Hybrid Cloud vs Multi Cloud: A Step-by-Step Guide

Posted on October 14, 2021 Cloud

How are you storing your data? Cloud storage has revolutionized the way we store and use data. It’s also revolutionized the way the world does business. Cloud has quickly become today’s standard for data storage. Most businesses, and people in general, are using cloud storage. But as a business, it goes beyond simple cloud storage. Are you using the right cloud storage? That’s the question. There are two main cloud frameworks to choose from.

The options are either Multi-Cloud or Hybrid Cloud if you need a more complex cloud framework for your business. For a lot of you reading this, it may be your first time hearing that there are different cloud frameworks to choose from. Don’t worry. You’re not alone.

We’re here to introduce you to the Multi-Cloud and Hybrid Cloud storage frameworks. In this article, we’ll discuss what each of them can do, what the differences are, and by the end, you’ll be a data storage pro.

Deciding which framework is best for your business will be a snap!

Let’s get to work.

Types of Clouds

Before we go any further into the details of Multi-Cloud vs. Hybrid Cloud, we need to distinguish between the types of clouds out there. There are two types of clouds, public and private.

Public clouds are clouds that multiple users or customers have access to. A business can typically have multiple clouds. Each one performs a different set of functions.

The business may have a cloud for authenticating users and another cloud as a database to store all of their user information.

Private clouds, on the other hand, serve only one customer per cloud. Companies will either pay a third-party vendor to host this cloud for them, or they will build and manage the cloud themselves.

What Is Multi-Cloud?

Multi-Cloud and Hybrid Cloud are both data storage frameworks. What sets them apart from traditional cloud storage is that they are both designed to integrate multiple cloud platforms.

Data and software applications can now exist on remote servers, and users can access them via the internet. No one needs a hard drive anymore. They’re a thing of the past. That’s why, if you go to your local computer store, you’ll notice the price of storage (i.e., thumb drives, external hard drives, etc.) is down significantly. They’re becoming obsolete.

Multi-Cloud and Hybrid cloud storage take cloud computing to the next level. Think of each group of data and software apps as its own individual “cloud.” Multi-Cloud and Hybrid cloud help you bring these multiple “clouds” of data together into one simpler, more efficient framework.

When it comes to multi-cloud, this framework is made up of public clouds.

What Is Hybrid Cloud?

Hybrid Cloud computing combines public and private clouds. Basically, a hybrid cloud system will have a network of public clouds with an on-premise private data center.

The hybrid cloud model is very common among businesses. Most companies find it very inefficient to move completely to the cloud. Also, a lot of businesses (if they’ve been around a while) already have on-site data centers and IT infrastructure they’ve been working from for years.

In addition to cost, most businesses find more comfort and security in keeping certain data and processes in their on-site infrastructure. This is a great way to leverage the benefits of cloud computing but also keep certain parts of your business safe and secure.

Multi-Cloud vs Hybrid Cloud

So which one is best? Well, it depends on a few factors. Every business is different, so, ultimately, the decision will be up to you and your management team. The nice thing is that you have options. 

Let’s compare the major factors of each framework to help you make a more well-informed decision for your own business.

Reliability

Deploying a multi-cloud system can help keep your data and processes more reliable. If you have one cloud, and thousands of users try to access it at once, they could wind up crashing your cloud. This is a phenomenon known as “cloud bursting.”

The disadvantage to running one cloud, in this case, is that a backup cloud would take a long time to get up and running.

Performance

If your business is already using edge computing, then hosting data on public clouds can be a good supplement to your IT infrastructure. If important data and process information are being hosted on the edge of your IT network, there can be a bit of lag and latency when it comes to data processing.

Hosting a portion of your data on public clouds is a great supplement for your edge computing strategy and a great way to cut down on those delay and latency issues.

Time

Moving your entire business operation to the cloud can take time. If your company is on the smaller side, and you’re considering a move to the cloud, you may want to do it now. It’s going to be a lot more difficult once your company grows in size.

You and your management team may decide it’s worth the effort to migrate completely to a multi-cloud architecture. But it’s important to know what you’re getting into beforehand.

It might not be entirely possible for you to migrate to the cloud at this point. If your eventual goal is to be entirely cloud-based, then a hybrid cloud structure might be a good fit for now.

You can keep most of your information on the cloud and still be somewhat anchored to an on-site data center until you’re ready to make the complete move.

Flexibility

If you are using one private cloud, it can limit your corporate agility. You may start to become dependent on one cloud vendor.

Having multiple public clouds decreases this dependence and frees you up to shop around. Part of running a business is seeking out the most cost-effective strategy in every area. Having the freedom to do so when it comes to your cloud computing is a great advantage.

Security

If your business deals with data and processes that are governed by strict standards, then you may want to consider a hybrid cloud. Having this sensitive information on an on-site piece of IT infrastructure is the best way to handle it safely and securely. 

However, it’s important to do your research. Just because part of your computing is on a private server doesn’t necessarily mean it’s more secure. And public cloud companies are now releasing protections that can make them as secure, if not more so, than private on-site clouds.

Depending on which cloud vendor you choose, they may offer patches and other software for protecting your data. These options may offer even more security than an individual business. It all depends on how much of the budget these companies decide to spend on cybersecurity.

Cost

Cost is going to be a huge determining factor in which framework works best for you and your team.

Leveraging public clouds will save you some money on overhead. It also requires less management from your personnel. Whatever is stored on the platform can be managed by your third-party cloud vendor.

If leveraging cloud technology in the most cost-effective way possible is your concern, then multi-cloud might be for you.

Scaling

Part of the reason you’re even considering a move to cloud computing is to help your business grow. I mean, after all, isn’t that the end goal of all your business decisions?

It’s important to keep this in mind when you’re deciding which cloud infrastructure to choose. Have a conversation with your team about where they believe your business is heading.

If major growth is one of the team’s main goals, then you’ll want to choose a cloud computing framework that can grow along with you. It can be a challenge to try and grow with a system that is limited by physical components (i.e., an on-site server).

Automation

With a multi-cloud system, there is no limit to the amount of data you can store. You can also navigate this data and processes across multiple hybrid workflows.

This type of framework sets you up to efficiently manage data, apps, and infrastructure across multiple clouds. As a result, automation of your multi-cloud management becomes incredibly easy.

The Sky Is the Limit

Multi-cloud data storage can be the thing to skyrocket your business to the next level. After reading this article, we hope you’re able to decide which type of cloud framework is right for you. That’s what it all comes down to.

Is security important to you? Do you already have physical IT infrastructure on-site that houses important data? Are you looking for solutions to provide you with the opportunity for hyper-growth?

These are all questions you and your management team need to ask yourselves. If you need help with any of these or have any other questions about cloud computing, we’re here to help.

Contact your pros at NETdepot anytime. We are more than happy to discuss your infrastructure with you.

Let’s work together to come up with the solution that’s right for your business.

Contact Us Today To Experience How We Can Save You Time, Money And Stress