Cloud Computing Resources

Assess native cloud monitoring tools from top IaaS providers

Monitoring tools from Google, AWS and Azure all share a common goal: help developers optimize application performance. But they also have key differences that users should note. Continue Reading

Cloudlets extend cloud power to edge with virtualized delivery

Cloud computing power for IoT and mobile devices is within reach due to the capabilities of cloudlets, which use virtualization and small data centers to extend computing power. Continue Reading

Design data center redundancy based on cloud outage lessons

Public cloud providers have had catastrophic outages, but IT administrators can learn from cloud redundancy failures and successes -- and apply them to on-premises infrastructures. Continue Reading

Control resource sprawl in multi-cloud architectures

Resource sprawl can occur quickly and easily in a multi-cloud deployment. Learn how to dodge this costly, yet common, issue with these five best practices. Continue Reading

Compare cloud container registries from AWS, Azure and Google

Many developers use the Docker Hub container registry, but there are other options from AWS, Azure and Google. Explore these provider-native registries, and their key differences. Continue Reading

Evaluate 3 cloud-native CI/CD pipeline tools

When it comes to continuous integration and delivery tools, there is no shortage of comparable options -- including those from public cloud providers, such as AWS, Azure and Google. Continue Reading

Cloud-based quantum computing inches slowly toward enterprise

A lot of questions -- and complexity -- still surround quantum computing. But as enterprises eventually ramp up with the technology, most will do so through cloud-based services. Continue Reading

Cloud cost management tools heat up with Apptio sale

Why does private equity firm Vista Equity Partners want to pay nearly $2 billion for IT spend analytics vendor Apptio? Here's a clue: It's the rise of hybrid cloud. Continue Reading

Break down the main features of Azure DevOps Services

DevOps continues to influence how vendors shape their cloud offerings, and this was the case behind Microsoft's recent rebranding of Visual Studio Team Services. Continue Reading

Google Cloud Scheduler brings job automation to GCP

Google's Cloud Scheduler managed service assists with job execution and management for cloud workloads, and it evens another score with AWS and Azure. Continue Reading

A quick quiz on machine learning services in public cloud

From customized hardware to APIs, public cloud providers now tout a wide range of machine learning and AI technologies. How well have you kept up with this rapidly evolving market? Continue Reading

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

CockroachDB managed database service rises into the cloud

The Managed CockroachDB distributed database cloud service targets megascale workloads but faces stiff competition from public cloud players Microsoft, AWS and Google. Continue Reading

Here's what it takes to become a cloud automation engineer

A cloud automation engineer is a challenging role for any IT professional because of the varied requirements. Find out what education, experience and skill sets you need to get the job. Continue Reading

Azure Reserved Instances boost flexibility around VM size

A recent Azure update for Reserved Instances offers enterprises increased flexibility in terms of VM size, but it also comes with some additional management tasks. Continue Reading

Avoid these app design mistakes to save a cloud budget

Certain oversights during app design can increase cloud costs. Dive into the details of four often-overlooked mistakes, and learn how to avoid them to keep your budget in check. Continue Reading

Support for SaaS applications demands a hands-on approach

While they reduce some management burdens for enterprise IT teams, SaaS apps don't exactly run on autopilot, either. Be sure to put a proper support model in place. Continue Reading

Properly configure resources to reduce cloud security threats

Misconfigured cloud resources can quickly open the door to IT risks. Be mindful of access controls, and don't brush off your cloud provider's recommended security practices. Continue Reading

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

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

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

Three events that spooked cloud admins in 2018

So far this year, outages, security breaches and GDPR compliance have haunted cloud admins in the enterprise. Take a closer peek at each of these three big scares. Continue Reading

Understand the ins and outs of private cloud architecture

Private clouds are based on server virtualization, but they aren't the same. Organizations must consider private cloud's specific use cases in comparison to server virtualization. Continue Reading

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

Choose the right workloads for serverless platforms in cloud

Serverless might be the next big thing in cloud, but that doesn't mean it's a fit for all enterprise workloads. See if your requirements align with these common use cases. Continue Reading

AI and machine learning take on cloud security woes

AI-infused technologies continue to target almost all aspects of cloud monitoring and management, including security. But don't assume they're a silver bullet. Continue Reading

AI and machine learning take on cloud security woes

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Can you ace this quiz on cloud computing privacy issues?

