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DH2i, Microsoft, and SUSE to Present Two Sessions on Secure, Resilient AI and Data Platforms at SUSECON 2025

Posted in Commentary with tags on March 6, 2025 by itnerd

DH2i has announced its participation in SUSECON 2025, taking place March 10-14 in Orlando, Florida. DH2i, alongside technology leaders from Microsoft and SUSE, will present two sessions focused on building secure, resilient data platforms. The first, an in-person breakout session at the conference, will showcase how to optimize SQL Server 2025 and SUSE Rancher to create a unified, scalable data platform across containers, physical, and virtual machines (VMs) with DH2i’s DxEnterprise. The second, a pre-recorded session made available at the conclusion of the conference, will provide a step-by-step guide to deploying highly available AI applications using SUSE AI & BCI, Microsoft SQL Server, and DH2i DxEnterprise.

In-Person Breakout Session:

  • Date/Time: Thursday, March 13th, 11:00 am – 11:50 am ET
  • Presenters:
  • OJ Ngo, CTO and Co-Founder, DH2i
  • Abduallah Mamun, Senior Product Manager | Azure Data, Microsoft
  • Terry L. Smith Director, Global Alliances Solutions, Suse
  • Session Title: “Harnessing SQL Server 2025 and SUSE Rancher for a Unified Data Platform Across Containers, Physical, and Virtual Machines with DH2i’s DxOperator”
  • Abstract: Build a data environment that is cross-platform, spanning across virtual machines, physical machines, and containers in different environments. In this session, we will deploy SQL Server containers across Azure Kubernetes Service and other Kubernetes platforms using the DH2i Operator, managing the entire deployment with SUSE’s Rancher. With the release of SQL Server 2025, we will also showcase the vector search capability, enabling semantic search natively for your databases. If you are a database developer, engineer, or administrator looking to modernize your data estate, this session is for you. We will highlight new developer features in SQL Server 2025, making it easier to work with JSON, Parquet, and traditional relational data within the same environment. Additionally, we will cover how SUSE Rancher can be used to manage and administer Kubernetes clusters, ensuring efficient and streamlined operations in an all-Kubernetes environment. Join us to discover best practices, tips, and tools for optimizing your SQL Server container deployments in a hybrid cloud landscape.

Pre-Recorded Session (Viewable after SUSECON):

  • Presenters:
  • OJ Ngo, CTO and Co-Founder, DH2i
  • Amit Khandelwal, Principal Product Manager | Data Platform – SQL Server, Microsoft
  • Terry L. Smith Director, Global Alliances Solutions, Suse
  • Session Title: “How to Build a Secure and Resilient Production Environment for Your AI Applications”
  • Abstract: In today’s AI-driven world, swift and seamless transitions from development to enterprise deployment are essential, along with reliable high availability (HA) for databases supporting AI apps. In this demo-packed session, Ngo, Khandelwal, and Smith will guide IT teams step-by-step in building a comprehensive solution architecture for deploying enterprise AI at scale. They will use SUSE AI & Base Container Image (BCI) for a secure, feature-rich foundation, Microsoft SQL Server as a flexible and secure database backbone, and DH2i DxEnterprise for infrastructure-agnostic HA/DR. Attendees will leave with an actionable framework for building highly available, production AI apps on the SUSE platform using Microsoft SQL Server and DH2i, and an understanding of the benefits of SUSE tools like Rancher, NeuVector, and StackState.

SUSECON, taking place from March 10-14 in Orlando, promises to be a must-attend event for IT professionals, developers, and business leaders eager to explore the latest advancements in open-source solutions. With a focus on innovation, collaboration, and the future of enterprise technology, the conference will feature a dynamic lineup of keynote speakers, hands-on workshops, and engaging breakout sessions. Attendees will gain insights into topics such as cloud-native transformation, edge computing, and containerization while networking with industry leaders and peers. To learn more, please visit: https://www.suse.com/susecon/.

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Guest Post: Microsoft, SUSE, & DH2i: A Comprehensive Dream Team for HA SQL Server in the Cloud

Posted in Commentary with tags on February 14, 2025 by itnerd

By Josh Achtemeier

Our collaborations with technology partners over the years have been critical in engineering the most flexible and impactful software solutions for our customers. 

DH2i has worked in different capacities with Microsoft for years. We’ve maintained a collaborative, mutually-beneficial relationship that has fostered some massive advances in SQL Server high availability technology, especially in the Linux space. E.g. DH2i’s groundbreaking SQL Server Operator for Kubernetes has become Microsoft’s officially recommended SQL Server Operator, even receiving dedicated documentation articles within their SQL Server resource library. 

Over the last couple years, we have started working closely with the fantastic team over at SUSE as well—pioneering some powerful new solutions to facilitate SQL Server modernization with unparalleled ease. E.g. Take a look at this demo video featuring DxOperator and Rancher Prime to facilitate the easiest possible approach to a SQL Server Kubernetes deployment in AKS.  

