Operations | Monitoring | ITSM | DevOps | Cloud

If you work with virtual machines or install and configure software on EC2 or leverage dynamic runtimes, chances are you’re also using Ansible. In fact, JFrog has supported installation via Ansible for some time. If they’re not using Red Hat, the way most organizations have managed their Ansible Collections – including Roles – is by storing them in Git repositories.

In the past, IT was viewed primarily as a facilitator for business operations, overseeing systems, software, and applications essential to technology-driven enterprises. However, a new strategic approach has emerged that has transformed how organizations manage their IT services.

The FinOps Open Cost and Usage Specification (FOCUS) 1.0 was officially launched on June 20, 2024, marking a revolutionary shift in Cloud Cost Management (CCM). Long awaited by MSPs and FinOps, this framework now aligns data sharing among vendors, FinOps tools, and users in a simple manner. It’s an exciting new era for shaking up business strategies in cloud cost analysis. But let’s take a step back and refocus on what FOCUS 1.0 is.

If your company is a big Azure spender, you should use Azure Hybrid Benefit. If not, you’re leaving money on the table. But how much money? If eligible, your company can save up to 40% on Azure Virtual Machines, up to 55% on Azure SQL databases, and, if you combine that with Azure Reserved Instances, you can even save up to 80%. Source: Azure Azure Hybrid Benefit is the perfect way to cut costs while migrating to the cloud.

Uptime.com’s Private Location monitoring tools offer a powerful solution for keeping an eye on internal endpoints. Though these services and their importance aren’t visible to the public, internal teams and customers may still rely heavily on internal services in their day-to-day functions and downtime can disrupt operations just as much as public-facing incidents.

Effective security and vulnerability management is crucial to safeguard organizations from ever-evolving cyber threats. At the core of these practices lies the Configuration Management Database (CMDB), a powerful resource that offers a centralized view of an organization's IT infrastructure. The CMDB plays a pivotal role in upholding robust security and vulnerability management strategies – empowering organizations to proactively identify, evaluate and address risks to their IT systems and data.

In my last blog post, I explained why we decided to destroy one third of our infrastructure in production just to see what would happen. This is part two, where I go over the big day. How did our chaos engineering experiment go? Find out below!

In the ever-evolving landscape of network operations, the role of Network Operations Centers (NOCs) has become increasingly complex and demanding. Traditional monitoring and observability tools have been crucial in identifying and alerting teams to potential issues. However, as networks grow in complexity with the advent of IoT, 5G, and other digital advancements, the sheer volume of data and incidents can overwhelm even the most robust monitoring systems.

We live in times of instant gratification, where customers expect same-day delivery, round-the-clock tech support, and seamless browsing experiences. Disruptive technologies and continuous innovation have raised expectations for faster and uninterrupted delivery of services. This shift is compelling organizations to adapt their operations to meet these new demands and stay competitive.

The SolarWinds IT Trends Report 2024 – AI: Friend or Foe? indicated tension in the IT industry’s outlook on artificial intelligence (AI). While there is excitement about its potential to drive productivity, concerns linger around data quality, security, and regulation. At the recent SolarWinds Day event, I sat down with Krishna Sai, Senior Vice President of Engineering, and Cullen Childress, Senior Vice President of Product Management.