Fall in Love with Cloud Again

Each year, leading cloud computing experts share their thoughts on which trends will dominate over the next year or several years. And on the horizon for 2023 and beyond, we have SDx. Many consider SDx a genuinely disruptive technology shift that can change IT resource utilization for the better. But what is SDx? What impact will it have on businesses today? And how can it improve IT operations? Let's get into it. What is SDx? With virtualization now commonplace, software has become a fundamental aspect of most IT environments. As a result, the essential elements of cloud computing - storage, networking, compute - now all come in software-defined flavors, and we see the "SD" prefix everywhere. We have SD-WAN (software-defined wide area networking), SDN (software-defined networking), SD-Access, and SD-Security. There's also SDE (software-defined environment) and SDDC (software-defined data center), and the list goes on. With so many SD-something abbreviations out there, it's now become more straightforward to simply say software-defined everything (SDx) than list every possible approach. But what does SDx really mean? SDx is both an important descriptor and yet a somewhat ambiguous term that refers to changes happening in the IT world. SDx refers to a digital shift towards "software-defined everything," where businesses employ software for every vital business operation. Traditionally, the "SD" prefix was predominately applied to disruptive technology that revolutionized the networking industry. And revolutionize it did - the early adopters of these software-driven technologies reaped incredible rewards in the form of boosted efficiencies and economies of scale previously unattainable. However, today, software is transforming more than just networking. In fact, any physical item or function that can be automated by software can have "SDx" applied to it. This goes beyond IT and includes apps on mobile devices, Internet of Everything devices like GoPro cameras, self-driving cars, and Nest thermostats. And on the IT side, SD applies to networking, compute, storage, data center, security, perimeter, WAN, and so on. The SDx world is rapidly evolving, and networking and infrastructure companies are trying to leave their mark in this world. What Does an SDx IT Environment Look Like? Okay, so we know what SDx is, but what specific technologies can businesses deploy to be considered an SDx-enabled company? Please note that this list isn't exhaustive. Still, it gives a solid look at the kinds of technologies SDx encompasses. Software-defined Networking (SDN) Typical SDN architecture has an application layer with business applications, a control layer with network services and SDN control software, and an infrastructure layer with network devices. Software-defined Storage (SDS) SDS uses virtual storage applications designed to work specifically with your applications and can be easily adapted to your needs. Software-defined perimeter (SDP) A SDP hides Internet-connected infrastructure (servers, routers, etc.), so attackers can't see it, whether on-premise or in the cloud. Software-defined data center (SDDC) SDDC is where all infrastructure elements -- networking, storage, CPU, and security -- are virtualized and delivered as a service. Software-defined security Sometimes also dubbed "SDS," software-defined security is a model where information security is implemented, controlled, and managed by dedicated security software. Orchestration software Orchestration software (combined with automation) can streamline applications and functions through standard, repeatable processes. You can automate provisioning, compliance management, and more. But why transition to an SDx approach? Put simply, the mission of SDx is to break down the compute, storage, and networking silos by using software to bridge technological and organizational gaps. By allowing software to play a leading role across the IT environment, companies can boost productivity and efficiency and allow more robust network access from both portable and traditional devices. How SDx is Transforming Businesses - Benefits of SDx For Businesses Arguably, the primary benefit of SDx is its ability to transform IT from an obstacle to a business enabler. Software-defined technology can accelerate the implementation of both network and data center resources, thereby allowing applications to be deployed in just a few minutes. As a result, IT teams become seen as an enabler of new capabilities (and business opportunities) rather than a roadblock to progress. At the same time, an SDx environment means that technology is less dependent on its hardware. This allows companies to foster a more resilient and flexible IT landscape that's better able to handle the often dramatically changing demands of the modern world. More specifically, the value of SDx for businesses can be found in three key areas: Cost management SDx empowers IT departments to look at the per-unit cost of IT resources and manage them at a granular level. Boosted agility By highlighting software over hardware, companies can achieve a more agile IT infrastructure that allows them to respond more quickly to market pressures and opportunities. Risk management SDx solutions can protect businesses from the security vulnerabilities and operational risks inherent in inefficient legacy infrastructure. For example, SDx configuration automation allows for consistency across the IT estate, therefore reducing security vulnerabilities. Many companies are already transitioning to an SDx environment, but some key drivers accelerate its adoption. For example, data center optimization is a prominent driver of SDx solutions. With SDN and other SDx technologies, businesses can improve application performance by organizing workloads across private and public clouds. Simplifying the storage environment is also a potent motivator that encourages many organizations to make the jump to SDx. Here, SDx allows for higher-level management of external storage arrays that act as a single pool of resources. Lastly, automated resource provisioning is a significant driver of being an SDx-enabled organization. Here, SDx solutions can automatically provision virtual machines for developers or similar use cases, allowing for increased operational efficiency. Final Thoughts In 2023 and the years that follow, we will see more businesses embracing SDx technologies to achieve greater efficiencies, a more robust IT landscape, and a competitive edge in an increasingly complex IT world.

