Sulagna Saha reports on the delegate roundtable on the topic of app modernization lead by Paul Nashawaty at AppDev Field Day ADFD1 last month. Is modernization a judicious strategic move or an obvious necessity? Her article unpacks the complexities and risks associated with updating legacy applications, alongside the potential benefits of agility, scalability, and improved user experiences. Through this discourse, Sulagna aims to enlighten IT decision-makers on the careful deliberation required when contemplating the modernization of their application landscape.
Network Visibility for Application Performance
Michael Levan dives into the critical role of network visibility in optimizing application performance following the Catchpoint presentation at AppDev Field Day. He emphasizes how in-depth insights into network activity can pinpoint issues affecting application efficiency and user experience. Understanding the interconnectedness of network infrastructure and application behavior is essential for IT professionals to maintain high performance and rapid issue resolution.
Monitoring and Observability (Enter Mezmo)
Michael Levan introduces Mezmo, who presented at AppDev Field Day. They are a compelling solution in the field of monitoring and observability on the dev.to platform. He highlights how Mezmo provides insightful data analysis and log management tools, helping teams to ensure the optimal performance and reliability of their systems. The shift to Mezmo demonstrates how modern observability platforms are becoming essential in efficiently diagnosing and addressing potential IT infrastructure issues.
Is Serverless Still Relevant? (GCP Addition)
The relevance of serverless architecture, particularly in the context of Google Cloud Platform (GCP), is the focus of this Dev To article posted prior to AppDev Field Day. Michael Levan delves into its current standing and future potential. The post explores the efficiency and scalability benefits of serverless computing, while also considering its limitations and best use cases. It serves as a thought-provoking read for developers and IT professionals who are evaluating the viability and strategic fit of serverless solutions within their tech stack.
GCP Cloud Run vs Kubernetes
In this Dev To article posted prior to AppDev Field Day, Michael Levan contrasts Google Cloud Run with Kubernetes, providing clarity on the differences and appropriate use-cases for each platform within the Google Cloud ecosystem. The article breaks down the key features, ease of deployment, scalability options, and cost considerations that developers and infrastructure specialists should weigh when choosing between the two services. It offers insight into how Cloud Run’s serverless framework stacks up against the comprehensive control and flexibility of Kubernetes, guiding users to make informed decisions based on their project needs.
Application Modernization Requires Good Security Practices
As application development and modernization moves forward, security has never been more important. This episode of the Tech Field Day podcast introduces AppDev Field Day with a discussion of the importance of DevSecOps featuring Paul Nashawaty, Mitch Ashley, Michael Levan, and Stephen Foskett.
Multi-Cloud in 2024
Selecting the right cloud infrastructure—be it multi-cloud, hybrid-cloud, VMs, or bare-metal—hinges on specific workload requirements and the scale of service operations across various regions. This DEV article by Michael Levan delves into multi-cloud strategies, utilizing different clouds for diverse services or regions, and integrates the efficiency of Dell’s APEX storage, which boasts cost savings and multi-cloud capabilities. While Dell APEX offers considerable storage improvements, the decision to switch from standard cloud storage solutions may depend on the scale of the enterprise and specific storage needs.
Performance Optimization (Platform 9 Edition)
Performance optimization is critical for ensuring the efficiency and efficacy of applications, whether they are deployed on the cloud, using bare metal, or with Kubernetes, as highlighted by Michael Levan. At the heart of performance optimization are three key questions regarding the expected performance, knowledge of how applications are performing, and data to understand this performance, all of which are addressed in this insightful blog post. Platform 9 offers tools like Proactive Ops and Elastic Machine Pool (EMP) to aid in these efforts, providing a robust management plane and smart scaling solutions to maintain optimal resource utilization and reduce costs.
Boosting ML and AI Workloads (Neuroblade)
To hasten the development of Large Language Models and AI/ML workloads, NeuroBlade’s innovative SPU hardware, pluggable into a PCIe slot, promises to amplify existing GPU capabilities by around 30%. As computational demands escalate, particularly for the training of intelligent models, the SPU aims to significantly boost server performance, potentially relieving some pressure from the surging GPU market. To Michael Levan, this advancement serves as a testament to Neuroblade’s commitment to accelerating the pace at which AI and ML technologies evolve and become more efficient.
Hybrid and Private Cloud (Enter Softiron)
As businesses re-evaluate cloud strategies, the concept of cloud repatriation becomes increasingly relevant, making the case for bringing select workloads back to private datacenters. Key to a successful private cloud strategy is the ability to scale; solutions offered by companies like SoftIron facilitate scaling out to public clouds, ensuring flexibility and extending storage capabilities beyond on-prem limitations. Read on in this DEV Community article by Michael Levan.
Day Two Cloud 198: Modern Cloud Design Themes From CFD 17
Day Two Cloud’s Ned Bellavance, Ethan Banks, and Michael Levan highlight some key design themes at Cloud Field Day 17, hosted by Tech Field Day. These themes include platform engineering, data protection, disaster recovery, and the co-existence of old and new technologies in modern IT. Kubernetes’ growing status as the default platform choice was mentioned. Backup and disaster recovery solutions by HYCU, Zerto, and others bridge the gap between on-prem and cloud environments. Listen to this episode to learn more!
Cloud Field Day 17 Recap
Michael Levan gives an overview of Cloud Field Day 17, which included several innovative platforms useful for cloud computing and modernization. Platforms like HYCU, Morpheus Data, and RackN offer self-service and integration to aid in orchestration and provide better support. Zerto is a comprehensive VMware-based platform with backups based on detection and real-time alerting; Couchbase offers a vendor-agnostic NoSQL solution for cost optimization, and JetStream Software is an essential Disaster Recovery tool.
Michael Levan
Kubernetes and Platform Engineering Thought Leader, Engineer, Content Creator, and Consultant
