Evaluate

Evaluate

Weigh the pros and cons of technologies, products and projects you are considering.

• Trace OpenStack releases through the years

  OpenStack is the leading open source cloud platform and has evolved significantly over the years. Use this timeline to track critical releases and see how the technology has changed. Continue Reading

• OpenStack trends on Twitter reveal the good, bad and ugly

  OpenStack is still a hot topic in the cloud world, but user response remains mixed -- especially in the Twittersphere. Here's what IT pros have to say. Continue Reading

• OpenStack infrastructure embraces containers, but challenges remain

  Despite a recent push to embrace container technology, OpenStack still has a number of hurdles to clear before boosting enterprise adoption. Continue Reading

• Cloud performance monitoring tools eliminate IT's blind spot

  Using the public cloud doesn't mean you have to sacrifice visibility into app and workload performance. The right set of tools can give IT a fuller picture. Continue Reading

• Expand your IaaS reach beyond hosted infrastructure

  Public cloud is more than just hosted IT infrastructure. Organizations should evaluate other useful cloud services, such as those for workflow and deployment management. Continue Reading

• Questions to answer before hybrid cloud adoption

  Hybrid cloud adoption is growing, as is the understanding of what a hybrid cloud truly is. It is more common now for people to agree on what constitutes a hybrid cloud -- with shared ideas on the essential ingredients: self-provisioning, pooled ...Continue Reading

• We're using cloud computing for this?

  What we can do with technology is limited only by our imaginations. Otherwise, we might still be carrying tape cassettes or CDs. Let's look at how the cloud is being used in ways that some might ...Continue Reading

• SearchCloudComputing Advisory Board profile: Bill Wilder

  SearchCloudComputing recently spoke with Advisory Board member Bill Wilder about the evolving face of cloud, and the top challenges some cloud users still face.Continue Reading

• Bridge the VMware and AWS hybrid cloud gap

  Integration is a common challenge when deploying hybrid cloud -- and bridging VMware and AWS is no exception. Luckily, the right mix of tools can help.Continue Reading

• Five questions to consider before deploying OpenStack

  OpenStack has attracted some big-name companies with its 'Lego' approach to cloud, but questions remain about integration, deployment and security for the open source platform.Continue Reading

• Public cloud vendors need hybrid model to win enterprise love

  With continued enterprise adoption of hybrid cloud and containers, some cloud providers need to change their tune.Continue Reading

• How Azure Stack aims to solve hybrid cloud challenges

  With Azure Stack, Microsoft looks to help enterprises bridge their private and public clouds. But it's still a work in progress.Continue Reading

• 'SAPple' -- Made from the best stuff on earth?

  SAP gets access to 10 million enthusiastic developers writing for iOS. That's a lot of developers with a lot of non-traditional ideas about apps can do. Apple gets access to SAP's global enterprise ...Continue Reading

• Are you up on the latest cloud technology news?

  From outages to new features, a lot has happened in the cloud market so far in 2016. Test yourself to see if you are up to date.Continue Reading

• PaaS offerings get a face lift with container technology

  New PaaS offerings have put their best foot forward in terms of container orchestration and management, which has attracted a new generation of IT ops pros.Continue Reading

• The AWS vs. Azure race isn't over yet

  AWS has been king of the public cloud mountain for years. But now, Azure is steadily climbing up, with a host of new services in tow.Continue Reading

• Public IaaS market leaves some cloud vendors in the dust

  Unable to handle the competition from the Big Three cloud providers, some IaaS clouds have closed up shop -- leaving many to wonder who might fall next.Continue Reading

• Software as a Service

  Software as a service (SaaS) is a software distribution model in which applications are hosted by a vendor or service provider and made available to customers over a network, typically the Internet.Continue Reading

• Do APIs need a 'do unto others' golden rule?

  Ride-hailing service Uber is in an über-snit about how a handful of Harvard Business School students are using its developer API in a price-comparison mobile app. Uber, whose own app rained ...Continue Reading

• Compare AWS vs. Azure vs. Google big data services

  Big data services are an attractive cloud lure for enterprises. AWS, Azure and Google are fighting for number one, but who will come out on top?Continue Reading

• Implementing a tiered storage architecture with hybrid cloud

  By offering lower costs, higher performance and reduced data loss, hybrid cloud helps some organizations optimize their tiered storage systems.Continue Reading

• Adopt a microservice architecture with these five tips

  A microservice architecture can accelerate application development and deployment. Use these tips to find out if your business can benefit from the technology.Continue Reading

