Cloud infrastructure design and management
Cloud computing delivers numerous benefits, but only if an IT organization is prepared to manage a cloud environment. Proper cloud infrastructure design and management entails an understanding of automation, orchestration, monitoring, compliance, pricing, availability, and other key elements of cloud services.
Top Stories
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News
20 Jan 2023
Latest Google Cloud AI shines spotlight on retail automation
AI-powered automated inventory tracking systems aren't perfect. However, retailers with high rates of lost sales from missing items in stores could still achieve a decent ROI. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Jan 2023
8 tips for building a multi-cloud DevOps strategy
DevOps practices and tools have many benefits for application development, deployment and monitoring in complex IT environments that span multiple clouds. 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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News
14 Nov 2022
VMware adds multi-cloud management tools
VMware debuted HCX+, a managed service for multi-cloud data centers, as well as Kubernetes capabilities for private clouds and more SD-WAN points of presence. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Nov 2022
10 FAQs about cloud computing
Learn the basics of cloud computing with answers to these frequently asked questions. Review the different types of clouds, and see how your company can get started with them. Continue Reading
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Feature
03 Nov 2022
8 key characteristics of cloud computing
Companies rely on the cloud for modern app development. Learn the key features that differentiate cloud computing from traditional, on-premises IT architectures. Continue Reading
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News
18 Oct 2022
Oracle partners can now sell Oracle Cloud as their own
Alloy, a new infrastructure platform, lets partners and Oracle-affiliated enterprises resell OCI to customers in regulated industries or at the edge. Continue Reading
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News
13 Oct 2022
Dell adds Project Frontier for edge, expands HCI with Azure
Dell dropped news at separate events this week -- one that showcased edge management software, another that showed deepening HCI ties with Azure -- but the items are connected. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Oct 2022
Choose the right on-premises-to-cloud migration method
One of the first steps in a cloud migration is to choose a data transfer model. There are two options to consider -- online and offline -- but you need to weigh the pros and cons. Continue Reading
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News
06 Oct 2022
Companies search for ROI from cloud spending
A KPMG survey of 1,000 executives found that two-thirds were reevaluating cloud spending after failing to achieve a significant ROI. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
30 Sep 2022
How to reduce Azure costs via automation
One way for Azure customers to reduce their spending is to be sure VMs deployed in the cloud aren't running when they aren't needed. Automation can help. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
29 Sep 2022
How to set up Azure budget alerts
Azure budget alerts can be configured to your specific needs by customized email notifications regarding financial budgets. Follow this tutorial to get started. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Sep 2022
Implement these 6 Azure cost optimization best practices
From resource tagging to serverless deployments, there are several ways cloud admins can optimize Azure spending to stay within their company's budget. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Sep 2022
Azure cost management tools to control cloud spending
With alerts, cost analysis dashboards and other features, Azure cost management tools can help admins more clearly see their cloud usage and optimize their spending. Continue Reading
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Opinion
06 Sep 2022
Distributed cloud changes IT architecture and planning
With modern applications distributed across multiple platforms and locations, IT organizations must adjust how they confront that greater management complexity. Continue Reading
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News
31 Aug 2022
VMware CEO reveals big changes amid multi-cloud shift
VMware plans to change products, strategic direction and marketing to keep up with customers rushing to deploy multi-cloud architectures. Continue Reading
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News
30 Aug 2022
IBM, VMware to jointly develop services for hybrid clouds
IBM and VMware expanded their long-held partnership with a deal to provide hybrid cloud services and consulting to IT pros in regulated industries. Continue Reading
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News
30 Aug 2022
VMware expands vSphere, vSAN for hybrid cloud enterprises
