Evaluate

Evaluate

Weigh the pros and cons of technologies, products and projects you are considering.

• VMware strives to become the multi-cloud leader

  The multi-cloud world continues to expand, and VMware is taking its tag line of 'Realize what's possible' seriously. Learn more about what VMware has planned for multi-cloud. Continue Reading

• How FinOps tools affect cloud decisions

  Organizations adopt FinOps to optimize cloud costs, to align cloud spending with business functions and to establish better governance over cloud expenditures. But what is the impact? Continue Reading

• 4 best practices to avoid cloud vendor lock-in

  Without proper planning, an organization could end up feeling trapped in its relationship with a cloud provider. Follow these tips to avoid vendor lock-in. Continue Reading

• Is a cloud-first strategy right for you?

  A cloud-first strategy has its fair share of advantages and disadvantages. Learn how to avoid risks and build a strategy that is right for your organization. Continue Reading

• How to use startup scripts in Google Cloud

  Google Cloud lets you use startup scripts when booting VMs to improve security and reliability. Follow these steps to create your own startup scripts. Continue Reading

• Get started with Amazon CodeGuru with this tutorial

  Amazon CodeGuru reviews code and suggests improvements to users looking to make their code more efficient as well as optimize costs. Follow this tutorial to get started.Continue Reading

• FinOps model eases cloud billing complexities

  Cloud cost management is a top priority on admin's minds. FinOps expert Mike Fuller talks about cloud billing challenges and how to overcome them in this Q&A.Continue Reading

• IaaS vs. PaaS options on AWS, Azure and Google Cloud Platform

  Looking to shift your organization's workloads to the cloud? Understand the advantages and disadvantages of IaaS and PaaS options on AWS, Azure and Google Cloud Platform.Continue Reading

• 2023 predictions for cloud, as a service and cost optimization

  Given the highly uncertain state of the economy, this should be the year that brings an end to dinosaur thinking about enterprise IT and costs.Continue Reading

• Interpret and apply AWS Compute Optimizer recommendations

  It is challenging to find the right balance between performance, availability and cost. Learn how to enable and apply AWS Compute Optimizer to monitor your metrics.Continue Reading

• Weigh the benefits and drawbacks of a hybrid data warehouse

  Among other benefits, a hybrid cloud data warehouse can offer enhanced flexibility and scalability, as well as on-demand access to emerging analytics services.Continue Reading

• AWS rolls out new EC2 instances at re:Invent 2022

  The wrong instance type can affect workload performance and even increase costs. This year at re:Invent, AWS released new EC2 instances from general purpose to HPC optimized.Continue Reading

• Compare Azure Key Vault vs. Kubernetes Secrets

  Secrets require a certain level of upkeep such as storage, delivery and management. Compare services in these criteria and learn how to use Key Vault for AKS.Continue Reading

• Cloud experts and their AWS re:Invent 2022 predictions

  As AWS prepares for its biggest event of the year, our contributors predict what the cloud vendor will unveil at re:Invent 2022.Continue Reading

• Compare Amazon Lightsail vs. EC2 for your web app needs

  Not all developers need, or want, the full capabilities of Amazon EC2. See if the scaled-back and simplified Amazon Lightsail is the better fit for your application.Continue Reading

• Top 11 benefits of cloud computing

  On-premises environments aren't the best fit for all organizations. Discover the top benefits of cloud computing that can save time, money and resources.Continue Reading

• The pros and cons of cloud computing explained

  Familiarize yourself with the basics of computing in the cloud, how the market has changed over the years, and the advantages and disadvantages of this type of IT environment.Continue Reading

• Compare AWS Global Accelerator vs. Amazon CloudFront

  AWS Global Accelerator and Amazon CloudFront solve similar problems. But users must know when to use one over the other. Discover how they differ to choose the right service.Continue Reading

• Set up a basic AWS Batch workflow with this tutorial

  AWS Batch enables developers to run thousands of batches within AWS. Follow this tutorial to set up this service, create your own workflow and manage your batch environment.Continue Reading

