What is Cloud Native Architecture?

Cloud native architecture is a design methodology that utilizes cloud services such as EC2, S3, Lambda from AWS, etc to allow   dynamic and agile application development techniques  that take a modular approach to building, running, and updating software through a suite of cloud-based microservices versus a monolithic application infrastructure.

Microservices and containerization support the agility and dynamism of cloud native applications by making it easier to transfer between cloud providers or to deploy services independently and in different languages or frameworks without conflict or downtime.

Integrating a microservices architecture into application development supports collaboration, efficiency, and productivity as DevOps teams have the ability to work independently on different components of an application at the same time or to implement new features without sacrificing stability.

The fluidity, resiliency, and scalability of a cloud-native architecture contribute to its appeal for organizations that prioritize a DevOps philosophy. A cloud native approach offers a host of benefits, including the following:  

• Using loosely-coupled services instead of an enterprise tech stack offers development teams the option to choose the framework, language, or system that best meets the specific objectives of an organization or project.
• The portability of containerized microservices ensures that an organization isn't overly reliant on any one cloud provider.  
• The complexity of troubleshooting is reduced since an open source container orchestration platform like Kubernetes makes it easier to identify the container with a bug without dismantling the entire application. 
• Since microservices operate independently, developers can optimize each based on core functionality and ultimately enrich the end user experience. 
• The use of microservices in software development facilitates continuous integration and continuous delivery efforts, reducing the development lifecycle and the opportunity for human error with automated processes. 
• A container orchestrator can automatically schedule and allocate resources based on demand to increase efficiency. 
• Using microservices for application architecture allows developers to make changes to one microservice or offer new functionality without affecting the entire application and its availability.

Despite its many benefits, the combination of microservices and cloud infrastructure may not be appropriate for every organization. Consider the following challenges when determining the right strategy for your team: 

• Without an established DevOps pipeline, teams may have difficulty managing the distributed workflow and responsibilities involved with microservices. 
• The rapid scaling of containers can introduce security risks if not monitored appropriately. 
• Transitioning from a legacy application into a microservices architecture can result in complex interdependencies or functionality issues. 
• Some microservices require capabilities exclusive to certain machines such as a Compute, GPU or SSD, making them dependent on a specific type of operating system or machine instance.

AppDynamics takes visibility to new depths, ensuring a seamless migration to the cloud. Our Application Intelligence Platform automatically baselines each and every metric collected to create a clear comparison of your application performance before, during, and after migration, which takes the guesswork out of identifying and troubleshooting issues.

The automatic discovery of your application’s components, as well as third-party calls and business transaction flows, provides a granular view that allows you to optimize code, accelerate release cycles, and adopt more cloud-native services without the associated risks. Validate and advance your investment in cloud-native technology with a comprehensive monitoring strategy powered by AppDynamics.