Cloud infrastructure design and management
Cloud computing delivers numerous benefits, but only if an IT organization is prepared to manage a cloud environment. Proper cloud infrastructure design and management entails an understanding of automation, orchestration, monitoring, compliance, pricing, availability, and other key elements of cloud services.
Top Stories
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Tip
20 Nov 2024
12-step checklist for cloud migration success
Ready to move your on-premises apps to the cloud? From rehosting vs. redesigning to testing and monitoring, follow these key steps for a successful cloud migration. Continue Reading
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News
19 Nov 2024
Microsoft Launches Azure Local for Hybrid Cloud, edge uses
Along with Azure Local, Microsoft launched a migration tool for enterprises that want to ditch their VMware by Broadcom VMs. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Aug 2019
Public cloud services grow HPC market, but work remains
HPC applications need a lot of resources, but not all enterprises can meet those requirements. However, new cloud services are emerging to address that gap in the market. Continue Reading
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News
16 Aug 2019
Virtual Instruments expands portfolio with Metricly acquisition
Virtual Instruments added more offerings to its cloud migration and hybrid infrastructure management portfolio with an acquisition of Metricly. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Aug 2019
Cloud compliance strategies for a multi-cloud world
Cloud computing and compliance don't need to be at odds -- even when an organization uses services from multiple cloud providers. Here's how to meet your compliance goals. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Aug 2019
How to live with loss of control with cloud software updates
IT pros don't have the same control over updates and versions in the cloud as they do on premises. Stay ahead of the changes and communicate to staff to lessen any negative impacts. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Aug 2019
Ensure cloud migration security with these tips
Security is always a concern in the data center, as well as in cloud -- but what about during a migration? Learn how to protect sensitive data both in transit and before it goes live. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Jul 2019
Azure resource management tips to optimize a cloud deployment
Prepare -- or revamp -- an Azure cloud strategy with these essential resource management tips for workload resiliency, access control and more. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Jul 2019
CASB tools evolve to meet broader set of cloud security needs
When choosing a CASB, enterprises face two primary options: a stand-alone service from a third party or a bundled tool set from some of the large cloud providers. It's important to pick your flavor wisely. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Jul 2019
Conduct cloud security training across the business
A well-educated staff is one of the best tools in the fight against security breaches. Consider these tips to prepare your employees for the risks in the cloud. Continue Reading
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News
19 Jul 2019
Microsoft Azure feature targets application latency woes
An additional Microsoft Azure function can place VMs associated with a multi-tier application inside the same cloud data center to reduce latency. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Jul 2019
Best practices for negotiating a SaaS SLA
SaaS apps offer convenience, but enterprises still need to do their due diligence with prospective vendors. Follow these tips to get the best SaaS service-level agreement. Continue Reading
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News
18 Jul 2019
Hearst puts cloud governance first in move to AWS, Azure
Cloud governance, both from a security and cost perspective, was crucial for Hearst Corp. as it moved its IT operations to AWS and Microsoft Azure. Continue Reading
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News
12 Jul 2019
Alluxio updates data orchestration platform, launches 2.0
The latest version of the Alluxio data orchestration platform includes several new capabilities and features designed with hybrid and multi-cloud environments in mind. Continue Reading
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Feature
02 Jul 2019
An introduction to the 6 OpenStack orchestration components
Cloud orchestration is a critical part of workflow simplification and task automation. If you prefer open source options, see what OpenStack has to offer. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Jun 2019
Navigate public cloud availability zones for optimal performance
Google's recent outages show that AZs aren't a panacea for high availability. See how differences in cloud vendors' approaches to isolation can affect workload performance. Continue Reading
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News
25 Jun 2019
Oracle layoffs hit Dyn team's sales, marketing staffs
Oracle Dyn cuts sales and marketing jobs as Oracle plans to end some Dyn services in 2020. The layoffs come amid other Oracle downsizing as the vendor moves toward the cloud. Continue Reading
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News
19 Jun 2019
Microsoft Azure Bastion service seeks to secure VMs
Microsoft's Azure Bastion managed service provides a means for companies to remotely access their VMs without touching the public internet. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Jun 2019
Ask these 5 questions before deploying cloud HA