• Compare Azure Data Factory vs. SSIS

  Discover the differences between Azure Data Factory and SSIS, two ETL tools. These contrasts include key data management features, GUI layout, performance, data volumes and more.Continue Reading

• Compare AWS Glue vs. Azure Data Factory

  AWS Glue and Azure Data Factory have key differences despite being similar services. Learn which best suits your organization's data integration and ETL requirements.Continue Reading

• How VMware Explore 2022 changed my mind

  Multi-cloud and cloud-native strategies emerged as major themes at VMware Explore 2022. Explore key announcements from the conference and their impact here.Continue Reading

• Which should I choose? AWS Shield vs WAF vs Firewall Manager

  AWS WAF focuses on Layer 7 protection, while Shield protects against DDoS attacks. Firewall Manager manages the protection. Learn their key features, pricing and use cases.Continue Reading

• Distributed cloud changes IT architecture and planning

  With modern applications distributed across multiple platforms and locations, IT organizations must adjust how they confront that greater management complexity.Continue Reading

• Can HPE change what it means to use the cloud?

  The latest updates to HPE GreenLake demonstrate the tech vendor's commitment to "everything-as-a-service." Will it be enough to transform the cloud computing model?Continue Reading

• Cloud-native modernization is on the rise

  Research suggests that cloud-native application deployment is becoming more prevalent as organizations continue to embrace public cloud infrastructure.Continue Reading

• What the Broadcom-VMware acquisition means for cloud users

  How will the Broadcom acquisition affect VMware's cloud strategy? As-a-service models, observability and partnerships are some key factors to consider.Continue Reading

• Evaluate key Azure Data Factory benefits and limitations

  Organizations have plenty of options for data integration tools, some on premises and others in the cloud. Find out which type is the better fit and whether Azure is a good choice.Continue Reading

• Examine IBM's hybrid cloud strategy

  IBM's focus on hybrid cloud efforts, including Cloud Paks and OpenShift, makes for a competitive option. See if its strategy fits your enterprise needs.Continue Reading

• 8 native Google Cloud management tools admins should know

  IT teams can use a range of native management and monitoring tools from Google to ensure their public cloud deployments are reliable and cost-effective.Continue Reading

• 8 ways to reduce cloud costs

  Organizations need the right strategies in place to avoid cloud cost pitfalls. Stay within your budget with these cost management best practices.Continue Reading

• Follow these examples to use CloudWatch Logs Insights

  CloudWatch Logs Insights helps organizations gain insights from a deluge of log data on applications and services. Learn how to implement key features.Continue Reading

• Compare high availability vs. fault tolerance in AWS

  To achieve high availability and fault tolerance in AWS, IT admins must first understand the differences between the two models.Continue Reading

• Compare Amazon ECS vs. EKS

  Amazon ECS and EKS are similar, but their differences are enough to set them apart for AWS users. Learn which best fits your needs in terms of flexibility, pricing and more.Continue Reading

• Compare Azure instance types for cloud workloads

  Deciding on the best Azure compute instance type for a cloud workload involves many choices. Use these tips to help select the right size VM, optimized for the right tasks.Continue Reading

• Compare DigitalOcean vs. Vultr for cloud deployments

  Sometimes a cloud provider that isn't a big name can be just what you're looking for. Vultr and DigitalOcean are such two providers, and here's how they compare.Continue Reading

• Compare Azure Bicep vs. Terraform to provision infrastructure

  In comparing Azure Bicep vs Terraform, Azure cloud admins can make an informed decision on which IaC service they want to use to automate deployment of their cloud.Continue Reading

• What is PaaS? Platform as a service definition and guide

  Platform as a service (PaaS) is a cloud computing model where a third-party provider delivers hardware and software tools to users over the internet.Continue Reading

• Compare Google Cloud Run vs. App Engine for enterprise software

  Google's Cloud Run and App Engine both aim to accelerate app development and simplify deployment. Developers will want to choose between the services on a case-by-case basis.Continue Reading

• Dig into Oracle Cloud's Always Free offerings

  Oracle's Always Free services let developers build and experiment with cloud-native apps without incurring costs. There are, however, important limitations to note.Continue Reading

• What are the main advantages and disadvantages of PaaS?

