Cloud Infrastructure
Hybrid Cloud vs Multi-Cloud
Cloud Infrastructure_ |_ Anant Tripathi

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

Multi-cloud and hybrid cloud, both are considered distinct approaches in cloud computing. If we talk about multi-cloud vs hybrid cloud, then the multi-cloud strategy involves utilizing services from multiple providers concurrently, such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. This strategy enhances flexibility and optimizes workload across platforms.

While, on another hand, the hybrid cloud integrates public cloud infrastructure with public cloud services. This process supports seamless data migration, providing flexibility for managing data and meeting compliance needs. It helps businesses keep sensitive data on-premises while using the scalability and cost efficiency of cloud services. However, this blog will discuss this more in detail. 

Explain the Workings of Cloud Computing

Cloud Computing

Cloud computing provides on-demand delivery of computing services such as storage, servers, databases, networking, and software over the Internet. 

Cloud computing operates through a network of remote servers hosted on the Internet, rather than the local servers or personal computers. Let’s explore how the cloud computing generally works:

  • Resource pooling:

    Cloud providers maintain an extensive pool of cloud computing resources that are allocated dynamically based on customer demand. These resources are accessed via a web browser or a cloud provider’s application.


  • On-demand self-service:

    Cloud users have the freedom to set up and manage computing resources whenever the demand occurs without needing help from the service provider. This process allows for flexibility and scalability in resource allocation.


  • Broad network access:

    As the name suggests, this allows cloud services to be easily accessible over the internet from all the various devices including laptops, tablets, or smartphones. This allows easy access to applications and data.


  • Rapid Elasticity:

    Cloud services can easily expand or shrink resources based on business needs. This scalability allows businesses to handle the changing workloads efficiently without wasting any resources.


  • Measured service:

    Cloud services are monitored and charged according to usage. This pay-as-you-go model is also considered its major advantage as it allows organizations to optimize costs by paying only for the resources or tools they consume.

Difference Between Private Cloud and Public Cloud?

Private Cloud and Public Cloud

A public cloud is a shared environment used by multiple resources; similarly, multiple people use the same bank without accessing each other’s accounts. Despite sharing the same bank, each user’s data and application remains secure and isolated. 

A private cloud provides a dedicated space for an organization, offering exclusive access and controls. For instance, it’s like having a personal bank vault which is customized to the customer’s details and is accessible only by the user, cloud computing offering complete security, privacy and safety.

What is Multi-Cloud?

what is multi cloud?

Multi-cloud means integrating multiple public clouds to meet different purposes. For example, a company might use one cloud for databases, another may be for authorization, and so on. 

When a multi-cloud deployment also includes a private cloud or on-premises cloud, then is claimed to be a hybrid cloud.

What is Hybrid Cloud?

A hybrid cloud blends public cloud services with private cloud or on-premises infrastructure. This on-premises setup consists of internal data centres and other IT infrastructures within a corporate network.

Hybrid cloud deployments are quite frequent. A few businesses find it too costly and resource-intensive to fully migrate it to the cloud resulting in some processes, business logic, and data storage on existing legacy on-premises environment.

Companies often choose a hybrid cloud approach to maintain control over processes and data in a private cloud or on-premises data centre, resulting in benefiting from the extensive resources and cost efficiency of public cloud computing.

What are the key differences between Hybrid Cloud vs Multi Cloud?

Understanding the physical architecture acts as a first and crucial step when comparing the hybrid cloud and multi-cloud services, Let’s explore the major key difference between Hybrid Cloud vs Multi-Cloud in detail:

  • Architecture

    Hybrid and multi-cloud environments differ fundamentally in their architecture. Hybrid cloud mixes private and public cloud services, allowing users to manage a private cloud resource either on-site or in third-party centres. While, on the other hand, multi-cloud uses multiple public cloud services exclusively.


  • Pricing

    Using a hybrid cloud model can be expensive, especially when it comes to maintaining an on-premises private cloud. Companies bear the upfront costs of purchasing and managing the resources. Multi-cloud solutions using public cloud services are more cost-efficient. They do not require the initial investment for on-premises resources.


  • Availability

    Hybrid cloud solutions manage availability through the integration of public and private cloud resources, ensuring redundancy to mitigate downtime. While, on the other hand, multi-cloud architectures enhance availability by distributing workloads across various public cloud platforms, resulting in reducing risks of downtime.


  • Data Storage

    Data storage in hybrid cloud setup often prioritizes security and sensitive data, residing in private cloud environments. Multi-cloud strategies distribute data across multiple service providers, optimizing cost and performance while reducing dependency on a single vendor.


  • Security

    Hybrid cloud prioritizes security by storing sensitive data in private clouds and maintaining strict controls and compliances. While, in multi-cloud solutions, security must be managed across several public cloud service providers, requiring comprehensive strategies to ensure safety and security.


  • Flexibility

    In hybrid clouds, businesses can flexibly allocate resources between private and public clouds, allowing ease in customization according to the business goals. Multi-cloud maximises flexibility by utilizing services from several public cloud providers, allowing businesses to dynamically adapt to the changing demands of the business.


  • Multiple Public Cloud

    In a multi-cloud setup, businesses use multiple public cloud services, enabling them to optimize performance and costs. While, hybrid cloud, primarily uses a combination of both private and public cloud resources, often sticking to one public cloud provider for external resource usage.


  • Unified Security

    With a hybrid cloud, companies can implement a single set of security controls across both public and private clouds. Multi-cloud environments, user multi public service providers, and thus have to deal with multiple security standards and protocols.


  • Tool Support

    In hybrid clouds, tools are often used to work seamlessly with both public and private clouds, allowing for smoother operations. Multi-cloud setups involve multiple public cloud services and thus require multiple tools for each provider, making the task a bit complex.


  • Analytics

    Hybrid cloud provides integrated analytics tools for both public and private cloud data, this process makes it easier to get a complete view. Multi-cloud environments work on different public clouds, and thus follow different analytics tools, making the data analytics process complicated.

Can a Hybrid Cloud be a Multi-Cloud?

A hybrid cloud solution can include elements of a multi-cloud setup. The major difference between both multi-cloud and hybrid cloud is that hybrid cloud also uses private clouds with public cloud, while multi-cloud environment uses only the public cloud. 

Thus, a hybrid cloud can technically be a multi-cloud if it contains multiple public cloud resources, while a multi-cloud can never be a hybrid cloud, as it lacks a private cloud.

How to Choose the Right Cloud for Your Business?

Multiple factors need to be considered while choosing the right cloud for your business:

 

  1. Evaluate workload type: Find out the answer to whether you need SaaS, PaaS, IaaS, or any other customized solution. Your workload requirements will guide and help you decide on workload type and the correct optimal cloud strategy.
  2. Demand variability: Multi-cloud allows for easy scaling to meet changing updates. Hybrid cloud, on the other hand, can be more challenging to adjust.
  3. Speed requirements: Hybrid setups can be beneficial for real-time data exchange; however, multi-cloud processes can be slow to meet latency requirements.

Final Thoughts

In the race of multi-cloud vs hybrid cloud, we have discovered that both cloud solutions represent different cloud computing strategies. Multi-cloud uses multiple public cloud services like AWS, and Google Cloud, allowing flexibility and security. While, hybrid cloud, uses a combination of public and private cloud, supporting seamless data migration. Each approach offers unique benefits while choosing the correct approach depends upon your business requirements and goals.

While, AAHENT, can help you decide the correct strategy to help you get your business successful. Our team of experts provides years of experience to the table, offering customized solutions to align with your business’s unique needs and requirements. With AAHENT, get assured scalability and security for your business requirements.