Cloud infrastructure monitoring
To make informed cloud management decisions, IT teams first need to collect and analyze relevant data from a deployment. The tips and expert advice in this section shed light on how to choose a cloud infrastructure monitoring tool, define the right metrics to track, and set up effective alerts and dashboards.
Top Stories
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Tip
20 Dec 2021
Increase cloud visibility with these 4 best practices
Cloud environments are complex and have many moving parts. Implement a cloud visibility strategy to track those moving parts and prevent cost, performance and security issues. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Sep 2021
How to use Google Cloud Operations suite
Follow along to set up Google Cloud Operations' Monitoring and Logging services, try Google's Monitoring Query Language and automate dashboard creation with the API. Continue Reading
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News
24 Sep 2018
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
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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
13 Sep 2018
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
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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
31 Aug 2018
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
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Feature
30 Aug 2018
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
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Tip
30 Aug 2018
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
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Tip
30 Aug 2018
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
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Tip
29 Aug 2018
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
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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
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
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Tip
20 Aug 2018
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
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Opinion
31 Jul 2018
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
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Answer
31 Jul 2018
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
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Tip
30 Jul 2018
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
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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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Tip
29 Jun 2018
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
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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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Blog Post
28 Jun 2018
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
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Tip
28 Jun 2018
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
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Opinion
21 Jun 2018
Avoid runaway costs to keep a cloud budget in check
Wasteful spending is still a prominent issue for enterprises in the cloud. Admins need to do their homework -- before migration -- to rein in runaway cloud costs. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Jun 2018
Multi-cloud data backup: Choices and challenges
With many organizations putting data in more than one cloud, multi-cloud backup has become an important element of protection. Organizations should tread carefully. Continue Reading
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Feature
05 Jun 2018
Let cloud orchestration tools do the hard work
A smart cloud strategy requires a smart automation strategy. These steps will help position your cloud to benefit from automation and orchestration technologies. Continue Reading
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Guide
31 May 2018
An OpenStack management guide for the enterprise
The OpenStack platform brings unique management challenges for IT teams. Use this essential guide to break down the key do's and don'ts of OpenStack management in the enterprise. Continue Reading
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Feature
24 May 2018
Cloud certifications play supporting role in IT hiring decisions
Certifications that are specific to a particular cloud provider are a great way for IT professionals to grow their foundational knowledge, but they shouldn't stop there. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 May 2018
Don't let scalability ruin a cloud cost management strategy
Scalability is one of the cloud's biggest advantages, but misuse of the feature can cost you. Pay special attention to these three rules to avoid unwanted billing surprises. Continue Reading
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News
18 May 2018
IT pros test out fresh crop of serverless monitoring tools
Serverless monitoring is still more of an art than a science, but tools that offer comprehensive insight into serverless infrastructure dependencies are in development. 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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News
09 May 2018
Azure Cosmos DB flexes joints for multiple data stores
Microsoft added multi-master write replication and more granular cost controls to Cosmos DB to cover the broadest number of uses in the hotly competitive managed database market. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 May 2018
Cloud billing APIs enable greater cost transparency
No enterprise wants to be surprised by its cloud computing bill. And, even as providers offer more visibility into users' costs through APIs and other tools, obstacles remain. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 May 2018
Windows Server pricing muddies purchasing decision process
As the cost of Windows Server continues to rise with each new version, enterprises must evaluate whether the price of admission for the latest enhancements is too much to bear. 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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Opinion
27 Apr 2018
The best multi-cloud strategy is to just ignore the hype
Vague vendor and analyst definitions for multi-cloud only confuse business leaders and put IT professionals in a precarious position. Continue Reading
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News
26 Apr 2018
GDPR compliance requirements don't come cheap
GDPR has more teeth than any previous data privacy directive, but that looming threat hasn't motivated many companies to get their audit trail in order. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Apr 2018
Users demand more from containers in cloud
Technology is always advancing, but it needs to march in the direction that users want. Containers are maturing, but plenty of IT pros still want more from the technology. Continue Reading
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Opinion
19 Apr 2018
Serverless technology obfuscates workflows, performance data
Serverless and microservices reshape the application stack into something that looks like a swath of stars in the sky. How do you find a slow, misconfigured component in this interconnected galaxy? Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Apr 2018
Single pane of glass for multi-cloud management still elusive
Unified management for multi-cloud remains a work in progress. Vendors have yet to produce the perfect single-pane-of-glass tool -- and some IT teams can't afford to wait for one. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Apr 2018
Compare management options for Google Kubernetes Engine
Google supports various management options for its Kubernetes Engine service, and while each has its pros and cons, you should base your decision largely on experience. 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
- 12 Apr 2018
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Feature
09 Apr 2018
Brace your IT operations team for a cloud migration
A cloud migration isn't as easy as some providers suggest. Use these five tips to prep your IT ops teams for the big management and support changes that lie ahead. Continue Reading
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Opinion
30 Mar 2018
Azure Migrate aims to attract VMware workloads to the cloud
A new Azure service removes a lot of the guesswork for IT teams that want to move VMs to Microsoft's public cloud. But will a lack of early support from VMware hurt its appeal? Continue Reading
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Definition
28 Mar 2018
AWS Cost Management
AWS Cost Management is a collection of tools that provide insight into Amazon Web Services (AWS) public cloud cost and usage. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Mar 2018
Simplify multi-cloud management with two abstraction models
To streamline management and reduce complexity in a multi-cloud model, enterprises can turn to two abstraction techniques: resource and orchestration. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Mar 2018
Six simple cloud security policies you need to know
Data protection takes center stage in modern IT. Step through this cloud security checklist to ensure your organization is covering all its bases. Continue Reading
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Quiz
07 Mar 2018
Can you choose the right tools to manage Azure resources?
