Cloud infrastructure design and management
Cloud computing delivers numerous benefits, but only if an IT organization is prepared to manage a cloud environment. Proper cloud infrastructure design and management entails an understanding of automation, orchestration, monitoring, compliance, pricing, availability, and other key elements of cloud services.
Top Stories
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Tip
02 Jun 2026
Close cloud security gaps to secure AI workloads
Is your cloud security strategy ready for AI workloads? Organizations must strengthen cloud security -- including data protection and IAM controls -- to safeguard AI. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 May 2026
Verify backup data integrity to reduce recovery risks
Validation is an essential part of data backups. Test and confirm that your backup data is intact and usable now, rather than discovering problems during a recovery. Continue Reading
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Opinion
21 Apr 2017
The true definition of cloud computing is still lost on some IT pros
The misuse of the phrase 'cloud computing' has created misperceptions of the technology. Remember that the cloud isn't a location -- it's a more agile way to design IT services. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Mar 2017
Select the right cloud regions, availability zones to optimize costs
Cloud computing can bring a multitude of unexpected costs. To stay within budget, evaluate the costs associated with regions and availability zones. 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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Blog Post
20 Mar 2017
Awareness of shared-responsibility model is critical to cloud success
When companies move to the cloud, it's paramount that they know where the provider's security role ends and where the customer's begins. The shared-responsibility model is one of the fundamental ... Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Jan 2017
Using Azure Site Recovery for data and VM replication
Data replication is a critical part of a disaster recovery plan, and the devil is in the details. Ease your plan with automation through Azure Site Recovery. Continue Reading
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Answer
17 Jan 2017
How does Azure Premium Storage billing work?
For Azure Premium Storage, are users billed by how much storage capacity they actually use or how much they reserve or allocate? 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
01 Dec 2016
Perform a PaaS pricing comparison for public cloud
When choosing a platform, enterprises need to focus on features and prices for Azure, Google and AWS. Take a look under the hood before you take it for a spin. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
28 Nov 2016
Security issues in cloud computing
While the cloud may be flexible and cost-efficient, a lack of data safeguards and compliance standards makes security the largest hurdle to leap. Continue Reading
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Definition
27 Oct 2016
Microsoft Azure Security Center
Microsoft Azure Security Center is a set of tools and services for securing virtual machines that run on the Azure public cloud. With Azure Security Center, an IT team can establish security policies, set up alerts and receive recommendations for addressing potential Azure security threats. 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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Feature
19 Jul 2016
On-premises vs. cloud: What's more cost-effective for your apps?
Some organizations rush into a cloud migration, assuming cost savings are a guarantee. But not all applications are meant for the public cloud, and moving them may cost you more. 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
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
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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Feature
14 Dec 2015
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
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Tip
13 Nov 2015
IoT analytics should not be an afterthought
IoT is driving huge data growth. Enterprise architects need to think about implementing an IoT analytics service for cloud applications in order to generate new business value. 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
15 Jul 2015
How to define hybrid cloud service-level agreements
Defining hybrid cloud service-level agreements takes more forethought and planning than traditional SLAs. Here is what you should consider. Continue Reading
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Answer
11 Jun 2015
Is Google's PerfKit a reliable cloud benchmarking tool?
As the IaaS market grows, choosing the right vendor becomes challenging. Google's PerfKit Benchmarker can help, but will it provide unbiased results? Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Nov 2014
Cloud data security comes with hefty price tag
As attacks on IT systems with sensitive data continue, cloud security becomes a top concern. Users won't find the best security practices on a clearance rack. Continue Reading
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News
12 Aug 2014
'There's some truth' to Pivotal PaaS criticism
DevOps pioneer Andrew Clay Shafer, recently hired by Pivotal, says the PaaS provider has some work to do to get its various business units on the same page. He also discusses the hype and reality of DevOps, big data and containers like Docker. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Jul 2014
Attain magical five nines availability for cloud applications
Every company seeks the magical five nines -- or 99.999% availability. If major providers can't promise it, how can you get it? Continue Reading
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Answer
27 Jun 2014
Protecting cloud networks against DDoS and DoS attacks
DDoS and DoS attacks are simple to implement but more difficult to prevent. How can these attacks on cloud services be avoided? Continue Reading
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Feature
05 Apr 2013
Cloud computing services: Lease vs. own
Many services and applications can be handled by cloud computing providers. But enterprises should look carefully at cost before deciding whether to lease or own. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Feb 2013
Security considerations for IaaS cloud
Learn about the necessary security considerations for IaaS cloud environments. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Jan 2013
Building redundancy into your cloud outage strategy
Any effective cloud computing strategy should include measures to protect against outages. The best defense you can have is to plan for redundancy. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
27 Sep 2011
Managing and monitoring cloud computing services
Keep your cloud services operating at optimal performance levels with advice from this collection of cloud management and monitoring resources. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Mar 2011
Defining and allocating vCloud Director resources
For IT shops configuring VMware vCloud Director, here are the first four steps needed to make the service aware of a vSphere environment. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Jan 2011
Connecting to virtual servers in the cloud
For IT shops that must move content from an enterprise network or desktop to a cloud-based server, here's how to set up remote connections to virtual servers. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Mar 2010
Intrusion detection in a cloud computing environment
Make sure that your cloud computing environment is equipped to detect and respond to attacks with the appropriate intrusion detection systems. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Jan 2010
Understanding cloud compliance issues
Concerns about compliance have made companies wary of storing their data in public cloud environments. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
08 Jan 2010
Understanding cloud computing pricing
Someday, cloud computing providers may simplify pricing models. But until that day, when determining total pricing for a cloud computing service, consider the services offered by the provider and how each pricing structure is worded. Continue Reading