Cloud applications and cloud-native applications are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct differences that are important to understand for IT professionals. The main difference is that not all cloud applications are cloud-native, and vice versa. This distinction goes beyond just where the application is hosted and delves into the architecture, development, deployment, and management of the application.
A cloud application is simply an application hosted in the cloud. This can be done using traditional cloud servers like Amazon EC2 or through a platform as a service (PaaS) like Elastic Beanstalk. However, modern cloud-native applications leverage managed containers or Kubernetes services like Amazon ECS or EKS. The key point is that if an app runs in the cloud, it is considered a cloud application.
On the other hand, a cloud-native application refers to an application that uses a cloud-native architecture, typically based on microservices. These microservices can be independently deployed and scaled, making the application more flexible and scalable. While cloud-native applications are designed to take full advantage of a highly scalable cloud environment, they do not necessarily have to run in the cloud. They can be deployed on-premises as well.
The distinction between cloud applications and cloud-native applications becomes more apparent when looking at the development, deployment, and management aspects. Cloud applications are simpler as they consist of one component, making their development and testing processes less complex. Deployment strategies for traditional cloud applications are more flexible, while cloud-native apps require a distributed, microservices-based architecture.
When it comes to monitoring and management, cloud applications are easier to manage due to their simpler nature. They produce fewer metrics and logs compared to cloud-native apps, which require monitoring of each microservice and infrastructure components. In terms of security, cloud applications are easier to secure due to their simpler architecture, but cloud-native apps offer inherent security benefits with their microservices architecture.
In conclusion, understanding the differences between cloud applications and cloud-native applications is crucial for IT professionals in deciding which application architecture and deployment model best suits their needs. While both types of applications have their advantages, it’s essential to choose the right approach based on the specific requirements of the project. Cloud-native applications offer a higher level of security compared to traditional apps due to their containerized nature. By running in containers, these apps create a strong barrier between the application and the host server, making it challenging for attackers to escalate a breach from the application to the server. Additionally, cloud-native apps are divided into microservices, which means that if one microservice is compromised, the others remain unaffected, reducing the overall impact of a breach.
In conclusion, when deciding between cloud-based or cloud-native applications, it’s essential to consider the level of complexity, development, deployment, management, and security requirements. Cloud apps are simpler to work with and can be deployed on various cloud services, offering flexibility. On the other hand, cloud-native apps provide scalability and flexibility, allowing them to run both in the cloud and outside of it. Organizations can choose the option that best suits their needs, whether they prefer the simplicity of cloud apps or the advanced features of cloud-native apps.
