AWS infrastructure
Top Stories
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Podcast
14 Apr 2023
Tech news this week: AI software engineer vs. human engineer
As it turns out, software engineering is more than just writing code. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Dec 2022
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
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Opinion
30 Oct 2018
AWS cloud strategy gives nod to on-premises needs
Amazon RDS on VMware signifies a major move on premises to compete with other cloud providers and appease customers. But how far will AWS go from its cloud-only roots? Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Oct 2018
How Amazon Cognito fits into AWS security best practices
In this chapter excerpt from AWS: Security Best Practices on AWS, author Albert Anthony highlights how Amazon Cognito plays a role in application development on the AWS cloud. Continue Reading
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News
15 Oct 2018
Open source tool simplifies Kubernetes on AWS
AWS added an open source tool to manage infrastructure directly through Kubernetes. But the software is targeted at AWS assets, so don't expect it to help with portability. Continue Reading
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Feature
15 Oct 2018
AWS Nitro system ushers in more compute options
While questions remain around the direction of AWS' internal Nitro project, the effort has already translated into more high-performance compute options for users. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Oct 2018
Third-party tools ease multi-cloud network snags
Aviatrix is one of a host of third-party networking services that IT teams can use to simplify complex multi-cloud deployments and supplement AWS-native tools. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Sep 2018
AWS bare-metal instances target a niche market -- for now
AWS' addition of bare-metal instances runs counter to its heritage but is another example of how the vendor wants to keep users on its cloud and also attract new ones. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Sep 2018
Implement these best practices to run Terraform with AWS
Infrastructure as code on AWS can introduce a learning curve, but tools, such as Terraform, can help enterprises meet their IaC goals. Continue Reading
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Answer
31 Aug 2018
VMware Network Insight eyes better AWS network visibility
Some AWS users should consider a third-party tool to find better visibility into their network infrastructure and traffic patterns instead of relying on Amazon VPC. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
30 Aug 2018
AWS balances GA of Aurora Serverless with new instance types
AWS updates in August include general availability of Amazon Aurora Serverless for MySQL, more instance types, continued progress into serverless territory, and deeper ties to VMware on premises ... Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Aug 2018
Public snapshots pose significant Amazon EBS security risks
Exposed EBS snapshots can leave volumes open to public intrusion or manipulation. Manage your snapshot settings carefully to protect your EC2 data. Continue Reading
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News
28 Aug 2018
Amazon RDS on VMware extends cloud database on site
The latest expansion of the VMware-AWS partnership, centered on RDS, suggests a growing interest from the public cloud giant to extend its reach into enterprise data centers. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Aug 2018
Enlist AWS IoT security tools to defend your network
The internet of things offers great promise but introduces some unique risks. Research common vulnerabilities and follow best practices to secure your AWS IoT deployment. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Aug 2018
Learn the basics of Amazon EFS to find the right storage fit
While EFS offers features that S3 doesn't, Elastic File System isn't necessarily the right AWS storage service for all enterprise needs. Use this overview to weigh your options. Continue Reading
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News
25 Jul 2018
AWS managed Kubernetes service intrigues, vexes IT pros
Amazon EKS generated curiosity among attendees at the AWS Summit in New York. But AWS' long-term container plans could change and alter how it packages the service to users. Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Jul 2018
Five AWS IAM best practices to bolster cloud security
To mitigate risks and protect cloud resources, many organizations rely on AWS IAM policies. Use these five tips to learn the basic features -- and limitations -- of the service. Continue Reading
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News
17 Jul 2018
AWS Snowball Edge extends EC2 on premises
AWS Snowball portable data transfer devices gain EC2 functionality, as the public cloud vendor seeks more ways for customers to use these boxes in their private facilities. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
29 Jun 2018
VMware-AWS service bubbles into new markets
With the VMware-AWS partnership, some customers were either reluctant or unable to use earlier versions of the service. Now, with the passage of time and corresponding product maturity, customers ... Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Jun 2018
AWS Shield provides DDoS attack protection as threats mount
DDoS attacks continue to grow in sophistication, and enterprises need to be on alert. AWS Shield provides two tiers of automatic protection, but are they enough? Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Jun 2018
Use service-linked IAM roles to simplify user permissions
While AWS IAM enables control over a cloud environment, it can become a management nightmare. Automate part of this process via service-linked roles to free up time for other tasks. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Jun 2018
AWS termination protection acts as resource safety belt
In the push to get applications to production quickly, mistakes can happen. But you can avoid potentially disastrous AWS resource deletion through these features and strategies. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Jun 2018
How AWS Fargate reduces container management burdens
Enterprises face a number of management challenges when they adopt containers. While AWS Fargate eliminates some of these hurdles, be sure to mind your bill. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Jun 2018
Build an AWS incident response plan in 4 key steps
Enterprises should develop and test an incident response plan for an AWS deployment -- before a hack ever occurs. Follow these four steps to get started. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
31 May 2018
