Evaluate

Evaluate

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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Quiz time: Popular programming language list shows changes at the top

  As tastes in fashion reflect changing times, the choice for most-popular programming language reflects computing advancements. And like blue jeans, some languages keep hanging on.Continue Reading

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Quiz: Test your cloud container technology knowledge

  The popularity of cloud containers is soaring. If your company isn't already working with containers, the time to get on board is now. Take this brief quiz to test your knowledge.Continue Reading

• Overcome cloud performance issues with these quick tips

  Poor performance can have a devastating impact on public, private and hybrid cloud. Use these quick tips to fix performance issues related to cloud apps, APIs and more.Continue Reading

• Choosing an IaaS provider for traditional vs. cloud native apps

  As IaaS providers expand their portfolios to include more higher-level services, the requirements of your apps -- not just your infrastructure -- should drive vendor choice.Continue Reading

• Build a cloud redundancy strategy using multiple providers

  No cloud platform is perfect; there is always a risk of an outage or data loss. Consider a multicloud model to ensure redundancy and backup.Continue Reading

• On-premises vs. cloud: What's more cost-effective for your apps?

  Some organizations rush into a cloud migration, assuming cost savings are a guarantee. But not all applications are meant for the public cloud, and moving them may cost you more.Continue Reading

• Compare AWS vs. Azure vs. Google big data services

  Big data services are an attractive cloud lure for enterprises. AWS, Azure and Google are fighting for number one, but who will come out on top?Continue Reading

• Prepare for your next cloud security manager interview

  When interviewing for a cloud security manager position, candidates should be ready to talk about everything, from encryption technology to DevOps.Continue Reading

• SQL Server Azure IaaS vs. SQL Azure Database PaaS

  Learn the differences between SQL Server Azure IaaS and SQL Azure Database PaaS to figure out which would best support your enterprise.Continue Reading

• Six questions cloud app developers should nail in an interview

  To wow potential employers, cloud app developers should prove in an interview that they're more than just code jockeys.Continue Reading

• Containers vs. VMs: Which should you use for cloud?

  Before going all in with containers, it's critical to understand how the technology differs from VMs in terms of private, public and hybrid cloud deployment.Continue Reading

• What are my options for a third-party Azure management tool?

  Microsoft offers a number of management tools for Azure, but what are some options for third-party or open source management tools?Continue Reading

• When should I use Azure VM Scale Sets?

  Microsoft Azure VM Scale Sets help cloud admins manage a collection of VMs as a single unit. But what workloads are they best suited for?Continue Reading

• How to plan for the cost of cloud computing

  Choosing a multicloud solution can save up to 74%, if you review the cost of cloud computing first.Continue Reading

• How are microservices and cloud computing related?

  Microservices and cloud are both on the up and up when it comes to enterprise adoption. But what exactly is the connection between the two technologies?Continue Reading

• Considerations for choosing an OpenStack distribution

  When it comes to choosing an OpenStack distribution, HP, Red Hat, Cisco and others are all viable options. But enterprises should make their decision carefully.Continue Reading

• Cloud-based integration seeks to tear down data silos

  As companies adopt a pantheon of cloud apps, so grows the risk of having isolated bodies of data. The cloud-based integration of far-flung systems can have divine results.Continue Reading

• Testing cloud applications for Azure, Google Cloud

  As software development cycles accelerate, IT must more rapidly test cloud-based applications. The right tools and services can help pick up the pace.Continue Reading

• Evaluating OpenStack vs. VMware for private cloud

  OpenStack and VMware are both viable options for hybrid and private cloud. So which one should your organization choose?Continue Reading

• How to define hybrid cloud service-level agreements

  Defining hybrid cloud service-level agreements takes more forethought and planning than traditional SLAs. Here is what you should consider.Continue Reading

• Is Google's PerfKit a reliable cloud benchmarking tool?

  As the IaaS market grows, choosing the right vendor becomes challenging. Google's PerfKit Benchmarker can help, but will it provide unbiased results?Continue Reading

• Exploring capabilities, costs of Microsoft Azure cloud

  Microsoft Azure targets enterprises that want to connect their existing data centers to the cloud. But is Azure the best bet for your organization?Continue Reading

• Getting a handle on Google Cloud Platform options

  With a range of options for big data, storage and more, Google Cloud Platform has become the public cloud of choice for many enterprise users.Continue Reading

• Comparing features, tiers and pricing of PaaS vendors

  As cloud services become more complex and customized, the harder they are to evaluate. An expert offers advice for evaluating PaaS vendors.Continue Reading

• Understanding public cloud risks and costs

  Public cloud boasts a number of enterprise benefits, but it isn't perfect. Enterprises should be aware of unpredictable cost structures and other drawbacks.Continue Reading

• How microservices bring agility to SOA

  Learn about a new style of application development called microservices and how it is bringing Agile development to classic SOA services.Continue Reading

• 2015 cloud predictions: What to expect

  Contributor George Lawton spoke with many industry experts to discuss 2015 cloud predictions.Continue Reading

• Are there intellectual property issues with SaaS tools?

