Last Updated on September 27, 2023 by Ossian Muscad
The cloud has changed how enterprise apps are developed. Companies can now operate everywhere with the efficiency that was before impossible. But as cloud-native adoption spreads, so do the difficulties associated with building a cloud-native infrastructure. Any businesses wanting to transition to cloud-native technology will benefit significantly by being aware of these main challenges.
What is a Cloud-Native Infrastructure?
Cloud-native infrastructure refers to the creation, design, and governance of IT systems specifically designed for cloud environments, emphasizing scalability, adaptability, automation, and dependability. Cloud-native apps are created specifically for cloud environments and can leverage the full potential of the underlying infrastructure and processes.
How Do Applications in a Cloud-Native Infrastructure Work?
Applications in a cloud-native infrastructure follow principles and practices that enable them to take full advantage of cloud services and infrastructure. The regular operation of an application in a cloud-native architecture is as follows:
- Applications built for the cloud often access data and computing capacity from external servers typically offered by a third-party provider.
- These applications’ whole structure is an interconnected set of more minor, independent services because they were built using the microservices architecture.
- These services all operate independently and use APIs to communicate. Application components are deployed and operated using Docker container images.
- With container management solutions like Kubernetes, managing the application elements operating inside Docker container images is simple.
- Each microservice deals with a specific issue, such as user authentication and data search.
Components of a Cloud-Native Infrastructure
A cloud-native infrastructure comprises several essential aspects and parts that help businesses effectively develop, deploy, and maintain cloud-based applications. These components deliver the flexibility, scalability, and resilience needed in contemporary IT systems. The fundamental elements of a cloud-native infrastructure are as follows:
Microservices
Microservices are a subset of cloud-native systems’ small, loosely linked parts. These microservices are autonomous and use APIs to communicate with one another. Because every program component is constructed using containers, microservices are consistent with containerization. Each component can be quickly upgraded without affecting the others; if one fails, the system won’t be affected. When modifications are required, developers can work on particular microservices. Microservices development can be used to create controllable and robust applications.
Containers
Code and its associated components are bundled into a single package by containers, constituting an application component. For cloud-native apps, they assemble the microservices and other files. Following containerization, applications can then run seamlessly in many computing environments. Several widely used container orchestration tools, such as Kubernetes and Amazon ECS, make setting up, maintaining, and scaling your containerized apps simple.
Application Programming Interface (API)
API provides the means for communication among multiple software programs. It also facilitates data sharing between two or more software systems. Various microservices that are connected loosely can connect through APIs. APIs are used by microservices to request data and to deliver output. This style of architecture offers a quick, easy, lightweight, and resource-efficient system.
DevOps
You need to reconsider not only your application design but also the organization of your team. DevOps culture fosters collaboration and communication between development and operations teams, expediting software development and deployment processes. This collaboration is a vital component of a cloud-native infrastructure, serving to streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and drive innovation. It provides a sequence of operations that enables teams to produce software applications more effectively and efficiently.
Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD)
CI/CD is a conduit that enables DevOps teams to develop, test, and roll out apps collaboratively and iteratively. To minimize human error and speed up deployment, automation is utilized in the Continuous Integration/Continuous Development (CI/CD) process to compile, develop, and validate the application code.
Common Challenges in Cloud-Native Infrastructure
Scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness are just a few advantages of implementing a cloud-native infrastructure. It does, however, have its share of drawbacks. Here are some common challenges in putting in place a cloud-native infrastructure:
- Complexity. Serverless functions, containers, APIs, microservices, and different cloud providers are frequently used in cloud-native infrastructure. Effective infrastructure design, deployment, and management can be complex and difficult.
- Scalability. The capacity to increase or decrease resources in response to dynamic demand is one of the major advantages of cloud-native architecture. Effective auto-scaling, however, can be tricky to execute and may involve careful monitoring, setup, and orchestration.
- Security. Infrastructure built on cloud platforms needs to be secured. Access control, serverless functions, data in transit, and security of containers are all included. Data leaks or interruptions in service might result from configuration errors or vulnerabilities.
- Monitoring and Observability. It’s crucial to have complete monitoring and visibility solutions in a cloud-native environment. Collecting and analyzing metrics, logs, and traces from different services and microservices might be hard.
- Cost Management. Pay-as-you-go pricing for cloud services can result in unforeseen costs if resources are not adequately controlled.
Addressing the Challenges with DATAMYTE
Essential building components are well-provided by cloud-based service providers. However, to achieve observability, extensive skills and customization are required; using the built-in cloud monitoring tools won’t get you there. To obtain the insights in a single platform, full-stack visibility is required. You can get your analytics from various tools and systems from a single interface with DATAMYTE. Identify the reasons for changes by seeing them in the context of your complete system, seeing connections and relationships throughout your cloud-native infrastructure.
The Datamyte Digital Clipboard is a low-code automation software with the following features:
- Rapid Application Development: DATAMYTE enables developers to develop and deploy applications without substantial coding quickly. The convenience of a drag-and-drop interface, reusable elements, and visual modeling minimizes the time and resources needed for app development.
- Scalability: Applications developed using DATAMYTE can be easily scaled to accommodate an organization’s changing demands without compromising the apps’ performance, making these apps suitable for cloud-based deployment.
- Cloud-native: As a cloud-native platform, DATAMYTE was created to operate on cloud infrastructure and utilize cloud-based services and functionalities.
- Ease of Integration: Utilize cloud-native services while seamlessly integrating with cloud service providers (such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud). Users no longer need to write custom code to link to cloud-based servers, storage, user authentication, and more.
- Security: To maintain the safety of applications and data in the cloud, Our low-code platform provides built-in security features, which include user verification and authorization, log-in and audit trails, data encryption, and application auditing.
- Real-time visibility: Track cloud deployment, observe data over time, and compare it to user concerns, event updates, or performance deviations. The performance of your application can be correlated with the deployments you record, monitor, and track using deployment indicators.
- Cost-effective: DATAMYTE enables the creation of enterprise cloud-based apps that eliminate the need for hefty infrastructure and maintenance.
See how DATAMYTE helps with your cloud-native integration needs. Schedule a FREE DEMO now!
Conclusion
Keep in mind that implementing cloud-native infrastructure is a continuous process of improvement and adaptability to evolving needs and technologies. Stay up-to-date with cloud-native trends and regularly review and refine your infrastructure strategy with DATAMYTE.