IT teams can build HA into their organization's cloud apps, but is it worth it? And how much is too much? Ask these and other critical questions before architecting for HA. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Jun 2019
Know the tools needed to bake cloud HA into apps
The cost for HA might outweigh the benefit for many cloud apps. But, before you can debate the need to architect a highly redundant system, you need to know the tools at your disposal. Continue Reading
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News
05 Jun 2019
Google Cloud price change eyes AI and machine learning workloads
Google Cloud has expanded its committed use discount plan to include GPU, TPU and local SSD resources to spark more AI and machine learning workloads. Continue Reading
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News
16 May 2019
Apptio buys Cloudability for cloud cost optimization
Apptio looks to strengthen its cloud cost optimization services with the addition of Cloudability, as the industry continues to coalesce around hybrid and multi-cloud management. Continue Reading
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Feature
15 May 2019
Cloud cost management tactics that work
This guide looks at strategies and best practices for cloud cost savings. We'll focus on public clouds, although many of these tips apply to private and hybrid cloud architectures as well. Continue Reading
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Quiz
15 May 2019
Test your knowledge of Google Cloud management tools
Are you a Google Cloud expert? Can you ace this quiz focused on Google's management and monitoring tools? Find out how you stack up against your colleagues. Continue Reading
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News
10 May 2019
Microsoft to reduce Azure outages with Project Tardigrade
Microsoft's plans to make Azure more reliable include Project Tardigrade, which keeps running VMs alive even when their host platforms go down due to hardware problems. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 May 2019
Explore multi-cloud Kubernetes deployment options
IT teams can use Kubernetes to deploy and manage containerized workloads across multiple clouds -- but it's not the best approach for everyone. Look at the benefits and implementation options. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Apr 2019
Cloud cost calculators come with some limitations
Enterprises that plan to move to the cloud should get a good idea of the costs upfront. While calculator tools can give you an estimate, they don't factor in external costs. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Apr 2019
Navigate serverless cloud SLAs for event-driven apps
Each cloud provider defines serverless uptime differently. Consider platform reliability, other guarantees and refund rates before building an event-driven app. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Apr 2019
What users should know about cloud governance models
Governance is on the mind of most enterprises, no matter where they store the data -- but the cloud adds another layer of risk. Examine the common security issues, and learn how to combat them. Continue Reading
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News
15 Apr 2019
Kroger buys into Google Cloud migration, despite challenges
It wasn't easy for Kroger to migrate its customer-facing search engine to Google Cloud, but it happened fast, thanks to proper planning and the right mix of talent. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Mar 2019
Set the foundation for a solid cloud backup strategy
Behind any effective cloud DR strategy is a solid backup plan. Follow these tips around common backup methods, tools and replication to get started. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Mar 2019
Updated Microsoft Azure certifications emphasize IT roles
Microsoft revamped its public cloud certifications in a move away from holistic skill sets. Review the newly tailored exams you'll need to take to get the Azure seal of approval. Continue Reading
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News
25 Mar 2019
Oracle layoffs underpin its IaaS ambitions
Oracle plans further investments in Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, but to do so it has cut jobs and made plans to hire fresh talent to support its cloud business. Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Mar 2019
Manage public cloud storage for optimal performance, costs
Storage is one of the most commonly used resources on public clouds, which means admins should be well-versed in performance and cost optimization strategies. Use these expert tips to get started. Continue Reading
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Definition
14 Mar 2019
Cloudability
Cloudability is a software vendor that provides financial management tools for monitoring and analyzing cloud computing costs. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Mar 2019
Google tool signals move to greater cloud transparency
Access Transparency users can review the work Google admins did on their cloud accounts. It's a step toward greater accountability, but large organizations will want even more. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Feb 2019
Overcome IoT challenges for cloud-based workloads
Organizations often build IoT apps on public clouds for their scalability, but these platforms introduce their own obstacles. Factor in these network, storage and security impacts. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Feb 2019
Words to go: Google cloud security services
Digging through all of Google's cloud security tools can seem overwhelming. Get a snapshot of key services, and when to use them, with this quick list. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Feb 2019
Compare reserved instances pricing for AWS, Azure and GCP
