Hybrid multicloud storage is designed to offer the best of both worlds by combining on-premise technology with multiple public cloud resources. This allows enterprises to optimize pricing, capacity, performance, features, security, and resilience of their storage solutions.
The challenge lies in creating a cohesive storage architecture that leverages the strengths of various technologies without creating unnecessary complexity. In this article, we explore the advantages and disadvantages of hybrid multicloud storage, as well as potential developments that could simplify its deployment.
Hybrid multicloud storage merges the concepts of hybrid cloud storage and multicloud storage. It allows organizations to store data across on-premise and public cloud locations, while also utilizing multiple public cloud providers. This approach reflects the real-world scenario where enterprises adopt a mix of storage solutions based on workload, budget, and regulatory requirements.
One of the key benefits of hybrid multicloud storage is the ability to choose the most suitable storage location for data based on factors like cost, capacity, scalability, resilience, and performance. This flexibility gives IT more control over storage and prevents vendor lock-in. Organizations can also easily move data between clouds or on-premise systems as needed.
However, the complexity of managing multiple platforms and ensuring data integrity and application compatibility across environments can pose challenges. Maintaining consistent data across all platforms may require significant effort and could outweigh the benefits of a hybrid multicloud approach.
Hybrid multicloud storage is ideal for applications such as archiving, backup and recovery, business continuity, dynamic workloads, and analytics. The evolution of containerized applications and object storage should further enhance the practicality of hybrid multicloud storage, with solutions like Kubernetes and global namespace object storage enabling seamless data movement across systems.
To facilitate hybrid multicloud storage, organizations can consider control plane technology provided by vendors like HPE, NetApp, Nutanix, and Pure Storage. These tools help manage multiple storage instances across different platforms. Integration with services such as AWS, Azure, GCP, Oracle, and IBM also offers enhanced multicloud management capabilities.
Ultimately, the success of hybrid multicloud storage relies on choosing the right control plane technology to streamline operations and leverage the full potential of diverse storage solutions.