Building and maintaining a hybrid cloud
A hybrid cloud architecture gives enterprises the flexibility to orchestrate workloads between public and on-premises private cloud infrastructure. Learn about the various benefits of this model, and collect best practices for building and maintaining a hybrid cloud, from automation to networking and security.
Top Stories
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News
25 Jan 2022
IBM hybrid cloud strategy driving revenue growth
IBM revenue for its hybrid cloud business showed little indication of slowing down, with the company reporting sales of $6.2 billion for the fourth quarter and $20 billion for 2021. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Dec 2021
Popular security best practices for hybrid cloud
Combining a public cloud and an on-premises environment creates unfamiliar security challenges. Learn the main security issues in hybrid cloud and the ways to combat them. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Mar 2019
5 key management practices for a hybrid cloud architecture
Workload bottlenecks easily arise between legacy and modern apps in a hybrid cloud. Coordinate integration with these five steps to prep a microservices application for hybrid cloud. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Mar 2019
What are the two types of hybrid cloud infrastructure?
Hybrid cloud designs are shifting as public cloud providers push on premises with alternatives to a two-vendor approach. Learn the pros and cons of heterogeneous and homogeneous models. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
28 Feb 2019
Google Cloud Next 2019 agenda tips enterprise ambitions
Google's Cloud Next 2019 conference is coming up and the event session catalog illuminates some of the top priorities for the Google Cloud Platform. Here's a look at some notable talks slated for ... Continue Reading
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News
20 Feb 2019
Google Cloud Services Platform presses hybrid cloud agenda
Google has pushed its Cloud Services Platform for hybrid computing into beta. The software is based on Google Kubernetes Engine and is geared toward application modernization. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
19 Feb 2019
AI democracy, hybrid clouds top IBM Think takeaways
IBM's extension of its Watson AI services beyond the IBM Cloud to users on other cloud platforms impressed IBM Think attendees, but is it ready for enterprise use? Meanwhile, IBM's hybrid cloud and ... Continue Reading
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News
12 Feb 2019
IBM's hybrid cloud plans extend AI to users across platforms
IBM doubles down on its hybrid cloud strategy with tools to help customers funnel data through their chosen cloud platform and apply IBM's AI to it all. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
07 Feb 2019
Five cloud migration themes at IBM Think
The IBM Think conference will provide insight into Big Blue's current and future cloud agenda, which now focuses on private and multi-cloud scenarios. Like many legacy IT vendors, IBM has struggled ... Continue Reading
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Feature
06 Feb 2019
New cloud service models put providers in the data center
All of the major cloud players now offer on-premises hardware or specific technologies to make a data center look and feel more like the public cloud. What's driving this trend? Continue Reading
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Answer
04 Feb 2019
What network tools are available for hybrid cloud monitoring?
As hybrid cloud adoption ramps up, businesses should consider hybrid cloud monitoring tools that provide network performance insight across the entire environment. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Jan 2019
5 ways to smooth the road to hybrid cloud deployment
In the move to hybrid cloud, security, app requirements and monitoring are just a few of the many factors to consider. Follow these guidelines for a smooth deployment process. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Jan 2019
Hybrid cloud trends offer lessons for potential adopters
Hybrid cloud use cases are growing more compelling as the need for workload flexibility increases. Potential adopters should plan ahead with these deployment and migration lessons. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Jan 2019
What's the difference between multi-cloud vs. hybrid cloud strategies?