Bare-metal instances augment AWS' IaaS options
Infrastructure was AWS' focus in May, as the cloud provider made good on several of its promises with features that provide more diverse compute options -- including some that directly challenge ... Continue Reading
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Tip
31 May 2018
Cost to run EC2 instances vs. Docker containers
Fans of Docker claim it has many advantages for application deployment. But how does this translate in AWS? We do a trial run to compare costs. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 May 2018
To secure AWS, a human touch goes a long way
Even with recent advancements around cloud automation, security and resiliency still require a human touch. Sharpen your skills to keep AWS disruption-free. Continue Reading
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Answer
29 May 2018
Avoid data loss during AWS Spot Instance termination
While Spot Instances can be economical, they can also cause data loss without proper backup. Use databases to save instance data, and set up interruption notices to be warned. Continue Reading
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News
25 May 2018
Amazon Aurora backtrack: A time-travel weapon of last resort
AWS added a feature to its fastest-growing service that provides more granular response to catastrophic failures and faster recovery -- just hope you never need to use it. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 May 2018
Assess five ways to deploy AWS containers to production
Enterprises can choose from a range of AWS container deployment options. To make the right choice, they should first consider how much control they want over the infrastructure. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 May 2018
Compare dedicated cloud connections from AWS, Azure and GCP
Leading public cloud providers offer dedicated, albeit different, options to help enterprises securely connect to off-premises resources. Here's a breakdown of your options. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 May 2018
Tips and tools to give AWS network performance a jolt
Don't wait for network performance to lag to do something about it. Proactively monitor AWS workloads to identify troublesome areas that can disrupt the end-user experience. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 May 2018
Rotate AWS access keys to boost cloud security
Access key rotation helps an enterprise avoid security lapses, and you can do it without disrupting your cloud environment. Follow these five steps to secure cloud access. Continue Reading
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Opinion
27 Apr 2018
Native, third-party tools boost interoperability in cloud
AWS exposes APIs and provides container services for portability, but does it go far enough? Some IT pros still find themselves leaning on third-party tools to fill critical gaps. Continue Reading
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News
27 Apr 2018
AWS blockchain template a response to market demand
AWS was lukewarm on blockchain until recently, but customer demand might have pushed the cloud provider to change its tune and offer some entry-level templates. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Apr 2018
Amazon FreeRTOS aims to simplify, secure IoT deployment
Operational technology teams have been slow to update microcontroller software due to safety and logistics concerns, but Amazon FreeRTOS aims to ease that process for AWS users. Continue Reading
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News
10 Apr 2018
With cloud IoT platform, AWS hopes to leap stubborn barriers
During the last six months, AWS has demonstrated a commitment to IoT technology. But while it has a prominent place in the cloud IoT market, the technology doesn't fit all needs. Continue Reading
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News
05 Apr 2018
AWS security tools fill platform gaps
AWS added more features to secure data on its platform, including private certificates, a managed service for secrets and a hub for policies regardless of where applications run. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Apr 2018
Protect your serverless app with this mix of AWS tools
As they move to serverless platforms, such as Lambda, development and operations teams need to acquire a new mindset -- and set of tools -- to keep their workloads safe. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
30 Mar 2018
Extended duration for IAM roles appeases some, alarms others
Cloud security best practices and IT convenience don't always align, but as standards such as GDPR take hold and new vulnerabilities constantly emerge, maybe it's ok to loosen the reins from time ... Continue Reading
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News
28 Mar 2018
Enterprises wear large targets in cloud cryptomining hacks
Several examples of cryptojacking highlight organizational difficulties -- or outright neglect -- in securing AWS environments. Whether the trend continues is up to enterprise IT. Continue Reading
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News
08 Mar 2018
VMware cloud services tidy up AWS migration path
VMware Cloud on AWS has improved migrations, cost controls and availability, as VMware pitches customers on the value of hosting vSphere-based workloads on the public cloud. Continue Reading
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Opinion
28 Feb 2018
Compare AWS container services for your cloud needs
Amazon EKS meets user demand for Kubernetes support on AWS, but ECS is still an intriguing option for some use cases. See which offering best fits your needs. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Feb 2018
AWS Direct Connect gateway grants your network global access
Large global enterprises will welcome AWS Direct Connect gateways, which enable multi-region connections to VPCs. However, some limitations to the service still exist. Continue Reading
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Photo Story
12 Feb 2018
Eight tips to roll a service or app into an AWS deployment
With dozens of services available, it can be a challenge to integrate new services or apps into an AWS deployment. Use these eight tips to get started. Continue Reading
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News
09 Feb 2018
AWS Instance Scheduler adds more automation options
AWS automation capabilities continue to expand, as the cloud vendor pushes customers to follow its lead to eliminate manual steps and gain efficiency. Continue Reading
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Quiz
06 Feb 2018
Test your knowledge of the AWS shared responsibility model
Do you know where AWS' security responsibility ends and yours begins? Try your hand with this quick quiz. Continue Reading
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News
