Cloud infrastructure

Quiz: VMware vCloud Suite components and integration

Do you know vCloud Suite components? Or how these pieces integrate with vSphere? Take our quiz and find out just how cloud-savvy you are.Quiz

Interest in private clouds grows as market matures

Growing interest in private clouds reflects an improved understanding of cloud computing among IT pros, experts say.News | 24 May 2013

Converging private PaaS, IaaS: The next generation of private cloud

Most IT pros build private clouds using IaaS but forget to consider developers. Convergence with private PaaS could meet needs, but not for all apps.Podcast

desktop as a service (DaaS)

Desktop as a service (DaaS), also called virtual desktop or hosted desktop, is the outsourcing of a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) to a third party service provider.Definition

Applying cloud stack features to a private cloud

As cloud software matures, enterprise customers are frustrated that new features show promise, yet aren't associated with the enterprise buyer.Tip

Cloud control freaks must let go of responsibility

Traditional IT managers are hungry for control, but as public cloud benefits trump even private clouds, enterprises must learn to let go of responsibility.Podcast

Examining hybrid data center decision points

Choosing a hybrid data center can invite complexity, but add flexibility and resilience. There are pros and cons and some important decision points to consider when going hybrid.News | 09 May 2013

Examining hybrid data center decision points

Fitting together hybrid cloud's public and private cloud pieces

Cloud market maturity means options for IT. To create an efficient hybrid cloud, IT pros must mix and match the best public and private cloud choices.Tip

Private clouds considered a detour on the road to public cloud

Private cloud has its benefits, but some say the cost of maintaining a data center should dissuade companies from investing in more infrastructure.News | 18 Apr 2013

Is cloud-based storage the right option for you?

Cloud-based storage has become a viable, cost-effective alternative to onsite data backup. But it's not right for every company.Tip

How a cloud migration affects existing data center infrastructure

When preparing for a cloud migration, don't overlook configuration management, network implications or storage, or the move may not be worth the cost.Tip

Business continuity moves to the cloud as applications become resilient

Business continuity may be taking on a new flavor as the cloud gains prominence. Application resiliency is key to building an elastic infrastructure.Feature

A cost-driven view of cloud data storage

Cloud storage costs can be a blow to an enterprise's cloud adoption plans. These strategies can help you line up storage options to your advantage.Tip

Define a cloud storage policy that balances risks and cost

Creating a cloud storage policy can balance the risk of data loss with the cost of storing too much for too long.Tip

The basics of cloud-based data storage

Public cloud can offer near-limitless storage, though it’s not always the right choice. Storing the wrong type of data there has its consequences.Tip

Planning and testing cloud-based disaster recovery

Cloud-based disaster recovery can be less expensive and faster than traditional DR -- and it could protect your enterprise when all hell breaks loose.Tip

Amazon attempts to win over enterprises with cloud storage gateway

Facing reluctance from enterprises to adopt public cloud services, Amazon tries to entice them by bridging private and public data storage models.News | 29 Jan 2012

Quiz: VMware vCloud Suite components and integration

Do you know vCloud Suite components? Or how these pieces integrate with vSphere? Take our quiz and find out just how cloud-savvy you are.Quiz

Virtual private clouds look to ease enterprise security, privacy fears

Vendors such as Amazon and SugarCRM bow to increasing pressure from enterprises to make cloud computing more secure and highly available.News | 10 Apr 2013

What's the difference between a private cloud and a virtual data center?

While virtualization is key to private cloud, the two are not synonymous. Features such as self-service provisioning will take your virtual data center to cloud.Answer

Virtual private clouds offer customers SLA security

Virtual private clouds can get the best of both the public and private cloud worlds, some enterprises say.News | 23 Jan 2013

Amazon reaches out to enterprise IT at re:Invent cloud conference

Enterprise IT has long feared data security in the cloud, but the AWS re:Invent cloud conference made it clear Amazon was gunning for the business.News | 04 Jan 2013

Understanding your options for outsourcing IT

The terms MSP, cloud, colocation and hosting are often used interchangeably, but they're far from the same. Know the differences when outsourcing IT.Feature

Amazon reaches out to enterprise IT at re:Invent cloud conference

Understanding your options for outsourcing IT

How cloud computing, tablets will reshape the desktop

The cloud and tablets both have sizable benefits for enterprises. Aligning the two can change the way you think about desktops.Tip

