Multi-Cloud vs Hybrid Cloud: 3 Key Differences

Multi-cloud vs hybrid cloud, which is better? What is a multi-cloud? What is a hybrid cloud? Why do organizations use hybrid and multi-cloud? How to build a successful cloud strategy? Can a hybrid cloud also be multi-cloud?

This blog post will help you answer all these questions.

What is a hybrid cloud?

Hybrid cloud infrastructure consists of a private cloud or data center, on-premises infrastructure, one or more public clouds, and a secure network. A hybrid cloud leverages local and wide-area networks to connect two or more computers.

Organizations can store sensitive data without deploying servers on-site by using a hybrid cloud. In addition, hybrid cloud infrastructure provides cost-effectiveness, increased agility, unified data management, and greater control over private data.

A hybrid cloud is a combination of one private cloud with public cloud and data centers.

What is a multi-cloud?

Multi-cloud is a combination of software as a service, aka SaaS, platform as a service, aka PaaS, and infrastructure as a service, aka IaaS models. Organizations do not have to rely on a single cloud vendor while using the multi-cloud architecture.

In addition, organizations reduce the risk of localized hardware failure and do not go offline. Multi-cloud architecture also offers organizations increased reliability, better ROI, greater disaster recovery tools, and advanced security. 

Around 93 percent of businesses will switch to the cloud in the next five years. Thus, you must adopt cloud technology sooner than later. 

The multi-cloud model uses two or more clouds of a similar type.

Let’s take a look at some key differences. 

1. Multi-cloud vs Hybrid cloud: Architecture

   Hybrid cloud infrastructure comprises unified logging, a single identity management system, stack alerts, and cloud monitoring.
   
   Multi-cloud infrastructure does not have a single identity management system or an integrated network; primarily because data storage occurs on it.
   
   With Silicon Valley moving to the cloud, organizations must differentiate between multi-cloud and hybrid cloud architecture.
   

2. Multi-cloud vs Hybrid cloud: Inter-cloud workload

   In a multi-cloud setup, different cloud systems manage separate tasks to facilitate independent data operations. The inter-cloud workload is comparatively less in a multi-cloud architecture.
   
   On the other hand, a hybrid cloud uses different components that work together to perform a function. The inter-cloud workload is more in a hybrid cloud infrastructure.
   

3. Multi-cloud vs Hybrid cloud: Availability

   The multi-cloud architecture offers a robust backup setup with standby facilities. You can easily shift the workload to another cloud system if an issue occurs on one of your cloud systems.
   
   Unlike multi-cloud, the hybrid cloud infrastructure requires a dedicated team to ensure round-the-clock availability. 
   
   
   

   Multi-cloud vs hybrid cloud: 6 unique differences

Can a hybrid cloud also be multi-cloud?

Yes, a hybrid cloud becomes multi-cloud when more than one public cloud service joins a private cloud. On the other hand, the multi-cloud model consists of various cloud storage options and data centers that can include a hybrid cloud.

Therefore, every hybrid cloud can become a multi-cloud when more than one public cloud joins the network. However, not every multi-cloud can become a hybrid cloud if there is no private cloud in its network. 

What should organizations keep in mind while building a cloud strategy?

Organizations should keep in mind the following things while building a cloud strategy.

1. Cloud migration
   
   Check for cloud migration and ease of shifting an application from an on-premises setup to the cloud, as some applications need complete refactoring to shift to the cloud.
   
   
2. Pricing model
   
   The pricing models of cloud systems play a key role in decision-making. You must check the pricing model of different cloud providers and choose the one that helps manage the increasing workload and is not very expensive.
   
   
3. Cloud management
   
   The cloud model you choose may require you to set up your own management team, or could provide you dashboard access for tracking and monitoring. So, choose the cloud model that works best for your business.
   
   
4. Tools
   
   While migrating to the cloud, organizations need management, deployment, and orchestration tools. You can create a tool strategy by either abstracting the tool layer of the cloud provider or using a coordinated cross-platform toolset for management, orchestration, and deployment.
   
   For example, Kubernetes can provide cloud orchestration tools to deploy the application in a multi-cloud or hybrid cloud environment.
   
   Related Post: 7 Reasons Kubernetes is Important for DevOps

Summary 

Multi-cloud offers better security and greater disaster recovery, lowers latency rate by offering cloud zones, and prevents vendor lock-in. On the other hand, a hybrid cloud offers faster data processing, increased agility, better scalability, and risk management. 

Organizations must consider the pros and cons of each cloud model before choosing one that can handle business data and information effectively.

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FAQs

1. Which popular companies use the hybrid cloud?
   Some of the popular companies that use the hybrid cloud are Netflix, Uber, Airbnb, and Hulu.
   
   
2. What are the four types of cloud computing?
   There are four types of cloud computing: public cloud, private cloud, hybrid cloud, and multi-cloud.
   
   
3. What are some of the popular multi-cloud providers?
   Some popular multi-cloud providers include Amazon web services, Google cloud platform, Microsoft Azure and IBM.