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Showing 1 - 15 of 15 white papers, page 1 of 1.
Solving the BIG problems in cloud computing
The two big challenges in deploying and growing cloud usage are cost and security. Shadow IT has contributed to those challenges by causing overspending and exposing organizations to significant security risks. So, how should enterprises address both hybrid (on-premises and in the cloud) and multi-cloud challenges? This research reviews new technologies and approaches that can improve visibility for IT teams, enable security policies across the entire network, and manage costs more effectively.

Vladimir Galabov, Director, Cloud and Data Center Research, and Rik Turner, Principal Analyst, Emerging Technologies, are the co-authors of this eBook from Omdia, a data, research, and consulting business that offers expert analysis and strategic insight to empower decision-making surrounding new technologies.

This eBook covers the following topics:

  • the current landscape of cloud computing, including the BIG problems
  • the advantages of using a multi-cloud approach
  • the dangers of shadow IT, including billing surprises and security breaches
  • the move of mission-critical applications to the cloud
  • the considerations regarding cloud security, including recommendations for IT teams
Unmasking the Top 5 End-User Computing (EUC) Challenges
The work-from-anywhere world is upon us. To support the distributed workforce, organizations have deployed virtual applications and desktops, but still struggle to make the digital employee experience as good or better than the office experience. ControlUp surveyed over 450 end-user computing administrators and asked them about their most challenging problems in supporting remote work.
Today, millions of people across the globe are now working remotely. Though COVID-19 will soon be but a memory, this “work-from-anywhere” trend is here to stay. To support the distributed workforce, organizations have deployed virtual applications and desktops, but still struggle to make the employee experience as good or better than their experience in the office.

ControlUp surveyed over 450 end-user computing administrators and asked them about their most challenging problems in supporting remote work. From slow logons, application performance issues, network latency, unified communications issues, to slow sessions, this paper explains the top five survey findings and explores the ways ControlUp helps mitigate these problems.
Analyzing VMware Horizon Logons
While VMware Horizon provides a powerful virtualization platform, technologies and capabilities like Microsoft Windows, Active Directory, authentication, DNS, network, group policy, and third-party apps must work seamlessly to provide a great digital employee experience. This eBook will focus on improving the logon duration for EUC and VDI deployments.

While VMware Horizon provides a powerful virtualization platform, technologies and capabilities like Microsoft Windows, Active Directory, authentication, DNS, network, group policy, and third-party apps must work seamlessly to provide a great digital employee experience. This eBook will focus on improving the logon duration for EUC and VDI deployments.

And view this solution page for more information. 

Examining the Effectiveness of Digital Twins in Network Modeling
A 451 Research survey examined the prevalence and effectiveness of shared data models and “digital twins” in network modeling from the perspectives of cloud, network, and security operations, examining how approaches to data sharing impacted each role and the interaction between these job functions. The survey responses illustrate the effectiveness of digital twins and indicate the relative digital maturity of each job function, showing where there is potential to improve efficiency.
A 451 Research survey examined the prevalence and effectiveness of shared data models and “digital twins” in network modeling from the perspectives of cloud, network, and security operations, examining how approaches to data sharing impacted each role and the interaction between these job functions.

The survey responses illustrate the effectiveness of digital twins and indicate the relative digital maturity of each job function, showing where there is potential to improve efficiency.
Shaping the Future of Remote Access With Apache Guacamole Technology
In today's hybrid and remote working era, the importance of secure and convenient remote desktop access has become increasingly evident. As employees access sensitive data and systems from various locations and devices, organizations face heightened security risks. These risks include potential data breaches and cyber attacks, particularly when IT and DevOps teams use privileged accounts for remote infrastructure management.
In today's hybrid and remote working era, the importance of secure and convenient remote desktop access has become increasingly evident. As employees access sensitive data and systems from various locations and devices, organizations face heightened security risks. These risks include potential data breaches and cyber attacks, particularly when IT and DevOps teams use privileged accounts for remote infrastructure management.

Since 2016, many users have turned to Apache Guacamole, a community-driven open-source remote desktop platform that is free for anyone to use and if your organization is technically savvy. The source code is publicly available to compile and build.

However, if you’d like software that’s ready to deploy for the enterprise and comes with responsive, professional support, Keeper Connection Manager (KCM) can provide an affordable way to get all the benefits of Apache Guacamole.

KCM provides users with a secure and reliable way to remotely connect to their machines using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), Virtual Network Computing (VNC), Secure Shell (SSH) and other common protocols. Moreover, KCM is backed by a responsive team, including the original creators of Apache Guacamole, ensuring expert assistance is always available.

Let’s dive into the importance and challenges of remote access below.

The ROI of a Network Digital Twin
A network digital twin is a digital model of the network that makes network data accessible and actionable to ensure the network behaves as expected and is secure. NetOps, SecOps, and CloudOps teams use this data to drastically reduce time spent diagnosing problems, leading to a more agile, reliable, and secure network. Read this eBook for more details on the financial return on aligning your team, simplifying troubleshooting, and avoiding outages by using a network digital twin.