From robust, certified platforms to meticulously developed Kubernetes orchestration and security technologies, SUSE provides perfectly complementary capabilities to enhance our existing solution stories with Microsoft. The functional possibilities and applications of our combined solution portfolios are wide-ranging, but this blog will focus on the ability of our three companies to unlock easy deployment of highly available SQL Server in the cloud with Microsoft Azure, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES), and DxEnterprise. 

A Full Suite of Services and Security for Cloud Databases 

Microsoft Azure: Azure is Microsoft’s public cloud platform, which provides a wide range of services, including computing, storage, networking, and database management. Azure supports various operating systems, including SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES). 

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server: SUSE is an open-source software company that offers a range of products, including the SLES operating system. SLES is a popular choice for enterprise environments due to its stability, security, and scalability. 

DxEnterprise: DxEnterprise is Smart High Availability Clustering software developed by DH2i, which provides an easy-to-mange, flexible, secure, and highly available clustering framework for managing SQL Server databases on Windows, Linux, and Kubernetes.  

When used together, Azure, SLES, and DxEnterprise can provide a robust solution for deploying and managing highly available databases in the cloud. Here’s how they work together: 

  1. Azure as the cloud platform: Azure provides the underlying infrastructure for deploying and running SLES virtual machines (VMs) or containers. 
  2. SUSE Linux Enterprise Server: SLES is installed on Azure VMs or used as a container runtime, providing a stable and secure operating system environment for running databases. 
  3. DxEnterprise: DxEnterprise is deployed on top of SLES, providing a high availability framework that can manage multiple database instances across the Azure (and any mix of) infrastructure. 

The benefits of using Azure, SUSE, and DxEnterprise together include: 

  1. Scalability: Azure provides a scalable cloud infrastructure that can be effortlessly integrated with the DxEnterprise HA management framework, regardless of region or Availability Zone. 
  2. High availability: DxEnterprise ensures high availability of databases by providing real-time monitoring, load balancing, and automatic failover (for instances AND containers) to ensure that workloads are always running in their respective best execution venues. 
  3. Security: SLES provides a secure operating system environment, while DxEnterprise offers the additional capability of encrypted, app-level zero trust network access connections across any mix of clouds and infrastructure. 
  4. Simplified management: DxEnterprise simplifies high availability management by providing a unified platform for managing multiple database instances across Azure and any mix of infrastructure or platforms. 

Use Cases for the Azure, SLES, & DxEnterprise Solution Stack 

Some possible use cases for using Azure, SUSE, and DxEnterprise together include: 

  1. Database consolidation: Consolidate multiple databases into a single DxEnterprise high availability cluster running on SLES in Azure.
  2. Easy Multi-Site DR in the Cloud: If organizations need the real-time replication provided by Always-On Availability Groups (AGs), DxEnterprise can be used to easily stretch the AG across multiple Azure regions or availability zones, ensuring high availability and disaster recovery capabilities between sites.
  3. Cloud migration: Migrate on-premises databases to Azure using DxEnterprise and SLES, taking advantage of proprietary tools like DxEnterprise’s SQL Server Operator for Kubernetes.

For organizations looking to deploy highly available SQL Server in the cloud, it’s impossible to outdo the benefits provided by Azure cloud infrastructure and its tight, out-of-the-box integration with SQL Server. Microsoft and SUSE’s longstanding partnership has culminated in an incredibly stable and secure operating system environment with SUSE Linux Enterprise Server. And SLES provides a cost-effective platform that is inherently optimized for SQL Server workloads. Lastly, DxEnterprise delivers the perfect high availability solution to manage all your workloads across Azure—instances or containers—and easily unifies mixed infrastructure and multi-site deployments for disaster recovery. 

Together, Azure, SLES, and DxEnterprise provide the go-to solution stack for deploying and managing SQL Server databases in the cloud. Their close integration and robust management capabilities stand head and shoulders above the competition in terms of scalability, high availability, and security.

Check out other resources detailing Microsoft, SUSE, and DH2i’s continued collaborations below:

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2025 Predictions: Self-Optimizing Clusters, Cross-Cloud HA, & Enhanced Security and Isolation

Posted in Commentary with tags on November 22, 2024 by itnerd

When it comes to AI and High Availability (HA) Clustering, the synergy between AI’s capabilities and HA’s needs is expected to drive more advanced, resilient, and self-managing clusters. Here are a few predictions from Don Boxley, CEO and Co-Founder, DH2i on how this convergence will shape the future.

1.)  Self-Optimizing Clusters – AI will enable HA clusters to self-optimize by analyzing workload patterns, resource usage, and performance metrics in real-time. This means that clusters can automatically adjust resource allocation, distribute workloads more evenly, and maintain optimal performance without human intervention, even under fluctuating loads.

“Managing HA clusters manually often leads to inefficiencies, with resources sitting idle during low usage and systems struggling to keep up under peak loads.”

“AI eliminates these inefficiencies by continuously analyzing workloads and resource usage, allowing clusters to self-optimize and maintain peak performance without manual oversight.”