VMware and EMC align forces in cloud application development, big data

VMware and EMC's new Pivotal Initiative combines the two companies' cloud application development and big data efforts under a new organization.News | 04 Dec 2012

Colocation facility selection requires careful planning

In part two of a series on choosing a data center colocation facility, find out how to compare features accurately.Column

Understanding your options for outsourcing IT

The terms MSP, cloud, colocation and hosting are often used interchangeably, but they're far from the same. Know the differences when outsourcing IT.Feature

Amazon Redshift data warehouse sparks buzz among IT pros

Amazon Redshift can run for as little as $1000 per terabyte per year, which could prove a toothsome temptation for enterprises.News | 29 Nov 2012

How will the use of InfiniBand affect the cloud computing market?

Enterprises are turning to InfiniBand for a high-speed, high-density networking option in the cloud. How will that affect the cloud market?Answer

Coordinating cloud management between providers and the enterprise

Cloud management is most effective when an enterprise has a window into a cloud provider's platform. Some last-ditch efforts may uphold performance.Tip

How do you know your provider is following through on its cloud SLA?

You may be happy with the cloud SLA you've signed, but that's only Step 1. Pick a management system to check up on your cloud provider.Tip

plane (in networking)

A plane, in a networking context, is one of three integral components of a telecommunications architecture. These three elements -- the data plane, the control plane and the management plane – can be thought of as different areas of operations. Each plane carries a different type of traffic and is conceptually (and often in reality) an overlay network (a telecommunications network that runs independently on top of another one, although supported by its infrastructure).Definition

Enterprise skepticism remains despite cloud benefits, growth

Some companies are convinced virtualization suffices, or that clouds aren’t secure. That may not be true -- and it may cost them in the long run.News | 17 Sep 2012

Netflix Chaos Monkey tool protects against cloud failure, outages

Netflix releases the first of an 'army' of test tools meant to proactively break your cloud before an outage does.News | 15 Aug 2012

Primary factors for migrating VMs to the cloud

Cloud may seem to change everything, but the issues aren't new. Looking closely at virtual-to-cloud migration, it's more like a throwback to P2V days.Tip

Citrix pitches cloud credentials to IT faithful

Citrix is ready to claim serious cloud credentials, and it will not be ignored. This camel's nose has pushed its way into the tent through XenDesktop and shows no signs of stopping.News | 20 May 2011

storage container

A storage container is a defined, specific location in high-volume storage. It resembles a folder (or directory) in a computer's file system, although there are some differences in the way files are handled.Definition

Reducing cloud storage costs from BI, real data analysis

BI and data analytics are promising cloud apps, but data storage costs halt enterprise adoption. Data abstraction and other processes can cut costs.Tip

Is cloud-based storage the right option for you?

Cloud-based storage has become a viable, cost-effective alternative to onsite data backup. But it's not right for every company.Tip

How a cloud migration affects existing data center infrastructure

When preparing for a cloud migration, don't overlook configuration management, network implications or storage, or the move may not be worth the cost.Tip

What questions should I ask cloud storage providers before signing an SLA?

Do you know what to ask your cloud storage provider to ensure your data is accessible and safe? Here's a rundown of what do before settling on a vendor.Answer

With server end of life near, is cloud computing the answer?

As server end of life nears, public cloud entices SMBs that don't want to invest more capital expenses. But will cloud security be strong enough?Answer

Microsoft plays 'follow the leader,' cuts Azure cloud storage costs

In a move to remain competitive, after Amazon and Google cut cloud storage rates, Microsoft follows suit, slashing Azure storage by 28%.News | 06 Dec 2012

What's the difference between Amazon S3 and Amazon CloudFront?