Contents

  • What is a network digital twin?
  • Outages are expensive and preventable
  • A network digital twin saves time and money
  • Time is money
  • General use cases
    • Workflow automation
    • Inventory management
    • Automated compliance/audit
    • Change management
  • Network security use cases
    • Security posture verification
    • Incident response
    • Vulnerability management
  • Multi-cloud use cases
    • Continuous multi-cloud security audit
    • Service assurance
    • End-to-end visibility
  • Network operations use cases
    • Path verification/analysis
    • Outage prevention
    • Troubleshooting
The Business Value of Forward Networks
This IDC Solution Brief delved deep into the experiences of Forward Networks’ customers who leverage the digital twin technology. The findings revealed indisputable improvements in network stability, reliability, team productivity, and operational efficiencies. These game-changing benefits, amounting to $14.2 million averaged annually, are derived from measurable enhancements in network performance and productivity.
This IDC Solution Brief delved deep into the experiences of Forward Networks’ customers who leverage the digital twin technology. The findings revealed indisputable improvements in network stability, reliability, team productivity, and operational efficiencies. These game-changing benefits, amounting to $14.2 million averaged annually, are derived from measurable enhancements in network performance and productivity.
Build a Better vSAN
This white paper explores the development of a next-generation virtualized storage area network (vSAN) that provides high performance, data integrity, and cost-efficiency. Addressing the limitations of traditional VMware vSAN, it emphasizes the need for a solution that integrates seamlessly into a hypervisor, supports deduplication at the core, and offers robust data resiliency, including maintaining access during multiple hardware failures.
Building a superior Virtual Storage Area Network (vSAN) involves addressing traditional solutions' performance, resilience, and cost shortcomings. The next-generation vSAN, like VergeIO's VergeOS, integrates storage and hypervisor functionalities into a single efficient code base, matching the capabilities of dedicated storage arrays while maintaining the cost advantage of vSANs.

Key improvements include:
  • Hypervisor Integration: Seamless integration for better performance and scalability.
  • Cost Efficiency:  Eliminates expensive server hardware and storage controllers.
  • Built-in Deduplication: Core-level deduplication for minimal performance impact, maximum efficiency, and significant cost savings.
  • Intelligent Hardware Failure Protection: Enhanced resilience with data copies across multiple nodes and drives.
  • Advanced Snapshot Capabilities: Unlimited, efficient and independent snapshots.
The white paper "Build a Better vSAN" offers an in-depth analysis of these advancements, providing insights on improving vSAN performance, ensuring data integrity, and reducing storage costs. This approach sets a new standard in virtualized storage solutions, offering the reliability of dedicated storage arrays at vSAN prices.

A Step-By-Step VMware Migration Process
This comprehensive guide outlines a structured process for transitioning from VMware to VergeOS. It covers evaluating alternatives, planning the migration, execution, and post-migration optimization. Learn how to achieve cost savings, extend hardware life, and improve ransomware resiliency without disrupting operations. Download now to access detailed migration plans and a thorough VMware exit checklist. Get the insights you need for a smooth and efficient virtualization transition.

Discover the Essential Guide to VMware Migration

Transitioning from VMware to VergeOS requires careful planning to minimize disruption. Our guide provides a structured process for a smooth migration:

Key Sections of the Guide

1. Evaluation of Alternatives
   - Research and Trial: Identify and test virtualization solutions for performance, compatibility, features, and support.
   - Cost-Benefit Analysis: Compare costs and calculate ROI to evaluate benefits over VMware.

2. Planning the Migration
   - Detailed Plan: Outline timelines, resource allocation, and risk management.
   - Infrastructure Preparation: Ensure hardware and network compatibility

3. Execution and Post-Migration
   - Pilot Migration: Start with non-critical systems to test the process.
   - Full-Scale Migration: Schedule during low-usage periods, back up data, and execute the migration.
   - Post-Migration Testing: Verify functional and performance standards in the new environment.

4. Phased Migration Process
- Backup/DR: Use VergeOS for cost-effective backup and disaster recovery of the VMware environment.
- NAS Replacement: Replace Network Attached Storage with VergeOS.
- Testing: Test workloads for compatibility and performance.
- Conversion: Incrementally convert virtual machines, starting with low-priority workloads.

Download the full guide now to optimize your virtualization strategy.

Demonstrations of Forward Enterprise Digital Twin Technology
Technical Marketing Manager, and former IT engineer Mike Lossmann demonstrates features within Forward Networks

Technical Marketing Manager, and former IT engineer Mike Lossmann demonstrates features within Forward Networks

Top 5 Network Issues That a Digital Twin Can Solve in Under a Week
Let’s face it: your network is a complex, hairy beast. It eats protocols for breakfast, consumes configs for lunch, and sometimes the state outputs from its packet dinner can be… unpleasant.
Let’s face it: your network is a complex, hairy beast. It eats protocols for breakfast, consumes configs for lunch, and sometimes the state outputs from its packet dinner can be… unpleasant.