When comparing multi-cloud vs. hybrid cloud deployments, you'll want to pay particular attention to the management concepts and tools for each cloud strategy. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Dec 2018
Hybrid cloud technologies become table stakes in IaaS market
In 2018, IaaS providers upped their commitment to hybrid cloud. Expect that trend to continue in full force next year -- with some key distinctions between vendors' strategies. Continue Reading
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News
20 Dec 2018
GCP addition targets cloud data access, privacy fears
Google Cloud Platform's Access Approval feature lets customers use more of the data access controls they have in their on-premises infrastructure. Continue Reading
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News
19 Dec 2018
Azure Scheduler retirement sends IT shops to Logic Apps
Microsoft's retirement of Azure Scheduler next year will mean more manual labor for users of the job scheduler. But the extra sweat will come with some benefits. Continue Reading
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News
12 Dec 2018
Pivotal Function Service aims at multi-cloud, serverless
Serverless might rule in the public cloud, but the new Pivotal Function Service targets enterprises that also have private clouds in their mix. Continue Reading
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News
08 Nov 2018
Cisco, AWS team up for Kubernetes hybrid cloud deployments
Kubernetes users pick up another option for container orchestration in hybrid deployments in the form of a product bundle from Cisco and AWS. Continue Reading
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News
06 Nov 2018
Expanded IBM-VMware partnership eyes hybrid cloud deployments
A managed cloud service for high availability and additional product integrations for microservices and Watson are the latest fruits of a partnership between IBM and VMware. Continue Reading
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News
31 Oct 2018
NetApp Cloud Volumes gives new wrinkle to OnTap file storage
NetApp appends services to Data Fabric that aim to help enterprises flexibly manage their data between local storage and public clouds, including AWS, Azure and Google. Continue Reading
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News
31 Oct 2018
Red Hat users: Too soon to draw conclusions on IBM deal
Some Red Hat users are taking news of the $34 billion sale to IBM in stride, and say it's important to wait and see. Continue Reading
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News
29 Oct 2018
IBM, Red Hat customers should watch acquisition closely
IBM said Red Hat will remain independent after its $34 billion deal goes through, and there are reasons for customers to believe that. Continue Reading
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News
29 Oct 2018
IBM-Red Hat juggernaut targets hybrid clouds
IBM and Red Hat plan to build a raft of complementary open source products to capture a huge hunk of the hybrid cloud market, but not offend their respective partners. Continue Reading
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Opinion
26 Oct 2018
AWS, Microsoft and Google push on with hybrid cloud strategies
As enterprises' appetite for hybrid cloud grows, the rivalry between AWS, Microsoft and Google will increasingly revolve around on-premises environments. Continue Reading
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News
23 Oct 2018
IBM eyes services bid with Multicloud Manager
Organizations that run applications in a multi-cloud environment could benefit from IBM's Kubernetes-based management platform that supports on-premises and other cloud platforms. Continue Reading
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Opinion
28 Sep 2018
Automation poses risk and reward for cloud operations teams
While there's some concern among IT staff that automation will displace jobs, don't panic yet. There are several ways to stay relevant, and even thrive, in the age of automation. Continue Reading
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News
24 Sep 2018
Google Cloud CTO talks Cloud Services Platform hybrid play
Google Cloud CTO Brian Stevens envisions an IT landscape where enterprises can more easily develop and manage apps that span on premises and the cloud. Hint: Kubernetes plays a big role. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Sep 2018
Improve hybrid cloud monitoring through automation, alerts
To effectively monitor hybrid cloud infrastructure -- without being overloaded with data and alerts -- IT teams need to rethink some of their existing processes. Use these five best practices to get started. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Sep 2018
Overcome 9 microservices challenges for platform flexibility
It's all well and good to tear apart your monolith, but a careless microservices approach can result in the same old problems. Watch out for these nine hurdles. Continue Reading
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News
28 Aug 2018
VMware swallows CloudHealth with eye on multi-cloud market
VMware wants to simplify management of complex multi-cloud environments -- this time through the acquisition of third-party SaaS provider CloudHealth. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Aug 2018
Azure Stack growing pains could weigh on enterprise appeal
Microsoft's hybrid cloud platform continues to pique the interest of enterprise IT shops but still lacks the maturity and breadth of the Azure public cloud. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Aug 2018
Incorporate virtual private clouds in a hybrid IT environment
Don't let the added complexity of VPCs deter you from integrating them with your hybrid cloud. Simply keep these configuration factors in mind to ensure seamless interoperability. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
07 Aug 2018
Write cloud-config automation scripts into the configuration file
Bypass the need for excess infrastructure, and put off the automation languages seminar -- you need to configure the cloud now. Fortunately, you can still do that. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
27 Jul 2018
Want the new Google hybrid cloud? You'll need a middleman
The much ballyhooed Google hybrid cloud architecture earned plaudits for its unique approach, but what didn't get much attention was who will sell and manage it on-premises. Spoiler alert: it's not ... Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Jul 2018
