Cloud management platform & integration architecture

Cloud Management platform (CMP) enables management, deployment and operation of applications and associated datasets across multiple cloud service infrastructures, including both on-premises infrastructure and public cloud infrastructure. Cloud Management platform incorporate self-service interfaces, provision systems, metering and billing, and workload optimization through policy driven mechanism. Cloud Management platform essentially enables visibility, simplify management, and optimize the utilization of resources in a multi-cloud environment.

To meet the most frequently mentioned drivers for adoption of hybrid cloud architectures – cost optimization, speed of innovation, and ‘future proofing’ – an enterprise CMP needs to include specific functionality and the capability to integrate easily with a range of other enterprise management systems, both inside and outside IT operations. Rather, the CMP needs to serve as an integration point across existing and new systems.

Integration is a critical aspect of a cloud management platform. Cloud Management platform should be able to access internal and external IT systems efficiently. Cloud Management platform should support APIs and customization. This enables cloud management platform to bring together disparate cloud environments to create centralized control. These integrations are built leveraging tools like ESB or native integration capabilities. Some of the key areas where integration is essential include:

• Private cloud. Private hosted cloud resources are managed via APIs made available by the private cloud provider like IBM, Azure, AWS, in much the same way as public cloud resources. The platform should also integrate with container orchestrators, such as Kubernetes.
• Public cloud:The CMP should integrate with public cloud providers, such as Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, and Google Cloud Platform. This makes it possible for IT admins to manage the resources residing on the public cloud platform.
• Enterprise management:The cloud management platform should be able to integrate with existing enterprise systems. This will enable it to provide capabilities, such as configuration management, incident management, financial management, and asset management.
• Service automation:Enterprises will have to consider integration with existing automation tools to make resource management easier. E.g., configuration management tools, and deployment tools like Ansible.

• Identity and access management: Leverage enterprise SSO and role-based permissions where possible.
• ERP and financial systems: Collect metering information from the CMP for billing, invoicing and internal chargeback.
• Automation tooling – automate deployment according to rule sets and manage resource configuration.
• Infrastructure monitoring – visibility of operational data to support SLA management, security alerts, threat monitoring.
• Business process rules systems or other business systems that include rules used for such things as governance of cloud consumption or self-service, approval flows, and billing.