Azure continues to evolve its tool set to simplify cloud monitoring and management for admins. Take this brief quiz to see how much you know about these tools' capabilities. Continue Reading
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Answer
26 Feb 2018
Explore the revert-to-snapshot feature in OpenStack Cinder
OpenStack Cinder has added a revert-to-snapshot function, enabling enterprises to recover from corrupted data sets. However, if the feature falls into the wrong hands, risks arise. Continue Reading
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Guide
23 Feb 2018
Prepare and manage enterprise apps for an IaaS model
A growing number of businesses see the value in infrastructure as a service. But without careful app migration and management practices, the benefits of cloud can be lost. Continue Reading
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Feature
22 Feb 2018
Multi-cloud management still a work in progress for IT teams
Multi-cloud deployments are a mixed bag, providing both business value and complex management challenges. Fortunately, a number of third-party management tools can help. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Feb 2018
Bare-metal cloud services lure legacy workloads off premises
For some enterprises, bare-metal services in the cloud act as a crucial steppingstone to an IaaS deployment, and providers, including IBM, Oracle and AWS, have taken notice. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Feb 2018
Structure public cloud accounts for optimal resource tracking
As enterprises move to public IaaS or broaden their existing deployments, cloud account management gets tricky. Follow this example to find the structure that works best for you. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Feb 2018
SaaS support challenges IT ops admins to shift gears
SaaS means no more app support, right? In practice, IT ops teams enter a new realm of upgrade management and capacity planning when their user base migrates to a SaaS offering. Continue Reading
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News
15 Feb 2018
VMware acquisition continues move toward cloud security
VMware cloud security tools will get a boost from the company's acquisition of CloudCoreo, a security and management startup focused on cloud deployments. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Feb 2018
User self-service challenges mount in multi-cloud computing
Self-service provisioning presents challenges with a single cloud provider, and a multi-cloud strategy only magnifies those issues, as IT seeks to integrate multiple interfaces. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Jan 2018
Compare managed Kubernetes services from AWS and Azure
AWS and Azure have both rolled out a managed service for Kubernetes, and while their overall aim is the same, there are key differences users should note. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Jan 2018
Prep an OpenStack private cloud for a multi-cloud deployment
Enterprises with an OpenStack private cloud can still jump on the multi-cloud bandwagon. But they should prepare for challenges around data management and platform compatibility. Continue Reading
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Answer
29 Jan 2018
How can cloud management apps organize data across clouds?