2.)  Cross-Cloud High Availability – As organizations adopt multi-cloud strategies, AI-driven HA clustering will help maintain HA across different cloud environments by managing clusters that span multiple providers. AI-driven HA clustering will also leverage adaptive load balancing, where AI learns usage patterns, traffic surges and analyzes performance across providers to intelligently distribute workloads across nodes. This approach will minimize latency and prevent bottlenecks, keeping HA clusters performant and responsive.

“Organizations relying on multi-cloud strategies frequently encounter challenges in ensuring consistent performance and availability across providers, leading to latency and bottlenecks.”

“AI simplifies cross-cloud HA by dynamically analyzing traffic and distributing workloads intelligently across providers, ensuring seamless performance and responsiveness.”

3.)  Enhanced Security and Isolation – AI-powered monitoring will enable HA clusters to detect unusual behaviors that may signify security breaches or potential insider threats. By identifying anomalies, AI can isolate affected nodes or reroute traffic away from potential threats, enhancing the security and reliability of HA clusters.

“Traditional monitoring tools often miss subtle threats or fail to respond quickly enough, leaving HA clusters vulnerable to breaches and downtime.”

“AI-powered monitoring detects anomalies in real-time and isolates threats immediately, ensuring the security and reliability of high availability clusters without delays.”

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Keeping Data and Systems Secure and Available on Black Friday and Cyber Monday

Posted in Commentary with tags , on November 7, 2024 by itnerd

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are just around the corner, and I don’t know about you, but in addition to being excited about the potential holiday shopping deals, I always feel for the IT professionals who are tasked with keeping their systems and data secure and available. This continues to become an exponentially more difficult task as cyber-criminals become increasingly aggressive and sophisticated. I can only imagine how stressful this responsibility is at this time of year! 

Don Boxley, CEO and Co-Founder of DH2i and DeeDee Kato, Vice President of Corporate Marketing for Foxit had this to say about these important days and critical topics: 

Don Boxley, CEO and Co-Founder, DH2i: 

“Let’s talk about VPNs – you know, those tools so many have relied on for secure online connections? Well, here’s the thing – they’re not quite the safety blanket they were back when they were invented over two decades ago. They actually have some serious flaws – like they do not protect your anonymity, they won’t protect you from malware or phishing attacks, and they serve as an access point that can be leveraged to compromise your entire, unsegmented network. Additionally, VPN services can access your personal info (PII), see your IP address, and see what websites you visit and what you do while you are there – and that is just a start! During crazy shopping times like Black Friday, hackers have had a field day with VPNs – messing with prices, running scams, and basically sneaking into business systems like they own the place. 

Here’s the good news! Enter Software-Defined Perimeter (SDP) – think of it as your super-smart security guard who trusts no one (in a good way). Instead of just letting people in because they have the right password, SDP does a full background check – every… single… time. It’s like having a bouncer who looks at every ID, does pat-downs, and even checks everyone’s shoes before letting anyone into the club.

What makes SDP really shine is how it keeps an eagle eye on everything happening in your network, sets up specific rules for who can access what, and basically builds virtual walls between different parts of your system. So, when the holiday shopping chaos hits, businesses can breathe easier knowing their own and their customers’ data is not just “VPN secure,” but actually secure and truly locked down.”

DeeDee Kato, Vice President of Corporate Marketing, Foxit: 

“PDFs are oftentimes the unsung heroes, the workhorses in the background, quietly enabling businesses to streamline communication, enhance accessibility, and ensure consistency. Certainly, on Black Friday and Cyber Monday this is true — as the modest PDF makes it possible for retailers/e-tailers to better manage and roll-out large-scale promotions, expedite customer communications, and ensure operational efficiency. From product catalogs, gift cards, and digital coupons to receipts, shipping confirmations, and return policies, PDFs enable businesses to provide customers with clear, consistent, easily accessible and downloadable information across devices. 

My advice for retailers/e-tailers at this make-or-break time of year is to make sure they are able to make the most of PDFs during these shopping days. They must choose a PDF solution that optimizes PDFs for mobile and web viewing to accommodate customers browsing on various devices. They must also have the ability to compress promotions, order summaries, gift guides, etc. for faster download speeds without compromising readability, reducing bounce rates during peak traffic. And, last but certainly not least, retailers/e-tailors much organize PDFs logically – with clear filenames and well-placed links to enhance the customer experience – especially during high-stress moments when users need quick access to coupons or order details. 

Of course, lets not forget the security is essential on Black Friday and Cyber Monday – yes, especially for PDFs. They can become a doorway for phishing and fraud. Retailers/e-tailers must employ PDF solutions that allow for password protection and encryption, and even secure digital signatures – to protect not only their customers personal information, but their employees’ as well. 

So to retailers/e-tailers this year, I say, make PDF efficiency and security your mantra. In doing so you will deliver premium experience for your customers and employees – when it matters most.”

