{{Short description|Type of IT infrastructure}} '''Multicloud''' (also written as '''multi-cloud''' or '''multi cloud''') is a term with varying interpretations, generally referring to a system using multiple cloud computing providers. According to ISO/IEC 22123-1: "multi-cloud is a cloud deployment model in which a customer uses public cloud services provided by two or more cloud service providers".<ref>{{Cite journal |title=ISO/IEC 22123-1:2023(E) - Information technology — Cloud computing — Part 1: Vocabulary |journal=International Organization for Standardization |pages=2}}</ref> Multi-cloud can involve various deployment models, including public, private, and hybrid clouds, and multiple service models, such as Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). Multicloud incorporates workload, data, traffic, and workflow portability options, which can result in varying implementation complexity.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |title=Cloud Computing: Concepts, Technology & Architecture |date=2013 |publisher=Pearson |isbn=978-0133387520}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite book |title=Cloud Native Patterns: Designing change-tolerant software |date=31 May 2019 |publisher=Manning |isbn=978-1617294297}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite book |title=Multi-Cloud Strategy for Cloud Architects - Second Edition: Learn how to adopt and manage public clouds by leveraging BaseOps, FinOps, and DevSecOps |isbn=978-1804616734 |last1=Mulder |first1=Jeroen |date=27 April 2023 |publisher=Packt Publishing, Limited }}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite book |title=Multi-Cloud Architecture and Governance: Leverage Azure, AWS, GCP, and VMware vSphere to build effective multi-cloud solutions |isbn=978-1800203198}}</ref>
When effectively implemented, multicloud solutions can enhance architectural resilience, reduce dependence on a single vendor, and improve flexibility by leveraging services from different providers. However, multicloud strategies also present challenges, including increased operational complexity, security risks, higher costs, and integration difficulties.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />
According to the 2024 State of the Cloud Report by Flexera, multi-cloud adoption has continued to rise in 2024. Enterprises increasingly silo applications into specific clouds and select best-fit services. Key use cases include data analysis in separate clouds and cross-cloud disaster recovery.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=2024 State of the Cloud Report |url=https://info.flexera.com/CM-REPORT-State-of-the-Cloud-2024-Thanks |journal=Flexera's State of the Cloud Report}}</ref>
==Advantages and challenges== There are several advantages to using a multicloud approach, including the ability to negotiate better pricing with cloud providers, the ability to quickly switch to another provider if needed, and the ability to avoid vendor lock-in. Multicloud can also be a good way to hedge against the risks of obsolescence, as it allows you to rely on multiple vendors and open standards, which can prolong the life of your systems.<ref name="techmonitor1"/>
Additional benefits of the multicloud architecture include adherence to local policies that require certain data to be physically present within the area/country, geographical distribution of processing requests from physically closer cloud unit which in turn reduces latency and protect against disasters.<ref name=synytsky/><ref name="techmonitor1">{{cite web |url=https://techmonitor.ai/technology/cloud/rethink-monogamy-multicloud|title= You Might Want to Rethink Monogamy (When Clouds are in Question)|work=Tech Monitor |first=Aron |last=Brand |date=February 17, 2020}}</ref>
Various issues and challenges also present themselves in a multicloud environment.<ref name=synytsky>{{cite web|last1=Synytsky|first1=Ruslan|title=How To Overcome The Challenges Of Gaining Multi-Cloud Interoperability|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2018/10/25/how-to-overcome-the-challenges-of-gaining-multi-cloud-interoperability/|publisher=Forbes Technology Council|accessdate=25 October 2018}}</ref> Security and governance is more complicated, and more "moving parts" may create resiliency issues.
== Difference between multicloud and hybrid cloud == Multicloud differs from hybrid cloud in that it refers to multiple cloud services from different vendors rather than multiple deployment modes (on-premises hardware, and public and private, cloud hosting).<ref name="rouse">{{cite web|last1=Rouse|first1=Margaret|title=What is a multi-cloud strategy|url=http://searchcloudapplications.techtarget.com/definition/multi-cloud-strategy|publisher=SearchCloudApplications|accessdate=3 July 2014}}</ref><ref name="king">{{cite web|last1=King|first1=Rachel|title=Pivotal's head of products: We're moving to a multi-cloud world|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/pivotals-head-of-products-were-moving-to-a-multi-cloud-world/|publisher=ZDnet|access-date=3 July 2014}}</ref> However, when considering a broad definition of multi-cloud, hybrid cloud can still be regarded as a special form of multi-cloud.
== See also == * Cloud computing * Serverless computing
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:Cloud computing