MCNS enables the design, deployment and operation of a network in multiple public cloud environments. MCNS products enable consistent networking policy, network security, governance and network visibility across multiple cloud environments via a single point of management. Organizations can deploy MCNS in one or multiple public cloud environments, and can extend the software to support edge locations and private data centers.
MCNS products address traffic routing, secure ingress/egress and integrate with available public cloud services. These products can help improve network manageability, security and visibility in single-cloud, multicloud, hybrid/multicloud and extranet connectivity scenarios. Organizations typically invest in MCNS to add network features that are not present in native public cloud provider offerings and/or improve networking manageability in the environment(s).

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Aviatrix

F5 Distributed Cloud Services

I take a 'purist' view and my definition of multi-cloud is that your application architecture is deployed in an active/active setup across 2 or more public cloud providers. I don't not believe it means that one is using multiple SaaS/Cloud providers.

Multi-cloud is a big umbrella in my mind 1) From cloud perspective, it is using private, on-prem cloud, public cloud and multiple providers 2) From deployment perspective instances of an application spread across multi cloud, OR components of an application spread across multi cloud OR different applications on different cloud. 

You would want to leverage uniqueness of each cloud offering to your benefit.

1) I don't think it's required that Multicloud have a single definition. However, my definition has always been that you're using multiple CSPs to solve for unique challenges. So, specific workload types are defined for each cloud. 
2) I don't know of many whom have used multicloud in an agnostic approach to workload distribution. A few exceptions are bursting for pure compute from private cloud to public cloud and or generic resource (compute/storage) use, where deeper services aren't required. 
3) I guess the reasons I have heard are likely express by the above answer #2. It's meant to solve for relatively speaking, simple compute requirements vs. complex application performance oriented hooks that might normally be utilized.

This is in part RXT's business.  Some of the people who know the most about this subject work there. 

First, I generally agree with Mike's definition EXCEPT I don't use the constraint of a  SINGLE architecture.  While there are certain workloads where a multi-cloud architecture naturally works (e.g. renderfarms, monte carlo simulations, bitcoin mining), generally most enterprise workloads don't fit into such an easily distributable architecture. 


However, what DOES fit are different architectures managed by multiple departments within a single large enterprise.  In this case it is VERY easy to run into situations where your organization is demanding lots of infrastructure from GCP, Azure, AWS - and I would assert this is where most of the multi-cloud problem exists today.  Such environments often suffer from mis-management, lack centers-of-excellence to manage the infrastructure, and when interconnected - even in loose ways - can suffer complex performance and functional issues.


Most companies I'm aware of who have initiated multi-cloud strategies have done so inadvertently - often through shadow-IT.  Those who are intentional about it have done so because certain CSPs are better at managing different workload types.  E.g. I personally believe GCP has some of the best database infrastructure, Azure for a while was better for high scale compute, AWS is a good all around solution, and of course pricing is always changing.  Those are all good motivations for multi-cloud, but it is still hard to make them mix well.

Multi-cloud is extremely challenging without an abstraction layer to help bring in workload mobility seamlessly across multiple IaaSs Cloud-native apps help up to the point of code, but you will need a holistic tech platform that can integrate with multiple clouds, handle the networking components, Secure Software Supply chain, and other ancillary components.


Tim, more than happy to talk more in this space.

I am doing some independent research re:  multi-cloud and need your help to:  1/ understand your definition of “multi-cloud”, 2/ learn if anyone has successfully deployed workloads in an active/active setup across multiple CSPs, 3/ inquire about the reasons for your multi-cloud strategies, 4/ capture some of the challenges you are facing, 5/ understand what you need the most guidance with as it relates to this topic.

I take a &#39;purist&#39; view and my definition of multi-cloud is that your application architecture is deployed in an active/active setup across 2 or more public cloud providers. I don&#39;t not believe it means that one is using multiple SaaS/Cloud providers.

I am doing some independent research re:  multi-cloud and need your help to:  1/ understand your definition of “multi-cloud”, 2/ learn if anyone has successfully deployed workloads in an active/active setup across multiple CSPs, 3/ inquire about the reasons for your multi-cloud strategies, 4/ capture some of the challenges you are facing, 5/ understand what you need the most guidance with as it relates to this topic.

Every vendor is calling themselves SASE now. The CISOs and CIOs that I speak with say, "We're working on being secure now because we're going to get SD-WAN." But it's a secure access service edge (SASE) company so it has all the security protections built-in.


When you actually dig down into it, SASE is just a multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) replacement, except you can use public lines or open internet connections. So, what makes it SASE is adding Zscaler or some security tool on top of that. We had a huge discussion with a SASE industry leader recently and they fully admitted that networking really hasn't changed in the last 30-40 years. You still have your firewall, switches, routers, gateways, WiFi, etc. We just have a different way of accessing it now. Instead of a firewall you just throw in your huge SD-WAN appliance, depending on how you're setting it up, and you do all your security and network management from there. I'm not sure how that’s different, besides the internet connections and the simplicity of rolling it out. 