• A SQL Server container can help cut licensing costs

  Running one database per server needlessly wastes hardware resources and money. Use a SQL Server container to stack multiple instances per virtual machine.Continue Reading

• Experts discuss how public cloud vendors will evolve in 2016

  Cloud services have seen increased adoption in the enterprise, which is good news for public cloud vendors. SearchCloudComputing Advisory Board members discuss how the cloud provider landscape will ...Continue Reading

• White box servers turning tide back toward private cloud

  Offering an affordable alternative to most vendor-branded servers, white box systems could lure some enterprises out of the public cloud and back into private environments.Continue Reading

• Cloud computing taxes pose big questions for vendors, users

  As states develop different standards for taxing cloud computing services, uncertainties remain for cloud vendors and users alike.Continue Reading

• Cloud access security brokers fill critical enterprise void

  Enterprises are adding cloud access security brokers to their tool chain to protect data as it moves between on-premises and cloud provider platforms.Continue Reading

• Consider a SaaS model before IaaS

  Before deploying IaaS, consider the SaaS option first, as it could pay off big time for your IT team.Continue Reading

• Public cloud adoption causing some big vendors to stumble

  Enterprises are adopting cloud which, in turn, creates more demand for cloud services and tools. But some vendors have not stepped up to the plate.Continue Reading

• Developers need to be aware of avoidable costs

  What do developers worry about when creating an application? Performance. Data validation. Correct logic and processing. Memory use. Concise code. What they tend not to concern themselves with is ...Continue Reading

• How well do you know the public cloud service market?

  Private and public cloud services are growing fast. Take this brief quiz and find out just how fast that growth really is, and if you align with the majority.Continue Reading

• With apps, migration to the cloud makes sense (usually)

  Even applications considered ideal for migration to the cloud will require at least some modification. Determining what those apps need -- and which ones have dependencies that eliminate the cloud as an option -- are persistent and tricky questions ...Continue Reading

• How does a shared responsibility model work in multicloud?

  Many public cloud providers share security responsibilities with their users. But how does that work in a multicloud model?Continue Reading

• Could the Internet of Things morph into the Abandonment of Things?

  What should happen when the maker of an IoT product shuts down its cloud service, rendering customer-purchased hardware useless?Continue Reading

• Prepare for these multicloud security snags

  The interoperability hurdles that still exist in multicloud environments can create new security headaches for enterprise IT teams.Continue Reading

• Overcoming OpenStack hybrid cloud integration challenges

  Many IT pros still have a long wish list when it comes to building a hybrid cloud with OpenStack and public cloud providers like AWS.Continue Reading

• Microsoft OMS offers new functionalities

  Microsoft OMS was released in 2015. Learn what new IT management features have been recently released.Continue Reading

• HPC in the cloud role intensifies as compute demands grow

  As more big data and IoT applications find their way into the enterprise, high-performance computing in the cloud will become more mainstream.Continue Reading

• SaaS technology still requires preparation

  SaaS technology may be convenient for many reasons, but there are still some considerations enterprises need to remember. Expert Kurt Marko explains.Continue Reading

• Build an effective IoT model with microservices, cloud

  Organizations embracing the Internet of Things should consider using microservices and the cloud as a way to boost efficiency and minimize costs.Continue Reading

• New public cloud pricing models sweep the enterprise

  Price cuts are common in the public cloud market, but some experts wonder if they are still the true driver for adoption.Continue Reading

• How hybrid cloud adoption impacts ALM

  Learn how to update ALM processes in preparation for hybrid cloud adoption.Continue Reading

• 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

• Is a cloud bursting architecture difficult to implement?

  Cloud bursting helps organizations use the public cloud to manage sudden spikes in demand. But what challenges or issues might it introduce?Continue Reading

• Hone your cloud computing skills for 2016 and beyond

  As cloud adoption continues to grow, many organizations are on the hunt for IT pros with cloud management, automation and architecture skills.Continue Reading

• Consider costs when selecting a cloud deployment model

  Choosing a cloud deployment model is a multivariate problem, but cost differences between hybrid and all public can be important. Kurt Marko offers his take.Continue Reading

• When no one knows why an app does what it does

  What happens when there's a problem an app or systems software that no one anticipated? Not you, not the app owner, not QA, not ops, not anyone.Continue Reading

• OpenStack vs. VMware battle set to heat up over IoT, NFV

  OpenStack and VMware are both popular options for private cloud deployment. But depending on the adoption of new technologies, like IoT and NFV, OpenStack could soon have a leg up.Continue Reading