Consumers and enterprises are increasingly concerned about data privacy -- with good reason -- and cloud computing introduces a host of new challenges. How well do you know them? Continue Reading

Don't dwell on the nuances of low-code vs. no-code

As more and more business users acquire basic programming skills, enterprises shouldn't get too caught up in the nuances between low-code and no-code platforms. Continue Reading

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

Estimate cloud computing costs prior to app migration

Enterprises should enlist a number of resources, including cost calculators and third-party tools, to assess what they'll pay for cloud computing -- before they start migration. Continue Reading

Containers, cloud orchestration tools rattle DevOps foundation

Any form of virtualization that disconnects infrastructure from apps threatens the foundation of DevOps and could push IT toward more cloud-native and container orchestration tools. Continue Reading

Machine learning tools ease cloud security, log management

Machine learning has increasingly found a home in enterprise cloud management teams, but the technology is still far from being a magic fix for complex tasks, such as multi-cloud cost optimization. Continue Reading

Map out a smooth migration to Azure Resource Manager

As the classic Azure portal becomes outmoded, enterprises need to migrate to ARM -- but the change doesn't always come easy. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth move. Continue Reading

Manage microservices in cloud with these native tools

AWS, Microsoft and Google all offer native resources and tools to support microservices-based architectures, most of which rely heavily on containers and service mesh technology. Continue Reading

Google Stackdriver enhances alerts, adds Kubernetes support

A recent round of updates to Google's monitoring tool gives IT and development teams more options to set up alerts, track usage and support Kubernetes, both in the cloud and on premises. Continue Reading

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

Navigate your options for Oracle cloud certifications

Oracle certifications, including those for cloud, can build foundational knowledge or expand existing IT skills. The first challenge, though, is to find the right training path. Continue Reading

Quiz yourself on cloud-native app development tools

There are many app development tools in the cloud market, including those from top IaaS providers. Take this quiz to gauge your knowledge of some popular native options. Continue Reading

The first 5 steps to build a private cloud infrastructure

To implement a private cloud, IT teams must start at the beginning -- and define what a cloud strategy will mean, exactly, to their organization -- before they proceed. Continue Reading

Cost management the next big issue in multi-cloud computing

Multi-cloud computing continues to make its way into the enterprises and, as it does, introduces some significant cost management challenges. Continue Reading

Single-tenant cloud services help alleviate security concerns

What happens when an enterprise wants the benefits of cloud but without the multi-tenancy? Isolated services are available for those willing to pay. Continue Reading

Serverless platforms limit programming language options

Serverless computing can reduce infrastructure costs and streamline development processes, but don't assume that your programming language of choice will be available. Continue Reading

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

Microsoft embraces Azure cloud platform as its strategic heart

Microsoft's showcase of Azure-based offerings asserts the cloud at the heart of the company's future, and further cements its position against cloud archrival AWS. Continue Reading

Compare IaC tools for hybrid, multi-cloud environments

Infrastructure-as-code tools come in two flavors: third-party and those native to a certain cloud provider. Keep these factors in mind to choose the right one. Continue Reading

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

Learn from these Microsoft's Azure outage postmortem takeaways

Microsoft shed more light on last week's major Azure outage that generally confirm what everyone already knew -  a storm near the Azure South Central US region knocked cooling systems offline and ... Continue Reading

How Azure Cloud Shell can streamline resource management

Azure Cloud Shell's browser-based model frees IT teams from installation headaches but presents some formatting and timeout issues that admins need to watch for. Continue Reading

