Cloud Native vs. Cloud Hosted - What’s the Difference?

There are two common terms in Cloud computing - "cloud-native" and "cloud-hosted" applications. Many people mix these up, but they have important differences. Cloud-native apps are built from the ground up to work in the cloud, while cloud-hosted apps are simply moved to the cloud from other systems.

Cloud-native applications can grow easily, update quickly, and handle lots of users. They use special tools and methods to work well in cloud environments. Cloud-hosted apps may not have all these benefits, but they can still run in the cloud.

• What is Cloud Native

• What is Cloud Hosted

• Cloud Native vs. Cloud Hosted

• Main Architectural Differences

• Development and Deployment

• Storage Solutions

• Cost Implications

• Final Thoughts

What is Cloud Native?

Cloud native refers to apps built to run in the cloud from the start. These apps fully use cloud features and can grow or shrink as needed. Cloud native apps are made of small, separate parts called microservices. Each part does one job well and can work on its own. This design makes the app easy to fix and update.

These apps use containers, which are like boxes that hold all the code and tools an app needs. Containers make it simple to move apps between different cloud systems. Cloud native apps also use APIs. APIs let different parts of the app talk to each other and to other services. This helps the app work well with other tools and systems.

What is Cloud Hosted?

Cloud hosted solutions run existing software on remote servers managed by a provider. This approach offers some benefits of cloud computing while keeping familiar applications intact.

Cloud hosted applications run on dedicated servers in a provider's data center. The software itself is not changed - it's moved from on-site servers to the cloud. This "lift and shift" approach lets companies use their existing applications without major updates.

Providers handle server maintenance, backups, and security. Users access the software remotely through the internet. Cloud hosted apps are often single-tenant, with each customer getting their isolated environment. This model works well for legacy software that can't easily be rebuilt as cloud-native. It provides more control and customization than multi-tenant SaaS offerings.

Cloud Native vs. Cloud Hosted

Cloud native and cloud hosted applications represent different approaches to using cloud technology. Cloud native apps are built specifically for cloud environments. They use microservices and containers to run on any cloud platform. Here's a comparison of key differences:

Cloud native apps offer more flexibility and speed. They can scale up or down quickly based on demand. This makes them ideal for businesses with changing needs. Cloud hosted applications are easier to implement initially. They require less redesign of existing systems. But they may not take full advantage of cloud benefits.

Main Architectural Differences

Cloud native and cloud hosted applications have distinct architectural approaches. These differences impact how they are built, deployed, and managed in cloud environments.

Deployment Models

Cloud native apps use containerization for deployment. This allows them to run consistently across different environments. Containers package the app and its dependencies together. They can start up quickly and use resources efficiently.

Cloud hosted apps often rely on virtual machines. VMs emulate entire computer systems. They take longer to start and use more resources than containers. Cloud hosted apps may need manual configuration for each environment they run in.

Cloud native apps can scale individual components as needed. Cloud hosted apps usually scale by adding more VMs. This can be less flexible and cost-effective.

Management and Orchestration

Cloud native apps use orchestration tools like Kubernetes. These tools automate deployment, scaling, and management of containerized apps. They handle tasks like load balancing and service discovery.

Cloud hosted apps often require more manual management. Admins may need to configure each instance separately. This can be time-consuming for large deployments.

Orchestration makes cloud native apps more resilient. If a container fails, the system can automatically replace it. Cloud hosted apps may need manual intervention to recover from failures.

Service Configuration

Cloud native apps use microservices architecture. Each part of the app runs as a separate service. This makes updates and scaling easier. Developers can change one service without affecting others.

Cloud hosted apps often use monolithic architecture. All parts of the app run as a single unit. This can make updates more complex. Changing one part may require redeploying the entire app.

Microservices allow for more frequent updates. Teams can work on different services independently. Monolithic apps may have longer release cycles. All changes must be coordinated and released together.

Development and Deployment

Cloud native and cloud hosted apps differ in how they're built and released. This affects their speed, flexibility, and maintenance.

Cloud Native CI/CD

Cloud native apps use continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD) pipelines. These automate testing and deployment. Developers push code changes often, sometimes many times a day.

Automated tests run quickly. This catches bugs early. If tests pass, the code deploys automatically. This process is fast and reduces errors.

Cloud native apps are built as small, independent services. Each service can be updated separately. This allows for quick, frequent updates without affecting the whole app.

Containers package these services with their dependencies. This ensures consistency across different environments. It also makes scaling easier.

Deployment Pipelines for Cloud Hosted

Cloud hosted apps often use more traditional deployment methods. Code changes may be less frequent, perhaps weekly or monthly. Testing can take longer. It might involve manual steps. This can slow down the release process.

Deployments are often bigger events. They may require planned downtime. The whole app usually updates at once, which can be riskier.