• The public cloud market is taking off: Fasten your seat belts

  Cloud expert David Linthicum discusses what is expected from the public cloud this year, why AWS is in the lead and new accounting regulations that could threaten cloud adoption.Continue Reading

• SQL Server Azure IaaS vs. SQL Azure Database PaaS

  Learn the differences between SQL Server Azure IaaS and SQL Azure Database PaaS to figure out which would best support your enterprise.Continue Reading

• Prove the security of cloud computing in your organization

  Despite cloud's benefits, some enterprises still aren't convinced it's a secure IT option. Here are some tips to sway even the biggest cloud security skeptics.Continue Reading

• How to choose between PaaS development and in-house app dev

  This tip compares the important factors when choosing between PaaS development and in-house app development.Continue Reading

• Six questions cloud app developers should nail in an interview

  To wow potential employers, cloud app developers should prove in an interview that they're more than just code jockeys.Continue Reading

• Four cloud container tips to make your life easier

  Cloud containers aren't going away any time soon. To adopt and keep your containers running efficiently, follow these four tips.Continue Reading

• Four keys to designing Docker applications

  Docker has become ubiquitous in container technology. Designing applications with portability in mind can help enterprises take advantage of all the container technology has to offer.Continue Reading

• MapReduce vs. Spark: Which should I choose for big data in the cloud?

  MapReduce and Spark are two common options for processing big data in the cloud. But what are the key differences between the two?Continue Reading

• Exploring enterprise options for running Windows in the cloud

  As enterprise IT teams cozy up to the idea of public cloud, they're moving more core, Windows workloads off premises -- but first, they face a number of tough decisions.Continue Reading

• IaaS market consolidation a mixed bag for cloud users

  As the IaaS market continues to consolidate, cloud users will face new challenges and risks -- but it's not all bad news.Continue Reading

• Cloud containers and security are still on IT pros' minds

  Containers and cloud security remain two of the hottest topics in IT. Here's a look at what could be on the horizon for both.Continue Reading

• The stark contrast between UI design software and manual coding

  Is there a difference between using higher-level UI design software as opposed to manual coding? Perhaps it's as contrasting between Visio and a pencil. Kurt Marko offers his insight on what can you expect.Continue Reading

• Containers vs. VMs: Which should you use for cloud?

  Before going all in with containers, it's critical to understand how the technology differs from VMs in terms of private, public and hybrid cloud deployment.Continue Reading

• Perfect your multicloud computing recipe with the right provider mix

  When choosing cloud providers for a multicloud deployment, it's not just about cost -- consider specialized features, along with management and integration options.Continue Reading

• Does an app container make it easier to manage the cloud?

  It's a crazy world of distributed systems in the hybrid cloud. Now the app container adds to the craziness. Research expert Carl Lehman explains.Continue Reading

• Evaluating Azure Container Service vs. Google and AWS

  AWS, Google and Azure all offer their own container service. And while they each have their pros and cons, the best service for you depends on your application needs.Continue Reading

• Multicloud computing demands careful planning, management

  When planning for a multicloud deployment, be sure to account for the various management and integration issues that can arise.Continue Reading

• Abandon your old-school IT mind-set for cloud

  For successful cloud deployment, IT teams should move away from the traditional break/fix model, and adopt a cloud broker mind-set instead.Continue Reading

• Determine if a multicloud strategy is right for you

  Sometimes, one cloud just isn't enough. Consider a multicloud strategy to more efficiently tackle your IT challenges.Continue Reading

• Building a solid cloud governance model for 2016

  When building a cloud governance model, account not only for technical risks, such as a data center failure, but business risks, such as vendor lock-in, as well.Continue Reading

• Overcome the most pressing OpenStack security challenges

  Despite the OpenStack community's recent efforts around security, OpenStack users still need to take steps of their own to secure the open source cloud platform.Continue Reading

• Why you'll likely need to work with multiple cloud providers

  To achieve their cloud goals, business leaders are increasingly choosing to work with multiple cloud providers. This chapter of "Managing a Multi-Cloud Environment" looks at what's really behind this trend, and discusses why using a single cloud ...Continue Reading

• The benefits of a multi-cloud approach

  As hybrid cloud environments continue to gain traction in corporate IT, so, too, does the multi-cloud model. With this approach, organizations use a mix of infrastructure as a service, or IaaS, offerings, such as those from Microsoft Azure and ...Continue Reading

• Five tips for trimming your cloud expenses

  Without proper management and monitoring, cloud computing costs can add up quickly. Keep your cloud spending in check with these five quick links.Continue Reading

