Cloud Computing
Top Stories
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Tip
31 Jul 2026
How to overcome Kubernetes cost management struggles
Kubernetes doesn't track costs natively, and that oversight could be costing the business. Learn how to optimize spending before your budget spirals out of control. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Jul 2026
Top legacy modernization tools of 2026
Enterprises can modernize legacy systems faster with the right tools. Discover how to choose the right modernization tool for your project and evaluate the top options available. Continue Reading
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News
05 Jan 2018
Meltdown and Spectre target cloud computing environments
Hackers could target cloud computing environments to exploit the Meltdown and Spectre vulnerabilities, but AWS, Microsoft and Google say their fixes are enough to bar the doors. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Jan 2018
Execute PowerCLI commands to manage VMware infrastructure
PowerCLI cmdlets like Get-VM can be built out to obtain information about VMs in a VMware infrastructure, including those with attached CD-ROMs and those with snapshots. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Jan 2018
Azure App Service Isolated boosts security and PaaS performance
Aimed at organizations with unique security needs, Azure App Service Environment v2 lets applications run in a dedicated network without sacrificing scale or performance. 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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Opinion
04 Jan 2018
Four ways the container ecosystem will evolve in 2018
The container market constantly evolves, as new technologies and uses emerge. See what the new year will bring with these four container predictions around IoT, Windows and more. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Jan 2018
Aurora Serverless leads next wave of cloud database features
IT teams face a notoriously difficult task when it comes to database scaling and management. New Amazon Aurora features can ease some of these woes and potentially reduce costs. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Jan 2018
Amazon QuickSight tutorial: Get started with data analysis
While Amazon QuickSight comes with some tradeoffs that data scientists should note, this tutorial walks you through key features that might be of interest to your analytics team. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Dec 2017
Common Amazon EBS performance issues, and how to troubleshoot them
Having EBS trouble? You're not alone. Use these troubleshooting tips to work through common EBS issues, such as stuck volumes and slow performance. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Dec 2017
Build an application migration plan step by step
To migrate apps to the cloud, start with nonessential workloads and move to more mission-critical ones from there. But, remember, some apps might not be suited for cloud at all. Continue Reading
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Answer
11 Dec 2017
What is a Helm Chart and how can it improve microservices?
Learn about Helm Charts and how Kubernetes supports a microservices architecture. Expert Ken Milberg discusses what you need to know before delving in. 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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Feature
06 Dec 2017
Explore the benefits, tradeoffs of GPU instances in cloud
While GPU instances can give compute-intensive apps the processing boost they need, not all workloads -- or budgets -- will benefit from these cloud instance types. Continue Reading
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Answer
29 Nov 2017
What are the best SDK tools for automating blockchain services?
As blockchain matures, an ecosystem of tools continues to sprout up around it. Learn how these offerings, including the Hyperledger Fabric Client SDK, can help with a deployment. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
21 Nov 2017
AWS using KVM and Xen, but users may not feel any impact
AWS has added a new hypervisor behind the scenes, but customers likely won't see much of a direct impact on their cloud environment. Amazon this month began selling its C5 instance nearly a year ... Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Nov 2017
Rearchitect applications for cloud with these five tips
It's difficult to fully realize the benefits of cloud computing when you simply migrate an app as is. Instead, consider rearchitecting your app -- and start with these five steps. Continue Reading
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Quiz
03 Nov 2017
Test your knowledge of these core OpenStack components
The OpenStack platform contains a mix of services for compute, networking, security and more. See if you can identify which service performs which function with this quick quiz. 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
31 Oct 2017
CloudFormation StackSets drive cross-account automation
AWS gave its automation capabilities a boost with the release of CloudFormation StackSets, a feature that lets dev teams deploy stacks across multiple accounts and regions. Continue Reading
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Answer
27 Oct 2017
Use OpenStack Senlin, Heat templates to enable autoscaling
As it is with other cloud platforms, autoscaling in OpenStack is important to meet changing workload demands. Here's how to enable that process with Senlin and Heat templates. 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
24 Oct 2017
Work Lambda into Amazon SQS queues to prevent backlogs
Amazon SQS enables users to process and track tasks in a queue. Combine it with Lambda and CloudWatch to add extra message processing functionality. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Oct 2017
Learn the basics of Azure Container Instances
The popularity of containers continues to prompt major cloud providers to offer new services. See how Azure's most recent release -- Container Instances -- aims to ease deployment. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Oct 2017