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DH2i to Showcase DxEnterprise Smart High Availability Software and Its SQL Server Operator for Kubernetes at PASS Data Community Summit 2024

Posted in Commentary with tags on October 28, 2024 by itnerd

DH2i today announced it will be showcasing its DxEnterprise Microsoft SQL Server high availability software for instances and containers at this year’s PASS Data Community Summit. PASS Summit 2024 will bring thousands of data platform professionals together for an in-person event in Seattle, WA, from November 4-8, 2024.

DH2i Booth #204:

Attendees will have the opportunity to experience DH2i’s industry-leading DxEnterprise software firsthand and learn how to drive Microsoft SQL Server downtime and data loss to near-zero across on-prem, remote, cloud, and hybrid environments – all while eliminating management complexity. DH2i will also show how to easily set up multi-site clusters for disaster recovery (DR), manage Windows and Linux SQL Server side-by-side in the same cluster, and easily and securely usher in the era of containers with DxOperator by DH2i, the industry’s preferred SQL Server Operator for Kubernetes (K8s). 

In-Booth Demos & Raffles, DH2i Booth #204:

  • Wednesday, November 6: 10:50 am 
  • Thursday, November 7: 3:10 pm 
  • Friday, November 8: 10:00 am 

Don’t Miss:

General Session: “Harness the Power of Kubernetes to Achieve Truly Cloud-Agnostic SQL Server”

  • Wednesday, November 6: 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm in Room 345-346
  • DH2i’s CTO and Co-Founder, OJ Ngo, to join Microsoft’s Principal Product Manager, Amit Khandelwal, to discuss how organizations can cost-effectively maintain “5-nines” SQL Server uptime while eliminating the risk of cloud vendor lock-in. While Kubernetes and containers offer infrastructure autonomy, they also introduce complexity and downtime risks. Ngo and Khandelwal will present a solution to these concerns by demonstrating a cloud-agnostic SQL Server environment using Kubernetes, allowing multi-cloud deployments and automatic failover across platforms. This approach accelerates digital transformation, enabling unified HA management for SQL Server across Windows, Linux, and Kubernetes in a single framework.

10-Minute Lightning Talk: “Deploy Highly Available SQL Server Containers in AKS in 3 Easy Steps”

  • Thursday, November 7 at 11:15 am in room 343-344
  • DH2i’s CTO and Co-Founder, OJ Ngo, will present a 10-minute lightning talk to demonstrate how easy SQL Server container deployment and HA can be with the industry’s preferred SQL Server Operator for Kubernetes. Whether you’re an expert or just curious about the benefits of database containers, this session will show an easy-to-execute, 3-step approach to deploy a customizable, Always-On Availability Group in an Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) cluster.

20-Minute Session at AWS Booth: “Deploy a SQL Server Availability Group on Amazon EKS with Ease using DH2i”

  • Wednesday, November 6 at 1:00 pm at the AWS Booth
  • DH2i’s CTO and Co-Founder, OJ Ngo, will present alongside Yogi Barot from AWS as they demonstrate an easy, operator-driven approach to deploy highly available SQL Server on Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service and the combined ability of this solution stack to ensure the industry’s lowest downtime for SQL Server containers.

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Guest Post: Navigating Microsoft SQL Server and Kubernetes in a Hybrid and Multi-Cloud Era

Posted in Commentary with tags on February 15, 2024 by itnerd

By Don Boxley, CEO and Co-Founder, DH2i

In a business world that’s increasingly leaning on hybrid and multi-cloud environments for agility and competitiveness, DH2i’s recent launch of DxOperator couldn’t be more timely. For those managing SQL Server within Kubernetes — especially when dealing with the intricacies of operating across various cloud platforms — it is a true game changer. 

DxOperator is the result of a close relationship with the Microsoft SQL Server team, which led to the creation of a tool that is ideally suited to automate SQL Server container deployment in Kubernetes. What makes it truly unique and a stand-out in this space is DxOperator’s ability to take complex setups and make them simple — which ensures that HA and operational efficiency are easily achievable, even across multi-cloud environments.

Of course, another reason that DxOperator is in a league of its own is how it turns your specific requirements into optimized actions. DxOperator handles everything from custom pod naming to node selection with such finesse that managing SQL Server containers becomes a breeze. It’s all about making sure that your deployments are not just efficient but also best practice compliant.

Microsoft’s Rob Horrocks praised DxOperator (see announcement) for its ease-of-use and effectiveness, noting its potential to simplify complex deployments for those who might not be Kubernetes experts. DxOperator’s user-friendly nature, together with its robustness is reshaping how businesses approach database management.

“Previously, deploying this type of setup could require up to 30 minutes and numerous pages of code. However, with the DxOperator feature, it’s been streamlined to a mere 3-5 minutes and a handful of code lines. This makes the transition to K8s significantly smoother for those experienced with SQL Server but new to K8s,” Horrocks explained.

OJ Ngo, DH2i’s CTO and Co-Founder, also shared that DxOperator was built with a focus on practical automation and efficient management of SQL Server availability groups. OJ and his team met their goal with flying colors! DxOperator is the industry’s most versatile tool — aligning with Kubernetes’ best practices while meeting the modern demands of IT infrastructures, particularly in hybrid and multi-cloud scenarios.

