Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

Cloud infrastructure monitoring

• 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

• 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

• Implement a data purge strategy to reduce public cloud costs

  When you hold on to old data, cloud storage costs can become increasingly steep. Learn to let go with a formal policy for cloud data purges.  Continue Reading

• 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

• Implement cloud storage snapshots to protect critical data

  Storage snapshots act almost like a rewind feature for admins, enabling them to roll back to uncorrupted versions of data. Unfortunately, they aren't as simple as hitting a button.  Continue Reading

• OpenStack Kolla looks to smooth container deployment process

  Containers are a hot technology, and the OpenStack platform continues to evolve to support them. But where does the Kolla service fit into the OpenStack container picture?  Continue Reading

• What are some warnings signs I need bigger cloud computing instances?

  Choosing a cloud instance is not an easy task, and picking the wrong size can cost you in the long run. What are some red flags that suggest I need a larger instance type?  Continue Reading

• Manage hybrid cloud policies with the right set of templates, tools

  The rising adoption of hybrid cloud has prompted admins to rethink their management strategies. What tools can help create and manage user policies for hybrid cloud?  Continue Reading

• How do I invoke Azure runbooks with a webhook?

  Runbooks help admins automate certain processes within the Azure cloud. But what capabilities do I gain if I kick-off Azure runbooks through a webhook?  Continue Reading

• How can I reduce private cloud costs during and after deployment?

  Whether using OpenStack, Azure Stack, or another private cloud platform, there are a number of hardware and tuning decisions IT pros can make to save some cash.  Continue Reading

• 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

• How can I use Azure Resource Manager more effectively?

  Cloud admins use Azure Resource Manager to track apps and resources in Microsoft's public cloud. What are some tips for getting started with the tool?  Continue Reading

• 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

• 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

• How do I prep cloud automation tools for an upgrade?

  Hardware and software upgrades in a data center can cause big disruption to cloud automation tools. How can my organization prepare?  Continue Reading