Impact

Flexibility through standardization

We define a blueprint of documentation and components that can be freely assembled and augmented by adopters to cater for different cloud scenarios. We embrace the diversity of existing environments and put an emphasis on standardization on critical interface layers while at the same time allowing differentiation and specialization where needed. This is supported by offering all components as open source and all interfaces and pluggable services relying on open standards.

This standardization provides huge value for all personas – software builders, and application developers, as well as service and infrastructure providers – on the different layers – Baremetal Operating System, Cloud Operating System, and Data Fabric – that we address with ApeiroRA. It allows everyone to focus on differentiating capabilities while at the same time leveraging the Apeiro blueprint for commodity functionality.

The overall toolset is rich enough to support different target landscapes, ranging from setting up complete greenfield deployments based on the Apeiro blueprint while at the same time also allowing pick-and-choose for brownfield deployments, hence allowing to leverage existing investments in hardware and software. The setup can scale from resource-optimized edge deployments to enterprise-grade high-performance data centers. On another dimension, we also see different usage patterns for pure in-house scenarios where the cloud infrastructure is operated for local purposes in a sovereign way as well as commercial and public scenarios scaling to federated cloud environments; again, with compatibility through standardization across all these patterns. Depending on the scenario, the blueprint can be used (in combination with any existing assets) to assemble completely self-contained cloud environments with a predefined and well-known set of services, mostly for edge deployments; and on the other side can allow completely open environments for custom workload handling, as long as all participants follow the open standards.

Sovereignty

The openness and standardization of the Apeiro blueprint is a key enabler to also build the foundation for a sovereign cloud infrastructure. Sovereign cloud infrastructures offer a compelling solution for organizations seeking to balance data sovereignty, security, and compliance with the flexibility and scalability of cloud services. Particularly in an era where data privacy and regulatory requirements are increasingly stringent, the Apeiro blueprint can be a good basis for any organization looking into establishing a sovereign cloud native infrastructure. Building on top of ApeiroRA helps controlling cost and complexity.

“The benefits of a sovereign cloud infrastructure include these key aspects:”

Data Sovereignty: Sovereign cloud infrastructure ensures that data is stored and processed within the geographical boundaries of a specific country or region. This compliance with local laws and regulations helps organizations avoid legal complications and ensures that sensitive data is protected according to national standards.
Enhanced Security: By utilizing sovereign cloud services, organizations can benefit from enhanced security measures tailored to meet local requirements. This includes robust encryption, access controls, and monitoring systems that are designed to protect data from unauthorized access and cyber threats.
Compliance with Regulations: Sovereign cloud providers are often well-versed in local regulations, such as GDPR in Europe. This expertise allows organizations to navigate complex compliance landscapes more effectively, reducing the risk of penalties and legal issues associated with data mishandling.
Trust and Transparency: Sovereign cloud infrastructure fosters trust among customers and stakeholders by ensuring transparency in data handling practices. Organizations can provide assurances that their data is managed in accordance with local laws, which can enhance customer confidence and loyalty.
Tailored Solutions: Sovereign cloud providers often offer customized solutions that cater to the specific needs of local businesses and industries. This localized approach can lead to better alignment with organizational goals and improved service delivery.
Support for Local Economies: By choosing sovereign cloud infrastructure, organizations contribute to the growth of local economies. This investment in domestic technology providers can stimulate job creation and innovation within the region.
Reduced Latency: Sovereign cloud infrastructure typically involves data centers located within the same region as the business users. This proximity can lead to reduced latency and improved performance for applications that require real-time data processing.

The Apeiro-Reference-Architecture Layers

We initiate and contribute to multiple open-source projects on the different layers of the overall blueprint. Contributions and enhancements of the Apeiro landscape are possible in different ways – by helping to evolve the open-source components that we describe in more detail below and by contributing completely new components that adhere to the standardized interfaces in the overall landscape and hence fit into the overall architecture.

In the detail sections in this area, we describe the projects and components and the value they are providing in the different areas of a cloud environment.