Storing large files in the cloud has its advantages, and Amazon S3 and Amazon CloudFront are two seemingly identical options. What's the difference?Answer

News in review: Amazon Glacier puts the freeze on tape

As archiving needs grow, IT teams are trying to figure out whether it’s time to ditch tape and move to cloud archiving services. Amazon has waded into the market with its Glacier service.News | 15 Nov 2012

News in review: Amazon Glacier puts the freeze on tape

VMware to compete against AWS with vCloud Hybrid Cloud Service

VMware's upcoming vCloud Hybrid Cloud Service will go up against Amazon Web Services for the hearts and minds of enterprise IaaS customers.News | 13 Mar 2013

VMware preps vCloud-based public cloud service

VMware is preparing to launch its own vCloud public cloud service, which some industry watchers consider a Hail Mary pass to compete with AWS.News | 07 Mar 2013

VMware and EMC align forces in cloud application development, big data

VMware and EMC's new Pivotal Initiative combines the two companies' cloud application development and big data efforts under a new organization.News | 04 Dec 2012

VMware to merge cloud and server virtualization suites

The fusion of VMware vCloud with vCenter Operations and Server has already begun with version 5.1, but sources say further integration is coming.News | 28 Aug 2012

New cloud integration, tools let IT pros mix and match platforms

IT managers have more cloud options thanks to increasingly flexible management tools, though much of the technology has yet to be proven.News | 28 Aug 2012

VMware attempts to win vCloud customers with paid eval service

VMware tries to jump-start its public cloud with a simple test-drive service, but it’s unclear if it will make the vCloud engine roar to life.News | 16 Aug 2012

VMware's Nicira acquisition adds fuel to its cloud management fire

VMware acquires Nicira and is expected to integrate it with its other cloud products, giving customers a flexible cloud management platform.News | 25 Jul 2012

Will a VMware cloud spin-off follow the CEO shift?

VMware has made several moves recently to broaden its market base beyond virtualization. Could a cloud-focused spin-off be next?News | 20 Jul 2012

Microsoft shops to get Azure cloud features in Windows Server 2012

Microsoft says new additions coming to make Windows Server 2012 into a "cloud OS" platform for hosting customers.News | 13 Jul 2012

VMware cloud management goes multi-hypervisor with DynamicOps buy

After insisting it wouldn’t go there, VMware went there; with its DynamicOps purchase, VMware offers cloud management for third-party hypervisors.News | 03 Jul 2012

Private cloud computing projects: The next frontier

You’ve done the research and know what you want. You want a private cloud. These best practices will help you take private cloud to the next level.Tip

Private cloud computing over the wide area network

Stephen Smoot, author of “Private Cloud Computing,” answers questions WAN managers may have about private cloud computing over the wide area network.Q&A | 01 Dec 2011

Limiting the effects of cloud computing outages

After making the case for cloud based on high availability, IT pros are upset by cloud outages. With planning, there are ways to craft a strategy.Tip

Are your cloud applications performing as they should?

As enterprises put mission-critical apps into cloud, performance takes a front seat. Performance monitoring tools are useful but not the only answer.Tip

How a cloud migration affects existing data center infrastructure

When preparing for a cloud migration, don't overlook configuration management, network implications or storage, or the move may not be worth the cost.Tip

How to optimize network bandwidth for the cloud

Cloud elasticity means little if your network can't handle the workload. Enterprise IT must understand users and traffic to ensure cloud apps deliver.Answer

Verizon Terremark CTO: VMware is 'suspect number one' in cloud vendor lock-in

Verizon Terremark's CTO talks hybrid clouds, cloud brokers and cloud portability, and he shares his concerns about vendors that hold back the market.News | 21 Dec 2012

The role of software-defined networks in cloud computing

Software-defined networking can be difficult to define. Understanding SDN models is key for enterprises trying to properly position cloud services.Tip

Getting your bearings on the basics of cloud networking

Cloud and networking are two complicated technologies that often leave IT admins asking tough questions. Here are a few common head scratchers.FAQ

Three hurdles of data portability with multiple cloud providers

Moving apps from on-premises to cloud or from one cloud provider to another won't happen overnight. And these three obstacles can halt it completely.Tip

Virtual WAN optimization could speed public cloud adoption

When going to the cloud, you could send data across town or across the ocean. Distance affects performance; virtual WAN optimization tools can help.Feature

Keys to integrated cloud application management

Seamless cloud application management isn’t a pipe dream. By following a few steps, cloud admins can monitor cloud app performance from one interface.Tip

Red Hat 2013: Conference coverage news

Get the latest news from the Red Hat 2013 summit with coverage on mobile, cloud and all things open source.Essential Guide