  PaaS can be a good choice for developers who don't want to worry about the underlying infrastructure or operational tasks, but it's not always the best option for app development.Continue Reading

• PaaS and containers: Key differences, similarities and uses

  There are pros and cons to both PaaS and containers. Which to use for application deployment depends on an organization's priorities and business needs.Continue Reading

• 3 best practices to manage SaaS subscriptions

  Seemingly simple tools -- such as spreadsheets and work calendars -- can go a long way in helping IT teams keep track of SaaS billing and contract renewals.Continue Reading

• Why re:Invent 2021 spotlighted existing AWS products

  Many of AWS' re:Invent announcements highlighted enhancements to existing products, rather than new services. Here's why the cloud provider took that route.Continue Reading

• An AWS re:Invent recap: Key services to watch

  From container marketplaces to file systems, this year's re:Invent conference was brimming with news. Here are some key takeaways.Continue Reading

• Understand the role of an SRE vs. cloud engineer

  While SREs can play a distinct role in cloud computing, they don't replace the need for cloud engineers. Learn how the two roles can work together toward reliability goals.Continue Reading

• Top cloud migration and adoption trends for 2022 and beyond

  Cloud migrations are inevitable for some enterprises as they navigate a move off premises or between clouds. Evaluate some of the latest migration trends and the pros and cons that come with each.Continue Reading

• When to use Amazon EC2 Auto Scaling vs. AWS Auto Scaling

  They sound similar, but Amazon EC2 Auto Scaling and AWS Auto Scaling have different purposes. Let's break down what each enables you to do and how exactly they differ.Continue Reading

• Compare AWS Cloudtrail vs. Config for resource monitoring

  When your IT team needs more detailed info about resource activity in AWS, they have options. See how AWS Cloudtrail and Config resource monitoring tools compare.Continue Reading

• 9 IBM Cloud Paks for app modernization and cloud efforts

  While businesses seek benefits in outsourced and scalable infrastructure and services, moving to cloud creates challenges in workload modernization. See if IBM Cloud Paks can help.Continue Reading

• Explore edge computing services in the cloud

  Learn what you need to know about edge computing and how it compares to cloud computing. Also, discover related management and deployment services from top providers.Continue Reading

• Compare AWS Lambda vs. Azure Functions vs. Google Cloud Functions

  Trying to find the right serverless service? Evaluate differences in price, language support and deployment models for AWS Lambda, Azure Functions and Google Cloud Functions.Continue Reading

• Oracle Cloud Infrastructure targets devs and installed base

  Though not the market leader, Oracle remains a feisty competitor in the competitive cloud computing market. Here are some added features and cost incentives introduced thus far.Continue Reading

• Compare Azure Private Link vs. service endpoints

  When dealing with PaaS services running within a cloud environment, private connectivity is a must to secure resources. Compare these two services to see which one is a good fit.Continue Reading

• Pick a load balancer: Azure Front Door vs. Application Gateway

  Every cloud infrastructure requires a solid network architecture and Azure has two load balancers that can improve network performance. Discover where each one will fit the best.Continue Reading

• Rust rises in popularity for cloud-native apps and environments

  Rust is making a name for itself in cloud. See why developers are putting in the effort to adopt the programming language for cloud-native development.Continue Reading

• Dive into DigitalOcean Droplets and App Platform

  DigitalOcean vies with AWS, Azure and others by targeting developers and startups. See what it has to offer and how it competes with other VM instances and PaaS tools.Continue Reading

• Should you migrate your on-premises app or go cloud-native?