Updates to VMware's flagship vSphere and vSAN software keep pace with enterprise interest in hybrid cloud infrastructure for applications and workloads. Continue Reading
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News
30 Aug 2022
VMware unveils Aria for multi-cloud management
The Aria product portfolio includes a software console powered by a central data store to deliver a map of the applications running in a multi-cloud environment. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Aug 2022
Break down Azure VM pricing models and discounts
Azure offers three VM pricing models. Learn the benefits and drawbacks of each, which model works best for you and discount options to help you save. Continue Reading
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Guest Post
17 Aug 2022
Tips for smoother, more secure cloud performance
It's easy for an unanticipated glitch to create a significant disruption to a cloud environment. To get around these pitfalls, here are some key things to watch out for. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Aug 2022
Be aware of these CloudWatch Logs limits and quotas
CloudWatch Logs imposes certain limits and service quotas related to log data ingestion and other areas. Fortunately, in many cases, there are workarounds. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Aug 2022
Compare NoSQL database types in the cloud
NoSQL systems are increasingly common in the cloud. Read about the different types of NoSQL databases that are available from major cloud providers and other vendors. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Aug 2022
Gain insights from Azure Advisor recommendations
Microsoft's Azure Advisor service offers recommendations based on five categories. Learn these categories and the roles they play in a cloud management strategy. Continue Reading
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News
12 Jul 2022
Walmart's multi-cloud strategy cuts millions in IT costs
Walmart built its own cloud platform and tied it to two public cloud providers, creating a multi-cloud architecture that saved millions in costs and sped up development tasks. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Jul 2022
Prepare for your FinOps interview with these 9 questions
FinOps promises to help organizations gain more value from their technology spending, especially in the cloud. Do you have the skills to become part of the FinOps team? Continue Reading
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Tutorial
28 Jun 2022
How to create an EC2 instance using PowerShell
PowerShell has practical integrations that provide users with cross-platform capabilities. Get to know prerequisites and resources to create an EC2 instance using PowerShell. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Jun 2022
Why and how to export data from CloudWatch Logs to S3
There are several reasons to export data out of CloudWatch Logs and into S3. Use this step-by-step tutorial to automate the process. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Jun 2022
What are FinOps tools and how do I choose one?
FinOps tools help organizations optimize cloud usage and spend. Review different native and third-party offerings to find the best fit for your needs. Continue Reading
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News
14 Jun 2022
Zadara revs up F1 team's capabilities with edge storage
Alfa Romeo F1 Team Orlen uses Zadara to store and access race and technical data so that it can improve race analysis and mechanical performance. Continue Reading
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Quiz
14 Jun 2022
Quiz yourself on FinOps principles and concepts
FinOps practices can guide an organization toward more effective cloud cost management. How much do you know about key FinOps concepts? Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Jun 2022
11 cloud programming languages developers need to know
How do you choose the cloud programming language that best suits your current and future needs? Explore 11 popular options and their use cases. Continue Reading
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Opinion
07 Jun 2022
What the Broadcom-VMware acquisition means for cloud users
How will the Broadcom acquisition affect VMware's cloud strategy? As-a-service models, observability and partnerships are some key factors to consider. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
25 May 2022
How to deploy an EKS cluster using Terraform
Terraform benefits include scalability, repeatable infrastructure and cost efficiency. Follow this step-by-step tutorial to learn how to deploy an EKS cluster using Terraform. Continue Reading
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News
24 May 2022
Cost savings among the biggest cloud fallacies
Experts at the MIT Sloan CIO Symposium described the advantages that justify the high cost of moving to the cloud while acknowledging the data center is best for some companies. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 May 2022
What is multi-cloud visibility, and how do I achieve it?
