IBM Upgrades Blockchain Network to Support Multi-Cloud
Technology giant, IBM has announced the launch of its distributed ledger technology (DLT) platform called Multicloud. The firm says its platform is designed to run on other cloud platforms including Azure and Amazon Web Services (AWS), according to a report by Ledger Insights on June 18, 2019.
IBM Multicloud Now Live
In a bid to make it easier for firms that have their own cloud services to use its blockchain network, IBM has unveiled Multicloud, a blockchain platform that is compatible with a vast array of cloud computing platforms.
Per sources close to the matter, until recently, it was seemingly impossible for enterprises to make use of IBM’s blockchain network without also utilising the IBM Cloud.
According to IBM’s CTO, Gari Singh, who was present at the Hyperledger Global Forum recently, while it was easy for the firm’s blockchain solution to function as an IBM cloud first solution back in the days, due to the fact that most networks were just pilot networks at the time, the situation has become quite complicated now as most of these firms have launched full production.
Against that backdrop, it became quite critical for IBM to create a platform that fosters inclusivity by allowing those firms that have existing cloud subscriptions with other platforms to be able to join the IBM Blockchain Platform.
Singh said:
“For instance, we want to bring on XYZ company, but XYZ has a contract with Azure or AWS or Oracle. How do we enable those firms to connect up a node to join the network and how can you support that?”
The multi-cloud feature on the all-new IBM Blockchain 2.0 makes it possible. The firm says its blockchain code is also available in “containerized form using Kubernetes.”
IBM Blockchain Provide More Tools
While IBM is a member of the Linux Hyperledger Foundation and it’s an active contributor to Hyperledger Fabric, the firm says its blockchain offering is identical to Fabric just that it provides additional tooling.
IBM says the tools present in its Blockchain Platform enables users to seamlessly build and deploy basic blockchain and smart contracts solutions for trade finance, supply chain and more.
IBM claims its Blockchain Platform also comes with an extension to Visual Studio Code, the software of choice for blockchain developers.
That’s not all, IBM says its tooling is designed to make it easier for users to set up a permissioned network.
“We can now take advantage of all the excellent features of Hyperledger Fabric and we can support you wherever you need to be. And we can also help networks interested in working with IBM even if they have other members that don’t,” concluded Singh.
In related news, earlier in June 2019, BTCManager informed that IBM had partnered with Walmart, KPMG and Merck to use blockchain technology in tracking pharmaceuticals from manufacturer to consumer.