Tailored for Hybrid and Multi-Cloud Strategies

For organizations embracing hybrid and multi-cloud models, DxOperator is a significant boon. DxOperator streamlines the deployment of SQL Server across various settings, aligning seamlessly with the scalable and adaptable characteristics of hybrid cloud approaches. The result is that businesses have the flexibility to allocate their resources more wisely and keep spending under control. Moreover, digital security is enhanced with our cutting-edge DxEnterprise with secure tunneling technology, ensuring safe and private data exchange across any network. And, at the same time, it ensures everything runs smoothly, no matter where their data and applications are hosted in the cloud.

Highlights:

  • Efficient Deployment: DxOperator facilitates quick and intelligent setup of SQL Server instances, ideally suiting the complex requirements of hybrid and multi-cloud settings.
  • High Availability: The tool ensures that your SQL Server environments are always up and running, smoothly integrating into Always On Availability Groups for continuous operation across any cloud setting.
  • Simplified Management: With DxOperator, the complexity of managing SQL Server environments is significantly reduced, freeing up IT teams to focus on strategic initiatives.

For those interested in exploring DxOperator and how it can streamline your SQL Server deployments, especially within hybrid and multi-cloud frameworks, I encourage you to check out DH2i’s website. (Click here for comprehensive guides and details on how to get started with DxOperator.) 

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DH2i Announces General Availability of Revolutionary DxOperator for Streamlined SQL Server Container Deployment on Kubernetes

Posted in Commentary with tags on February 6, 2024 by itnerd

 DH2i today announced the general availability (GA) launch of DxOperator, a major advancement for Kubernetes and SQL Server integration. DxOperator is engineered to meet the growing demands of businesses seeking efficient, scalable, and highly available (HA) database environments. It is the ideal choice for customers looking to streamline their SQL Server container deployments on Kubernetes, with unparalleled ease of use, robustness, and automation capabilities.

DxOperator was meticulously developed from the ground up by DH2i in collaboration with the Microsoft SQL Server team. It is designed to automate the deployment of DxEnterprise clusters and streamline the orchestration of Microsoft SQL Server availability group (AG) workloads within Kubernetes environments. DxOperator provides extensive control to users over their SQL instances and availability groups, encompassing a wide range of functionalities. It adeptly translates user-defined directives into precise, low-level actions, ensuring deployments are not only efficient but also adhere to the best practices embedded within its logic. With features like custom pod naming, node selection and affinity, SQL AG customization, and load balancing, DxOperator is more than just a tool; it’s a gateway to deploying highly available, resilient, and scalable SQL Server containers with an unprecedented level of ease and precision. Its ability to handle complex configurations, like custom annotations, specific container specifications, and quality of service parameters, further accentuates its role as a crucial enabler for robust, production-grade SQL Server deployments in Kubernetes.

Key Features of DxOperator:

  • Efficient Deployment: Enables the rapid deployment of SQL Server instances on Kubernetes clusters with precise MSSQL-config parameters.
  • High Availability (HA): Automates the configuration of DxEnterprise clusters and the seamless integration of SQL Server instances into Always On Availability Groups (AGs).
  • Simplified Management: Reduces the complexity of managing SQL Server environments on Kubernetes, offering a user-friendly approach with minimal commands.

Key Benefits for Users:

  • Enhanced Productivity: DxOperator’s streamlined processes allow IT teams to focus on more strategic tasks, leaving the intricacies of deployment and management to the operator.
  • Scalability: Catering to the dynamic needs of businesses, DxOperator makes scaling SQL Server environments on Kubernetes a straightforward process.
  • Cost-Efficiency: The automation and efficiency provided by DxOperator significantly reduce the total cost of ownership for SQL Server deployments.

Getting Started with DxOperator: For more information on DH2i’s DxOperator and to begin leveraging its capabilities, interested customers can visit https://dh2i.com/dxoperator-preview/. Here, they can access a wealth of resources, including a comprehensive quick-start guide and details on obtaining a DxEnterprise developer license.

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Today Is Data Privacy Day

Posted in Commentary with tags , , on January 28, 2024 by itnerd

Data Privacy Day is today. Led by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), this event is a key part of a yearly global campaign focused on safety, security, and privacy. The theme for this year is “Take Control of Your Data.” It represents a worldwide endeavor to raise awareness about the significance of privacy respect, the protection of personal information, and the cultivation of trust.

Executives from Appdome, Datadobi, DH2i, Folio Photonics, Mission Cloud had this to say about this important day, and the incredibly important topic it represents:

Carl D’Halluin, CTO, Datadobi: 

“On January 28, we celebrate Data Privacy Day. Initiated in the United States and Canada in 2008 by the National Cyber Security Alliance, its aim is to raise awareness and promote privacy and data protection best practices. 