It's not always clear how visibility relates to monitoring or observability or how these terms fit together in a multi-cloud environment. Let's sort it out. Continue Reading
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Opinion
18 May 2022
How Dell is changing the multi-cloud equation
IT teams love the freedom to select the cloud services that match their needs and preferences, but this accidental multi-cloud strategy creates organizational complexity. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 May 2022
8 native Google Cloud management tools admins should know
IT teams can use a range of native management and monitoring tools from Google to ensure their public cloud deployments are reliable and cost-effective. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 May 2022
Understand AWS Regions vs. Availability Zones
It's easy to forget about data centers when you run workloads in the cloud. Learn how AWS Regions and Availability Zones differ, and how they affect cloud costs and configurations. Continue Reading
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Feature
05 May 2022
8 ways to reduce cloud costs
Organizations need the right strategies in place to avoid cloud cost pitfalls. Stay within your budget with these cost management best practices. Continue Reading
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Feature
04 May 2022
Explore options for FinOps certifications and training
Receiving a FinOps certification helps individuals develop their cloud financial management skills. Discover training and certification options that can help your resume stand out. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 May 2022
Why and how to enable Azure Backup Instant Restore
Azure Backup Instant Restore has minimal wait time, is set at a modest price and has backup options via policies. Learn how to configure this service to restore failed VMs. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Apr 2022
Follow these examples to use CloudWatch Logs Insights
CloudWatch Logs Insights helps organizations gain insights from a deluge of log data on applications and services. Learn how to implement key features. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
19 Apr 2022
Steps to launch an EC2 instance using AWS CloudFormation
Admins can use AWS CloudFormation templates and resource stacks to deploy an EC2 instance using an infrastructure-as-code approach. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Apr 2022
Key Amazon EKS monitoring best practices
Learn how to monitor Amazon EKS resources through tools such as CloudWatch and Prometheus, as well as worker node and infrastructure monitoring tips to maintain application efficiency. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
06 Apr 2022
Use the AWS CLI to create an EC2 instance
IT admins can use the AWS CLI to launch and manage EC2 instances. Follow these steps to learn how. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Apr 2022
Why and how to create Azure service principals
Service principals let cloud admins control access to Azure resources. Follow this step-by-step example to get started. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Mar 2022
How an AWS multi-region architecture can strengthen DR
Meet AWS outages head on by learning how to build a multi-region architecture that achieves resiliency in the event of disaster. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Mar 2022
Compare high availability vs. fault tolerance in AWS
To achieve high availability and fault tolerance in AWS, IT admins must first understand the differences between the two models. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Mar 2022
Compare Amazon ECS vs. EKS
Amazon ECS and EKS are similar, but their differences are enough to set them apart for AWS users. Learn which best fits your needs in terms of flexibility, pricing and more. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Mar 2022
How to approach cloud compliance monitoring
Compliance monitoring is a critical practice. Learn how to build a cloud compliance monitoring strategy from application design and development to ongoing operations. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Mar 2022
Stay online with these 5 AWS disaster recovery best practices
Solve disasters in an AWS deployment by having a disaster recovery strategy in place. Learn how to pick the right recovery methods and prevent more problems. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Feb 2022
What does a cloud network engineer do?
A cloud network engineer juggles a number of responsibilities -- from network design and troubleshooting to knowledge of specific cloud providers and platforms. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Feb 2022
Apply these FinOps best practices to optimize cloud costs
While there's no one-size-fits-all approach to a FinOps initiative, these established principles and practices will get you started on the right path. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Jan 2022
3 best practices to achieve high availability in cloud computing
High availability is the crucial test of whether a business can continue to access data and applications when things go wrong in a cloud-based IT infrastructure. Continue Reading
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Guest Post
27 Jan 2022
Cloud resiliency: What it is and why it matters
Cloud resiliency is critical to ensure IT services and resources can recover quickly -- and without data loss. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Jan 2022
Implement these 4 Amazon CloudWatch Logs best practices
To improve the reliability of their applications, AWS users might want to consider exporting log data to the cloud for analysis and pattern detection. Continue Reading
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Guest Post
30 Dec 2021
Why re:Invent 2021 spotlighted existing AWS products
Many of AWS' re:Invent announcements highlighted enhancements to existing products, rather than new services. Here's why the cloud provider took that route. Continue Reading
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Opinion
