Cloud Computing: Demystifying Cloud APIs

Cloud computing continues to gain momentum, and IT administrators are constantly looking for new ways to integrate a company's system into their chosen cloud model. The constant use of cloud computing requires greater levels of customization by the company. The ability to enhance the cloud experience helped shape the Cloud APIs (Application Programming Interface) environment. Administrators can now integrate apps and other workloads into the cloud using these APIs.

How to embed an API in the cloud?

Understanding the Cloud API model is not always easy. There are many ways to integrate it into an infrastructure, and each methodology has its own underlying components. To get a better understanding of cloud computing and how APIs fit into the process, it's important to look at the differences between the APIs that can be used by an enterprise. There are four main models of integrating it with another platform (or another cloud provider):

PaaS APIs

Also known as Platform-as-a-Service, these service APIs are designed to provide access and functionality to a cloud environment. This means integration with databases, messaging systems, portals, and storage components.

SaaS APIs

Software -as-a-Service APIs, aim to connect a cloud application with the underlying IT infrastructure. Thus, CRM and ERP applications are examples where these APIs can be used to create a cloud application extension to an IT environment.

IaaS APIs

Infrastructure-as-a-Service APIs help control specific cloud resources and their distribution. For example, rapid provisioning of resources in the cloud is something that can be improved with an Infrastructure API. In addition, network settings and management workload can also utilize this API.

cross-platform APIs

Many environments don't use just one cloud provider or even just one platform. There is a great need for cross-platform compatibility. Several vendors offer a generic HTTP and HTTPS API integration to allow their customers greater cloud versatility. In addition, cross-platform APIs allow you to access resources not only from your main cloud provider, but from other providers as well. This solution saves a lot of time and energy in systems development, as organizations can access resources and workloads from different providers and platforms.

Who's in the Cloud API race?

Amazon Web Service (AWS) stands out as a leader in technological innovation to meet this market demand. The ability to integrate platforms and applications using APIs is in increasing demand as more data and IT environments are distributed via the cloud.

Other Cloud API solutions are developed and funded by a range of organizations to create a true cross-platform cloud environment. Cloud APIs are capable of integrating Amazon services, for example. The solution your company chooses to work with will depend on the infrastructure it needs. If storage connectivity is a concern, the enterprise will look for a platform that easily integrates with multiple storage models across a WAN.

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