  Learn how cloud-native application development differs from traditional architecture, as well as the benefits and challenges in making the switch.Continue Reading

• Ace the Google cloud engineer certification with this prep

  This quick 12-question quiz will help you assess exactly where you stand in your preparation to take the career-making Google Cloud certification exam.Continue Reading

• 5 cloud design patterns to create resilient applications

  Review five popular design patterns for cloud application development and how they solve a range of common challenges that IT teams face.Continue Reading

• Benefits and drawbacks of AI in cloud computing

  AI and cloud computing work hand in hand to improve upon various processes, but the combination of these technologies comes with a price.Continue Reading

• Cloud vs. DevOps: What to know for your next career move

  Cloud and DevOps can go hand in hand, but they don't have to. Learn the differences so you can see which path is best for your future IT role.Continue Reading

• Try before you buy with free tiers in cloud

  Cloud services aren't cheap, and you don't want to get stuck using one that isn't the right fit. This is where the 'try before you buy' options come in.Continue Reading

• Compare VMware cloud offerings for AWS, Azure and Google

  With VMware cloud offerings, enterprises can integrate on-premises and public cloud infrastructures into a common IT environment. Explore the offerings from AWS, Azure and Google.Continue Reading

• Understand cloud abstraction for your IT needs

  Cloud users must select a cloud abstraction layer that meets their business requirements. Consider factors such as level of control and security when choosing SaaS, PaaS or IaaS.Continue Reading

• Top types of cloud testing organizations need to perform

  Move to cloud-based testing to reduce overhead and avoid production missteps. Learn about testing types and some notable vendors to get your IT team started.Continue Reading

• Google Anthos features and updates

  Review the latest improvements to Google's hybrid cloud platform, such as bolstered multi-cloud and on-premises support. Here are the Anthos updates you won't want to miss.Continue Reading

• Elastic vs. AWS highlights open source monetization dilemma

  The fight between AWS and Elastic over the commercial usage of Elasticsearch highlights how open source software vendors need to change in the era of cloud computing.Continue Reading

• Evaluate Azure CLI vs. PowerShell for resource management

  Compare two popular resource management tools for Azure -- Azure CLI and PowerShell -- to determine if one, or a combination of both, is right for your cloud environment.Continue Reading

• Choose the right serverless container service

  Many IT pros consider serverless containers to be largely hype, while others say it offers real advances in serverless computing. See how the major cloud providers take their swing at this class of service.Continue Reading

• Open source cloud platforms and tools to consider

  Although the most popular cloud platforms are proprietary, open source options can enhance the agility and cost-effectiveness of your overall cloud strategy.Continue Reading

• Choose the right Google Cloud serverless service

  When it comes to selecting a serverless tool, Google Cloud users have plenty of options. Evaluate the platform's suite of serverless offerings to make the right choice.Continue Reading

• Compare Azure Firewall vs. NSGs for network security

  Traffic to and from resources needs proper security to protect data, but the wrong tool could leave you vulnerable. Explore these two services to find the right level of protection.Continue Reading

• Compare Amazon VPC vs. Azure VNet for private networking

  Evaluate the core private networking services from AWS and Azure to see which one could best serve your organization's needs.Continue Reading

• How to create snapshots for Azure VMs and managed disks

  Azure snapshots are useful backups for short-lived, easily replaceable VMs that have failed. Follow these step-by-step examples to create Azure snapshots.Continue Reading

• Compare Azure DevOps vs. GitHub for CI/CD pipelines

  GitHub is a more recognized name in the development community than Azure DevOps, but now that Microsoft owns both tools, developers need to see how they differ and work together.Continue Reading

• How providers' industry-specific cloud offerings impact IT

  Vertical industry offerings are a trend among the leading cloud providers. IT teams will have to learn to adapt to the complications and changes these efforts will spark.Continue Reading

• The Elasticsearch sideshow and why Algolia is the better bet

  Elastic and AWS continue to make headlines over their licensing dispute, but the bickering avoids an important question: Is Elasticsearch still the right tool for the job?Continue Reading

• How to choose between IaaS and SaaS cloud models

  Even if you already moved a few workloads to the cloud, it's never too early to start looking at where you are going and never too late to make a change. See if IaaS or SaaS is the right service model for your organization.Continue Reading

• COVID-19 and remote work shift cloud predictions for 2021

  If we learned anything from 2020, it's to expect the unexpected. Yet that doesn't stop analysts from trying to predict what's to come in the world of cloud computing this year.Continue Reading

• Review these 7 CASB vendors to best secure cloud access

  CASB technology offers threat protection, increased visibility and policy enforcement. Explore how these seven vendors stack up and protect access to cloud applications.Continue Reading

• Cloud providers jockey for 2021 market share

  AWS and Microsoft still dominate the cloud market, but Google, IBM and Oracle aren't without merit. Learn where each provider excels to find your perfect match.Continue Reading

• Amazon Kendra vs. Elasticsearch Service: What's the difference?