Reduce AWS costs with volume discounts, Reserved Instances
AWS volume discounts sound simple -- the more you buy, the less you pay. But cost savings can vary based on the services you use and whether Reserved Instances play a role. 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
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Definition
10 Oct 2017
CloudCheckr
CloudCheckr is a vendor that provides a cloud management platform intended to give an organization more control over and visibility into its cloud computing costs, performance and security. Continue Reading
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Feature
04 Oct 2017
IaaS benefits broaden as public cloud market evolves
The benefits of IaaS now range from increased scalability to access to emerging technologies, such as serverless. Review these key benefits, as well as management implications. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Sep 2017
SAM Local enables offline development for serverless apps
Serverless computing is a draw for developers, though hybrid functionality has been limited. AWS' SAM Local now enables local testing of Lambda functions -- but faces competition. Continue Reading
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Answer
27 Sep 2017
Prevent hacked AWS accounts from wreaking havoc
Security should be a top priority in public cloud deployment, but breaches are still possible. If your AWS account has been hacked, follow these steps to minimize the impact. Continue Reading
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Answer
26 Sep 2017
What are the best database services for PaaS offerings?
When you move to PaaS for your web-based apps, remember to think about database services. Consider the benefits of moving your database to a fully supported cloud infrastructure. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Sep 2017
AWS root account access is a treasure for attackers
Don't fall victim to a hacked root account. Create and work within new AWS accounts, and then apply the least amount of privilege necessary to prevent a costly mistake. Continue Reading
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Opinion
25 Sep 2017
PaaS tools on shaky ground as Elastic Beanstalk evolves
While serverless computing poses a threat to some PaaS offerings, AWS Elastic Beanstalk maintains developer interest, in part because of its integration with services like Lambda. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Sep 2017
Amazon DAX manages database spikes for improved performance
The DynamoDB Accelerator reduces database latency without tacking on a separate cache. While the service has some early limitations, DAX benefits enterprises with real-time apps. Continue Reading
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Answer
30 Aug 2017
What are the pros, cons of PaaS offerings from AWS, Google, Microsoft?
Get started with exploring these PaaS offerings: AWS Elastic Beanstalk, Google App Engine and Microsoft Azure. An IT veteran summarizes their pros and cons. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Aug 2017
Real-time vs. near-real-time analytics -- how to choose
Data is king, but what happens when the data isn't truly real-time? Expert Tom Nolle explains the cloud platform choices when it comes to 'real-time' analytics. Continue Reading
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Quiz
29 Aug 2017
Test your AWS security tools knowledge
AWS offers a myriad of native tools and services that enterprises can use to protect their clouds. Sharpen your knowledge of these services, and tighten up your cloud. Continue Reading
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Feature
09 Aug 2017
Cloud management platforms offer a unified approach to hybrid IT
While more cloud platforms can mean more challenges, the right management platform makes an admin's job easier. But with all the options, how do you know which one to choose? Continue Reading
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Answer
27 Jul 2017
The benefits and drawbacks of AWS Convertible Reserved Instances
Reserved Instances save IT teams money on compute resources but lock them into a particular type of instance. How do Convertible RIs differ, and what are the drawbacks? Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Jul 2017
AWS Marketplace seller, buyer FAQs
AWS Marketplace serves Amazon Web Services customers and vendor partners alike. So, how does it work, and what types of software are available? Continue Reading
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News
18 Jul 2017
Google cloud data transfer appliance eases move to public cloud
Google's cloud options look to lure more enterprises with a physical device that simplifies data transfer in-house to the Google Cloud Platform. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Jun 2017
Overcome common IP address issues during a cloud migration
During a move to the cloud, many organizations overlook potential snags surrounding IP addresses. To start, know how cloud providers manage address assignment. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Jun 2017
Improve query performance, cut costs with Amazon Athena
Amazon Athena can query more data formats than its competitor Google BigQuery, but developers must choose easy-to-process formats to enjoy Athena's benefits. Continue Reading
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Quiz
28 Jun 2017
Quiz time: Test your knowledge of hybrid cloud computing trends
Do developers and IT decision-makers cite different factors for moving to -- and staying away from -- a hybrid cloud architecture? See where your opinions line up. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
23 Jun 2017
AWS GovCloud lags behind private sector, but that's changing
In the fast-paced world of public cloud, if AWS is the hare, AWS GovCloud is the tortoise. GovCloud launched in 2011 to meet stricter regulatory requirements for federal, state and local ... Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Jun 2017
Strategies to accelerate AWS Lambda functions