20 Dec 2021
An AWS re:Invent recap: Key services to watch
From container marketplaces to file systems, this year's re:Invent conference was brimming with news. Here are some key takeaways. 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
08 Dec 2021
Cloud TCO: How to calculate cloud total cost of ownership
Unsure what it'll cost to run your workloads in the cloud? Learn the parameters you need to define in order to get up and running and avoid costly surprises. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Dec 2021
Understand the role of an SRE vs. cloud engineer
While SREs can play a distinct role in cloud computing, they don't replace the need for cloud engineers. Learn how the two roles can work together toward reliability goals. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Nov 2021
9 cloud migration security considerations and challenges
Cloud migration may seem daunting to security teams. Follow these essential practices to safely and successfully migrate infrastructure and applications. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Nov 2021
How to use Google's workload identity federation with AWS
Cloud admins struggle to share data between cloud providers. Here are the steps to create a federated identity in Google Cloud, connecting it to AWS in a secure way. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Nov 2021
3 factors that influence multi-cloud cost optimization
Without careful oversight, multi-cloud deployments can be costly. These data management and security practices can help IT teams control and reduce monthly costs. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Nov 2021
PaaS showdown: AWS Elastic Beanstalk vs. Google App Engine
AWS and Google Cloud offer their own flavor of PaaS. While they share some similarities, take a closer look at their core features and use cases before you choose an offering. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Nov 2021
Best practices for endpoint security in the cloud
As the proliferation of cloud services continues, IT teams should revisit -- and potentially revamp -- their endpoint protection strategies. Continue Reading
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News
05 Nov 2021
Kion, formerly Cloudtamer, expands cloud management features
Cloudtamer, a cloud management startup, rebrands as Kion for the platform's 3.0 release. New features include expanded support for Google Cloud Platform and cloud finance tools. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Nov 2021
Where cloud cryptography fits in a security strategy
IT teams face a never-ending challenge as they try to secure data. When that data lives in the cloud, encryption is a key concern. Implement these data encryption tips and tools. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Oct 2021
3 best practices for Amazon S3 cost optimization
Everything a business runs in the cloud costs money, and AWS S3 storage is no exception. Smart AWS users understand how to adjust S3 storage levels to control costs. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Oct 2021
How to negotiate a cloud agreement that works
In a cloud initiative, the difference between disappointment and success is connected to the quality of the contract. Consider these negotiation strategies. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Oct 2021
On premises vs. cloud: The major similarities and differences
An organization deciding whether to run a workload on premises or in the cloud must carefully evaluate security, reliability, costs and other factors -- and ask four key questions. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Sep 2021
How to manage cloud transfer and egress charges
It's expensive -- sometimes shockingly expensive -- to move data out of the cloud. Consider these factors to avoid costly data transfer bills. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
30 Aug 2021
Step-by-step guide on how to create an IAM user in AWS
Learn how to make an AWS IAM user and assign an access policy to the user with a few commands. This detailed tutorial includes screenshots to guide you through the steps. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Aug 2021
Hybrid cloud connectivity best practices and considerations
Private and public clouds stress networks in different ways and don't always play well together. Here's what to know to set up a cost-effective hybrid cloud network architecture. Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Aug 2021
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure targets devs and installed base
Though not the market leader, Oracle remains a feisty competitor in the competitive cloud computing market. Here are some added features and cost incentives introduced thus far. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Aug 2021
Rust rises in popularity for cloud-native apps and environments
Rust is making a name for itself in cloud. See why developers are putting in the effort to adopt the programming language for cloud-native development. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Jul 2021
Key aspects of RPA in the cloud
As more enterprises prioritize automation, RPA seeks to build upon that growth within the cloud sector. Learn why vendors see the technology as an investment in the future. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Jul 2021
4 best practices for big data security in cloud computing
When dealing with vast amounts of data in the cloud, enterprises need to be proactive with security. Don't wait for a threat to happen; apply these best practices first. Continue Reading
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Quiz
15 Jul 2021
Ace the Google cloud engineer certification with this prep
This quick 12-question quiz will help you assess exactly where you stand in your preparation to take the career-making Google Cloud certification exam. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Jul 2021
3 AWS container security best practices
Security is crucial for container-based applications. Learn how to protect AWS container environments with best practices for ECS, EKS and the extension for on-premises deployments. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Jul 2021