Some cloud hosted apps use virtual machines instead of containers. This can make consistency between environments harder to maintain. Agile methods can still be used for cloud hosted apps. But the deployment process is typically slower than cloud native approaches.

Storage Solutions

Cloud storage options differ between cloud native and cloud hosted approaches. Each has unique features that impact data management and access.

Cloud Native Storage

Cloud native storage is built for scalability and flexibility. It uses distributed systems to store data across multiple servers. This setup allows for quick scaling up or down based on needs.

Cloud native storage often uses object storage. This method treats data as objects rather than files. It makes it easier to manage large amounts of unstructured data. Common features include:

• Automatic data replication

• Built-in disaster recovery

• Pay-as-you-go pricing

• Easy integration with other cloud services

These systems are good for apps that need to handle lots of data or frequent changes in storage needs.

Cloud Hosted Storage

Cloud hosted storage is more like traditional storage systems, but located in the cloud. It often uses block storage, which divides data into fixed-size chunks.

This type of storage works well for apps that need consistent performance. It's a good fit for databases or apps that require frequent read/write operations. Key aspects include:

• Predictable performance

• Familiar file system structure

• Often easier to migrate existing apps

Cloud hosted storage may have limits on how much it can grow. It might also cost more for large amounts of data compared to cloud native options. Businesses should consider their app needs and growth plans when choosing between these storage types.

Cost Implications

The choice between cloud native and cloud hosted solutions can have major effects on a company's budget. Each approach comes with its own financial pros and cons.

Cost-Efficiency in Cloud Native

Cloud native apps can save money in the long run. They use less computing power and storage. This means lower bills from cloud providers. Cloud native applications scale up or down easily. Companies only pay for what they use.

These apps need less maintenance. Developers can update them faster. This cuts labor costs. Cloud native systems also have fewer outages. Downtime is expensive, so this saves cash too.

But building cloud native apps costs more upfront. Companies need skilled developers. They may have to retrain staff or hire new people. This takes time and money.

Budget Considerations for Cloud Hosted

Cloud hosted solutions often cost less to set up. Companies can move existing apps to the cloud with few changes. This is quick and cheap at first.

But ongoing costs can add up. Cloud hosted apps may need more server space. They might not use resources as well as cloud native ones. This can lead to higher monthly bills.

Upgrades can be tricky and expensive. Old code may not work well with new cloud features. Fixing this takes time and money. Security is another cost factor. Cloud hosted apps may need extra protection. This can mean buying more tools or services.

Scalability and Performance

Cloud native and cloud hosted systems handle scaling and performance differently. Their approaches impact how applications grow and respond to user demands.

Auto-Scaling in Cloud Native

Cloud native apps use auto-scaling to change resource allocation based on demand. This means they can quickly add or remove computing power as needed. When traffic spikes, the system adds more servers or containers. During slow periods, it scales back to save money.

Auto-scaling works well with microservices. Each part of the app can scale on its own. This targeted approach is more efficient than scaling the whole system at once.

Cloud native platforms often include built-in monitoring. They track usage and performance metrics. This data helps make smart scaling decisions automatically.

Performance Tuning in Cloud Hosted

Cloud hosted apps need manual tuning to improve performance. IT teams must watch for bottlenecks and make changes. This can involve adjusting server settings or optimizing code.

Hosting providers offer different server types. Choosing the right one is important for performance. Options include general-purpose, compute-optimized, and memory-optimized servers.

Caching is a common way to boost speed in cloud hosted apps. It stores frequently used data for quick access. Content delivery networks also help by putting content closer to users. Database optimization is another focus area. This might involve indexing, query tuning, or using read replicas to spread the load.

Security Considerations

Cloud native and cloud hosted solutions differ in their security approaches. Each has unique challenges and benefits for protecting data and systems.

Built-In Security in Cloud Native

Cloud native apps have security built into their design. They use multi-factor authentication to strengthen access controls. This helps prevent unauthorized entry to systems and data.

Cloud native platforms often include automated security scans. These scans check for vulnerabilities in code and configurations. They can spot issues early before they become big problems.

Many cloud native tools offer easy-to-use encryption options. This protects data both in transit and at rest. It makes it harder for attackers to steal or tamper with sensitive information. Containerization in cloud native apps improves security isolation. Each container runs separately, limiting the spread of potential breaches.

Securing Cloud Hosted Environments

Cloud hosted apps need extra security measures. They weren't originally made for cloud environments, so they lack some built-in protections.

Regular software updates are important for cloud hosted apps. These updates patch known vulnerabilities and improve overall security. Network segmentation is a useful strategy for cloud hosted setups. It divides the network into smaller parts, making it harder for intruders to move around.

Cloud hosted environments benefit from third-party security tools. These tools can provide extra layers of protection, like firewalls and intrusion detection systems.

