Multi-cloud activity is defined as the process of accessing and managing data, applications, and resources across multiple cloud environments. It involves the distribution of workloads and traffic across different cloud resources in order to improve performance, scalability, and availability. In the early days of cloud computing, most enterprises used to access cloud services using a private network. This was due to the public internet connections that were not always reliable, and they did not offer the same level of security as private networks. As cloud services became more popular, enterprises began to use a hybrid WAN which was a combination of private and public IP networks. This allowed enterprises to take advantage of the benefits of both private and public networks. However, hybrid WANs were complex to manage, and they did not always provide the best performance.
However, with the rise of SD-WAN, it has become possible to connect and manage multiple cloud environments using a single, unified platform. Multi-cloud activity can be achieved through the use of a software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN). SD-WAN is a type of networking technology that allows for the creation of a virtualized network on top of a physical network. This virtualized network can be used to connect and manage multiple cloud environments. This has made it easier for enterprises to achieve multi-cloud activity without the need for a hybrid WAN. Before SD-WAN, it was difficult to achieve all the above-mentioned objectives, due to the dependence on physical infrastructure. Hence there were several challenges that enterprises face when trying to extend their reach across multiple cloud providers. However, the following are the challenges being faced by the enterprises in achieving the multi-cloud activity that SD-WAN has an immense potential to resolve effectively.
- The biggest challenge is dealing with different networking environments. Each cloud provider has its own networking infrastructure, and this can make it difficult to connect different clouds.
- Another challenge is dealing with different security protocols. Each cloud provider has its own security protocol, and this can make it difficult to share data between different clouds.
- The traditional WAN could not support the explosive growth in cloud usage and application traffic.
- Enterprises need a way to connect their on-premises data center infrastructure to multiple cloud environments in a secure and consistent manner.
- Enterprises need to be able to dynamically optimize application performance based on changing conditions in the network.
- Enterprises want to be able to monitor and troubleshoot application performance in a multi-cloud environment.
- Enterprises require to manage costs associated with multi-cloud connectivity.
- Enterprises also want to ensure that their data is protected when stored in the cloud.
- Finally, they need to ensure that their applications would be available in the event of a cloud outage.
However, SD-WAN can provide a solution to many of the challenges associated with the multi-cloud activity. SD-WAN can simplify the network infrastructure and make it easier to manage. With SD-WAN, enterprises can connect their different cloud resources with a single, unified network. This can make it easier to manage and monitor network activity. SD-WAN can improve network performance. By using intelligent routing, SD-WAN can dynamically route traffic across different paths based on performance criteria. This can help to ensure that traffic is always routed over the best possible path, which can improve overall network performance. In order to overcome the number of challenges in achieving multi-cloud activity, enterprises need to consider using SD-WAN. Thus, SD-WAN provides a number of benefits that can help enterprises extend their reach across multiple clouds. Following are the benefits of using SD-WAN for achieving multi-cloud activity.
Agility and flexibility
Through SD-WAN, enterprises can take advantage of the agility and flexibility of the cloud. They can quickly provision and deploy resources in the cloud without the need for complex hybrid WANs. This means that enterprises can achieve a multi-cloud activity in a more agile and flexible manner.
Improved performance
SD-WAN can help enterprises improve the performance of their applications by dynamically routing traffic across the best path. This is because SD-WAN uses application-aware routing which takes into account the type of application traffic and the conditions of the network. This helps to ensure that traffic is routed across the best path to achieve the best performance.
Enhanced security
SD-WAN provides enhanced security for enterprises that are using multiple cloud providers. This is because SD-WAN uses encryption to secure data in transit. In addition, SD-WAN can also provide gateway redundancy and failover capabilities. This helps to ensure that data is protected, and applications are available in the event of a cloud outage.
Cost savings
SD-WAN can help enterprises to save on costs associated with multi-cloud connectivity. This is because SD-WAN uses a software-defined approach which reduces the need for expensive hardware. In addition, SD-WAN can also help enterprises to reduce the costs associated with WAN bandwidth.
Network Exchange
The use of SD-WAN can also help enterprises to take advantage of the network exchange. The network exchange is a platform that enables enterprises to connect their on-premises data center infrastructure to multiple cloud environments. This helps to improve the connectivity and performance of applications.
Explosive growth in cloud usage
The use of SD-WAN can help enterprises to cope with the explosive growth in cloud usage. This is because SD-WAN uses a software-defined approach which makes it easier to scale. In addition, with the help of SD-WAN, businesses can consistently route activity over the optimal path. This helps to ensure that businesses can take advantage of the cloud without the need for complex hybrid WANs.
Conclusion
Thus, the above-mentioned benefits of using SD-WAN can help enterprises to achieve a multi-cloud activity in a more efficient and effective manner. As enterprises move towards multi-cloud activity, they need to consider using SD-WAN to overcome the challenges associated with it. In conclusion, the use of SD-WAN can help enterprises to achieve a multi-cloud activity in a more efficient and effective manner. SD-WAN provides several benefits that can help enterprises overcome the challenges associated with multi-cloud activity. These benefits include agility and flexibility, improved performance, enhanced security, cost savings, and the ability to take advantage of the network exchange.
To learn more how you can achieve a Multi-Cloud connectivity through SD-WAN and all of the additional benefits have a look at our VMware SD-WAN & SASE offering.