  Should businesses worry about intellectual property when using SaaS tools? Read this expert response to find out.Continue Reading

• A cloud management tools comparison guide

  With its complex nature, cloud management can get bumpy at times. Luckily, cloud management tools from VMware, Dell and others can help.Continue Reading

• Cloud data security comes with hefty price tag

  As attacks on IT systems with sensitive data continue, cloud security becomes a top concern. Users won't find the best security practices on a clearance rack.Continue Reading

• OpenStack features, services creating industry buzz

  OpenStack features, including portability, security and storage are prompting vendors and IT pros alike to support the open source cloud platform.Continue Reading

• Dell's latest tactic centers on cloud broker service

  Dell's upcoming cloud broker service is its latest in a string of cloud strategies. Will this one be the winner?Continue Reading

• Microsoft, Google claw for cloud market share with AWS

  Amazon has dominated the early stages of cloud. With Microsoft and Google getting stronger, can AWS keep a stranglehold on the market in the future?Continue Reading

• OpenStack talk of open source town, but is it hype?

  OpenStack garnered a lot of hype over the past four years, and many companies got behind the open source platform. Has it met the high expectations?Continue Reading

• Sizing, pricing Amazon Web Services EC2 instance types

  Bill Claybrook compares complex sizing and pricing issues when choosing EC2 instance types.Continue Reading

• Analyzing VMware vCHS for the cloud consumer

  In direct competition with Amazon's IaaS, VMware vCloud Hybrid Service differentiates itself from the pack with several features.Continue Reading

• Amazon Kinesis benefits and alternatives

  Amazon made waves with the release of Kinesis, but companies should know its ups and downs before blindly adopting AWS's service.Continue Reading

• AWS platform services emerge from Microsoft's PaaS failures

  Amid signs that Microsoft's PaaS commitment isn't working, cloud pros are concerned about profit beyond IaaS. Reigning leader AWS may have found it.Continue Reading

• Is Amazon CloudSearch superior to do-it-yourself search tools?

  Big data can be incredibly valuable for enterprise business intelligence. But to extract that value, you must choose the most appropriate search tool.Continue Reading

• PaaS adoption upswing predicted for 2014; will it last?

  The Platform as a Service market could heat up next year, but what is PaaS, exactly? And will it eventually be subsumed under other cloud categories?Continue Reading

• Pivotal's open source PaaS play arrives in-house

  Pivotal's latest offering includes private PaaS for enterprises. Sounds great in theory, but will it work across multiple platforms?Continue Reading

• If IT had a hammer: Choosing among IaaS, PaaS and SaaS

  Enterprises tend to use the latest technology to solve all of its IT problems. But if your apps are nails, is IaaS, PaaS or SaaS really the hammer?Continue Reading

• Choosing among IaaS, PaaS and Database as a Service for a cloud database

  Regardless of which cloud database you choose, multiple factors must come into play, ranging from costs and availability to feature support.Continue Reading

• PaaS market heats up with Red Hat OpenShift, Savvis AppFog buy

  PaaS made headlines last week, but it's still difficult to gauge the true level of interest in Platform as a Service in the enterprise world.Continue Reading

• Private PaaS eases enterprise governance, cloud security concerns

  Enterprise IT is seeing the value of private PaaS on the path to true public PaaS. But don't ditch your existing IaaS architecture.Continue Reading

• IaaS infringes on acceptance of true PaaS cloud architecture

  Despite the many benefits of a true PaaS cloud architecture, IaaS vendors are marking their territory by offering pseudo PaaS.Continue Reading

• Cloud computing services: Lease vs. own

  Many services and applications can be handled by cloud computing providers. But enterprises should look carefully at cost before deciding whether to lease or own.Continue Reading

• Wrestling with the concept of private PaaS

  Enterprise IT pros anxious about maintaining security and control in public cloud are looking to private PaaS, but it may not alleviate all worries.Continue Reading

• Six cloud computing industry leaders to follow on Twitter

  Want to eavesdrop on what cloud computing leaders are saying about industry trends? Follow these six Twitter accounts for expert opinions and scoops.Continue Reading

• Experts weigh in on Platform as a Service adoption

  Amid claims that PaaS adoption will take off in the coming year, our cloud experts weighed in on its pros and cons -- and what the future will hold.Continue Reading

• Top 10 cloud computing leaders in 2012

  Our cloud leaders list includes the usual suspects and some surprises, ranging from cloud architects to CEOs to those with influence in the cloud.Continue Reading

• The last cloud computing definition you'll ever need

  What is cloud computing? This overview defines cloud for once and for all -- until the next round of vendor hype.Continue Reading

• Comparing four cloud computing strategies

  It's important for prospective cloud adopters to know what the key vendors are planning. Our expert explains what to expect from four different offerings.Continue Reading

• Cloud management tools guide for beginners

  Get a better understanding of the major players in cloud infrastructure management and provisioning, including RightScale, Kaavo, Zeus and Scalr.Continue Reading

• Understanding cloud computing pricing

  Someday, cloud computing providers may simplify pricing models. But until that day, when determining total pricing for a cloud computing service, consider the services offered by the provider and how each pricing structure is worded.Continue Reading

• Five requirements for deploying an application in a public cloud

  Thinking about deploying an application in a public cloud? Investigate these five requirements to ensure success.Continue Reading

• Running a Web service on Google App Engine

  Google's App Engine for building Web applications in the cloud is beginning to support Java servlet-based Web services. It's still under development, but you can experiment using Eclipse support or command-line utilities in the SDK.Continue Reading

• Identifying applications for public and private clouds

  Before leaping head first into cloud services, figure which applications are best suited to a public versus private cloud. This article will help you define target apps for the cloud.Continue Reading