Hybrid Cloud vs. Multi-Cloud: What is the Difference?

Hybrid cloud vs multi-cloud

The terms “hybrid cloud” and “multi-cloud” are often used interchangeably, making it challenging to define the difference between the two. However, despite their similarities, there is one significant distinction.

Understanding Multi-Cloud

In a multi-cloud environment, organizations utilize multiple public cloud services from different providers. For instance, a company might host its web front-end application on AWS and its Exchange servers on Microsoft Azure. This approach allows organizations to leverage the best IT services from various providers, avoid vendor lock-in, and take advantage of cloud arbitrage by choosing providers based on the lowest prices available.

The Role of Hybrid Cloud

Hybrid cloud computing differs from multi-cloud computing in one significant way—it includes private cloud infrastructure alongside one or more public cloud services. This approach involves the collaboration of private and public clouds to achieve business objectives.

Here are the two key differences between hybrid and multi-cloud:

  • Hybrid clouds always incorporate a private cloud and are generally managed as one entity.
  • Multi-clouds involve multiple public cloud services that often perform different functions. While multi-clouds can include a private cloud component, they don’t have to.

Organizations may adopt a multi-cloud strategy accidentally when different departments utilize various public cloud providers for specific functions. However, others intentionally develop a comprehensive IT strategy that encompasses on-premises infrastructure, public cloud-based infrastructure as a service (IaaS), and software as a service (SaaS) offerings as a well-managed hybrid IT environment.

For example, a hybrid cloud application might utilize on-premises databases while running application code both in the on-premises private cloud and “cloud bursting” to the public cloud when demand exceeds in-house hardware capabilities.

The Future of Cloud Strategies

As technology continues to evolve, enterprises will increasingly adopt multiple clouds to achieve their business goals. According to Gartner, over 30% of large-enterprise organizations will need to justify anything other than a cloud-only strategy for new IT initiatives. Furthermore, Gartner predicts that more than half of enterprises using the cloud will develop a cloud-first approach by 2021.

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FAQs

Q: Can multi-cloud environments be hybrid clouds as well?
A: Yes, while multi-cloud environments don’t necessarily include a private cloud component, they can still incorporate private cloud infrastructure if desired.

Q: Why do organizations adopt a multi-cloud strategy?
A: Organizations adopt multi-cloud strategies to leverage the strengths of different cloud providers, prevent vendor lock-in, and take advantage of cost variations between providers.

Q: What is the future of cloud strategies?
A: Gartner predicts that over 50% of enterprises using the cloud will develop a cloud-first approach by 2021, emphasizing the growing prominence of cloud computing in IT strategies.

Conclusion

Hybrid cloud and multi-cloud may seem similar, but they differ in their inclusion of private cloud infrastructure and the number of public cloud services involved. As organizations navigate the ever-evolving world of cloud computing, understanding these distinctions becomes critical for developing effective IT strategies.

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