01 Feb 2018
AWS bandwidth upgrade opens door to more data movement
A bandwidth jolt to AWS networking services gives customers faster data transfer between services, and creates workflows that might have otherwise been prohibitive. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
30 Jan 2018
EC2 features aim at network, performance improvements
AWS users have a green light to rev the full bandwidth potential of a particular instance. AWS removed its 5 Gbps limit and improved performance for network connections to and from Elastic Compute ... Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Jan 2018
EKS enters the fray of container orchestrator options
Amazon EKS relieves some of the headaches that have plagued the provider's Elastic Container Service. Here's an overview of key features and how to get started with a migration. Continue Reading
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News
26 Jan 2018
AWS snaps up Sqrrl to strengthen threat detection, analytics
Amazon's move to fold Sqrrl, a threat detection startup, into AWS security services could help bring together its growing list of disparate security tools. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Jan 2018
M EC2 instance family offers versatile compute, at a price
General-purpose EC2 instances, like the M and T series, fit many types of applications. But before you rush to use them, know your workloads and how much capacity they need. Continue Reading
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News
19 Jan 2018
AWS Auto Scaling simplifies management across services
Amazon's Auto Scaling service can reduce duplicate efforts by users. It's also the latest example of Amazon's effort to streamline and automate its large list of services. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Jan 2018
AWS container services evolve, but remain a work in progress
At re:Invent, AWS made a number of enhancements to its container services portfolio. But its bedrock container orchestration service, Amazon ECS, still vexes some dev teams. 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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Tip
11 Oct 2017
Compare Amazon Lightsail pricing, features to EC2
To compare Amazon Lightsail vs. EC2 instances, evaluate ease of use, management options and pricing structure -- paying particular attention to data transfer costs. 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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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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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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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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Tip
09 Jun 2017
Examine AWS X-Ray for app performance management
AWS X-Ray gives developers a more detailed view of distributed and serverless applications. But if they want to use multiple clouds or other services, it's not a good fit. 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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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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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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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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Answer
20 Sep 2016
What are the limitations when running Active Directory in AWS?
AWS Directory Service provides three options for running Active Directory in the cloud: Microsoft AD, Simple AD and AD Connector. What are the drawbacks of each AD option? Continue Reading
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Answer
11 Aug 2016
How long does it take to retrieve data from Glacier storage?
Our enterprise periodically needs to access cold data from Amazon Glacier. How long does it take to retrieve data, and what are other infrequent data access options? Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Jul 2016
Control AWS traffic with routing policies
AWS offers four routing policies in Amazon Route 53 Traffic Flow. While each option balances heavy traffic loads, admins must consider each policy's specific uses. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Jul 2016
Master Amazon CloudWatch metrics to track AWS use
Amazon CloudWatch enables administrators to track resources using metrics and log files. Admins should get to know the terminology as well as ins and outs of the auditing service. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 May 2016
Amazon Inspector gives dev automated security assessment
Cloud vulnerabilities can quickly evolve into security threats; vigilance is a key in identifying weaknesses. Amazon Inspector detects common weaknesses, providing peace of mind. Continue Reading
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Answer
14 Apr 2016
How do CloudWatch logging features track resources?
Between our on-premises and in-cloud resources, our hybrid infrastructure produces a multitude of logs. How can we use Amazon CloudWatch to aggregate and visualize logs? Continue Reading
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Answer
30 Mar 2016
How do AWS configuration management tools work?
When running AWS in our enterprise, it has been a challenge to keep tabs on active resources. Which native tools define and maintain configuration scripts? Continue Reading
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Answer
10 Mar 2016
How does AWS fit into the application testing process?
Our on-premises environment makes QA difficult, as our resources are limited. How can a public cloud provider like AWS enable a more effective process to test applications? Continue Reading
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Guide
29 Feb 2016
An admin's guide to AWS data management
Enterprises migrating data to AWS are met with a myriad of storage, security and analytics options. Administrators should evaluate all avenues and craft a plan. Continue Reading
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Answer
20 Jan 2016
How can I troubleshoot AWS connectivity problems?
Our business is having trouble connecting to our AWS resources. We're not sure if this is an availability or connectivity issue. How can we determine the problem? Continue Reading
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News
10 Dec 2015
Amazon Route 53 adds Traffic Flow, beats most prices
AWS shops are excited to see Amazon Route 53 add Traffic Flow, though there are also third-party products on the market that offer similar features. Continue Reading
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Answer
16 Nov 2015
What's the best way to secure Amazon S3 buckets?