Azure outage spotlights cloud infrastructure choices

One difference in Microsoft's cloud infrastructure design may have contributed to the extended outage this week in an Azure region that hit a large number of customers. Continue Reading

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

Take responsibility for SaaS application security

Can't keep up with cloud app security hardening? Experts say it's time to implement DevSecOps initiatives and look to third-party security tools and services. Continue Reading

Design a hybrid IT infrastructure with a strategic framework

Hybrid IT demands that IT managers and teams use frameworks, best practices and governance structures to ensure the success of on-premises and cloud deployments. Continue Reading

CloudHealth's Kinsella weighs in on VMware, cloud management

VMware expanded its footprint in cloud management when it acquired CloudHealth Technologies. CloudHealth CTO Joe Kinsella observed the market changes that call for a complex management portfolio. Continue Reading

Open source low-code platforms extend app dev capabilities

Enterprises want their apps to go to market as fast as possible. Low-code platforms accelerate development processes, and with open source, these platforms are more customizable. Continue Reading

Cloud vendor lock-in fears dwindle for enterprises

Vendor lock-in concerns are slowly dissipating as enterprises prioritize functionality and speed to market. Other concerns continue to climb up the list, including skills and compliance. Continue Reading

Accelerate API dev with documentation-driven development

A missing cloud API doesn't mean all work needs to stop. Engineering and development teams can work with a mock API server until the real API is production-ready. Continue Reading

Dig into Azure Kubernetes Service networking options

Enterprises that choose the wrong AKS networking option could face poor performance and higher costs. Evaluate the advantages and limitations of each option before you rush in. Continue Reading

Azure management groups ease policy enforcement

It isn't easy to manage Azure subscriptions, but with management groups, admins can now simplify policy enforcement on a larger scale. Continue Reading

Machine learning services in cloud aim for AI accessibility

Machine learning is a complex technology that requires data science skills. Cloud providers have tried to change that and make AI more accessible. But are those efforts working? Continue Reading

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

Write your first Google Cloud Function with these three tips

To build a serverless function, many developers require a shift in mindset. Use these three tips to create a cost-effective and high-performing function in Google Cloud Platform. Continue Reading

Right-size a cloud VM for better performance, lower costs

Most companies don't pay enough attention to VM selection during cloud app deployment -- which can drive up costs. Follow these steps to right-size a VM and stay within budget. Continue Reading

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

Optimize serverless function performance for faster deployments

Serverless computing offers numerous benefits, but poor performance can negatively affect deployment time. Follow these strategies to fine-tune and optimize serverless functions. Continue Reading

The enterprise will kill cloud innovation -- but that's OK

Hyperscale cloud providers grew incredibly fast and created a whole new way of doing business. That's great, but it's also a problem that needs fixing. Continue Reading

The enterprise will kill cloud innovation -- but that's OK

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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

Compare cloud API management tools from AWS, Azure and Google

While the API management tools from top cloud providers share some functionality, there are key differences that developers -- especially those in a multi-cloud model -- should know. Continue Reading

Establish a data classification model for cloud encryption

Not all data requires the same level of encryption. Use data classification to gauge your security needs, including for workloads that span on-premises and cloud environments. Continue Reading

Legacy roots still hinder Oracle and IBM cloud strategies

As IBM and Oracle look to shift away from legacy systems and hone in on IaaS, it won't be a clean cut. Still, each vendor has its sweet spot in the overall cloud market. Continue Reading

Map application dependencies to prepare for cloud migration

The practices a development team puts in place to manage dependencies before a move to the cloud will determine how smoothly apps run long after they get there. Continue Reading

Nvidia GPU Cloud marries data science and containers

With its GPU Cloud, Nvidia offers a way to deploy data science workloads that span on-premises systems and the public cloud -- with containers playing a big role. Continue Reading

Container security tools pump up the platform

Startups are developing technologies that fill in some of the security gaps, including better controls for container orchestration. Continue Reading

It's time to tap into the business value of cloud computing

With increasing market maturity, all cloud adopters -- not just the Netflixes of the world -- have a chance to translate the technology into a competitive business edge. Continue Reading

What's a cloud migration factory, and how does it work?

