Cloud monitoring: monitor and control cloud infrastructure

Cloud monitoring refers to the continuous monitoring, analysis and management of a cloud-based IT solution. Manual and automated processes are used to check the availability and performance of central components such as websites, servers, applications and other cloud resources. By continuously evaluating important key figures such as resource utilization, server response times and system speed, any existing weaknesses can be identified at an early stage and rectified before serious problems arise.

Cloud monitoring is essential for companies to constantly monitor cloud environments, identify risks at an early stage, optimize business processes and manage virtual and local services. Cloud monitoring often also includes monitoring security aspects and supporting compliance requirements.

STACKIT is a leading German cloud provider that is characterized by maximum security, data sovereignty and GDPR compliance. The entire technical infrastructure – including the data centers – is located exclusively in Germany and Austria. In this way, companies and organizations retain full control over their data at all times and benefit from the highest European data protection standards. STACKIT is part of the Schwarz Group (including Lidl and Kaufland) and can offer its customers an economically stable and independent cloud solution – without the influence of external investors. The portfolio includes a wide range of cloud services that can be used flexibly and as required. Find out everything you need to know about cloud monitoring in this article.

The most important definitions of terms relating to cloud monitoring in this article

Cloud monitoring: The continuous monitoring and management of the performance, accessibility and security of cloud-based applications, services and IT infrastructure. The aim is to detect problems at an early stage, monitor system health and optimize the use of all cloud resources.
Metrics: Measured variables used in cloud monitoring to monitor CPU utilization, memory usage or application response times, for example. Metrics serve as the basis for analyzing and evaluating the stability and performance of a system.
Dashboards: Visual interfaces that enable a clear presentation of all collected monitoring data in real time. Dashboards provide administrators with a quick overview of the status of cloud environments and make it possible to see all relevant key figures at a glance and quickly identify problems.
Service level agreements (SLAs): Contractual agreements between a cloud provider and a customer that specify certain availability and performance targets, such as guaranteed uptime or maximum response times. Monitoring helps to check compliance with these specifications and identify potential breaches at an early stage.
Automation: Use of software and tools to perform recurring tasks without manual intervention. In cloud monitoring, for example, this means that alarms are triggered automatically, scaling measures are initiated or reports are generated as soon as certain threshold values are exceeded.
API (Application Programming Interface): Interface via which various software components can communicate with each other. In cloud monitoring, API interfaces are used to access monitoring data, enable integration with other systems or control monitoring functions.
Cloud types: Various deployment models of cloud environments: Public cloud refers to public cloud services that are provided via the web. Private cloud refers to a cloud infrastructure that is exclusively available to one company and a hybrid cloud is a combination of public and private cloud to utilize the advantages of both models.
Monitoring tools: Specialized software solutions that can collect, analyse and visualize information from cloud systems and trigger alarms. They help companies to keep an eye on the operation of the cloud platform and ensure compliance with SLAs.

What are the benefits of cloud monitoring with STACKIT?

Cloud monitoring with STACKIT offers companies decisive advantages:

Security and data sovereignty

STACKIT stores and processes all data exclusively in its own data centers in Germany and Austria. This meets the strict GDPR requirements, guarantees high data protection standards and prevents access by third countries. As a company, you retain unrestricted data control and reduce your dependence on global providers.

Transparency and control

The platform offers traceable, usage-based billing and thus enables the flexible adjustment of resources to efficiently absorb performance peaks. Metrics, logs and traces can be collected, displayed and analyzed using central dashboards, allowing errors to be identified and rectified more quickly.

Cost transparency

Monitoring with STACKIT makes it possible to keep an eye on resource consumption and the costs incurred and to identify optimization opportunities in a targeted manner.

Maintenance and automated updates

STACKIT takes care of all maintenance, updates and management of the monitoring tools. This saves companies valuable time and money and ensures smooth, secure operation.

Reliability and stability

STACKIT guarantees maximum reliability and dependable operation thanks to geo-redundant data storage and effective recovery strategies.

Integration and flexibility

Companies can migrate to the cloud gradually and according to their individual needs, manage individual IT areas separately and create hybrid environments – without losing control of confidential data.

Compliance and independence

As a European cloud alternative to international providers, STACKIT offers a data-sovereign and legally compliant infrastructure. Companies therefore meet all regulatory requirements such as the GDPR and avoid dependencies with individual providers (vendor lock-in).

What is cloud monitoring?

Cloud monitoring involves permanently monitoring, analyzing and managing cloud-based IT systems and applications. The main aim is to ensure the stability, performance and security of the cloud environment and to identify potential problems or disruptions at an early stage before they can have a negative impact on users or business processes.

Automated monitoring tools are used to continuously monitor various metrics such as system utilization, error rates, response times and resource consumption. The collected data is clearly displayed in dashboards, while integrated alarm systems immediately notify administrators of unusual events. This allows countermeasures to be initiated quickly. Cloud monitoring is therefore essential for companies to ensure trouble-free operation, service level agreements (SLAs) and the security of the cloud environment.