Got commitment issues? When it comes to long-term instance reservations, cloud users should look closely at what AWS, Microsoft and Google offer. Continue Reading
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Opinion
20 Feb 2019
Automation drives next wave of multi-cloud management tools
The current cloud landscape indicates a clear need for management tools that can span multiple platforms -- and they'll likely place an emphasis on automation, abstraction and orchestration. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Feb 2019
Control the cloud bill and avoid unexpected costs
Don't get discouraged by high cloud costs. Use these four tips to whip your bill into shape. Continue Reading
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News
06 Feb 2019
UK news org plots move from AWS to Google Cloud Platform
Google Cloud Platform has scored one against rival AWS with The Telegraph's plan to switch providers to prep the British newspaper for continued success in digital publishing. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Jan 2019
Follow these 6 serverless security best practices
Optimal security for serverless architectures requires developers and ops teams to embrace best practices around dependencies, testing, access and more. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Jan 2019
Cloud disaster recovery services evolve, but gaps remain
A severe outage can cripple a business, which is why a disaster recovery plan is critical. While today's DRaaS offerings make it easier to recover, there's still room for growth. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Jan 2019
Implement cloud failover, replication for workload protection
Businesses increasingly use public cloud services as workload protection targets. But cloud failover and replication are hardly hands-off processes for IT teams. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Jan 2019
5 open source cloud monitoring tools to evaluate in 2019
Open source monitoring tools can offer a number of advantages over cloud providers' native options. Review these five to find out which tool is best for your cloud strategy. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Dec 2018
Review Google cloud IAM fundamentals and best practices
To learn the ins and outs of Google’s identity and access management service, start with the basic concepts of roles, permissions and policies. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Dec 2018
Secure data in the cloud with encryption and access controls
Enterprises can't rely on their IaaS provider to protect sensitive information in the cloud. Implement these data security techniques to mitigate potential risks. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Dec 2018
An overview of ARM templates for Azure resource deployment
Azure Resource Manager templates streamline the way IT and development teams deploy cloud resources. To get started, grasp these key concepts around formatting, syntax and more. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Nov 2018
5 best ways to minimize cloud scaling costs
Many factors can contribute to a high public cloud bill -- one of which is scalability. Apply these five practices to effectively scale cloud resources without breaking the bank. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Nov 2018
How to use Azure Site Recovery Deployment Planner
A successful disaster recovery procedure is more complicated than most people think. Learn how an Azure service can streamline the process of VM replication and failover. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Nov 2018
Evaluate 3 cloud-native CI/CD pipeline tools
When it comes to continuous integration and delivery tools, there is no shortage of comparable options -- including those from public cloud providers, such as AWS, Azure and Google. Continue Reading
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News
02 Nov 2018
CockroachDB managed database service rises into the cloud
The Managed CockroachDB distributed database cloud service targets megascale workloads but faces stiff competition from public cloud players Microsoft, AWS and Google. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Oct 2018
Azure Reserved Instances boost flexibility around VM size
A recent Azure update for Reserved Instances offers enterprises increased flexibility in terms of VM size, but it also comes with some additional management tasks. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Oct 2018
Here's what it takes to become a cloud automation engineer
A cloud automation engineer is a challenging role for any IT professional because of the varied requirements. Find out what education, experience and skill sets you need to get the job. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Oct 2018
Avoid these app design mistakes to save a cloud budget
Certain oversights during app design can increase cloud costs. Dive into the details of four often-overlooked mistakes, and learn how to avoid them to keep your budget in check. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Oct 2018
Properly configure resources to reduce cloud security threats
Misconfigured cloud resources can quickly open the door to IT risks. Be mindful of access controls, and don't brush off your cloud provider's recommended security practices. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
29 Oct 2018
Three events that spooked cloud admins in 2018
So far this year, outages, security breaches and GDPR compliance have haunted cloud admins in the enterprise. Take a closer peek at each of these three big scares. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Oct 2018
Estimate cloud computing costs prior to app migration
Enterprises should enlist a number of resources, including cost calculators and third-party tools, to assess what they'll pay for cloud computing -- before they start migration. Continue Reading