Multicloud deployments are set to remain a defining infrastructure trend for 2023 and beyond. As such, smart companies with existing multicloud solutions are allocating resources in Q1 to rethink their multicloud architecture to consider not just existing workloads but future workloads as well. Businesses should prioritize data sovereignty along with placing workloads where they make the most sense for desired outcomes. In the article below, we’ll review the process of evaluating and streamlining your multicloud approach in order to ensure that you begin the new year with the most efficient solution possible. Analyze Your Current Setup The first step in streamlining your multicloud deployment is to take a step back and analyze your current multicloud architecture. Take a look at the different cloud service providers you may be using, such as Google Cloud Platform, Microsoft Azure, or Amazon Web Services. Consider the services they provide and how they’re being utilized. It’s important that you have holistic view of how each cloud fits into your overall strategy. Only then will you know if it is still necessary or if it could be replaced with a more cost-effective solution. Next, spend some time assessing existing workloads and factor in their anticipated future workloads. This should include looking at the types of workloads, locations, resource requirements, and the cost/benefit of running on different clouds. Identify Areas of Improvement Once you have a better understanding of your multicloud setup, you can begin to identify areas where improvement is needed. This might include services that are underutilized, clouds that are redundant, or services that could be more cost-effective. After this assessment, you should be in a good position to determine your multicloud architecture strategy. This could include a hybrid cloud with workloads on both premises and cloud resources, a multicloud deployment, or a multi-region cloud. Once decisions are made on how and where workloads are managed, begin considering your chosen architecture’s cost and scalability, as well as the security and compliance requirements of the workloads. Additionally, you should evaluate the infrastructure and application needs, such as container orchestration, serverless, and AI/ML. Finally, the organization should develop a plan for how they will manage the multicloud architecture, such as automation and DevOps. This plan should include the appropriate tools and processes to ensure a secure, reliable, and efficient multicloud infrastructure. Evaluate Alternatives This step is pretty self-explanatory. After you have identified areas for improvement, it’s time to evaluate alternatives. This may include researching new cloud providers or services to replace your current setup. Consider features, cost, scalability, and any other factors that might be important to you. Implement Changes After you have identified the service providers and multicloud approach that makes the most sense for your business,it’s time to implement those changes. This may involve transitioning to a new cloud provider, migrating services to a different cloud, or optimizing your current setup. Either way, a sound implementation strategy should include the following steps: Plan and document your changes Start by documenting your desired changes and the expected outcomes. This will provide a roadmap to guide your implementation and help you identify potential issues before you start. Test your changes Once you have planned your changes, test them to make sure they are functioning as expected. This could involve simulating a migration or running a proof-of-concept on a small scale. Execute your changes Once you are confident in your changes, execute them across your multicloud deployment. Monitor your changes Monitor the performance of your multicloud deployment after the changes have been implemented. Make sure all services are running as expected and resolve any issues that may arise. Monitor and Optimize Once your multicloud deployment is streamlined, it’s important to monitor and optimize it regularly. This will ensure that your solution remains cost-effective and that you are taking advantage of the latest features and services available. To monitor your multicloud deployment, you should use the analytics and reporting tools provided by the cloud providers you are using. These tools can give you insights into your resource usage, cost, performance, and security. Additionally, you should regularly review your architecture and configurations and make changes if needed to improve performance, scalability, and security. Finally, you should take advantage of multicloud management solutions to manage and optimize your deployment. These solutions can help you automate tasks, manage resources across multiple clouds, and ensure that your application is running efficiently and securely. Conclusion Multicloud from Datacenters.com utilizes artificial intelligence to scale and manage your multiclouddeployments. The highly advanced AI learns and adapts to your specific demands from each workload. Automation creates a seamless process, dramatically reducing your runtime costs. If you are interested in unifying your cloud providers under one easy-to-use platform, you can deploy today for two months free. Schedule a demo today and our multicloud solution experts will reach out to you and answer any questions you may have.

