- Interoperability in cloud computing is about letting services from different vendors interact and exchange data.
- A key issue is if tools, software and server images can be used on more than one platform without major modification.
There are benefits and drawbacks. On the positive side, smooth cooperation between services makes systems easier to expand, more efficient, and more flexible. On the negative side, the absence of common standards is a problem. Each vendor relies on its own APIs and interfaces, which can tie users to one provider, complicate migration, and add costs when combining different services.
Interoperability in cloud computing
In cloud computing, interoperability refers to the compatibility and capability of system integration and data exchange between different cloud service providers. This issue mainly involves data formats, protocol differences, API compatibility, and security and privacy issues.
To achieve this, companies often adopt shared interfaces, make use of brokers or adapters, and set up a clear migration plan before moving workloads.
Interoperability is not only about technical links. It also involves being able to use the same tools, server images and applications across more than one platform.
Also read: 5 ideas from Sergey Gorbunov on blockchain interoperability
Reasons why interoperability is a weakness in cloud
Interoperability is indeed a key challenge and potential weakness in the cloud computing space. The reasons are as follows:
- Lack of standardisation: There is no single standard for cloud computing. Each provider builds its own solution, and this weakens interoperability across platforms. Without common rules, problems appear in data exchange, security, reliability, and overall service availability.
- Difficulty in system integration: Interoperability gaps make integration harder. Organisations face higher IT costs and more complex systems. During migration, applications and data must be adjusted to new setups and still remain compatible with older systems already in place.
- Barriers to long-term adoption: Experts at the IEEE note that the biggest challenge to the long-term adoption of cloud computing services is not security, but rather cloud interoperability and data migration.
Also read: The future of cloud computing: Exploring hybrid cloud
Practices or techniques to improve cloud server interoperability
The following practices and technologies are effectively improving cloud server interoperability in a multi-cloud environment:
- Use of standard APIs and technologies: To make services easier to move and connect across different providers, a multi-cloud approach depends on using common APIs and widely accepted technologies.
- Cloud-native architecture: Building with a cloud-native design lets each provider’s strengths be used fully and makes it possible for services to work together across platforms.
- Single-view cloud management platform: A unified management platform helps by giving one view of all environments, which simplifies both monitoring and control in multi-cloud systems.
- Network tap and identity/privilege tap: Network, identity and privilege taps support interoperability by managing traffic flow and secure access to data.
- Data interoperability: The success of a multi-cloud strategy relies on the seamless integration of all systems, which should be able to communicate with each other through continuous and seamless data exchange.
- Container governance and resource optimisation: A cross-cloud plan allows providers to share resources more widely and ensures that resources are used in an efficient way.
Interoperability is often viewed as a positive part of cloud computing, but it also brings its own problems.