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Opinion
16 Oct 2018
Containers, cloud orchestration tools rattle DevOps foundation
Any form of virtualization that disconnects infrastructure from apps threatens the foundation of DevOps and could push IT toward more cloud-native and container orchestration tools. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Sep 2018
The first 5 steps to build a private cloud infrastructure
To implement a private cloud, IT teams must start at the beginning -- and define what a cloud strategy will mean, exactly, to their organization -- before they proceed. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Sep 2018
Cost management the next big issue in multi-cloud computing
Multi-cloud computing continues to make its way into the enterprises and, as it does, introduces some significant cost management challenges. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Sep 2018
Compare IaC tools for hybrid, multi-cloud environments
Infrastructure-as-code tools come in two flavors: third-party and those native to a certain cloud provider. Keep these factors in mind to choose the right one. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
13 Sep 2018
Learn from these Microsoft's Azure outage postmortem takeaways
Microsoft shed more light on last week's major Azure outage that generally confirm what everyone already knew - a storm near the Azure South Central US region knocked cooling systems offline and ... Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Aug 2018
Cloud vendor lock-in fears dwindle for enterprises
Vendor lock-in concerns are slowly dissipating as enterprises prioritize functionality and speed to market. Other concerns continue to climb up the list, including skills and compliance. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Aug 2018
Establish a data classification model for cloud encryption
Not all data requires the same level of encryption. Use data classification to gauge your security needs, including for workloads that span on-premises and cloud environments. Continue Reading
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Opinion
31 Jul 2018
It's time to tap into the business value of cloud computing
With increasing market maturity, all cloud adopters -- not just the Netflixes of the world -- have a chance to translate the technology into a competitive business edge. Continue Reading
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Answer
31 Jul 2018
What's a cloud migration factory, and how does it work?
When properly implemented -- and understood -- a cloud migration factory combines the right mix of people, processes and tools to smoothly transition an app into the public cloud. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Jul 2018
Cloud billing surprises help pinpoint app performance issues
To assess cloud app performance, don't forget to closely monitor monthly bills from your IaaS provider. They might point to inefficiencies you'd otherwise overlook. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Jun 2018
Manage Google cloud instances with images, templates
Recent additions to Google Compute Engine, particularly around images and templates, streamline how admins can create and manage VMs. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Jun 2018
Embrace automation in a hybrid cloud deployment: Free chapter
Hybrid cloud is complex, and while automation helps, it also presents new risks. This book by Clive Longbottom dives into the details cloud adopters should know. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Jun 2018
Bolster multi-cloud security with these data privacy tips
Data privacy is always a top priority for enterprise IT teams. And those with a multi-cloud model should adopt a mix of security techniques -- from erasure coding to encryption. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
21 Jun 2018
Edge devices' compute demands complicate cloud IoT choices
Cloud vendors want companies to use their platforms for the full scope of their IoT deployments, but that might not be their best choice. As edge computing emerges as part of IoT deployments, users ... Continue Reading
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Opinion
21 Jun 2018
Avoid runaway costs to keep a cloud budget in check
Wasteful spending is still a prominent issue for enterprises in the cloud. Admins need to do their homework -- before migration -- to rein in runaway cloud costs. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Jun 2018
Enterprises wrestle with OpenStack backup, DR challenges
To work around the manual and often tedious processes associated with OpenStack DR and backup, some enterprises have turned to third-party tools. Continue Reading
- 18 Jun 2018
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Feature
05 Jun 2018
Let cloud orchestration tools do the hard work
A smart cloud strategy requires a smart automation strategy. These steps will help position your cloud to benefit from automation and orchestration technologies. Continue Reading
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Feature
24 May 2018
Cloud certifications play supporting role in IT hiring decisions
Certifications that are specific to a particular cloud provider are a great way for IT professionals to grow their foundational knowledge, but they shouldn't stop there. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 May 2018
Don't let scalability ruin a cloud cost management strategy
Scalability is one of the cloud's biggest advantages, but misuse of the feature can cost you. Pay special attention to these three rules to avoid unwanted billing surprises. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 May 2018
Are you on the right cloud computing career path?