The cloud computing industry is booming and showing no signs of slowing down. Today, 90% of large enterprises have adopted a multicloud infrastructure. Furthermore, by 2025, an eye-watering 200 ZB of data will be stored in the cloud. And Gartner predicts that in 2023, global public cloud spending will grow 20.7% to $591.8, up from $490.3 billion in 2022. As 2023 gets under way, many people wonder what else we can expect from cloud computing in the coming year. So, let's get into it. Bare Metal Computing Is On the Rise Bare metal servers are becoming the buzzword of the day, and with good reason. These servers offer complete control over the physical machine, enhanced flexibility, and avoid shared infrastructure's "noisy neighbor" difficulties. Bare metal server adoption has been surging in recent years as more organizations discover the need for finely tuned hardware for specific data-intensive workloads. Specifically, the demand for bare metal computing is growing as organizations become more interested in high-performance computing (HPC), Big Data analytics, and real-time data handling. We expect bare metal cloud deployments to grow further in 2023 as the demand for AI-powered applications and HPC increases. Increased Investment in Cloud Security While migrating to the cloud offers enormous opportunities and boosted efficiencies, it also introduces a range of cybersecurity threats. Additionally, governments worldwide are increasingly strengthening their regulations on how organizations must store and protect data, only complicating this process further. As a result, in 2023, we will see more spending on cloud security, especially in the areas of AI-powered predictive systems designed to catch threats before they inflict damage on cloud environments. Multicloud Strategies Will Surge If 2022 was the year of hybrid cloud, then 2023 could very well be the year of multicloud. Businesses are increasingly seeing the advantages of opting for more than one cloud service from more than one cloud vendor, public or private. Adopting a multicloud approach enables organizations to access the best-in-class solutions for their specific business goals and objectives. A single cloud solution rarely meets all a business's needs, and companies are waking up to this fact. AI and ML Will Become More Prominent As we enter 2023, we will start to see more cloud providers relying on artificial intelligence and machine learning for a variety of value-adding tasks. For example, providers will leverage AI and ML to manage the vast, distributed networks needed to offer robust storage resources to their customers. In addition, AI and ML will be used to regulate power and cooling systems within datacenters and in powering cybersecurity solutions that safeguard customers' data. Low and No Code Cloud Services Low-code and no-code services are becoming increasingly popular, and rightly so. Not all organizations have the computing power or skilled IT workers to build compelling applications from scratch. As we move into 2023, we'll see more cloud service providers offering low-code and no-code solutions in the cloud. Users will be able to easily access these tools through SaaS models and start building their own software without coding experience. Speak with an Expert Only cloud solutions can offer the agility, flexibility, and efficiency needed to be successful in the digital age. At Datacenters.com, our goal is to make your cloud journey an easy one. Our cloud control center utilizes AI to scale and manage multicloud deployments. The AI learns and adapts to the demands on cloud services to automatically reduce runtime costs. Schedule a demo today or spin up servers on demand.

