private and public cloud resources. Software-based MCN designs offer control, visibility, and security over network connections while intelligently integrating diverse IT resources.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) for customer-facing apps and Google Cloud Platform for internal programs are two examples of how multicloud frequently combines at least two cloud services into a single architecture, or distinct cloud stacks for distinct purposes.

How does networking across several clouds operate?

Building logical, software-defined, secure networks to cloud apps across several private clouds, data centres, SaaS providers, and public clouds is made possible by Multicloud Networking technology. Leading public cloud providers including AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform, Alibaba Cloud, and Oracle Cloud are all covered by Multicloud Networking solutions.

In order to reduce the complexity, operational load, and related expenses of disjointed cloud APIs and cloud-specific network structures, Multicloud Networking offers low-code optimisations to streamline networking across various clouds. Additionally, MCN solutions aid in cloud and inter-cloud network performance optimisation.

Utilising a single cloud provider might result in vendor lock-in as it purposefully makes application migration difficult and costly. MCN fosters infrastructure autonomy in three ways and helps prevent vendor lock-in and complexity:

• If one vendor raises costs or has an outage, switching to another provider is easy and inexpensive since MCN permits the use of several providers for various workloads.
• By keeping data in many locations and restricting which suppliers may access it, Multicloud Networking gives users more control over their data. By doing this, private information is protected from hackers on public clouds.
• MCN makes it easier to adapt infrastructure to business requirements. Instead of requiring solutions from a single vendor to satisfy criteria, using many suppliers enables the selection of the best-fitting solutions.

Advantages of multicloud networking

• By spreading data and apps over several clouds rather than using a single public cloud provider, it reduces company risk from a disaster.
• Makes it possible for businesses to maximise return on investment by utilising the distinct features of every cloud platform, such as greater scalability or reduced expenses.
• Increases flexibility and agility by enabling companies to modify their infrastructure in accordance with application requirements, enabling them to swiftly and effectively adjust to changing demands.

Use cases for multicloud networking

Three typical MCN use cases that influence networking needs are as follows:

Apps that are siloed

One of the most popular multicloud networking methods nowadays deals with situations when apps are hosted by various IaaS providers. MCN enables each application to select the most economical alternative from a variety of providers. However, because cloud infrastructure IT skills are needed to handle various console logins and setups, this setup may make IT management more difficult.

Disaster Recovery (DR)

DR is a crucial use case because it allows IT to move primary cloud-based apps to a backup cloud in the event that the original cloud fails. Although this redundancy increases uptime, maintenance costs may be higher.

Workload Mobility

MCN gives businesses the ability to automate disaster recovery (DR) so that workloads are moved to a backup cloud provider and are only triggered in the event of an outage. The capacity to transfer workloads the computational operations that comprise an application between various cloud environments is known as workload mobility. Through an orchestration console with preset cloud networking policies, MCN makes it simple for IT personnel to transfer workloads across cloud providers.

Using SD-WAN to construct a multicloud networking solution

At first, SD-WAN could only be used by apps leaving branch sites. Originally designed as a more economical and efficient means of connecting branch offices to corporate networks or cloud services, SD-WAN evolved into a more advanced edge router. Direct branch-cloud communication has been a prerequisite for business SD-WAN during the last few years.

MCN is made possible by SD-WAN, which offers direct cloud connectivity, extending features like visibility, control, and application intelligence to the cloud’s final mile. This has grown over the last several years as virtual SD-WAN equipment have been deployed within the architecture of public cloud providers, thus extending SD-WAN into the cloud.

Why Adopt a MultiCloud Approach?

Flexibility, robustness, and performance optimisation are all made possible by a multicloud approach. It offers innovation, risk mitigation, and access to a variety of cloud services. The reasons to employ a multicloud strategy are as follows:

Redundancy and Flexibility

It provides the freedom to select the finest services from many cloud providers, guaranteeing redundancy and lowering the possibility of outages.

Mitigation of Vendor Lock-in

It assists businesses in avoiding reliance on a single cloud provider. Avoiding the mitigating risks of bargaining power and vendor lock-in is beneficial.

Improved Performance

Using several cloud providers makes it easier to optimise the workload according to particular needs like cost, scalability, and geographic locations.

Compliance and Data Sovereignty

By allowing organisations to store data in numerous geographic locations as needed, it makes compliance with data residency requirements easier.

Multicloud Examples

Numerous options are provided by multicloud to assist businesses in providing better customer service. These are a few such usage cases:

Disaster recovery

You may backup important apps using Multicloud. You may depend on your other suppliers in the case of a calamity or a single vendor outage.

Better latency globally

With access to servers spread across several regions and improved, low-latency connectivity, multicloud may enable a multinational organisation provide better customer service.

Regional requirements

With the flexibility to move between on-premises, private, and public environments from various vendors, multicloud enables you to adhere to both region-specific compliance regulations.

Shadow IT

By giving employees access to authorised cloud technologies that adhere to security standards and rules, multicloud deployments can aid in the fight against employees utilising unauthorised apps or services.

Service Providers Used in Multi Cloud

There isn’t a single multi-cloud infrastructure vendor since multi-cloud is a collection of several cloud providers. Rather, it incorporates a variety of cloud service providers, including as

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Amazon Web Services offers several cloud services. This company is known for its global infrastructure, scalability, and reliability.

Microsoft Azure

It offers a full range of cloud services and robust support for Microsoft product integration. Because of its enterprise-grade security features and hybrid capabilities, it is preferred by businesses.

Google Cloud

It is well-known for its machine learning and data analytics services. It provides innovative technology, worldwide network infrastructure, and creative services.

IBM

Businesses demand IBM’s blockchain, AI-powered, and hybrid cloud offerings.
Oracle: It offers cloud services with a strong security, compliance, and performance focus on database management, corporate apps, and infrastructure.

Difference between multicloud and hybrid cloud

Aspect	MultiCloud	Hybrid Cloud
Definition	Makes use of several cloud services from various providers (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud), albeit they aren’t always connected.	Integrates public and private (on-premises) cloud services into a single setting.
Integration	The clouds usually function independently with little to no integration.	Highly integrated, allowing for smooth workload and data transfer between contexts.
Goal	To take advantage of the greatest features or rates offered by various cloud providers.	To use both public and private clouds to balance workloads and guarantee data protection.
Architecture	Often only uses a few public clouds.	A combination of public, private, and on-premises cloud infrastructure.
Adaptability	Allows you freedom in selecting the top services from various suppliers.	Provides flexibility by using public clouds to execute scalable applications and private clouds to store sensitive data.
Cost Optimization	Makes cost optimization possible by utilizing the most economical services offered by many suppliers.	Lowers expenses by using the public cloud for scalable jobs and local infrastructure for predictable workloads.
Applications	High availability, disaster recovery, and avoiding vendor lock-in.	Workload balance, scalability, regulatory compliance, and data-sensitive applications.
Vendor Lock-in	By employing many cloud providers, vendor lock-in is avoided.	Diverse ecosystems are integrated rather than avoiding vendor lock-in.
Security	The features and user configurations of each cloud provider determine security.	Maintains private clouds for critical workloads, adding an extra layer of protection.
Complexity	Can be difficult to handle because of many tools and platforms.	Integration is complicated, but with the right tools, it may be simplified.