6 cloud governance framework principles and challenges
An organization that wants to control its cloud environment should examine how well it adheres to these key pillars of cloud governance. Continue Reading
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Answer
23 Jun 2021
Different types of cloud load balancing and algorithms
Learn how load balancing in the cloud differs from a traditional network traffic distribution, and explore services available from AWS, Google and Microsoft. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Jun 2021
Core Azure networking services you need to know
Network connectivity can make or break a cloud deployment. Discover the basics of Azure network services with this list of key offerings and terms. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Jun 2021
How to create Amazon EC2 security groups
Before setting up security groups for AWS resources, review rules, requirements and potential missteps. Follow these steps to properly configure security groups for EC2 instances. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 May 2021
Try before you buy with free tiers in cloud
Cloud services aren't cheap, and you don't want to get stuck using one that isn't the right fit. This is where the 'try before you buy' options come in. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 May 2021
Understand cloud abstraction for your IT needs
Cloud users must select a cloud abstraction layer that meets their business requirements. Consider factors such as level of control and security when choosing SaaS, PaaS or IaaS. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Apr 2021
How to calculate cloud migration costs before you move
Here's a primer on how to calculate the total cost of a cloud migration and compare your on-premises expenses to what you'll spend on the move. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Apr 2021
Evaluate Azure CLI vs. PowerShell for resource management
Compare two popular resource management tools for Azure -- Azure CLI and PowerShell -- to determine if one, or a combination of both, is right for your cloud environment. Continue Reading
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Quiz
16 Apr 2021
Ready to be a GCP architect? Try this quiz and see
This 10-question quiz, drawn from a new GCP certified professional cloud architect prep guide, helps identify your strengths and weaknesses to improve your odds of passing the exam. Continue Reading
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News
09 Apr 2021
IBM boosts vertical cloud push with financial services cloud
IBM doubles down on its investment in vertical markets, rolling out a financial services cloud that shares workloads with clouds in telecommunications and healthcare. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Mar 2021
A breakdown of core AWS identity services
Given the wide range of organizations that use AWS to power their applications, it's important to understand the options AWS offers to manage access to application components. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Mar 2021
5 bad practices that lead to insecure APIs in cloud computing
API security often feels complicated. However, your IT team will go a long way in securing its services if it avoids these common pitfalls in API design and implementation. Continue Reading
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Answer
18 Mar 2021
Compare Azure Firewall vs. NSGs for network security
Traffic to and from resources needs proper security to protect data, but the wrong tool could leave you vulnerable. Explore these two services to find the right level of protection. Continue Reading
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News
17 Mar 2021
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure adds next-gen AMD EPYC instances
Oracle hopes new AMD EPYC instance types that deliver more performance at the same price as the previous generation can bring more attention to its IaaS. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
10 Mar 2021
A better way to query DynamoDB data with SQL
Not everything is a one-click solution. Review two ways to query DynamoDB with SQL, as well as what these methods reveal about AWS' future as the top cloud provider. Continue Reading
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Guest Post
22 Feb 2021
Build a cloud resiliency strategy with these best practices
Implement these tips and strategies to minimize downtime and support resiliency in your cloud-based organization. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Feb 2021
6 cloud vulnerabilities that can cripple your environment
Enterprises can be devastated by security-related weaknesses or flaws in their cloud environments. Find out where you are most vulnerable before an attacker comes knocking. Continue Reading
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News
02 Feb 2021
Pandemic cloud migration push to have lasting impact
Enterprises boosted their investments in cloud computing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even if vaccines resolve the crisis, COVID-19's influence will linger in the cloud market. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Jan 2021
Cloud infrastructure automation: When and where to use it
Manual tasks are time consuming and can lead to mistakes. Free up your IT teams and ensure an error-free environment by adding automation to these cloud processes. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Jan 2021
How to choose between IaaS and SaaS cloud models
Even if you already moved a few workloads to the cloud, it's never too early to start looking at where you are going and never too late to make a change. See if IaaS or SaaS is the right service model for your organization. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Jan 2021
COVID-19 and remote work shift cloud predictions for 2021
If we learned anything from 2020, it's to expect the unexpected. Yet that doesn't stop analysts from trying to predict what's to come in the world of cloud computing this year. Continue Reading