Choose the cloud computing deployment model that fits your data center needs
Organizations looking to the cloud to update their data center should consider the future development of systems management providers when selecting a cloud computing deployment model. Continue Reading
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News
25 Jul 2018
Google Cloud Services Platform moves hybrid approach on premises
Google has focused its hybrid strategy around containers and microservices, as Cloud Services Platform extends some of the public cloud provider's software to users' data centers. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
17 Jul 2018
Walmart's cloud strategy sticks by OpenStack, despite Azure migration
Walmart's cloud deployment strategy takes a big turn to Microsoft Azure, but it won't leave OpenStack completely in the dust. A five-year deal to make Microsoft Azure the preferred cloud provider ... Continue Reading
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News
16 Jul 2018
Microsoft bills Azure network as the hub for remote offices
Azure Virtual WAN is Microsoft's bid to play in the emerging SD-WAN space, as it seeks to solve users' networking problems while it adds new customers. Continue Reading
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News
16 Jul 2018
Rackspace colocation program hosts users' legacy servers
Rackspace now has a managed colocation program that it hopes to upsell its customers with additional services, once their servers are in-house. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Jul 2018
Evolve IT staff, skill sets for a multi-cloud strategy
To effectively implement and manage a multi-cloud architecture, enterprises first need IT team members who hold a unique mix of technical and business skills. 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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Guide
29 Jun 2018
An IT pro's survival guide for multi-cloud computing
Enterprises increasingly use multiple cloud providers to achieve their goals. Learn how you could benefit from this model and get a jump-start on a multi-cloud management strategy. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Jun 2018
Map hybrid cloud applications to your VPN address spaces
Enterprise networks can easily become your Achilles' heel in hybrid cloud. Follow this advice to effectively manage your VPN, as well as scale and redeploy hybrid cloud apps. Continue Reading
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Feature
05 Jun 2018
Hybrid cloud adoption trends and strategies explained
Hybrid cloud deployments are gaining traction because they enable private cloud security and public cloud flexibility, and orchestration between the two cloud models has improved. Continue Reading
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News
01 Jun 2018
IBM's Cloud Private for Data brings on-prem data closer to the cloud
IBM rolled out its Cloud Private for Data platform designed to make it easier for users' on-premises data to interact with not just IBM's public cloud, but those of AWS and Google. Continue Reading
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News
23 May 2018
In a serverless architecture age, infrastructure still matters
Sorry, developers, but infrastructure still matters, even as serverless architectures and containers diminish its central role to build new applications. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 May 2018
Four tips for a successful hybrid cloud POC
A hybrid cloud proof of concept is an important step to ensure a deployment will fully meet IT and business needs. Mind these best practices around data, networks and more. Continue Reading
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News
09 May 2018
Red Hat OpenShift tie-ups target hybrid cloud portability
Partnerships with major cloud providers help position Red Hat OpenShift as a hybrid cloud management platform that customers hope can solve lock-in troubles. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 May 2018
Optimize load balancing for a hybrid cloud architecture
Load balancing plays a critical role in ensuring application availability and high performance in hybrid cloud. Follow these general rules to get it right. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Apr 2018
Grasp the key concepts of hybrid cloud orchestration
As hybrid cloud becomes increasingly common, organizations need an effective orchestration platform that can seamlessly span public and private infrastructure. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Apr 2018
AWS' managed Kubernetes service faces tough competition in GKE
Amazon's native integration of Kubernetes puts all the major cloud providers on the same playing field, but it's not an even match. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Apr 2018
Hybrid cloud deployment demands a change in security mindset
To fully protect data in a hybrid cloud model, enterprises need to scrutinize integration points, network access controls and the policies they have in place. Continue Reading
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Opinion
29 Mar 2018
Organizations don't have to pick private or public cloud
Organizations don't necessarily have to decide between using a public or private cloud. For some companies, the answer is both. For others, it's neither. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Mar 2018
Mind sensitive data during a hybrid cloud migration
Many organizations fret over the security of sensitive data in hybrid cloud. And while that fear isn't totally irrational, there are solid options to keep your workloads safe. Continue Reading
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News
21 Mar 2018
IBM cloud tools aim to woo the unconvinced
IBM's latest batch of cloud tools aims to help customers deploy and manage workloads on private and public clouds and keep the company at the center of their cloud strategies. Continue Reading
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Conference Coverage
01 Mar 2018
IBM roadmap of cloud, AI-enabled IT drives Think conference
IT operations must absorb automation, AI, machine learning and cloud trends, which result in a more data-driven, predictive and responsive department -- if everything goes right. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Mar 2018
