Google’s recent announcement of its Cross-Cloud Interconnect service marks a significant shift in how hyperscale cloud providers are addressing the challenges of multi-cloud environments. This new offering not only provides a high-speed private connection between Google Cloud and customers’ on-site networks but also includes a dedicated link to four major competitors: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Oracle, and Alibaba.
This move represents a departure from the traditional vendor lock-in approach, which many organizations view as a major hurdle to cost savings. To reduce their dependency on a single cloud provider, many businesses have adopted a multi-cloud strategy. However, managing multiple cloud providers comes with its own set of challenges.
A recent IDC study revealed that 64% of companies are using multiple cloud providers, with nearly 80% expressing the need to simplify cloud management. While multi-cloud adoption is on the rise, businesses often find themselves dealing with the complexities of interconnectivity.
While Google’s new service is a positive step towards addressing these challenges, the multi-cloud landscape is already populated with third-party interconnection platforms that have been providing similar services for some time. These platforms offer more advanced integration, greater flexibility, and easier service management.
As the digital landscape evolves, businesses require the ability to transfer sensitive data seamlessly between multiple clouds and regions. Provisioning direct connections to various clouds is a complex endeavor that can lead to unexpected costs. The main challenge stems from the lack of standardization. Each hyperscale cloud provider has its own interpretation of direct connectivity, such as AWS Direct Connect or Azure ExpressRoute, with subtle differences in cross-region data transfer approaches. Additionally, these providers use their specific terminology and definitions for their direct connectivity offerings.
Third-party interconnection providers are changing the game by offering seamless network connectivity with agility and speed. This enables businesses to connect to and between different cloud providers effortlessly, as if they have their private network at their fingertips. Here are five crucial factors for businesses embarking on their multi-cloud journey to consider:
1. Agility: Third-party interconnection platforms provide fully automated services with seamless network integration to global cloud providers. This eliminates the need for equipment installation, management, and maintenance, streamlining network management. Businesses can manage global network connections through a single, centralized management portal, reducing technical risks and software maintenance.
2. Reach: Many third-party interconnection providers offer existing on-demand access to major cloud providers, simplifying network configuration and management. This provides high-performance connectivity and private data transfer to various destinations with automated switching and routing across a global network.
3. Infrastructure: Selecting a third-party interconnection platform that owns the underlying core network infrastructure is essential. By owning a global Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network, these providers can guarantee a quality of service that is resilient, compliant, and aligned with security requirements.
4. Costs: Third-party interconnection partners often offer competitive pricing with a consumption-based model. Businesses pay only for the bandwidth and cloud network connections they need, aligning cloud usage with their economic considerations. Contract lengths can be as short as a day, providing flexibility for businesses to adapt to changing needs.
5. Reliability: Third-party interconnection partners help businesses establish reliable and redundant connectivity for data transfer between multiple cloud providers and data centers, minimizing resource and infrastructure overheads. This approach ensures data backup and recovery are seamless and efficient, reducing latency and enhancing security and performance.
While Google’s Cross-Cloud Interconnect is a positive development, it is essential for businesses to evaluate whether they prefer a direct relationship with cloud providers or opt for third-party interconnection platforms that offer greater agility, flexibility, and ease of service in the multi-cloud ecosystem. As the multi-cloud trend continues to grow, businesses must choose the most suitable approach to meet their evolving connectivity needs.
