Network Defense Essentials (NDE) Practice Exam

In the context of cloud computing, what does the term 'multi cloud' refer to?

1. A single vendor's cloud services

2. Multiple private clouds

3. A dynamic environment with multiple cloud vendors

4. A hybrid of on-premises and cloud services

The correct answer is: A dynamic environment with multiple cloud vendors

The term 'multi-cloud' refers to a dynamic environment that utilizes services from multiple cloud vendors. This approach allows organizations to take advantage of the strengths and unique features provided by various cloud service providers, rather than being reliant on a single vendor. By leveraging a mix of public, private, and sometimes hybrid clouds, businesses can optimize performance, enhance redundancy, and improve flexibility. It is a strategic choice that helps organizations avoid vendor lock-in and align specific workloads with the best-suited cloud environments based on performance, cost, compliance, or other requirements. In contrast, utilizing a single vendor's cloud services, which would fall under a single cloud model, limits the options available to an organization. Multiple private clouds imply that there is more than one isolated environment, which does not account for the broader integration and resource sharing typical of multi-cloud strategies. A hybrid environment that combines on-premises resources with cloud services is related but distinctly different since multi-cloud specifically refers to the use of multiple public or private cloud services concurrently from different providers.