I'm a big SD-WAN user, so I was a VeloCloud customer back in 2014 because I had offices all over the world and it didn't make any sense to pull out network stacks. I just shipped out a little VeloCloud box with some arrows and stickers that said, "Plug internet in here, plug switch in here." And we could see those come online as the receptionist plugged them in—it was simple and easy and it worked. It wasn't perfect, but it was better than waiting 90 days to get a MPLS connection and an AT&amp;T internet connection. I could do things instantly—that's the advantage I see of SD-WAN, but I don't see any security advantages to it.

Traditionally in organisations network grows organically and with virtualisation and "Hot-Hot" availability, the network is still flat. Now with the new normal, cloud adoption and SaaS, networks architecture can be software-defined, one can implement micro-segmentation and granular cyber security policies much needed to implement an effective, manageable and secure network architecture, and cyber security in the host environment and for Zero Trust.

SASE is useful only if you use Clouds extensively and there is a need to protect the Edge (Employees and Customers) especially when there is Zero Trust principle for security. I think one of the key benefits is an all-in-one security management solution as compared to a mix-and-match. 


One of my customers which had multi-cloud environment upgraded their security with SASE and were able to demonstrate to the management and their customers that their security was as good as it gets. 



If a vendor is selling SASE for closed network enterprises, they should carefully evaluate if they indeed need it.

Disclaimer: I work for a SASE company and also wrote a book on what SASE is, and why you need it (vendor agnostic) 

Now for some vendors, they will try to lock you into purchasing more appliances and kit, as well as a cloud overlay. They will call this a SASE deployment, when in fact it’s more like a combination of on-prem technology projected to the cloud. 

Other vendors may offer a multi tiered offering through a combination of products, and some people offer a single-vendor approach. 

Now honestly, each one of these architectures has pros and cons, and while I believe that converged single-vendor is the best approach, every situation is different. 

Now the three greatest advantages in my mind are pretty simple, but maybe not as quantifiable as you’d like:

1) Emhanced security: because the tech stack should be hosted in the cloud at a point of presence, you don’t need to worry about buying more firewalls or how many PPS each edge device supports. You treat your remote workers as ‘branches of one’ which helps facilitate a ZTNA approach. 

2) faster and more flexibility: you have a direct link to the internet through a cloud gateway, which means no more backhauling through multiple security appliances in your DC. Spinning up another site or user takes seconds (and most vendors have flexi licenses. ) Which means you don’t have to wait 6 months for an ASA license or new fiber to be run in for MPLS. 

3) Easy management: most companies out there have an overlay to manage the networking, security, access policies etc all in one place. This helps converge different internal teams, and reduces confusion. The CLI is a thing of the past, and so is infighting. 

There’s tons of benefits and advantages, and if you want to talk more in the future - I’ll be happy to chat :)

Disclaimer: I work for a SASE company and also wrote a book on what SASE is, and why you need it (vendor agnostic) 

Now for some vendors, they will try to lock you into purchasing more appliances and kit, as well as a cloud overlay. They will call this a SASE deployment, when in fact it’s more like a combination of on-prem technology projected to the cloud. 

Other vendors may offer a multi tiered offering through a combination of products, and some people offer a single-vendor approach. 

Now honestly, each one of these architectures has pros and cons, and while I believe that converged single-vendor is the best approach, every situation is different. 

Now the three greatest advantages in my mind are pretty simple, but maybe not as quantifiable as you’d like:

1) Emhanced security: because the tech stack should be hosted in the cloud at a point of presence, you don’t need to worry about buying more firewalls or how many PPS each edge device supports.  You treat your remote workers as ‘branches of one’ which helps facilitate a ZTNA approach. 

2) faster and more flexibility: you have a direct link to the internet through a cloud gateway, which means no more backhauling through multiple security appliances in your DC. Spinning up another site or user takes seconds (and most vendors have flexi licenses. ) Which means you don’t have to wait 6 months for an ASA license or new fiber to be run in for MPLS. 

3) Easy management: most companies out there have an overlay to manage the networking, security, access policies etc all in one place. This helps converge different internal teams, and reduces confusion. The CLI is a thing of the past, and so is infighting. 

There’s tons of benefits and advantages, and if you want to talk more in the future - I’ll be happy to chat :)

What are the greatest advantages offered by SASE?

Best Multicloud Networking Software Reviews 2024 | Gartner Peer Insights

I enjoy working with Aviatrix as our partner in MultiCloud Connectivity. The team really thinks along with our current network and infrastructure challenges and enables us to improve connectivity and security, while at the same time enabling us to simplify our network landscape. 


Great product features and workflow processes for deployment.

That's a very good solution. It is very simple to manage and it can provide a lot a feature for networking and security to a company. It is really useful and help small teams on every day network issues. For example, we are 3 for a 250 people company and this is clearly enough for all our network needs with this solution !

It is now possible to gain full visibility into our organization network across multiple cloud environments with F5 Distributed Cloud Services.Again,I find it easy to deploy our networks and applications connectivity across multiple environments.

It was an amazing experience. F5 Distributed Cloud Services integrates with service mesh, providing visibility and control over microservices communications. Offers role-based access control capabilities, ensuring secure access and authorization. 

VNS3

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