  Amazon Elasticsearch Service and Amazon Kendra both handle search, but that's about where the similarities end. Learn how and when to use each AWS offering for your application.Continue Reading

• Colocation vs. cloud: What are the key differences?

  An organization can host a private cloud in a colocation facility, but using the colocation facility isn't the same as building a private cloud; the two are exceedingly different.Continue Reading

• Analyze Google's cloud computing strategy

  After a few false starts, Google has taken a different, more open approach to cloud computing than AWS and Azure. Let's take a look at this strategy and roadmap to date.Continue Reading

• What is the difference between Amazon MSK and Kinesis?

  When it comes to data stream processing and analysis, AWS offers Amazon Kinesis or a managed version of Apache Kafka. Compare these two options to pick the best fit for your app.Continue Reading

• Cognito user pools vs. identity pools -- what AWS users should know

  Familiarize yourself with user pools and identity pools in Amazon Cognito and learn how to better protect your workloads in a cloud environment.Continue Reading

• A look back at re:Invent 2019 and the year since

  Catch up on some of the biggest services and feature updates AWS added to its cloud platform since re:Invent 2019 as you prepare to attend this year's virtual conference.Continue Reading

• Reevaluate your cloud computing pandemic strategy

  If you jumped to the cloud at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, without much long-term planning, take some time now to evaluate your current cloud strategy.Continue Reading

• Edge computing strategies will determine the next cloud frontier

  The public cloud providers closed the 2010s as one of the dominant forces in IT, but they'll face competition in the 2020s from networking and telco vendors at the edge.Continue Reading

• Why is high availability important in cloud computing?

  How many "nines" does your own cloud app really need? High availability is still an important factor in a cloud SLA, but uptime needs vary for each service and company.Continue Reading

• Compare Google Cloud Deployment Manager vs. Terraform on GCP

  Determine whether to opt for cloud native Deployment Manager or third-party Terraform for infrastructure as code on Google Cloud.Continue Reading

• Explore the tools for disaster recovery on AWS, Azure and GCP

  Utilize cloud infrastructure for your disaster recovery plan. Learn about the tools and services from AWS, Google and Microsoft to see if they fit in your DR plan.Continue Reading

• How 5G could change cloud computing

  The major cloud providers have embraced the push for 5G in the cloud with partnerships and offerings. Learn about the benefits and early limitations of 5G in the cloud.Continue Reading

• Evaluate SaaS integration tools for IaaS-hosted apps

  SaaS tools can enhance applications hosted on AWS, Microsoft Azure and other public clouds, but they also present integration challenges. See which tools can ease those burdens.Continue Reading

• Test your knowledge with this Microsoft Azure cloud quiz

  Fancy yourself a Microsoft Azure cloud expert? Put your knowledge to the test with this quiz on Azure services, tools and recent market news.Continue Reading

• When -- and when not -- to use cloud native security tools

  Security tools from cloud vendors are convenient, but that doesn't mean they are always the right choice. Learn how to decide when you should opt to use third-party security tools.Continue Reading

• Explore cloud computing's effect on application development

  AWS and cloud computing changed the way organizations build and run applications. Explore why that happened and see what to expect in the future as more businesses jump on board.Continue Reading

• DynamoDB on-demand vs. provisioned capacity: Which is better?

  There are two primary ways to handle capacity in DynamoDB: on-demand or provisioned. Learn the advantages, concerns and use cases for each option.Continue Reading

• How can AWS, Azure and GCP increase cloud market share?

  The Big Three dominate the cloud market, but they all have room for improvement. See what each vendor needs to do to increase its market share and attract more enterprises.Continue Reading