If you need to pull together different data sets, cloud management apps can track information workloads across multiple clouds and present the data in a simplified way. 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
23 Jan 2018
Google cloud features evolve to turn up the heat on AWS
Google made several moves in 2017 in an attempt to close the gap between itself and market leader AWS. But will those efforts be enough to win over new customers? Continue Reading
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Quiz
22 Jan 2018
Gauge your knowledge of cloud providers' AI technologies
As enterprise interest grows, major cloud providers continue to unveil machine learning and AI services. See how much you know about their offerings with this brief quiz. Continue Reading
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News
16 Jan 2018
Meltdown-Spectre bugs hit cloud usage less than first feared
IT shops expected their cloud usage to flag due to recent chip bugs, but most environments survived the patches unscathed. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Jan 2018
Master the basics of Azure Automation
Automation offers a more efficient, hands-off approach to public cloud management. Explore the basics of Azure's automation service and the role of runbooks. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Dec 2017
Crack open Google Cloud Shell for infrastructure management
Shell commands and Bash scripts have been a staple of system administration, and for those who still prefer that management approach, Cloud Shell on GCP might be worth a look. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Nov 2017
Cloud data backup services minimize outage, security risks
Backups are critical in any cloud strategy, but where you store that data is just as important. Explore these automated backup tools and services to avoid risks later. Continue Reading
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Answer
27 Oct 2017
Use OpenStack Senlin, Heat templates to enable autoscaling
As it is with other cloud platforms, autoscaling in OpenStack is important to meet changing workload demands. Here's how to enable that process with Senlin and Heat templates. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Oct 2017
Compare two types of cloud automation and orchestration tools
There are two camps of tools for automation and orchestration in cloud: provider-native and third-party. To pick the right one, know your future needs, especially for multi-cloud. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Oct 2017
Master Azure subscriptions with these key concepts and terms
Azure's subscription structure lets admins break out responsibility for billing and resource management. But first, they need to know concepts such as accounts and departments. Continue Reading
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Definition
10 Oct 2017
CloudCheckr
CloudCheckr is a vendor that provides a cloud management platform intended to give an organization more control over and visibility into its cloud computing costs, performance and security. 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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Opinion
20 Jul 2017
A serverless architecture could live in your data center
Just because you don't see the server doesn't mean it's not there. Serverless frameworks are superseding containers, but is the extra abstraction worth it? Continue Reading
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Guide
06 Jun 2017
Optimize your public cloud cost management strategy
Businesses often tout lower costs as a benefit of public cloud, but without proper management and monitoring, costs can climb quickly. Learn how to keep your spending in check. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 May 2017
Choose the best public cloud instances for your apps and budget
Cloud computing instances can make or break application performance -- and costs. Evaluate your workloads to determine the right instance type and size before deployment. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Apr 2017
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
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Opinion
05 Apr 2017
Cloud visibility goal of Ixia CloudLens software update
Ixia takes aim at cloud visibility with its new CloudLens Public for tracking cloud performance. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Mar 2017
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
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Answer
27 Feb 2017
Are there IT jobs in cloud capacity management?
If a company moves only 30% of workloads from its data center to the public cloud, that will reduce IT ops demand. Is there still a role for the ops engineer? Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Feb 2017
Get started with the Azure API Management service
APIs are vital to open the communication lines between cloud apps, and proper management of those APIs is also critical. Learn how Azure's API service can kick start that process. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Feb 2017
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
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Tip
16 Jan 2017
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
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Tip
09 Jan 2017
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
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Tip
09 Nov 2016
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
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Tip
29 Sep 2016
How do I determine which OpenStack version I have?
Figuring out the OpenStack release or version running in your organization isn't as easy as it sounds. What are some quick tips to find that information? Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Sep 2016
Use cloud auto scaling, tagging to give unneeded resources the boot
Auto scaling services help admins identify underused resources and reduce public cloud costs. Learn how load balancing and tagging can maximize those benefits. Continue Reading
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Answer
09 Sep 2016
How can we customize the OpenStack Horizon dashboard?
Admins can use the OpenStack Horizon dashboard to deploy and manage cloud services. But what are some options for customizing the dashboard's view? Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Jul 2016
Control the costs of cloud storage with these five steps
Your cloud storage could be costing you more than it should. Follow these five steps to identify and eliminate any unnecessary cloud storage fees. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Jul 2016
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
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Tip
12 Jul 2016
Tips and tools to manage Azure roles, access controls
Azure Resource Manager has a complete, but complex, set of role-based access controls that let admins create policies to manage who can access Azure cloud services. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Apr 2016
How to effectively work with multiple cloud providers
Before working with multiple cloud providers, evaluate their services for compute, storage, security and more. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Mar 2016
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
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Tip
25 Jan 2016
Managing containers requires right mix of tools, IT skills
Choosing the right tool is only the first step when building a container management strategy. Continue Reading
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Answer
22 Jan 2016
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
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Answer
07 Jan 2016
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
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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
22 Oct 2015
Five things to know to land a cloud architect job
Demand for cloud architects is growing in the enterprise, but competition for jobs is tough. Here are five questions to help you ace a cloud architect interview. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Sep 2015
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
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Tip
14 Sep 2015
Three issues that hinder cloud computing API performance
APIs can be critical to a cloud application's success. But if poorly designed, they can also be a big headache for cloud providers, developers and users. Continue Reading
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News
01 Jun 2015
Ooyala achieves multi-cloud management with DIY elbow grease
An AWS early adopter branched out into Azure and OpenStack while avoiding "sticky" shared services and incorporating open source automation tools. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 May 2015
Avoid strapped IT budgets with cloud cost optimization
Many businesses expect cloud to be cheaper, but cost-efficiency is no guarantee. To reap cloud's financial rewards, devise a cost optimization plan. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Dec 2014
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