In this chapter excerpt from Serverless Architectures on AWS, author Peter Sbarski shares five tricks developers can use to improve Lambda function performance. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Jun 2017
Know your AWS downtime limits
Enterprises have different standards of downtime tolerance, which often vary between applications. Properly set your expectations and avoid unnecessary -- and unwanted -- downtime. Continue Reading
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Guide
06 Jun 2017
Optimize your public cloud cost management strategy
Businesses often tout lower costs as a benefit of public cloud, but without proper management and monitoring, costs can climb quickly. Learn how to keep your spending in check. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Jun 2017
Use AWS Batch -- not Lambda -- for these workloads
AWS Batch makes it easier to automatically spin up EC2 instances and boost capacity to provision resources for uneven application workloads. Continue Reading
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Answer
01 Jun 2017
Compare OpenStack local storage options for now and in the future
SSDs, HDDs and NVMe can all provide local storage for an OpenStack deployment. But what are the benefits and tradeoffs of each, and how will these technologies evolve? Continue Reading
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Feature
23 May 2017
Choose the best public cloud instances for your apps and budget
Cloud computing instances can make or break application performance -- and costs. Evaluate your workloads to determine the right instance type and size before deployment. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 May 2017
Explore Google XPN for virtual private cloud networks
Isolated networks strengthen cloud security, but sharing data can become a challenge. Learn how Google XPN enables multiple users or departments to share one virtual private cloud. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 May 2017
No-code/low-code project management best practices
Before setting your no-code/low-code product into motion, you must prepare your organization. Expert Zach Flower discusses the importance of collaboration and communication. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 May 2017
Your cloud bill climbs due to these five overlooked costs
AWS, Google and Azure offer tools that help users estimate cloud costs. But overlooked services, usage spikes and outages can cause actual cloud bills to far exceed those estimates. Continue Reading
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Feature
11 May 2017
Build a cloud-based infrastructure one layer at a time
As enterprise IT teams enter the cloud adoption phase, they must understand the technical underpinnings that comprise cloud infrastructure -- from servers to storage to apps. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 May 2017
AWS certification types with the most street cred
Passing an AWS certification exam is often a top benchmark on a cloud pro's resume. These AWS certifications are considered the most difficult -- and valuable. Continue Reading
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Answer
28 Apr 2017
Understand the pros, cons of an AWS cloud VPN service
Our team will move workloads into AWS, but we need control and security over them. What VPN features does Amazon Lightsail provide, and is it better suited for certain workloads? Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Apr 2017
Build Docker container images with AWS CodeBuild
AWS CodeBuild is a developer tool that automates tasks, such as software releases, and enables IT teams to build and push containers to a registry within minutes. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Apr 2017
Techniques for optimizing microservice performance in the cloud
Learn how to prevent bottlenecks, create efficient deployment and avoid security issues to ensure optimal microservice performance in the cloud. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Apr 2017
Avoid downtime during the cloud migration process
During a public cloud migration, IT teams need to take a cautious, one-step-at-a-time approach to avoid hearing the dreaded phrase, 'the system is down.' Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Apr 2017
Scale resources automatically with Azure Virtual Machine Scale Sets
Scalability is an attractive capability of cloud computing that reels in enterprises of all sizes. Learn how Virtual Machine Scale Sets in Azure can help you achieve that benefit. Continue Reading
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Opinion
21 Apr 2017
The true definition of cloud computing is still lost on some IT pros
The misuse of the phrase 'cloud computing' has created misperceptions of the technology. Remember that the cloud isn't a location -- it's a more agile way to design IT services. Continue Reading
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News
17 Apr 2017
Give Visual Basic language apps a cloud afterlife with code conversion
Visual Basic apps were never meant to run in the cloud, but with automated code conversion tools, their tried-and-true business logic can be refactored and reused. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Apr 2017
Build an effective API management system for multicloud
APIs play a critical role in cloud, allowing apps and services to communicate with each other. But with multiple cloud providers in the mix, API management gets complicated. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Mar 2017
Amazon Route 53 benefits include efficient domain management
There are many domain hosting options, but Amazon Route 53 stands out from the pack for resolution speed -- especially among AWS users. Route 53 offers these benefits for users. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Mar 2017
AWS Lambda functions have storage capacity, longevity limitations
AWS Lambda's high scalability can serve as a limitation, as data can be lost if too much strain is placed on the data store. These methods can work around Lambda memory limitations. Continue Reading
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Answer
28 Mar 2017
What are some ways to stop and restart OpenStack instances?
