Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

Cloud infrastructure monitoring

• What are the different types of cloud load balancing?

  Learn how load balancing in the cloud differs from a traditional network traffic distribution, and explore the different services available from AWS, Google and Microsoft.  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

• 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

• What are the benefits of automation in a private cloud?

  No one likes repetitive, time-consuming tasks -- especially if they have to be done manually. Can private cloud automation free IT teams from this never-ending Groundhog's Day?  Continue Reading

• Should I use Rackspace Fanatical Support?

  For organizations lacking in-house cloud expertise, managed cloud services like Rackspace Fanatical Support could be a way to fill that gap.  Continue Reading

• How do OpenStack and CloudStack stack up against each other?

  When choosing an open source cloud platform, there are many options, including OpenStack and CloudStack. So what are the big differences between the two?  Continue Reading

• Will a cloud provider's API update disrupt my environment?

  When cloud providers update their APIs, developers have to update and re-test their own software. How can I prepare for that process and minimize disruption?  Continue Reading

• Which open source cloud infrastructure tool is right for me?

  Choosing the wrong open source cloud infrastructure tool can take a toll on your IT environment. So which one is right for my business?  Continue Reading

• Which cloud management tools can track my cloud budget?

  Cloud costs can fluctuate as user demands change. Are there cloud management tools that can help me track my cloud budget and spending?  Continue Reading

• Who should be crafting my cloud budget?

  IT plays a crucial role in planning and tracking cloud budgets. But should my business and finance executives also have a heavy hand in the process?  Continue Reading

• How does cloud change IT budget planning?

  Cloud services, such as SaaS, introduce a lot of change into an organization. But how exactly do they affect my IT budget and approval process?  Continue Reading

• Does my cloud broker hold the key to service success?

  Cloud services brokers serve as valuable intermediaries between an organization and its cloud provider. But what other benefits do they deliver?  Continue Reading

• What's the best cloud services broker option?

  A cloud services broker role can be filled by a third party, a cloud provider or even in-house IT. So which is the best option for my business?  Continue Reading

• Is the cloud services brokerage model redefining IT?

  Cloud brokers connect a growing landscape of service providers with busy business users. But what impact would they have on my IT team?  Continue Reading

• 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.  Continue Reading