Our enterprise stores different types of data, including video and graphics, in Amazon S3. What options are available to secure Amazon S3 buckets and encrypt our data? Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Aug 2015
What to know before going all-in with AWS AppStream
While a valuable service for AWS users looking to connect to different types of devices, AppStream has network and security limitations IT professionals should consider. Continue Reading
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Answer
01 Jun 2015
How can we save money in Amazon EC2 Container Service?
Our group doesn't need containers all the time. How can we scale back or stop a Docker container that's running in Amazon Elastic Container Service? Continue Reading
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News
26 Mar 2015
AWS S3 replication across regions means simpler, cheaper DR
Replication across AWS cloud regions is now a checkbox item in the management console, circumventing homegrown and third-party tools. Continue Reading
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Answer
11 Feb 2015
How to save an Amazon EBS snapshot to S3
I'd like to back up an Elastic Block Store volume to AWS S3. What do I have to do and what are the associated costs? Continue Reading
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Guide
28 Jan 2015
AWS vs. Google comparison guide
AWS and Google are slugging it out in the public cloud ring -- going blow for blow on price and features. How do they compare on performance and cost? Continue Reading
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Feature
15 Jan 2015
Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud features explained
AWS EC2 is a cloud service that's easy to use and easy to set up if companies understand its many facets and features. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Jan 2015
When and how to use the AWS Command Line Interface
Sometimes a command line is needed for application management. Learn how and when to use the AWS Command Line Interface. Continue Reading
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Quiz
17 Dec 2014
Test your knowledge: Amazon Simple Queue Service quiz
Test your knowledge of Amazon Web Services' simple queuing service with this 10-question quiz. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Dec 2014
Amazon Cognito offers back-end support in multi-device world
Users working on multiple devices want access to customized app environments. Cognito creates a back end for identity management and gives those users a consistent experience. Continue Reading
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Quiz
21 Oct 2014
Test your knowledge: Amazon CloudFront quiz
Test your knowledge of Amazon Web Services' content delivery service with this 10-question quiz. Continue Reading
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Quiz
30 Sep 2014
Test your knowledge: Amazon Simple Storage Service quiz
Think you know everything about Amazon Simple Storage Service? Test your storage knowledge with this 10 question quiz about Amazon S3. Continue Reading
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Quiz
29 Sep 2014
Amazon Web Services Security Quiz
Test your knowledge of Amazon Web Services security best practices with this 10 question security quiz. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Sep 2014
Parsing AWS CloudTrail logs for useful information
AWS CloudTrail logs all API calls, which means it generates a lot of data. But digging for useful data among all the logs takes some work. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Aug 2014
Storage vs. database: Moving data to the AWS cloud
David Linthicum reviews the benefits of database choices from Amazon Web Services and the advantages of leveraging object storage like Simple Storage Service as a storage category. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Jul 2014
Tracking user activity with AWS CloudTrail
AWS CloudTrail is a Web service that keeps track of AWS API calls in your account and stores logs from multiple accounts and multiple regions in the same S3 bucket. Learn to turn on AWS CloudTrail and to find and read log files. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Jun 2014
Monitoring SQS metrics with Amazon CloudWatch
Learn how to use Amazon CloudWatch to monitor and access metrics for a Simple Queue Service. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 May 2014
Set up AWS CloudWatch alerts and alarms
Need more insight into your AWS cloud? Want to know when something is wrong before it's too late? Use CloudWatch to create alerts and alarms. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 May 2014
Four points of archiving data on AWS S3
Storing archives on S3 can be a cost-effective option with proper planning and long-term management. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Apr 2014
AWS Management Console: Five steps to create an S3 bucket policy
In this AWS Management Console series, learn five ways to create an S3 bucket policy. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Apr 2014
S3 Browser: Amazon's adaptable data storage interface
Learn how to use the SS3 Browser and how to benefit from it. Continue Reading
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News
22 Nov 2013
Overprovisioning in AWS? Cost-control tools and strategies can help
For organizations that have moved to the cloud, old habits may be costing them dearly as they overprovision resources without any cost-control tools. Continue Reading
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Quiz
12 Nov 2013
Take our quiz to find out what you know about AWS IaaS
Amazon Web Services continues to grow rapidly, and it's easy to confuse its many offerings. Test your AWS IaaS knowledge in this 10-question quiz. Continue Reading
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Answer
16 Nov 2012
What's the difference between Amazon S3 and Amazon CloudFront?
Storing large files in the cloud has its advantages, and Amazon S3 and Amazon CloudFront are two seemingly identical options. What's the difference? Continue Reading