• PaaS development options difficult to navigate

  PaaS development is a playground that offers scalable compute resources, integrated tools, middleware and everything a developer needs to test and deploy applications. But developers must cut through the hype of those features to choose from the ...Continue Reading

• How to select the right tool for managing in Azure

  Despite its popularity, Microsoft Azure poses a number of management challenges. For many organizations, half of the challenge is finding the right tool for managing in Azure. This three-part guide explores the benefits and drawbacks of leading ...Continue Reading

• New cloud technologies that will fly high in 2016

  For IT pros who are curious about the 'next big thing' in cloud, DevOps, IoT and machine learning are worth a closer look.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

• Azure Management Console comes up short for some cloud admins

  While the Azure Management Console is a good tool for basic Azure management tasks, it may not be the best choice for advanced usage.Continue Reading

• Decisions, decisions: Choosing a cloud migration tool

  There are a number of different cloud migration and optimization tools on the market, so be sure to consider your unique requirements before bringing one on board.Continue Reading

• Warning signs it's time to switch cloud providers

  Not all cloud providers and their users are a match made in heaven. Whether it's cost or security concerns, here are the most common red flags that it's time to switch cloud providers.Continue Reading

• VMware cloud strategy to evolve toward hybrid in 2016

  VMware made a number of updates to its cloud strategy in 2015, but there's more work to be done this year -- especially around hybrid cloud.Continue Reading

• Which container orchestration engine works with OpenStack Magnum?

  Containers and OpenStack are two hot technologies in cloud, but which container orchestration tools will work with the open source cloud platform?Continue Reading

• Build a cloud exit strategy in three steps

  For one reason or another, some enterprises need to move their applications out of the cloud. Here are three key steps to make sure your cloud exit goes smoothly.Continue Reading

• Which OpenStack modules can help deploy containers?

  Organizations looking to deploy containers in OpenStack can use Magnum, Nova and other modules within the open source cloud platform.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

• Change Agents: Infrastructure engineer fosters organizational culture change

  Dominique DeGuzman discusses her role as infrastructure engineer and how she prepares for changing workloads.Continue Reading

• Four private cloud costs IT pros often overlook

  While they offer many advantages to an enterprise, private clouds can also introduce new costs -- and they extend far beyond servers, storage and software.Continue Reading

• Cloud computing certifications to strive for in 2016

  As they kick off the new year, enterprises will have OpenStack, security and other cloud technologies on their minds. Be ready, and advance your career, with new cloud certifications.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Azure Site Recovery on guard for hybrid cloud battle

  With support for non-Windows workloads and mission-critical apps, Azure Site Recovery could give Microsoft's hybrid cloud strategy a boost in 2016.Continue Reading

• OpenStack automation evolving -- but not there yet

  While OpenStack tools such as Heat and Graffiti can help IT pros automate the open source platform, there's still work to be done in 2016.Continue Reading

• Should I build a dedicated private cloud staff?

  Cloud computing requires a unique set of IT skills. What staffing changes should I make to build and maintain a successful private cloud?Continue Reading

• Cloud predictions to watch for in 2016

  Between major acquisitions and the rise of containers, the cloud market was bustling with activity in 2015. But what will 2016 bring?Continue Reading

• Assessing cloud infrastructure provider performance in 2015

  Evaluating a cloud provider's reliability isn't easy, but there are resources and tools that can help. Before kicking off the New Year, consider how your provider performed in 2015.Continue Reading

• How to plan for the cost of cloud computing

  Choosing a multicloud solution can save up to 74%, if you review the cost of cloud computing first.Continue Reading

• Advance your cloud career with these top tips of 2015

  With so many businesses using cloud, job opportunities continue to rise. Here's a look back at the top five tips in 2015 for advancing your cloud career.Continue Reading

• Microservices architectures increase cloud and app efficiency

  Microservices offer a number of advantages over traditional, monolithic applications. And when combined with cloud, those advantages are amplified.Continue Reading

• Five cloud computing startups to watch heading into 2016

  Hoping to challenge the cloud status quo, new vendors are making moves in IaaS and SaaS. Here are five cloud startups that piqued analyst interest in 2015.Continue Reading

• Multi-cloud deployment model acceptance soars

  Using a multi-cloud deployment model can help servers stay secure if used in consistent methods.Continue Reading

• Private cloud benefits don't always justify migration

  Since private cloud and virtualization can offer similar benefits, enterprises should carefully justify private cloud use before planning a migration.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

• Cloud computing APIs pose vendor lock-in risks

  Cloud APIs are playing an increasingly important role within many IT shops. But without proper governance, they're also a gateway to cloud vendor lock-in.Continue Reading