Admins can pause, suspend, shelve or stop a compute instance in OpenStack. But what are the key differences between each option? Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Mar 2017
Select the right cloud regions, availability zones to optimize costs
Cloud computing can bring a multitude of unexpected costs. To stay within budget, evaluate the costs associated with regions and availability zones. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Mar 2017
Choose cloud configuration management tools for multiple platforms
The multicloud model presents unique configuration management challenges. When choosing a tool, enterprises should compare cloud native and third-party options carefully. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
20 Mar 2017
Awareness of shared-responsibility model is critical to cloud success
When companies move to the cloud, it's paramount that they know where the provider's security role ends and where the customer's begins. The shared-responsibility model is one of the fundamental ... Continue Reading
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News
03 Mar 2017
Cloud-first strategy speeds spinoff of American Express' travel unit
Given just months to spin off a $20 billion operation into a new, independent company, American Express Global Business Travel turns to the Dell Boomi cloud integration platform. Continue Reading
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Answer
28 Feb 2017
Which AWS programming language is best for our project?
AWS developers can choose between a variety programming languages, including Microsoft, .NET, Java and Python. How do they differ and should we use them to develop applications? Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Feb 2017
Get started with the Azure API Management service
APIs are vital to open the communication lines between cloud apps, and proper management of those APIs is also critical. Learn how Azure's API service can kick start that process. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Feb 2017
Compare offline data migration services from AWS, Azure and Google
Sending a storage disk to a cloud provider seems like an antiquated data-migration method, but it's a common choice. Here's how AWS, Azure and Google manage the process. Continue Reading
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News
16 Feb 2017
Find out exactly where the Docker Swarm architecture is heading
The challenge of provisioning applications across clusters remains a significant one. Docker's Mike Goelzer explains where the company is headed with Docker Swarm. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Feb 2017
When and how to use a FIFO queue in SQS
Using FIFO queues in Amazon SQS support Exactly-Once Processing and keep tasks in order. But they can create bottlenecks if used with the wrong workloads. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Feb 2017
Discover the pros, cons of bare-metal cloud services
A bare-metal cloud service combines the benefits of physical servers with public cloud, but may not be right for all workloads. Weigh the pros and cons before you make a decision. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Feb 2017
Identify and reduce multicloud integration costs
When using multiple cloud providers, application integration costs can grow quickly. To prevent billing surprises, carefully plan application deployments and workflows. Continue Reading
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Definition
31 Jan 2017
Boto
Boto is a software development kit (SDK) designed to improve the use of the Python programming language in Amazon Web Services. The Boto project started as a customer-contributed library to help developers build Python-based applications in the cloud, converting application programming interface (API) responses from AWS into Python classes. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Jan 2017
Using Azure Site Recovery for data and VM replication
Data replication is a critical part of a disaster recovery plan, and the devil is in the details. Ease your plan with automation through Azure Site Recovery. Continue Reading
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Opinion
30 Jan 2017
Cloud developer job description getting more complicated all the time
The cloud developer job is getting even more complex. Learn about cloud developer salaries, opportunities and hirers' most-valued cloud platform here. Continue Reading
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Quiz
24 Jan 2017
Test your knowledge of big data cloud services
Big data in the cloud is a big deal. But without the right management and analytic tools, you won't get far. Test your knowledge of big data tools in the cloud with this quiz. Continue Reading
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Answer
17 Jan 2017
How does Azure Premium Storage billing work?