I would say the number one data privacy best practice is pretty simple: make sure you can get the right data to the right place at the right time. Wherever the data is in its lifecycle, it should be protected and only accessible as needed. Of course, this tends to be easier said than done. But, there is perhaps nothing more critical and imperative than implementing the right strategies and technologies to do so. After all, while data is an organization’s most valuable asset (in addition to its people), it also represents its greatest potential risk. 

Balancing these two aspects is key. In other words, effective data management enables you to optimize your business intelligence, make faster and smarter decisions, and gain a competitive edge, as well as better meet business requirements such as internal governance and legal mandates, external regulations, and financial obligations and goals.” 

Don Boxley, CEO and Co-Founder, DH2i: 

“Data privacy isn’t just important for businesses – it is a matter of corporate survival. A company can make just one small mistake, neglect one small security check-box, and the consequences can be catastrophic. One small mistake could lead to a data breach that causes legal and regulatory fines, as well as irreparable damage to the company’s reputation — a nightmare from which recovery is near-impossible.

A software-defined perimeter (SDP) solution could be the answer! Many SDP solutions are engineered to provide secure network connectivity across on-prem, cloud, and hybrid environments. SDP enables its users to transform their traditional network-based perimeter security with a more sophisticated one that creates micro-perimeters around data. SDP enables secure connections between data centers and across private and public cloud platforms without needing a VPN or direct connect, thereby significantly reducing security vulnerabilities even further. In addition, for those focused on data protection and privacy, SDP enables the ability to create secure tunnels for specific applications, as opposed to entire network access. Ideally, such a solution would be streamlined and straightforward to manage, equipped with an intuitive interface that eases the configuration, and ongoing management of secure connections. This combination — increased security, ease-of-use, and adaptability – makes SDP the ideal choice for protecting data and ensuring data privacy.”

Steve Santamaria, CEO, Folio Photonics:

“On Data Privacy Day, we are reminded of the business-critical importance of safeguarding sensitive information – both professional and personal – at a time when data breaches and cyber threats have become all too common. For data protection professionals, this should not be viewed as a gentle nudge but rather a polite – yet strong shove toward reviewing and fortifying the technology and policies that serve as the underpinnings of your data protection strategy.

How can anyone not admire those responsible for their organization’s data protection? As we in the business know – it’s no walk in the park! The good news is of course, that smarter and more powerful technology solutions continuously enter the marketplace, ready to take their place in the data protection professional’s arsenal. Active archives built on an optical storage foundation can offer an ideal data protection solution for several compelling reasons. Firstly, they provide a high level of security as data stored on optical discs is read-only, rendering it resistant to cyber threats like ransomware. Optical storage is also highly durable — able to withstand physical damage from factors like magnetic fields, moisture, and temperature fluctuations, ensuring the safety of critical data. What’s more, optical storage media boasts a long lifespan, making it ideal for data archival and compliance requirements while also being cost-effective in the long term. And last but certainly not least, it can be easily air-gapped – adding a virtually impenetrable defense against a cyber-attack. 

Retrieving data from optical storage is quick and reliable due to fast read speeds, making archived data readily accessible. And if that isn’t enough — it is environmentally friendly, consuming less energy and having a lower carbon footprint compared to alternative storage options.”

Alan Bavosa, VP of Security Products at Appdome:

In the spirit of Data Privacy Week, we should champion initiatives that prioritize security and resiliency.  

Protecting consumer data and privacy isn’t just about how a company uses their data internally or with partners, it is how it’s guarded from wider threats, such as cyber attackers. In fact, data privacy and cybersecurity are intrinsically interlinked – you can’t ensure consumer data is kept private if you don’t prioritize cybersecurity. And this includes the protections on a brand’s mobile app offering, especially as mobile stands as the dominant channel for people’s interactions, fueling criminals to eagerly infiltrate apps.  

If brands don’t pay attention to how they protect their consumers via mobile apps, they are putting themselves at a huge commercial and reputational risk as customers may leave. For instance, nearly three-quarters of global mobile consumers stated that they’d be likely or very likely to stop using an app and tell their friend to stop using it too following a data breach or if they discovered that it didn’t protect their data. 

Clearly, brands that do have privacy and security built into their mobile applications have a lot to benefit. Not only will it address cybersecurity fears and build consumer trust, but it will put them on course to comply with regulations such as DORA (Digital Operational Resilience Act) and NIS 2 Directives that both require cybersecurity resilience.

Ryan Ries, Chief Data Science Strategist at Mission Cloud:

Data Privacy is a very difficult topic to try and understand because there are so many rules and regulations that are constantly changing and are different state to state and country to country. People have to look at what kind of data they have and understand all the rules associated with it which is very time consuming and a serious endeavor. We often see customers that had this under control when they were a smaller company, but as they grow they have to really focus on ensuring they are doing the right things with the data and understanding what rules it falls under. There are so many different layers to data privacy and how you handle it, does it fall under PII, PHI or HIPAA? Do I need to worry about GDPR or data residency? There is a lot to consider and you need to be diligent that you are handling your data properly.