Four things to know before an Azure Stack deployment
Intended to simplify management and development across public and private clouds, Azure Stack looks to address some of IT's biggest hybrid hang-ups. Continue Reading
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News
26 Feb 2018
Hyperscale providers bet big on cloud AI
AI cloud services have emerged as yet another battleground for the hyperscale providers, as they entice data scientists and developers to train their models on their platforms. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Feb 2018
Prepare for hybrid cloud implementation with these key steps
As enterprises mix public and private IT resources, they grapple with app workflows, network connections and more. Here are four ways to alleviate common hybrid cloud challenges. Continue Reading
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Feature
12 Feb 2018
Red Hat CIO talks open hybrid cloud, next-generation IT
Deploying his company's open hybrid cloud product, preparing for next-generation IT, building an 'inclusive meritocracy' -- Red Hat CIO Mike Kelly talks turkey with SearchCIO. Continue Reading
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News
02 Feb 2018
Kubernetes hybrid cloud emerges from Google-Cisco partnership
A Kubernetes partnership from Cisco and Google widens IT pros' container orchestration options in hybrid cloud deployments, but its advantages depend on future software integrations. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Jan 2018
Hybrid cloud migration starts with updating the private cloud
It might seem counterintuitive, but a key part of hybrid cloud adoption is committing the time and resources to updating your private cloud. These steps will set you up for success. 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
16 Jan 2018
The role of HCI in the hyper-converged cloud
HCI and the cloud have virtualization at their cores, which makes the two platforms a good combination for organizations planning a hybrid cloud IT architecture. Continue Reading
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Opinion
11 Jan 2018
Providers continue to push hybrid cloud technologies in 2018
The hybrid cloud market changes rapidly, as major cloud providers release new services to bridge private and public platforms, but for now, management challenges remain. Continue Reading
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News
08 Jan 2018
Microsoft advances Azure hybrid strategy with Avere deal
Microsoft's acquisition of Avere Systems addresses a shortcoming in Azure storage services and could help steal some business from AWS and GCP. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Oct 2017
Use Azure availability sets for patching to achieve the best uptime
Ops' responsibility doesn't end once in a public cloud; in fact, it can get more confounding. Learn the best route to update Azure cloud instances and what mistakes to avoid. 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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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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Feature
22 Mar 2017
Advanced shell scripting for IT ops professionals: Free chapter
Shell scripts can improve speed and automation for sys admins beyond what's possible with graphical user interfaces. Dana French's books cover advanced shell scripting for experienced users. Continue Reading
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News
10 Feb 2017
Cisco joins Microsoft in providing Azure Stack services in UCS server
Cisco and Microsoft have worked together in delivering Azure Stack services through Cisco's UCS server. The new product ships in the third quarter. Continue Reading
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Feature
06 Sep 2016
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
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Answer
20 Jul 2016
How do I prevent an I/O bottleneck in hybrid cloud?
In a hybrid cloud deployment, what are some ways to eliminate I/O bottlenecks that hurt application performance? Continue Reading
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Tip
13 May 2016
Cloud cost management tips for working with multiple vendors
Using more than one cloud has its benefits, but can also get expensive. To manage costs, examine your providers' data access charges, as well as your application design. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Dec 2015
Cloud spending doesn't need to be a guessing game
Shadow IT and tough-to-navigate cloud computing bills make it difficult for organizations to get an accurate picture of cloud costs. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Nov 2015
Reduce hybrid cloud latency with these five tips
With the right workload design and infrastructure changes, organizations can minimize latency and boost hybrid cloud performance. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Jul 2015
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
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Tip
09 Jan 2015
Eight data center technologies to test in the new year
As the hype from 2014 dissipates, the new year rings in hot new technologies. IoE, hybrid clouds and other tech innovations make the data center run more efficiently. Continue Reading
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News
25 Aug 2014
Setup complexity casts shadow on vRealize multi-cloud management
VMware's vRealize Suite enables companies to manage workloads from multiple public cloud providers, but concerns about deployment complexity have experts questioning its success. Continue Reading
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News
25 Jul 2014
Trio of new VMware vCHS features revealed
VMware intends to disclose availability of three major services for vCHS next month -- welcome additions for VMware cloud customers. But industry watchers say the company needs to add much more to compete against AWS, Google and Microsoft. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 May 2014
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
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News
16 Apr 2013
Cloud computing templates give IT teams control
Cloud computing templates can make cloud server builds easier and give IT admins some cloud control. Continue Reading