Why We Need Network Abstraction
November 26, 2012 15:16 PM
Highly virtualized data centers are exposing cracks in traditional network constructs such as VLANs. New approaches that abstract the physical network, including network overlays, are key to providing flexibility and scale.
Keep Old Apps Private, Make New Apps Public
October 17, 2012 02:00 AM
Just because you slip a hypervisor under an application doesn't make it equally suited to private and public clouds. Know the differences to get the most from your application deployments.
Exploring Private Cloud Pipes
September 19, 2012 13:48 PM
Traditional networking is static; clouds need systems that can scale. What's the answer for a private cloud: APIs? SDN? OpenFlow? VXLAN? Take a look.
The Software-Defined Data Center: Dissecting the Latest Buzzword
September 06, 2012 09:50 AM
VMware and EMC are pushing their concepts for the "software-defined data center." But what does it mean? How's it different from cloud computing? We take a look.
Better Data Center Standardization Through Pod Architecture Design
August 10, 2012 14:14 PM
The Frankenstein method of disparate systems in the data center can impede expansion and the march toward the private cloud. Pod architecture design can offer better standardization and tighter integration. Learn more about the method.
Five Steps to Building a Private Cloud
July 23, 2012 14:53 PM
Taking a staged approach to building a private cloud helps ensure success along the way. Here's how to break it down.
Private Cloud: An IT Staffer's Guide To Success
July 12, 2012 12:54 PM
Private-cloud computing is not just about technology, but about how IT delivers services. To be successful, the roles that staffers play are changing, as well. Here's how to adapt.
Forget Multiple Hypervisors
July 09, 2012 10:24 AM
Multiple hypervisors in the data center may seem like a good idea: You get leverage during negotiations, and potentially avoid vendor lock-in. But dig deeper and the arguments begin to fall apart.
IT Chargeback/Trackback: Yes, You Need It
July 06, 2012 14:58 PM
IT chargeback/trackback systems can help IT justify and prioritize new projects and purchases. They can also help ease private cloud deployments, according to our contributor.
The Biggest Threat to Your Private-Cloud Deployment: Your IT Staff
June 28, 2012 11:22 AM
Your IT staff is likely full of technologists, which won't help you find success with a private-cloud deployment. Here's why shifting to an IT service catalog approach may ease your transition to the cloud.
Private Cloud Infrastructure Design: Go Beyond Best Practices
June 18, 2012 10:11 AM
Are you designing a private cloud infrastructure? Best practices are a crutch--start with current recommended practices, ask yourself why, and more tips for building a private cloud.
Why Software-Defined Networking Could Revolutionize Networking
June 01, 2012 14:41 PM
Everyone's talking about SDN. Find out why and how software-defined networking could help organizations.
The Stack Wars: OpenStack vs. CloudStack
May 23, 2012 15:29 PM
What are the differences between OpenStack and CloudStack? Here are some things to know.
Consider Cloud Computing Services Before Your Users Do
May 21, 2012 08:58 AM
Google Docs, Dropbox, Carbonite and other cloud computing services may be hosting your corporate data right now. Learn why you need to accept the cloud and regain control.
The Ugly Break Up: Time for Your Apps to Part
April 09, 2012 09:00 AM
The marketing is there, and has been for some time. Buzzwords have been coined and your interest is piqued. You sat back long enough to see if this was just vaporware or real, while gaseous. Cloud turns out to be more solid than its nomenclature. You’re ready, in fact you’re all in. Now the bad news: If you want to succeed in the cloud, the long-term relationship you've had with your apps must be broken up.
Zero to Private Cloud in 8 Steps
March 27, 2012 09:00 AM
Here are eight steps for going from zero to private cloud. Note that I didn’t say eight "easy" steps. But don’t let that bother you--nothing that’s easy is ever worth doing anyway.
Your IT Is Broken
March 15, 2012 09:00 AM
Right this minute your data center(s) are broken. You, monitoring systems or NOC may or may not know it. All of the blinky lights may be green, all systems reporting normal, but the data center is broken, and it’s costing you money and business agility.
Private Cloud Lessons You Can't Learn From Amazon, Google, Etc
March 12, 2012 09:58 AM
Very little of what the large public cloud providers do is actually applicable to a private cloud. The reason for this is twofold: scale and application.
Thought Experiment--Forget ROI
January 23, 2012 09:50 AM
Boys and girls, today's homework assignment is a thought experiment. I want you all to put yourselves in the shoes of the CXO team making a decision to move to private cloud. There is, of course, one catch: You may not factor in ROI. We're dropping ROI because it clouds the subject (bad pun intended.) Let's skip the why-should-I-do-this-experiment; I'd of course default to,"Because I told you so."
Private Cloud Success Factors Include Service Catalog
January 05, 2012 09:05 AM
A commonly overlooked component of a private cloud deployment is the service catalog. In many cases, a great deal of time is spent architecting and discussing infrastructure, virtualization and automation processes with little thought of the actual service delivery. Service catalogs are key to successful private cloud deployment and the overall usability of the services your cloud delivers.
Best of the Web
VXLAN termination on physical devices
VXLAN is an Experimental IETF draft of protocols to enable the creation of a large overlay, multi-tenant network.
ONF Deadly Serious About OpenFlow-Based SDNs
: OpenFlow is poised to reach over-hyped status, yet there are practical, useful reasons for keeping an eye on Openflow. The biggest cloud players are involved and driving the feature creation.
Practical Introduction to Applied OpenFlow
Get a primer on the Openflow protocol and what it can do for networking.
On Resilience of Spit-Architecture Networks
This research papers investigates the practical issues in split-architecture networks and the placement of the controllers, such as Openflow controllers, in the network.
