By the team at InFlux Technologies. InFlux were finalists in the ‘Best Software-as-a-Service – USA (SMB)‘, ‘Best Platform-as-a-Service / Cloud Middleware‘, and ‘Cloud Project of the Year‘ categories at The 2024/25 Cloud Awards.
Our modern digital era demands a unique cloud computing approach as dynamic and versatile as the businesses it supports.
To achieve this, we have witnessed the evolution of strategies like the hybrid cloud, which involves combining different types of clouds, e.g., private and public clouds. The multi-cloud system (two or more types of the same cloud) has also gained popularity recently, especially with newly recorded strides in edge computing.
Organizations utilizing the multi-cloud system often use two or more traditional public clouds that run on centralized architectures. This approach can promote efficient use of resources since specific workloads can be easily assigned to the most suited cloud platform to optimize performance. However, it does not solve the inherent problems of lack of transparency, privacy compromise, and susceptibility to attack due to its single point of failure.
Enter the concept of multiple clouds. In this context, multi-cloud involves a blend of centralized and decentralized cloud infrastructures designed to address performance, security, and scalability challenges.
Understanding the multiple cloud model
At its core, a multiple cloud combines centralized cloud infrastructure, such as those offered by traditional providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS), with decentralized cloud systems powered by distributed nodes like Akash and FluxEdge. This combination creates a best-of-both-worlds solution, leveraging the familiarity of centralized platforms with decentralized systems’ resilience and localized benefits.
Security: building a fortress around data
Security remains a paramount concern in cloud computing. The multiple cloud approach excels in this area by combining the stability of the centralized cloud with the decentralized cloud’s inherent resistance to single points of failure.
Centralized Security Protocols:
Established cloud providers have well-documented security measures, such as advanced firewalls, encryption standards, and compliance certifications, which provide an already established security foundation.
Decentralized Resilience:
Decentralized systems distribute data across multiple independent nodes, geographically and operationally, making it difficult for attackers to compromise the entire system. The setup also mitigates the risks associated with data breaches or outages in a single location since most decentralized systems have an automatic fail-over or redundant system.
Organizations can implement a security-first approach without sacrificing efficiency or privacy by enabling sensitive data to be stored and processed on decentralized infrastructure while utilizing centralized resources for non-sensitive operations.
Cost effectiveness: optimizing investments
The hybrid cloud offers unparalleled cost optimization by allowing businesses to allocate resources based on specific needs:
Centralized Efficiency:
Businesses can adopt centralized clouds for predictable workloads, benefiting from economies of scale and the versatility of traditional providers.
Decentralized Savings:
For high-latency or region-specific applications, decentralized nodes reduce the costs associated with data transfer and infrastructure maintenance. This can provide a massive upside for gaming facilities, reducing latency and promoting accessibility.
A decentralized model also minimizes overprovisioning and prevents vendor lock-in, which are common issues with purely centralized systems. It ensures that resources are allocated dynamically and cost-effectively.
Flexibility of use: catering to diverse needs
Multiple cloud flexibility is one of its most significant advantages. It allows organizations to:
- Scale resources up or down based on demand
- Tailor infrastructure to specific use cases, such as running latency or privacy-sensitive applications on decentralized nodes while utilizing centralized systems for bulk data storage.
- Integrate seamlessly with existing IT ecosystems, avoiding the need for complete overhauls instead of a totalitarian Web2 or Web3 approach.
Performance: scalability on all ends
Performance in the multiple cloud model benefits from the strategic placement of data and workloads:
Reduced Latency:
Decentralized cloud nodes’ evenly distributed nature processes data closer to its source, minimizing delays and improving user experiences.
High Availability:
Decentralized systems ensure that localized outages don’t cripple operations, as workloads can be rerouted to alternative nodes.
Centralized Scalability:
When demand spikes, centralized resources can handle increased workloads seamlessly, ensuring consistent performance.
Compliance with laws and regulations
Navigating the complex web of data protection laws is a critical challenge for global businesses. Multiple cloud offers simple yet reliable solutions:
- Localized Data Storage: Decentralized nodes allow businesses to comply with regional data residency requirements
- Auditability: Centralized platforms provide detailed logs and compliance certifications, simplifying regulatory audits.
By balancing these elements, businesses can remain compliant without compromising privacy.
Ownership and control
A multiple cloud system grants organizations greater control over their data and infrastructure. Using only a centralized multi-cloud system can still predispose businesses to censor, de-platform, and sometimes undue governmental interference. A combined approach offers more autonomy and control, allowing businesses to continue functioning without being at the mercy of third-party entities.
Centralized Oversight:
Organizations retain access to centralized dashboards for monitoring and management.
Decentralized Autonomy:
Localized nodes enable companies to maintain ownership of sensitive data, reducing dependency on third-party providers. This dual approach ensures businesses remain in charge of their operations while benefiting from external expertise and infrastructure.
Challenges in adopting multiple cloud
Despite its numerous advantages, the multiple cloud strategy is not without its challenges:
- Complexity: Managing a multiple cloud environment requires professional expertise that may not be readily available. This challenge was one of the top three limiting factors for cloud computing in 2023.
- Integration: This is another complicated terrain. Combining multiple centralized and decentralized systems can be very technically demanding.
- Compliance: Varying security and compliance across multiple clouds can make it challenging to architect a single-encompassing framework to ensure compliance.
Addressing these challenges requires strategic planning and partnerships with experienced providers who understand the intricacies of multiple cloud environments.
Conclusion
Using a combination of centralized and decentralized cloud infrastructure is not just a technical solution; it is a strategic approach for organizations aiming to thrive in a competitive, data-driven world. By combining the strengths of centralized and decentralized cloud infrastructures, businesses can unlock new levels of performance, security, and flexibility. While challenges remain, the potential benefits far outweigh the hurdles, making multiple clouds a cornerstone of the future digital economy.
As organizations embrace this innovative approach, they position themselves to lead in a tech ecosystem where agility, flexibility, and resilience are the keys to maintaining relevance.