Red Hat Open Hybrid Cloud aids private, public cloud management

Hardware, virtualization, public and private cloud are all converging and need to be managed as one environment. Enter Red Hat's Open Hybrid Cloud.News | 14 Jun 2013

Proposed IaaS marketplace leaves IT pros scratching heads

A proposed marketplace for IaaS left some IT pros wondering about its practicality and just how one would achieve alignment from vendors.News | 12 Jun 2013

Cloud computing market innovation cannibalized by large IT providers

While the cloud computing market is in no immediate danger of saturation, the lack of innovation among the big cloud players is troubling.Tip

Pharma company sings praises of its public cloud migration

AMAG Pharmaceuticals eliminated its data center in 2008 for public cloud, and now enjoys the ability to hire and fire cloud vendors at will.News | 11 Jun 2013

IBM BlueMix a daunting combo of DevOps and IaaS

IBM touts a grand vision for unifying DevOps with automated IaaS, but the concept is still in early beta and the market is nowhere near ready for it.News | 11 Jun 2013

Can government overcome the roadblocks to standardized cloud adoption?

Australia launches a cloud strategy while the U.S. still lags behind. How can governments overcome compliance and security woes on the path to cloud?Podcast

SoftLayer users may end up on OpenStack following IBM's acquisition

SoftLayer customers may have to make a choice down the road as IBM looks to pump its OpenStack R&D into SoftLayer's CloudStack-based infrastructure.News | 04 Jun 2013

Windows Azure Media Services gives YouTube junkies a new outlet

Enterprises need only look to YouTube's stats to see the value of video. Windows Azure Media Services has the benefits of video with more control.Tip

High expectations, lack of innovation thwart cloud market progress

A stream of products hitting the shelves may be hiding a secret in the cloud market: Providers' lack of innovations means the industry has hit a rut.Podcast

Open source projects roll into cloud market under AWS' shadow

Open source projects haven't yet taken over the cloud market, but their innovations and cost benefits would be foolish for vendors to ignore.News | 06 Jun 2013

SoftLayer users may end up on OpenStack following IBM's acquisition

SoftLayer customers may have to make a choice down the road as IBM looks to pump its OpenStack R&D into SoftLayer's CloudStack-based infrastructure.News | 04 Jun 2013

Open source projects roll in to cloud market under AWS' shadow

As SAP enters cloud space, Google takes it to the next level

SAP HANA may raise obstacles for enterprise software users, but, like Google, it's trying to move forward with next-gen cloud technologies.Podcast

Building a cloud ecosystem with open source software

The open source community fosters innovation in the name of cloud. OW2's Cédric Thomas talks of 'coopitition' and the open source cloud revolution.Fifteen minutes in cloud

The promise and perils of open source clouds

As cloud computing has developed, open source software has become a cornerstone of the model, which emphasizes homogeneity among infrastructure resources.

But just as open source has its share of advantages for cloud projects, it also has its downsides. The idea of a license-free or lower-cost option can be enticing to budget-conscious IT departments, but the do-it-yourself nature of open source can be a major disadvantage for some shops. And just because a tool or platform is open source does not ensure integration and portability between cloud environments and so on. So too, many proprietary options offer the advantages of open source because they are built on open source code, but they lack some of its liabilities in terms of lack of support or problems with ease of use. In this handbook on open source and the cloud, we look at open source options, the benefits and liabilities, as well as the pros and cons of proprietary models.

We explore some of the key issues shaping the market, the tools available and how data centers make use of and contend with open source issues.E-Handbook

Applying cloud stack features to a private cloud

As cloud software matures, enterprise customers are frustrated that new features show promise, yet aren't associated with the enterprise buyer.Tip

OpenStack Summit review: What's hot and what's missing

Cloud expert David Linthicum sits down with Cloud Technology Partners' Beth Cohen to discuss the OpenStack Summit highlights and what's still missing.Cloud Computing Weekly

OpenStack cloud users share pros and cons

OpenStack users including Bloomberg, Samsung, Best Buy, and others discuss pain points and benefits of their deployments using the open source cloud.News | 17 Apr 2013

Manual OpenStack upgrades remain labor-intensive

OpenStack upgrades need to be easier, given how often new versions of the open source cloud management platform are released, IT pros say.News | 16 Apr 2013