Taming the Multitude of Scaling Complexity on Cloud
Scaling Conversation #3
No One Brought Up the Layered Complexity of New Age Cloud Native Applications (… Until Now)
It gets super hard to understand the multitude of complexity in cloud-native applications. It can feel like a tongue twister, but in the cloud-native world, this is our reality.
You're right, it's a head-scratcher!
Breaking down this “multitude complexity” requires deconstructing each layer:
1. Multi-Tenancy: Picture an Apartment Building
Your application serves multiple independent tenants who share resources but maintain data and application isolation.
Imagine an apartment building: each tenant occupies their own space while sharing utilities and common areas. In your case, each tenant means each client/customer.
Why is building multi-tenant systems hard?
Let's imagine a startup building a project management platform. They initially cater to small teams with a single-tenant model, but their vision is to become a global collaboration hub.
As they gain traction, the single-tenant approach becomes unsustainable. Managing individual instances for each new team proves expensive and inefficient.
To scale and reach a wider audience, they embrace a multi-tenant SaaS model.
2. Multi-Cloud: Living in Multiple Countries with Cloud Benefits
This application isn't confined to one cloud provider. It runs across multiple clouds like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, leveraging each platform's strengths and optimizing costs.
Think of it like living in multiple countries, enjoying the unique benefits of each.
Why do teams have to think about multi-cloud?
Imagine a cross border e-commerce giant with millions of customers spread across the globe. Their online store faces high traffic spikes during peak seasons and flash sales, requiring a robust and scalable infrastructure.
To overcome hurdles like scaling limitations, regional performance issues, and vendor lock-in, the e-commerce giant embarks on a multi-cloud strategy.
Now they can dynamically scale, optimize costs, and deploy regionally while offering more resilience to their systems.
3. On-Prem Deployments: Not Everything Belongs in the Cloud, Like Your Home Garden
Not everything migrates to the cloud. Parts of your application might still reside on your physical servers ("on-premise"), adding another layer of complexity.
Picture having a home garden alongside your apartment, managing both for different needs.
When do businesses want on-premise deployments?
A cutting-edge hospital performing real-time robotic surgery prioritizes on-premise deployment for its minimal latency, enhanced data security, and reliable network.
All are vital for precise surgical control and patient safety, despite facing higher upfront costs and limited scalability compared to cloud options.
The same use case can be true for a multi-national bank that wants to keep customer data secure as it contains PII (personal identification information).
4. Multiple Versions: Software Updates Your Way
Tenants aren't stuck with the same app version. Some might be on the latest features, while others prefer stability with an older version.
Think of software updates: you can choose to install them immediately or wait for later.
Hasn't versioning been solved already through GIT kind of technologies?
Imagine a SaaS platform offering video chat functionality. Some tenants require the latest features like screen sharing and custom backgrounds, while others prioritize stability on an older version.
A multi-version drift detection tool flags inconsistencies in deployed versions across servers, ensuring tenants receive the version they rely on. This prevents unexpected regressions or performance issues for stable versions while allowing early adopters to enjoy new features without risking disruption.
This granular control over versions across diverse needs keeps all tenants satisfied and productive.
5. Multiple Kubernetes Drifts: Keeping Your Containerized App Garage Organized
Kubernetes manages containerized applications. However, different versions or customizations ("drifts") might exist across your multi-cloud and on-prem deployments.
Imagine having different types of cars in your garage, each requiring slightly different handling.
Isn't Kubernetes self-managing? What do you mean by drift?
A cloud-native e-commerce platform with thousands of merchants experiences periodic performance slowdowns during peak hours.
Drift detection reveals discrepancies in container resources allocated to individual stores, causing some to be under-provisioned and others over-provisioned.
Automated remediation rebalances resources based on actual traffic, resolving performance bottlenecks and ensuring a smooth shopping experience for all merchants and customers.
6. Multi-Pricing Models: Like Apartments with Different Rents
You need to charge your tenants fairly. This might involve different pricing tiers based on resources used, features accessed, or even the cloud they're running on. It's like having various apartment rent options based on size, amenities, and location.
From tiered SaaS features and pay-per-use micro-services to regional discounts and dynamic scaling charges, multi-pricing models cater to diverse user needs and resource usage with granular billing, optimizing costs and maximizing revenue across various cloud-native scenarios.
The Multi-Layered Puzzle: Putting It All Together
Managing this complexity requires specialized tools, automation, and strong architectural design. It's a multi-layered puzzle, but the benefits can be significant:
Cost Efficiency: Leverage the strengths of different cloud providers and optimize resource allocation.
Scalability: Easily adapt your infrastructure to meet fluctuating demands.
Resilience: Build fault-tolerant systems that can withstand disruptions.
Meeting Diverse Needs: Cater to a wider range of customers with flexible configurations.
The Road to Cloud-Native Success
Understanding the complexities of cloud-native applications is the first step. By strategically addressing each layer and utilizing the available tools and resources, you can unlock the true potential of cloud-native technologies for your business.
Call to Action
Ready to embrace the challenge and reap the rewards of cloud-native development? Explore cloud-native solutions and consult with experts to craft a plan that best suits your specific needs.
The future of applications is cloud-native, and by understanding its complexities, you can be at the forefront of innovation.