ClouNS - A Cloud-native Application Reference Model for Enterprise Architects

TL;DR

This paper presents ClouNS, a reference model for cloud-native applications that minimizes vendor lock-in by relying on standardized IaaS services, aiding enterprise architects in designing flexible cloud solutions.

Contribution

Introduction of ClouNS, a cloud-native application reference model based on standardized IaaS services to reduce vendor lock-in risks for enterprise architectures.

Findings

Most cloud service categories foster vendor lock-in.

ClouNS provides a standardized framework for cloud-native application design.

The model supports vendor lock-in aware enterprise architecture engineering.

Abstract

The capability to operate cloud-native applications can generate enormous business growth and value. But enterprise architects should be aware that cloud-native applications are vulnerable to vendor lock-in. We investigated cloud-native application design principles, public cloud service providers, and industrial cloud standards. All results indicate that most cloud service categories seem to foster vendor lock-in situations which might be especially problematic for enterprise architectures. This might sound disillusioning at first. However, we present a reference model for cloud-native applications that relies only on a small subset of well standardized IaaS services. The reference model can be used for codifying cloud technologies. It can guide technology identification, classification, adoption, research and development processes for cloud-native application and for vendor lock-in aware enterprise architecture engineering methodologies.