The data center industry has been evolving since its inception due to the growing demands for data incorporation and scalability. The challenges facing the colocation sector for the future are to be dealt with by prioritizing sustainability and growth. Technologies with the ability to integrate more data by consuming less power and space are expected to dominate in the near future. Let’s take a detailed look at some of the technologies and innovations being predicted in the data center industry for 2023. Changes to Edge Computing Edge computing is the process of shifting computing operations from the cloud or data centers to the edges of the network. This technology is beneficial for IoT applications, as it reduces latency and eliminates the need for a long-distance connection. Edge computing can also be used to process data locally and reduce the load on the cloud or data centers. AI-enabled networking will become increasingly important for Edge Computing in 2023. AI-enabled networking will allow for dynamic routing and automation of tasks, enabling networks to self-heal and make decisions based on real-time data. This will help reduce the need for manual configuration and enable the data center to be more efficient. 5G networking will also become essential for Edge Computing in 2023, as it will enable faster data transmission speeds and more reliable connections. 5G networks will be able to handle more data than ever before, allowing for more powerful applications to be hosted at the Edge. Edge computing is expected to remain an important part of data center technology in 2023, as it will enable businesses to process data and applications closer to the user. This will empower businesses to respond more quickly to user requests and provide a more reliable and secure infrastructure. Automation Becomes King Autonomous data centers are data centers that are self-managing and self-optimizing. This technology is expected to become more commonplace in the coming year as it enables data centers to operate with minimal human intervention. AI-driven data centers use artificial intelligence to automate various tasks within the data center. This technology can be used to optimize workloads, detect and analyze anomalies, and automate security measures. Data centers that weave artificial intelligence into their daily processes can expect to see more efficient operations and better performance. Automation is expected to become more prevalent in data centers in 2023, with a focus on reducing operational costs and improving efficiency. This technology will be leveraged to automate processes such as provisioning, configuration, and monitoring, as well as for predictive analytics. This will enable data center providers to be more agile and responsive to customer needs by freeing up essential roles from performing repetitive or time-consuming tasks. Increased Security Data center security will continue to be a focus in 2023. Data center locations will need to be constantly updated with the latest security measures to protect customer data and assets. Organizations will focus on strengthening their security posture by implementing more advanced security protocols and technologies. This will include the use of encryption, multi-factor authentication, and other security measures to protect data and systems from unauthorized access and malicious attacks. Data centers will also employ advanced analytics to detect and respond to malicious activity in real-time. Solution providers will also become increasingly reliant on disaster recovery solutions to protect against outages and data loss. Organizations will invest in solutions such as backup and recovery, high availability, and data replication to ensure their data is safe and secure in the case of an emergency. Additionally, security analytics will be used to analyze large data sets and identify patterns that could indicate security vulnerabilities or malicious activity. These technologies will help organizations to detect and respond to threats quickly and effectively. Identity and access management (IAM) will also be implemented to ensure only authenticated users have access to the data center environment. Organizations will also use IAM to track user activity and monitor access to the data center. Sustainability Becomes the Norm Data center sustainability is a major focus for the industry, especially as the world continues to move towards renewable energy sources. Data centers were responsible for about 0.9-1.3% of the total global final electrical demand in 2021, with the number expected to grow exponentially in the coming years. To meet the growing demand for computing power, data centers must become more efficient, reduce their energy consumption, and use renewable energy sources. Advances in technology will lead to more efficient cooling, improved power supplies, and better server utilization. Additionally, data centers will become more energy-efficient through the adoption of virtualization, cloud computing, and edge computing. According to the US Energy Information Administration, renewable energy sources accounted for 19.8% of the US' total electricity generation in 2021. This percentage is expected to increase in the coming years, with the International Energy Agency predicting that demand for renewable energy sources will continue to rise dramatically in the coming years. Data centers will be able to take advantage of this increased usage of renewable energy sources by investing in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal. Data centers will become more sustainable through the adoption of green building practices. This includes the use of sustainable materials and energy-efficient building designs. Additionally, data centers will use energy-efficient lighting, HVAC systems, and efficient electrical systems. Overall, data center infrastructure in 2023 are expected to be more efficient, use more renewable energy sources, and be more sustainable through the adoption of green building practices. These changes will not only help reduce the environmental impact of data centers, but also make them more cost-effective. Conclusion Data center facilities will continue to evolve in 2023 as new solutions are rolled out and older solutions are innovated and brought up to date. It’s important to remain tapped into all of the new developments in the data center sector and remain flexible when it comes to selecting the right solution for your business. At Datacenters.com, our goal is to make your colocation deployments as painless as possible by putting you in the driver’s seat. Customize your solution requirements with our easy to use project platform and have multiple providers compete for your business.