Two open source projects launched in 2015, the Open Container Project and Kubernetes, provided the essential technology components for developing modern cloud native applications. Key elements of these initiatives include the container format provided by Docker and the Kubernetes container management tool donated by Google. These projects are managed by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), operating under the Linux Foundation. Multiple vendors have continued to leverage and extend cloud native technologies to provide a platform of innovation for their customers. For example, Google recently extended open source cloud native capabilities by ceding control of KNative, the serverless environment, and Istio, its service mesh project, to the Linux Foundation.
This blog post will comment on how some vendors listed below leverage cloud native technologies but are not a guide in choosing a provider.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has a range of cloud native services, including container orchestration services (such as EKS and ECS) and provisioning services (such as App Runner), API gateways, serverless offerings, and database services, combined with a range of continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipeline services. EKS Anywhere and ECS Anywhere extends the reach of the orchestrations to on-premises infrastructures, and with EKS Distro, enabling customers to build low latency solutions like augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR).
Cisco focuses on enabling hybrid cloud operations through Cisco Intersight. This SaaS offering supports full-stack observability, resource optimization, and a curated Kubernetes solution complete with virtualization and service mesh management. Cisco Intersight simplifies and automates the deployment and day two operations of cloud native applications.
Dell embarked on delivering an entire suite of cloud native products in an “as-a-service” model with the launch of APEX Cloud Services in multi-cloud implementations. Dell’s cloud native portfolio includes compute, storage, and security products managed with a consistent experience through the APEX Console.
Google Cloud Platform (GCP) has cloud native managed container platforms, including GKE, GKE Autopilot, and serverless containers in Cloud Run. These combine with Anthos, the multi-cloud offering, to deliver managed container platforms on Google Cloud, on-premises, and other public clouds.
HPE Ezmeral software portfolio includes a cloud-native, unified analytics and data lakehouse solution optimized for hybrid environments. It offers a Kubernetes container orchestration platform, ML Ops for data science, AI/ML workflows, data fabric, streams, databases, IT automation, and security. HPE GreenLake is the hybrid edge-to-cloud platform assisting customers in application modernization and digital transformation efforts.
IBM launched its first container as a service using Docker in 2015, managed Kubernetes in 2017, and with the Red Hat acquisition, launched managed OpenShift in 2019. IBM followed by packaging most of its software portfolio using Red Hat OpenShift taking advantage of containers in the form of IBM Cloud Paks and cloud-based PaaS services. The IBM Consulting app modernization strategy leverages Red Hat OpenShift and hyperscaler native services.
Red Hat (an IBM subsidiary) collaborated with Kubernetes early and supported the effort to open source the project. Kubernetes became the foundation for Red Hat OpenShift as a platform for hybrid cloud implementations. Edge computing is increasingly adopted as enterprises integrate Information Technology (IT) with Operational Technology (OT) to gain efficiencies. The Red Hat container platform is popular among users innovating from core to cloud to edge.
Intel cloud native strategy focuses on delivering communications service providers operational efficiencies using containerized network functions (CNFs) and the support of edge workloads, including AI and deep learning.
Microsoft has made significant strides into the open source market by announcing the availability of SQL Server on Linux and the partnership with Red Hat and OpenAI. Microsoft Azure offers developers a range of cloud native services, including databases, DevOps, serverless and container offerings. Azure Arc brings Azure cloud-native services to hybrid and multi-cloud environments, including App Service, Functions, and Logic Apps.
Nvidia capitalizes on its artificial intelligence leadership and delivers abstracted GPU capabilities to cloud native developers. The NVIDIA Container Toolkit is a runtime library supporting different container engines allowing developers to leverage NVIDIA GPU capability for AI workloads through tools and partnerships.
Oracle has a range of capabilities to enable cloud native applications to run on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), including databases, DevOps, machine learning, and serverless functions. The Oracle Observability and Management Platform provides visibility and control of workloads deployed across public and private clouds.
Salesforce: With the Hyperforce offering, Salesforce rearchitected the legacy infrastructure to take advantage of containers providing the benefits of security, scalability, and compliance. Hyperforce gives customers the ability to quickly deploy core Salesforce services and many other offerings, enabling customers to meet data sovereignty regulations.
SAP has embarked on a journey to leverage cloud native technologies for major SaaS offerings like Cloud ERP and SAP Data Warehouse cloud. The SAP Business Technology Platform powered by the SAP Integration Suite and Extension Suite enable customers in the digital transformation journey.
VMware Tanzu’s portfolio of products delivers customers the capability to develop and deploy cloud native applications. VMware Tanzu Application Platform has the necessary tooling enabling developers to build and deploy applications on private and public clouds.
Vendors take advantage of cloud native technologies depending on the services offered. SaaS companies like Salesforce rearchitect infrastructure with cloud native technologies to deliver flexibility and security to customers by taking advantage of container efficiencies. Infrastructure and platform companies provide cloud native technology-enabled platforms assisting customers in building transformational solutions. Recent interest by vendors has been to offer hybrid solutions that include edge implementations providing the capability to innovate last mile processes with robots. Also popular are serverless platforms that offer unique capabilities in addressing emerging solution needs like real-time stream processing and image recognition.
Customers can gain business benefits from cloud native technology in several ways depending on the application type and the business problem. Enterprises should consider how cloud native technology benefits match business strategy to align vendor capabilities when choosing cloud services for a solution. Hyperscalers provide abstracted cloud native services that can get customers locked into a single vendor if not appropriately architected. However, cloud native technologies reduce the risk of vendor lock-in in hybrid implementations while providing the value of gaining agility and reducing time to market.
Please reach out if you plan to be at the CNCF Summit in Valencia, as I would love to hear how you innovate on a cloud native platform.
Image Source: cncf.io