If your network beast includes hardware and software from dozens of vendors, spread across multiple data centers and clouds, and runs mission-critical applications with challenging security requirements… then join Brandon Heller, Forward Networks CTO and Co-founder, for this 30-min session/demo featuring real-life examples from large “beastly” enterprise networks that found a path to reliability, agility, and security.
How AI-enabled digital twins will transform network management
Join AI and Networking experts Howard Holton from GigaOm and Nikhil Handigol from Forward Networks for an insightful webinar exploring the symbiotic relationship between AI and digital twins. Gain essential insights to navigate the evolving technological landscape as we discuss how generative AI is set to revolutionize network management by enhancing the capabilities of network digital twins. Delve into the potential "dark side" of AI that IT leadership should be vigilant about. Don't miss out o
Join AI and Networking experts Howard Holton from GigaOm and Nikhil Handigol from Forward Networks for an insightful webinar exploring the symbiotic relationship between AI and digital twins. Gain essential insights to navigate the evolving technological landscape as we discuss how generative AI is set to revolutionize network management by enhancing the capabilities of network digital twins. Delve into the potential "dark side" of AI that IT leadership should be vigilant about. Don't miss out on this comprehensive discussion that will shape your understanding of AI-enabled digital twins and their impact on network management.
Product Review: ExaGrid EX189
An independent review of ExaGrid’s newest and largest Tiered Backup Storage appliance: the ExaGrid EX189.

Enterprises facing rapidly growing backup demands and ever shrinking windows of opportunity need to rethink their data protection strategies. ExaGrid is the ideal solution as the Tiered Backup Storage systems deliver a smart scale-out solution, and the latest EX189 model takes density into the stratosphere with an industry-leading 12PB of raw backup capacity in 64U of rack space.

ExaGrid’s EX appliances are a natural choice for enterprise data backup and disaster recovery as they deliver an easily deployed, highly flexible and high performing scale-out storage solution. Their innovative data protection features keep ransomware attacks at bay and ExaGrid’s flagship EX189 appliance offers a huge backup capacity that defies belief.

How Stratodesk Boosts Endpoint Security
Security is one of the chief concerns facing VDI deployments. It could be argued that security is the chief reason for virtual desktop infrastructure. It acts as a safety precaution against exploits that target endpoint devices, natural disasters, theft, and beyond. Additionally, VDI allows IT to manage thousands of devices from one central location. Furthermore, with VDI, no data is stored on the endpoint itself, and yet, end users get the advantage of a full computing environment.
Security is one of the top concerns facing VDI deployments. It could be argued that security is the primary reason for virtual desktop infrastructure. It acts as a safety precaution against exploits that target endpoint devices against natural disasters, theft, and beyond. Additionally, VDI allows IT to manage thousands of devices from one central location. Furthermore, with VDI, no data is stored on the endpoint itself, and yet, end users get the advantage of a full computing environment. Nevertheless, servers, new hardware, IT overhead, Windows licenses, and malware/antivirus contracts easily add up to a fortune. IT must deal with the massive demands placed on its staff resources. It is estimated that organizations spend upwards of 1,000 hours a week on average updating, maintaining, and patching their endpoints alone. Unfortunately, given how busy IT system administrators are today, it is far too difficult for them to manage the endpoint security of each of their devices without the right solution in place. To enable an effective and secure VDI deployment, enterprises and organizations must educate themselves on the many options, challenges, and benefits of securely scaling their network of devices, as well as the alternatives available to reduce IT staff hours and overall costs.
Revisting SDN - Why Your VMware Alternative Should Include Integrated Networking
Organizations are now seeking a VMware Alternative, which is a significant infrastructure change. While IT “has the patient open,” why not take another look at Software-Defined Networking (SDN) to see if it can bring greater flexibility and simplify the operation of the network while further reducing infrastructure costs.
Extend Your Infrastructure Savings Beyond the Hypervisor

Software-defined networking (SDN) was supposed to revolutionize networking, but high costs and complexity have kept adoption low. Now, as IT teams seek a VMware alternative, it’s time to take another look at SDN and how it fits into your infrastructure transition.

This white paper explores why traditional SDN solutions, including VMware NSX, have failed to gain widespread adoption and why VergeFabric, included at no additional cost in VergeOS, changes the equation.

What You’ll Learn:
  • Why VMware’s approach to SDN stalled adoption due to licensing fees, complexity, and hardware overhead.
  • How VergeFabric, built into VergeOS, eliminates the need for dedicated SDN appliances or controller VMs.
  • The advantages of VM-level segmentation and VDC-level security without VLAN sprawl or manual firewall rules.
  • How VergeOS extends cost savings beyond the hypervisor by integrating compute, storage, and networking into a single platform.
  • Why multi-site connectivity and disaster recovery are simplified with built-in SDN.