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2024 Predictions In Regards To Downtime Prevention, Enhanced Cybersecurity, Kubernetes, AI And More

Posted in Commentary with tags , on December 16, 2023 by itnerd

As we approach the end of the year, it’s always intriguing to explore predictions for the upcoming period across various industries. Let’s turn our attention to the 2024 forecasts by Steve Leeper of Datadobi and Don Boxley of DH2i. Their perspectives collectively paint a comprehensive picture of an evolving landscape where data becomes a central component of intelligent business strategies and robust IT systems.

Steve Leeper, VP Product Marketing, Datadobi: 

“As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to weave into the fabric of modern business, the year 2024 is likely to witness a surge in the demand for enhanced data insight and mobility. Companies will need to gain insight into their data to strategically feed AI and machine learning platforms, ensuring the most valuable and relevant information is utilized for analysis. This granular data insight will become a cornerstone for businesses as they navigate the complexities of AI integration. At the same time, the mobility of data will emerge as a critical factor, with the need to efficiently transfer large and numerous datasets to AI systems for in-depth analysis and model refinement. The era of AI adoption will not just be about possessing vast amounts of data but about unlocking its true value through meticulous selection and agile movement.

The trajectory of storage technology is also poised for a significant shift as the year 2024 approaches, with declining flash prices driving a broad-scale transition towards all-flash object storage systems. This shift is expected to result in superior system performance, catering adeptly to the voracious data appetites and rapid access demands of AI-driven operations. As flash storage becomes more financially accessible, its integration into object storage infrastructures is likely to become the norm, offering the swift performance that traditional HDD-based object storage and scalability that NAS systems lack. This evolution will be particularly beneficial for handling the large datasets integral to AI workloads, which necessitate rapid throughput and scalability. Consequently, a data mobility wave may be seen, with datasets and workloads being transferred from outdated and sluggish storage architectures to cutting-edge all-flash object storage solutions. Such a move is anticipated not just for its speed but for its ability to meet the expanding data and performance requisites of burgeoning AI initiatives.

Also importantly, in 2024, the landscape of data management will undergo a profound transformation as the relentless accumulation of data heightens the necessity for robust management solutions. According to Gartner’s projections, by 2027, it is expected that no less than 40% of organizations will have implemented data storage management solutions to classify, garner insights, and optimize their data assets, a significant leap from the 15% benchmark set in early 2023. This trend is likely to be propelled by the relentless expansion of data volumes, outpacing the rate at which companies can expand their IT workforce, thus elevating the indispensability of automation for data management at scale.

2024 is set to be a pivotal time for data management, with a shift towards API-centric architectures for meshed applications gaining traction. As customers increasingly demand that data management vendors offer API access to their functionalities, we are likely to see a mesh of interconnected applications seamlessly communicating with one another. Imagine ITSM (IT Service Management) and/or ITOM (IT Operations Management) software triggering actions in other applications via API calls in response to tickets — this interconnectedness will become commonplace. The trend towards API-first strategies will likely accelerate, driven by the desire to embed data management more integrally within the broader IT ecosystem. As a result, the development of self-service applications will flourish, enabling automated workflows and facilitating access to data management services without the need for manual oversight. This move towards a more integrated, automated IT environment is not just anticipated; it is imminent, reflecting a broader shift towards efficiency and interconnectivity within the technological landscape.

Finally, as we look toward 2024, we predict that an intensified focus on risk management will become a strategic imperative for companies worldwide.  Governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) practices are anticipated to receive heightened attention as companies grapple with the complexities of managing access to data, aging data, orphaned data, and illegal/unwanted data, recognizing these as potential vulnerabilities. Moreover, immutable object storage and offline archival storage will continue to be essential tools in addressing the diverse risk management and data lifecycle needs within the market.”

Don Boxley, CEO and Co-Founder, DH2i: 

“In 2024, there will be four key trends. To start, the increasing complexity of IT infrastructures, especially with the widespread adoption of containerized environments like Kubernetes, will drive the need for more sophisticated downtime prevention solutions. These systems will leverage predictive analytics to identify potential issues before they cause system failures. Automation will play a key role, with features like automatic failover processes that ensure continuous operation without manual intervention. The focus will be on creating solutions that are not only reactive in addressing issues but also proactive in preventing them.

Next, the cybersecurity landscape is rapidly evolving, with more sophisticated and frequent attacks. In response, the adoption of advanced network technologies like software-defined perimeter (SDP) and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) will become critical in 2024. These technologies offer a more dynamic and adaptive approach to network security compared to traditional VPNs. SDP provides a way to create secure, context-aware connections between users and network resources, effectively reducing the attack surface. ZTNA, on the other hand, operates on the principle of “never trust, always verify,” ensuring that access to network resources is strictly controlled and monitored. These technologies will be especially important for protecting multi-cloud environments and remote work infrastructures.