The types of cloud monitoring at a glance

Cloud monitoring can be implemented both manually and using automated tools. Regardless of the method chosen, the goal remains to provide companies with a real-time overview of cloud applications and tools. This can be implemented in different ways, with the following approaches being particularly relevant:

Database monitoring

Databases form the basis for the storage and retrieval of information by applications. They are subject to particularly heavy use and are therefore much more susceptible to faults. This makes careful monitoring all the more important. Database monitoring provides valuable insights by recording key performance and usage figures as well as query processes in order to ensure smooth and efficient database operation.

Website monitoring

The focus here is on analyzing the accessibility, performance and user experience (UX) of cloud-based websites. To this end, specific metrics are recorded that provide insights into user behavior and the technical performance of the website. Website availability, for example, checks whether the website is available on the web at all times. The response time metric measures how quickly a server responds to requests and the load time metric records the time it takes for a page to load completely.

Monitoring virtual networks

The focus here is on monitoring and analyzing the performance, availability and security of networks within a cloud structure. The following metrics are considered: Network traffic (traffic), latency, bandwidth utilization and security-relevant network events. This data helps to detect and rectify connection problems in good time, but also to identify potential threats to security within a cloud infrastructure. Virtual network monitoring is essential to ensure secure and smooth network performance.

Monitoring cloud servers

Cloud server monitoring constantly monitors key metrics such as CPU utilization, memory usage, available hard disk space and server response times. The analysis of this data enables optimized resource allocation and the smooth operation of applications. Server-related problems can also be effectively identified and rectified in a targeted manner.

Monitoring the end user experience (UX)

This involves evaluating the user-friendliness and performance of cloud-based applications from the end user’s perspective. The focus here is on key figures such as response times, user interactions with the application and the rate of successful transactions. You can use these analyses to find out how end users interact with the application. This allows you to understand the extent to which user expectations are met and where the user or customer experience can be optimized.

Comprehensive monitoring

All monitoring data from different cloud resources and services is bundled in a secure platform. A single monitoring tool monitors database, server, network and application-related aspects of the cloud infrastructure. This holistic all-round view of the cloud environment makes it possible to understand the relationships between different components and infrastructure elements and identify weak points more quickly. Transparent cloud management is the basis for improving cloud operations as a whole.

Tips, tricks & important information for cloud monitoring with STACKIT

Monitor all important resources: You need comprehensive monitoring of critical resources such as machines, networks and virtual services to gain a complete insight into the provision and performance of your products and services.
Use a central platform: A clear dashboard can bundle all information and make processes and system activities more comprehensible.
Implement automation: Use this to make recurring tasks such as running checks or creating alerts more efficient and mitigate risks.
Choose hybrid solutions: Go for monitoring software that can monitor physical and virtual resources in hybrid as well as pure cloud environments.
Integrate products and services: Use this to capture all relevant data and strengthen cross-team collaboration.
Regular testing: Validate the monitoring solution to ensure continuous operational reliability and early risk detection.
Data-driven optimization: Use the information gained to learn from experience, improve the monitoring strategy and develop new solutions.
Flexible functionality: Make sure to use software with scalable features such as automated notifications, resource management and cost monitoring.

Cloud monitoring as the key to secure and efficient cloud usage

Cloud monitoring offers companies the opportunity to continuously monitor and efficiently manage their software, products and virtual services. Modern monitoring solutions can record relevant information, track processes and provide insight into the performance of applications and machines. Dashboards can be used to clearly create and visualize features, functions and key figures, identify risk warnings at an early stage and optimally control the provision of services.

Managed and locally administered solutions promote collaboration by collecting and evaluating all important data centrally. This enables companies to overcome challenges more effectively, develop innovative solutions, learn from experience and continuously improve their processes. Cloud monitoring plays a crucial role in ensuring the execution, management and monitoring of complex environments and guaranteeing customers reliable services.

FAQ – frequently asked questions about cloud monitoring

How can cloud monitoring detect vulnerabilities before major problems occur?

Cloud monitoring allows vulnerabilities to be identified before major problems occur by constantly collecting, monitoring and analyzing data from various cloud resources. Modern monitoring solutions rely on automated tools to evaluate security and performance metrics in real time. Anomaly detection, in particular, plays a key role in identifying sudden changes in network traffic, unusual user activity or unexpected load peaks in good time.

Is there a risk with cloud monitoring?

Yes, there are risks with cloud monitoring, such as data leaks and data protection problems, misconfigurations and inadequate monitoring of cloud resources as well as cyberattacks. Cloud monitoring is a key building block for greater security and compliance, but it does not replace the need for clear responsibilities and additional security measures.

How does cloud monitoring work with hybrid clouds?

When monitoring a hybrid cloud, both the components of the private cloud and those of the public cloud are constantly monitored. The various monitoring tools offer interfaces to merge data from both environments and evaluate it centrally. This gives companies a complete overview of the performance, accessibility and security of the entire hybrid infrastructure and enables them to identify potential vulnerabilities and risks more quickly. It is crucial that the entire monitoring solution is able to collect data from different locations and cloud environments and present it clearly in a dashboard.