For Azure Premium Storage, are users billed by how much storage capacity they actually use or how much they reserve or allocate? Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Jan 2017
Breaking down the costs of cloud storage
Storage is a primary reason enterprises move workloads to the cloud. But before shipping off your data, learn how region, capacity and other factors shape cloud storage costs. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Jan 2017
Using REST APIs in AWS connects services, creates concerns
APIs help developers connect services, but also create security and management concerns. This excerpt from 'Mastering AWS Development' explores REST API commands for AWS. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Jan 2017
The what, why and how of the TOSCA cloud standard
As the acceptance of DevOps rises, the TOSCA standard has become a popular option for cloud application deployment. Here's a closer look at how it works. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Dec 2016
Choose the best Google cloud instance types for your workloads
Not all workloads are the same -- some require more CPUs, while other require more memory. Fortunately, Google's range of cloud instance types offers enterprises a lot of options. Continue Reading
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Answer
15 Dec 2016
What are some AWS Marketplace benefits for enterprises?
Our enterprise lists its services in the AWS Marketplace. What's the best way to use the marketplace to sell our products? Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Dec 2016
Perform a PaaS pricing comparison for public cloud
When choosing a platform, enterprises need to focus on features and prices for Azure, Google and AWS. Take a look under the hood before you take it for a spin. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
28 Nov 2016
Security issues in cloud computing
While the cloud may be flexible and cost-efficient, a lack of data safeguards and compliance standards makes security the largest hurdle to leap. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Nov 2016
Real-time app development helps minimize delays
The differences between real-time and near real-time application development are invisible to the naked eye, but everyone suffers from delays in app builds and execution. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Nov 2016
Practice cloud resource management to reduce sprawl, cut costs
Some organizations go overboard with cloud deployments, paying for more resources than they actually need. Follow these steps to decrease wastefulness and increase cost efficiency. Continue Reading
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Answer
31 Oct 2016
How do AWS IAM permissions manage resource access?
We use AWS Identity and Access Management for cloud security, but aren't sure how roles, permissions and policies differ in a cloud security strategy. How do they protect resources? Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Oct 2016
Benefits of moving from EC2-Classic to VPC
AWS replaced EC2-Classic instances with Virtual Private Cloud to help enterprises better secure networks and resources. Here's how the two instances differ and how to migrate to VPC. Continue Reading
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Definition
27 Oct 2016
Microsoft Azure Security Center
Microsoft Azure Security Center is a set of tools and services for securing virtual machines that run on the Azure public cloud. With Azure Security Center, an IT team can establish security policies, set up alerts and receive recommendations for addressing potential Azure security threats. Continue Reading
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News
21 Oct 2016
Google Cloud Storage prices cut, Glacier cold storage competitor added
Google is revamping its Cloud Storage services to woo users and challenge AWS with price cuts, lifecycle management and cold storage with quicker retrieval times than Amazon Glacier. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Oct 2016
Don't migrate apps to the cloud without considering the costs
For many organizations, the public cloud is a way to cut costs -- but some apps may be costing you more in the cloud than you think. Find out which enterprise apps are better left on premises. Continue Reading
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Answer
12 Oct 2016
Which caching engines does Amazon ElastiCache support?
Amazon ElastiCache supports Redis and Memcached as in-memory caching engines. What are the main features of each and how do they differ? Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Oct 2016
Custom AWS metrics maximize use of CloudWatch Logs
Unlike standard app dev methods, serverless computing with AWS Lambda does not enable easy debugging. These tools can help developers keep an eye out for Lambda errors. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Sep 2016
How do I determine which OpenStack version I have?
Figuring out the OpenStack release or version running in your organization isn't as easy as it sounds. What are some quick tips to find that information? Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Sep 2016
Use cloud auto scaling, tagging to give unneeded resources the boot
Auto scaling services help admins identify underused resources and reduce public cloud costs. Learn how load balancing and tagging can maximize those benefits. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Sep 2016
Craft a business continuity plan to maximize AWS uptime
Strong business continuity plans start with an evaluation of needs. Native and third-party disaster recovery tools fit into a BC plan to protect cloud data and workloads. Continue Reading