As more advanced cloud technologies and deployment models emerge, it's important to future-proof your career. Check your resume against these expert suggestions. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 May 2018
Cloud billing APIs enable greater cost transparency
No enterprise wants to be surprised by its cloud computing bill. And, even as providers offer more visibility into users' costs through APIs and other tools, obstacles remain. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 May 2018
Know what to look for in a cloud management platform
Like so many decisions in IT, choosing a cloud management tool takes time. Be sure to outline your key goals for resource deployment, cost monitoring and more. Continue Reading
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Opinion
27 Apr 2018
The best multi-cloud strategy is to just ignore the hype
Vague vendor and analyst definitions for multi-cloud only confuse business leaders and put IT professionals in a precarious position. Continue Reading
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News
26 Apr 2018
GDPR compliance requirements don't come cheap
GDPR has more teeth than any previous data privacy directive, but that looming threat hasn't motivated many companies to get their audit trail in order. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Apr 2018
Accounting for cloud computing costs requires a new approach
As cloud waste takes a big bite out of IT budgets, cloud administrators must shift their spending mindsets and consider management tools to help avoid unnecessary costs. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Apr 2018
GDPR requirements loom over cloud providers, users
Even if your cloud provider already complies with GDPR, you can't just take a backseat. Know what the requirements are and whether they apply to you -- or risk hefty fines. Continue Reading
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Opinion
30 Mar 2018
Azure Migrate aims to attract VMware workloads to the cloud
A new Azure service removes a lot of the guesswork for IT teams that want to move VMs to Microsoft's public cloud. But will a lack of early support from VMware hurt its appeal? Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Mar 2018
With more providers, security issues in cloud computing rise
We hear a lot about the pros and cons of a multi-cloud strategy, but a surprising number of organizations don't think they need to worry about it. They do. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Mar 2018
Human error still poses a significant cloud security risk
Even with the most sophisticated cloud security tools in play, human error -- both from end users and IT teams -- can open up your enterprise to numerous kinds of attacks. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Mar 2018
Google preemptible VMs reduce cloud costs -- with a catch
With its preemtible VMs, Google offers spare compute capacity at a discounted price. But be careful not to run certain apps on these VM types, as they shut down at any time. Continue Reading
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Quiz
07 Mar 2018
Can you choose the right tools to manage Azure resources?
Azure continues to evolve its tool set to simplify cloud monitoring and management for admins. Take this brief quiz to see how much you know about these tools' capabilities. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Feb 2018
Structure public cloud accounts for optimal resource tracking
As enterprises move to public IaaS or broaden their existing deployments, cloud account management gets tricky. Follow this example to find the structure that works best for you. Continue Reading
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Feature
12 Feb 2018
Four tips to manage costs in a multi-cloud architecture
For some enterprises, it's difficult enough to manage and optimize the costs of a single cloud platform. And in a multi-cloud environment, those challenges only increase. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Feb 2018
Azure B-series VMs reduce resource waste for bursty apps
Paying only for the resources they consume is the ultimate goal for many enterprises in the cloud. Azure's B-series VMs make that goal more attainable -- for certain workloads. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Jan 2018
CASBs address wide range of cloud security concerns
Cloud and distributed apps create complex security challenges. CASBs aim to resolve these issues with features for threat protection, data loss prevention and more. Continue Reading
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Photo Story
25 Jan 2018
Five cloud computing skills to propel your career in 2018
The cloud market moves at the speed of light, so some IT pros struggle to pinpoint which new technologies and skills to learn. Here are five to prioritize in 2018. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Jan 2018
Google Cloud Dedicated Interconnect offers VPN alternative
Google's Dedicated Interconnect enables an enterprise to privately connect its data center to the public cloud. Here's a breakdown of key features and the requirements to use it. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Jan 2018
Master the basics of Azure Automation
Automation offers a more efficient, hands-off approach to public cloud management. Explore the basics of Azure's automation service and the role of runbooks. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Dec 2017
Crack open Google Cloud Shell for infrastructure management
Shell commands and Bash scripts have been a staple of system administration, and for those who still prefer that management approach, Cloud Shell on GCP might be worth a look. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Nov 2017
Cloud data backup services minimize outage, security risks
Backups are critical in any cloud strategy, but where you store that data is just as important. Explore these automated backup tools and services to avoid risks later. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Oct 2017
Compare two types of cloud automation and orchestration tools
There are two camps of tools for automation and orchestration in cloud: provider-native and third-party. To pick the right one, know your future needs, especially for multi-cloud. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Oct 2017
Master Azure subscriptions with these key concepts and terms
Azure's subscription structure lets admins break out responsibility for billing and resource management. But first, they need to know concepts such as accounts and departments. Continue Reading