When properly implemented -- and understood -- a cloud migration factory combines the right mix of people, processes and tools to smoothly transition an app into the public cloud. Continue Reading

A cloud migration assessment lets IT look before it leaps

Some workloads simply aren't cut out for cloud -- at least not without modification. Here's how to carefully assess your apps for public cloud migration before you make the move. Continue Reading

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

Google seeks enterprise nod with GCP services in IoT, security

Google continues to make strides to catch AWS and Microsoft Azure, with upgrades around edge computing and security. But it won't unseat either competitor anytime soon. Continue Reading

Serverless infrastructure demands new roles for IT admins

Serverless technology is going to disrupt the data center, and IT administrators will need to shift their expertise from management to configuration and from servers to services. Continue Reading

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

Cloud billing surprises help pinpoint app performance issues

To assess cloud app performance, don't forget to closely monitor monthly bills from your IaaS provider. They might point to inefficiencies you'd otherwise overlook. Continue Reading

Choose the best PaaS tool for your app dev needs

Given the vast and rapidly evolving PaaS market, dev teams often struggle to find the tool that's best for them. Use this guide to review key PaaS benefits and provider options. Continue Reading

Evaluate Google Cloud TPUs for machine learning apps

Machine learning apps have prompted a paradigm shift in the world of public cloud. Google is an early market leader with its TPUs and TensorFlow, but can it stay on top? Continue Reading

Microsoft Azure Dev Spaces, Google Jib target Kubernetes woes

Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud both added cloud application development tools that improve and simplify the process of creating apps that run on the respective platforms. Continue Reading

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

Overcome app deployment challenges in a multi-cloud strategy

Looking to adopt a multi-cloud model? Be sure to address these common app deployment, redeployment and scaling challenges first. Continue Reading

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

Google needs to win enterprise confidence at cloud conference

Google Cloud Platform (GCP) has become a more robust and reliable public cloud in recent years but still has nowhere near the enterprise mindshare afforded to fellow hyperscale platforms AWS and ... Continue Reading

Harden cloud apps with a secure software development lifecycle

Wouldn't it be nice if every application were 100% cloud-ready? Unfortunately, that's often not the case, which can lead to security risks down the line if not properly addressed. Continue Reading

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

Assess the pros and cons of leading PaaS tools

Unsure which PaaS provider will best meet your development needs? Dive in to this roundup of common vendor options and the features they offer to simplify that decision. Continue Reading

Google's partner ecosystem remains a work in progress

The Google Cloud ecosystem continues to expand, as Google improves its relationships with third-party vendors and tries to translate its technology to traditional IT shops. Continue Reading

Web app development morphs as apps and websites merge

The lines between web and mobile app and websites are blurring, so development silos are out, and boning up on building progressive web apps and single-page apps is in. Continue Reading

IPaaS tools aim to alleviate app integration troubles

With the rise of hybrid cloud architectures, there's a heightened need for more sophisticated app and data integration tools. IPaaS can help but isn't necessarily a cure-all. Continue Reading

Manage Google cloud instances with images, templates

Recent additions to Google Compute Engine, particularly around images and templates, streamline how admins can create and manage VMs. Continue Reading

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

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

Cloud conferences to pencil in for the second half of 2018

Want to expand your cloud skills, gain industry insights and network with other pros? Consider these conferences and events throughout the second half of the year. Continue Reading

Four signs you need a third-party cloud management platform

In a multi-cloud deployment, IaaS providers' native tools for admins often fall short. These four signs indicate it's time to invest in a third-party cloud management tool. Continue Reading