In this article, we have covered –
- What is a Cloud-Native Application?
- What is cloud-native application architecture and how does it work?
- What are the Key Principles of Cloud-Native Applications?
- What are the benefits of cloud-native applications?
- Why Choose Cloud-Native Applications?
What is a Cloud-Native Application?
Before diving into understanding cloud-native applications, let us brief you on what cloud-native is. It is an approach to building and running applications that uses the advantages of the cloud computing delivery model.
A program designed to function in a cloud computing architecture primarily hosted & run using a cloud framework is called a Cloud-Native Application. A native application is software developed for use on a specific platform or device, while cloud-native apps utilize the power of the internet & cloud computing model.
By using microservice architecture, cloud-native apps allocate resources to each service, creating a super flexible and adaptable system, thus promoting business agility. Cloud-native apps use shorter lifecycles and are highly resilient, manageable, and observable.
How Does a Cloud-Native Application Architecture Work?
By taking advantage of a cloud computing framework coupled with cloud services, cloud-native applications create a network between machines using software-based architectures. These services are located on numerous servers and operate from different geographical locations.
With cloud-native apps, it is easy for applications to scale and reduce redundancy. Since these apps are hosted on multiple servers and locations, they can withstand any hardware failure.
What are the Key Principles of Cloud-Native Applications?
Packaged in units and synced via APIs, cloud-native applications offer numerous capabilities, as explained below:
1. Microservices-Based:
Microservices is an architectural approach to creating a cloud-native application that breaks the app into a series of independent services or modules. Each service performs a set of functions supporting a specific goal, and these modules communicate with each other using an application program interface or API. This could be through HTTP or messaging too. These individual services can be deployed, rescaled, and automated so customers are not impacted, and services can be delivered seamlessly.
2. Container-based:
Containers are best suited for deploying individual microservices. Compared to standard virtual machines, they offer the best of both, i.e., speed and efficiency. This enables the application to run independently of physical resources and provides a separation for microservices to reduce interference. This increases the capacity of hosting channels and enables the app to perform multiple instances of the same service.
3. API based:
APIs or application program interfaces are the communication channels used to connect microservices and containers. It also provides easy maintenance plus security. It is one of the most sought-after cloud-native applications in businesses of all sizes.
4. Dynamic arrangement:
The dynamic arrangement of containers empowers the application to handle resource management, load balancing, internal failures, and new deployments on server cluster nodes.
What are the benefits of cloud-native applications?
Cloud-native applications are designed to enhance speed and efficiency by taking advantage of the cloud. Cloud-native applications are built and deployed rapidly via small, dedicated features. Organizations can benefit by scaling up quickly, reducing time-to-market, and providing greater agility and resilience across cloud environments.
1. Cost efficiency:
Cloud environments help switch from traditional legacy systems and focus on IT and Infrastructure savings. By opting for Cloud-native apps, businesses can build and deliver applications faster, achieving tremendous success and making it more cost-efficient by reducing time to market.
2. Scalability:
Since each microservices are isolated, they can be scaled independently without affecting others. This also makes updating any component or container faster and easier.
3. Build Resilience:
With outdated legacy systems failing, services can get impacted. To minimize the impact, switching to a cloud-native environment helps build resilience. In a cloud environment, it becomes easier for developers and architects to design systems that can stay intact and work despite unforeseen glitches.
4. Achieve Business Needs:
Enterprises can transform into focused teams by aligning with IT operations. This eliminates the risk of failure that may occur due to human error and helps the employees focus on automation to replace manual admin tasks. Cloud-native applications use automation to update and deploy app features. Since the app is divided into several microservices and containers, it is easy for engineers to track, update and manage the entire application without any worries, achieving business needs.
Why Choose Cloud-Native Applications?
In addition to the benefits mentioned above, the cloud-native application helps organizations to become champions of process improvement and automation, thus delivering direct value to the business. A cloud-native app takes care of release and application operations and automatically monitors and fixes issues on its own. However, to make the most out of cloud-native app development, it’s best to stay focused on the following:
1. Prioritize:
Identify which applications need to be converted to cloud-native. Ensure businesses, and IT prioritize workloads and determine technical feasibility, strategic importance, and ROI in each business scenario before opting for a Cloud environment.
2. Buy or not to buy:
Some teams create their platform using an open-source microservice and container technology. But, a do-it-yourself (DIY) takes time and requires continuous maintenance. So, most of the time, it is wise to buy a cloud-native application service from a trusted provider, allowing the in-house team to focus on driving business.
Furthermore, all cloud-native application designs must consider how the app will be built, how the performance will be measured, and how teams will work on improving the app lifecycle.
These applications have witnessed a tremendous increase in demand in the past few years and will continue to do so in the future. According to the cloud-native computing foundation, the number of cloud-native developers increased from 4.7 million in 2019 to 6.5 million in 2020.
Today, the cloud-native application solves complex cloud computing problems, paving the way for a bright future.
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