Cloud 66

Cloud 66 Software Review

Cloud 66 is presented as a robust platform for developers and operations teams seeking greater control and flexibility over where and how their applications are deployed and managed. Abandoning the typical managed services model of many Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) providers, Cloud 66 empowers users to deploy directly onto their own infrastructure, whether that be major public clouds like AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure, or even private servers and bare metal.

One of the most compelling aspects of Cloud 66 is its versatility in handling various application architectures and technologies. The platform offers specialized support for different web frameworks and languages, including Ruby, Node.js, and Python, among others. This is critical for organizations with diverse technology stacks, as it avoids vendor lock-in to a specific language or framework.

The platform's approach to deployment automation is a significant strength. Cloud 66 automates much of the tedious and error-prone work involved in setting up servers, installing dependencies, and deploying code. This includes handling server configuration, web server setup (like Nginx or Apache), and even database provisioning. The support for continuous deployment pipelines allows teams to move faster and reduce the time between code commits and production releases.

For organizations embracing containerization, Cloud 66 provides strong support for Docker and Kubernetes. Users can define their application using Dockerfiles and compose files, and Cloud 66 can automate the process of building images, deploying containers, and orchestrating them using Kubernetes. This is particularly valuable for complex, microservices-based applications where managing containers manually can be challenging.

Beyond initial deployment, Cloud 66 includes integrated monitoring and management features. This provides visibility into server health, application performance, and resource utilization. Alerting can be configured to notify teams of potential issues before they impact users. Features like automated backups, scaling options, and update management contribute to the platform's value in the ongoing operational phase of an application's lifecycle.

The platform also offers granular control through its command-line interface (CLI), enabling advanced automation and integration with existing CI/CD workflows. Features like custom DNS management and auto virtual host configuration further enhance the control users have over their deployed applications.

The ability to import and manage databases directly within the Cloud 66 platform simplifies a critical aspect of application deployment and management. Support for various database types caters to the diverse needs of different applications.

While Cloud 66 provides significant automation and simplifies complex tasks, it is important to note that users are still responsible for their underlying infrastructure. This means managing cloud accounts, understanding server-level access, and handling billing for the infrastructure itself falls outside the scope of Cloud 66's core service. However, for teams that require this level of control and want to avoid the limitations of some PaaS providers, Cloud 66 strikes a valuable balance between automation and flexibility.

In summary, Cloud 66 is well-suited for teams that prioritize control over their infrastructure while seeking the benefits of deployment automation and simplified management tools. Its broad support for different technologies and deployment targets makes it a versatile option for a wide range of application types and organizational needs. The focus on empowering teams to deploy onto their own servers is a key differentiator in a market increasingly dominated by highly opinionated, managed PaaS offerings.