Everything You Need To Know About Cloud-Native Platforms

What Is A Cloud-Native Platform?

A cloud-native platform refers to the idea and application of building and operating systems that take advantage of the distributed computing offered by the cloud delivery model. Cloud-native applications are designed to be resilient and utilize the elasticity, order, and flexibility of the cloud.

The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) states that cloud-native technologies empower organizations to run and build applications in public, private, and hybrid cloud types. A wide variety of features such as service meshes, microservices, immutable infrastructure, and application programming interfaces (APIs) are incorporated into cloud-native applications which enhance both security and data integrity.

Cloud-native applications use an efficient microservice-based architecture that distributes resources equally amongst connected services, adding a degree of pliancy and maneuverability to a cloud-based architecture. Cloud-native utilizes the assorted tools employed by software developers and enables them to build innovative applications for the public cloud.

What Are Cloud-Native Microservices?

Cloud-native microservices are simply defined as an architectural approach that allows single applications to be broken down into smaller components or services. These services tend to be independently deployable and have a technology stack that's inclusive of both the data model and database management tool.

Microservices allow users to communicate via multiple channels including REST APIs, event streaming, and message brokers. When implemented correctly, microservices increase the functionality of code and allow for effortless updates.

Each microservice works within a larger context to implement specific business capabilities or actions. Microservices are autonomously developed, self-contained, and encapsulated in independent storage technology.

What Is Cloud-Native API?

APIs (Application Programming Interface) support cloud-native through the use of microservices. Services communicate through well-defined channels using the API interface. One of the biggest problems that developers face when creating services for business support cases is the capacity to quickly consume and utilize them to satisfy demands. APIs are used to expedite the development process and boost the continuous consumption of services.

When building an API from scratch, it’s easy to end up with a poor consumption experience. As developers try to understand the capabilities of API, they should also be aware that having a distinct API description in an implementation-agnostic format allows developers to agree on behavioral systems.

What Are Cloud-Native Technologies?

Cloud-native is a broad term used to define container-based environments. In this context, cloud-native technologies are built with packaged container services that are used to develop applications that are deployed as microservices. These microservices are primarily managed on robust infrastructure with agile processes for DevOps and continuous workflow delivery.

Cloud-native architecture is improving on existing PaaS (Platform As A Service) abilities such as cloud storage management, patching, and capacity management. Open-source systems such as Kubernetes are making it easier to automate deployment, scaling, and manage containerized applications.

What Are Examples Of Cloud-Native?

Cloud-native applications use processes and platforms that are native to the cloud. This produces a highly scalable, modifiable, and connected process that is easily deployable. These applications generally use one or more cloud-originated constructs.

Three examples of cloud-native applications:

Software Containers

Software containers are mobile operating systems that are incorporated into applications and their associated software components. Containers are typically small, quick to deploy, and reusable.

Microservices

Microservices are loosely connected software services that can be amalgamated into a complete application. The main purpose of microservices is to broaden applications' flexibility and extension capabilities.

Software-Defined Infrastructure

Virtualizing hardware functionality gives businesses increased ability to scale their capacity and reallocate resources. Services can be easily stopped or started through the use of software-defined infrastructure.

What Is a True Cloud-Native Structure?

True cloud-native applications are built to specifically run on managed public services that reside in the cloud. These types of applications don't require compute services and VMs because they are solely cloud-based.

Modern variations of cloud-native structures enable customers to benefit from robust security practices whilst utilizing the elasticity, stability, and scalability of the public cloud. Solutions are delivered quicker with some of the associated long-term benefits including increased automation, SaaS infrastructure growth, and decreased operational workload.

Why Is Cloud-Native Important?

Cloud-native solutions are important because they can streamline processes and help businesses to deploy, iterate (repetition of a process), and redeploy when and wherever needed. True flexibility can be attained through cloud-native solutions that streamline costs and create profitable operations.

Businesses can take advantage of the ready-to-use infrastructure that’s built into cloud-native applications. Caching services, APIs, rules, data virtualization, and workflow engines can all be easily reused and recycled by developers.

Cloud-Native Platform Statistics

• 45% of organizations indicated misconfigurations as cloud-native security incidents
• 38% of organizations indicated known unpatched vulnerabilities as cloud-native security incidents
• 23% of organizations run more than 5,000 containers
• 59% of backend developers have used containers in the last 12 months
• 85% of enterprises still favor batch-oriented techniques

The Connection Between Cloud-Native Platforms & Digital Transformation

The modernization of IT infrastructure and digital transformation go hand in hand. Over the next three years, over a trillion dollars in value will be garnered through the implementation of digital initiatives. IT departments are struggling with the disruption that comes with transformation, but are confident about the resilience, stability, and potential of cloud-native platforms.

Digital transformation works by implementing policies and procedures that are essential to sustained growth, development, and innovation. A key aspect of digital transformation is the ability to take advantage of cloud-native solutions that drive the rapid growth of modern application frameworks.

Cloud-native services offer agility, dexterity, and flexibility, which all help to accelerate digital innovation. Disruptions are limited and systemic change can deliver value through technological expansion.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, cloud-native platforms offer businesses scalable hardware decoupling. Dedicated teams work to make infrastructure management effortless with deployable applications that alleviate competitive limitations.

Adopting a cloud-native platform enables faster release, ease of management, reduced costs, reliable systems, and auto-provisioning. The implementation of cloud-native platforms helps businesses to improve the software development lifecycle, which autonomously takes care of issues such as bugs and slow loading speeds.

Disclaimer: This article was originally published on the Walk.Me glossary.