Password managers can help secure access to cloud hosted apps. They generate and store strong, unique passwords for each service.

Vendor Lock-In Issues

Vendor lock-in can make it hard to switch cloud providers. This issue affects both cloud native and cloud hosted solutions, but in different ways.

Avoiding Lock-In with Cloud Native

Cloud native apps are built to run in the cloud. They often use tools and services specific to one provider. This can lead to vendor lock-in, making it tough to move to another cloud. To avoid this, companies can:

• Use open standards and formats

• Pick cloud-agnostic tools

• Build apps with portability in mind

• Store data in common formats

Mitigating Lock-In Risks for Cloud Hosted

Cloud hosted solutions face different lock-in challenges. They often rely on a provider's infrastructure and management tools. To reduce risks, businesses can:

• Read contracts carefully

• Plan exit strategies early

• Back up data regularly

• Use multi-cloud or hybrid setups

Automated assessment tools can help spot potential lock-in issues. They analyze dependencies and costs tied to specific providers. Companies should also consider the hidden costs of switching. These may include data transfer fees, staff training, and possible downtime.

Future Outlook and Trends

Cloud computing continues to evolve rapidly. New technologies and approaches are changing how businesses use cloud services.

The Evolution of Cloud Native

Cloud native applications are becoming more popular. They are built to work well in cloud environments. These apps use small, independent parts called microservices. This makes them flexible and easy to update.

Containerization is a big part of cloud native development. It helps apps run the same way in different places. Developers are using tools like Kubernetes more often. These tools make it easier to manage containers.

AI and machine learning are changing cloud native apps too. They help make apps smarter and more useful. Edge computing is also growing. It moves some work closer to where data comes from. This can make apps faster and more reliable.

Predictive Trends for Cloud Hosted

Cloud hosted applications are changing too. Many companies are moving their old software to the cloud. This can be faster than rebuilding everything from scratch.

Security is a big focus for cloud hosted apps. Better tools are being made to protect data and stop attacks. Multi-cloud strategies are becoming more common. This means using services from different cloud providers. It can help reduce risk and improve performance.

Cost management is another important area. New tools are helping companies track and control their cloud spending. Automation is also improving. It's making it easier to set up and manage cloud resources.

Final Thoughts

Cloud-native and cloud-hosted solutions each have their place in modern IT. Cloud-native apps take full advantage of cloud features like scaling and flexibility. They're built from the ground up for the cloud.

Cloud-hosted apps are existing programs moved to cloud servers. This can be a good first step for companies new to cloud tech. It's often cheaper and faster than rebuilding apps.

The choice between cloud-native and cloud-hosted depends on a company's needs and resources. New projects may benefit from cloud-native design. Older systems might do well as cloud-hosted apps.

As cloud tech grows, more companies will likely adopt cloud-native applications. These offer better performance and cost savings in the long run. But cloud-hosted solutions will stick around too. They provide an easy way to use the cloud without major changes.

Companies should look at their goals when picking between the two. Both options can help businesses grow and adapt in today's fast-paced tech world.

Frequently Asked Questions

Let’s cover the most common questions reading cloud-native applications and cloud-hosted solutions.

What distinguishes cloud-native applications from cloud-hosted solutions?

Cloud-native apps are built specifically for cloud environments. They use microservices architecture and are designed to be scalable and flexible. Cloud-hosted solutions are traditional apps moved to the cloud with minimal changes. Cloud-native apps can adapt quickly to user needs and market changes. They often cost less to run and maintain than cloud-hosted solutions.

How does cloud-native computing differ from traditional cloud computing models?

Cloud-native computing focuses on using cloud platforms fully. It involves creating apps that work best in cloud environments from the start. Traditional cloud computing often means moving existing apps to the cloud. This approach may not take full advantage of cloud features like automatic scaling or easy updates.

What are the defining characteristics of a cloud-native architecture?

Cloud-native architectures use small, independent services. These services can be updated or scaled separately as needed. They also use containers to package and run applications. This makes it easy to move apps between different cloud environments.

Can you explain the differences between cloud-enabled and cloud-native technologies?

Cloud-enabled technologies are existing systems adapted to work in the cloud. They may not fully use cloud features. Cloud-native technologies are made for the cloud from the beginning. They can easily adapt to changing needs and use cloud resources more efficiently.

How does a hybrid cloud approach compare to a cloud-native strategy?

A hybrid cloud uses both private and public cloud services. It can be a good choice for companies with some systems that can't move to the public cloud. A cloud-native strategy focuses on building new apps for the cloud. It aims to use cloud services fully for better performance and lower costs.

What implications does adopting a cloud-native philosophy have for application development?

Cloud-native development changes how teams build and run apps. It requires new skills and tools focused on cloud technologies. Developers need to think about scalability and flexibility from the start. They also need to design apps that can be updated often without causing problems for users.