And, as organizations continue to diversify their IT portfolios, the need for solutions that offer cross-platform compatibility and seamless integration will grow in 2024. These solutions will need to support a variety of environments – from cloud services provided by different vendors to on-premises data centers and emerging container technologies. The key will be in providing a unified management interface that can handle various systems, offering efficient and coherent control over diverse IT assets. This trend is not just about compatibility; it’s about integration that is deep enough to allow different systems to work together harmonically, enhancing overall system efficiency and reducing operational complexities.

Last but not least, now that it’s been demonstrated that SQL Server Kubernetes (K8s) clusters perform much faster on physical servers than on virtual Machines, solutions will be developed that will enable customers to deploy SQL Server Availability Groups on K8s environments in seconds with greater customization in 2024. The solutions will make it easy for customers to see reductions in OS licensing, CPU clock cycles, and memory when using K8s as opposed to VMs.  These new solutions will also offer cross-platform compatibility and seamless integration with existing non-K8s environments.  They will take full advantage of Zero Trust networking technology to allow multi-region/multi-cloud compatibility for true cloud independence.”

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Guest Post: Like the VMs Before Them – SQL Server Containers Are Exploding in Use

Posted in Commentary with tags on November 10, 2023 by itnerd

By Don Boxley Jr

In the tech industry, we often see game-changing trends that redefine how we handle computing. Sometimes, these trends escalate to full-blown explosions of technology usage. It happened with virtual machines (VMs) and now it’s happening with SQL server containers.

A Look Back at the Rise of Virtual Machines 

Think back to around 15 years ago when VMs emerged on the scene. Organizations embraced VMs virtually overnight due to the numerous advantages they offered. For instance, VMs allowed for the consolidation of multiple physical servers onto a single, high-capacity host. This consolidation translated into substantial cost savings by reducing hardware requirements, enhancing resource utilization, and minimizing the physical footprint of data centers.

In addition to cost efficiency, VMs provided greater flexibility and scalability. IT could now easily create and manage VMs, enabling rapid deployment of apps and services. This increased agility and enabled organizations to respond swiftly to changing market dynamics and gain a competitive edge. 

Last but not least, VMs improved disaster recovery (DR) and business continuity efforts. Capabilities such as snapshots and virtualization-based backup simplified recovery from failures and data loss, helping to ensure uninterrupted operations. 

Shifting the Conversation to SQL Server Containers

Today, there is a similar excitement brewing, but this time, it is focused on containers – especially in terms of their significant impact on Microsoft SQL Server environments!

Rob Horrocks, Microsoft’s Senior Cloud Solution Architect, recently shed light on the SQL Server container phenomenon: “The trajectory of SQL Server containers is reminiscent of the VM explosion we witnessed over a decade ago. As with VMs then, containers now offer a compelling value proposition for modern enterprises – agility, efficiency, and scalability.”

During a recent presentation, Horrocks walked us through a live demo of migrating a SQL Server 2022 instance from Windows to Kubernetes (K8s). He artfully employed Contained Availability Groups (AGs) and 

DH2i’s DxEnterprise Smart High Availability Clustering software to achieve this Windows Server to K8s migration. The demonstration showcased how quick and easy SQL Server container modernization can actually be.

Why Are SQL Server Containers the New Buzz?

  • Unlock Optimized SQL Server: Containers for a SQL Server instance offer a multitude of benefits, which include improved performance, reduced operating costs, and the ability for one-click deployments.
  • Unify SQL Server Environments: With tools like DxEnterprise, you can achieve unified management for SQL Server on Linux, Windows, and Kubernetes. This multi-platform software can manage Windows, Linux, and multiple SQL Server containers cohesively, ensuring an uninterrupted workflow.
  • Absolute Minimum Downtime: With DxEnterprise’s unique failover capabilities, you get industry-leading failover performance with fully automatic failover for SQL Server AGs in Kubernetes. These are all the ingredients needed to take production SQL Server workloads to containers and reap the full list of benefits.
  • Simplified Modernization: Migration has often been a daunting task. But with DxEnterprise software, even the most intricate infrastructure and configurations can smoothly transition to Kubernetes in mere minutes.

Given these powerful advantages, it’s clear why the SQL Server containers vs. virtual machines debate is all but settled. SQL Server containerization is on the rise for good reason, and, as Rob Horrocks theorized, this might just be the tip of the iceberg.

The Future is Contained

The road to digital transformation can be paved with challenges. However, with the rise of SQL Server containers, we are better equipped than ever to overcome them. 

For years, DH2i has stood at the forefront of SQL Server container technology, anticipating this future trend and earning the rightful position as an innovator in the field of SQL Server software. By investing in technologies like DxEnterprise, enterprises can not only harness our extensive experience but also future-proof their SQL Server deployments and enjoy the immense benefits of modernization.  

Bottom line, it’s crucial to recognize that the SQL Server container revolution isn’t merely a passing fad. It represents the inevitable future of SQL Server. As we move forward, the tools and technologies supporting this transformation will continue to advance, offering unprecedented ease, efficiency, and optimization. 

Embrace this evolution now, or risk falling behind in the competitive landscape because thousands of organizations are already evaluating SQL Server containers and even deploying them in production. The time to act is now!

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