Websites using Softlayer

Okay, let s break down SoftLayer, covering its history, revenue (where available), alternatives, pricing considerations, and customer care details.

What is SoftLayer?

SoftLayer, now known as IBM Cloud, was a leading provider of dedicated servers, cloud servers, and cloud infrastructure. IBM acquired SoftLayer in 2013. It s important to note that SoftLayer as a separate brand no longer exists. The SoftLayer infrastructure became the foundation of IBM s cloud offerings. While some documentation or legacy systems might still reference SoftLayer the product offerings now are within the IBM Cloud umbrella.

• Key Features (as it was, now IBM Cloud):

  • Dedicated Servers: Provided single-tenant hardware, giving users complete control and isolation.
  • Cloud Servers (Virtual Machines): Offered on-demand virtualized resources.
  • Bare Metal Servers: Provided dedicated hardware without virtualization overhead.
  • Global Data Centers: SoftLayer had a substantial network of data centers around the world.
  • Networking: Strong networking capabilities with a private network backbone.
  • Storage: A range of storage options, including block storage, object storage, and archive storage.
  • Security: Various security features, including firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention, and compliance certifications.

Revenue:

• As SoftLayer (pre-IBM acquisition): Prior to the acquisition, SoftLayer was a privately held company, so its exact revenue figures were not publicly available. Estimates placed its revenue in the hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
• As IBM Cloud (Post Acquisition): It s now a segment of IBM s overall revenue, IBM does not break out SoftLayer revenue specifically. IBM s cloud revenue is reported as part of its broader financial results. You can find this in IBM s quarterly and annual earnings reports on their investor relations website. Keep in mind this includes far more than just the original SoftLayer infrastructure.

Alternatives to (the former) SoftLayer (now IBM Cloud):

Since SoftLayer s infrastructure is now incorporated into IBM Cloud, the alternatives are generally alternatives to IBM Cloud as a whole. Here s a breakdown, considering the key strengths of the original SoftLayer (dedicated servers, bare metal, global reach):

• Major Cloud Providers:

  • Amazon Web Services (AWS): The market leader, offering a vast range of services, including EC2 (virtual machines), and bare metal instances. AWS has a massive global infrastructure.
  • Microsoft Azure: Another major player with a comprehensive cloud platform, including virtual machines, bare metal, and strong integration with Microsoft technologies.
  • Google Cloud Platform (GCP): Known for its innovation in areas like AI/ML and data analytics. Also offers virtual machines and bare metal options.
  • Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI): Focuses on enterprise workloads and offers competitive pricing. Has bare metal capabilities.

• Dedicated Server/Bare Metal Specialists:

  • OVHcloud: A European cloud provider specializing in dedicated servers and bare metal.
  • Hetzner Online: A German provider known for affordable dedicated servers.
  • DigitalOcean: Simple cloud infrastructure, focusing on developers. Great for smaller projects, but may lack the scale of the giants.
  • Packet (Equinix Metal): A bare metal cloud provider focused on automation and developer-friendliness. Now part of Equinix.
  • Leaseweb: A global hosting provider that offers dedicated servers, cloud hosting, and colocation services.
  • SingleHop (now INAP): Focused on infrastructure solutions, including dedicated servers and cloud services.

• Other Cloud Providers:

  • Linode: A popular alternative for developers seeking simple and affordable cloud infrastructure.

When choosing an alternative, consider:

• Your specific needs: Do you need dedicated servers, bare metal, virtual machines, or a combination?
• Scalability: How easily can you scale your resources up or down?
• Pricing: Compare pricing models and understand the costs associated with different resources.
• Performance: Evaluate the performance of the infrastructure.
• Location: Choose a provider with data centers in the regions where you need them.
• Support: Assess the quality of customer support.
• Compliance: Ensure the provider meets your compliance requirements (e.g., HIPAA, PCI DSS).
• Ecosystem: Consider the availability of other services, such as databases, analytics, and AI/ML tools.

Pricing:

• SoftLayer s Pricing (historical, but indicative): SoftLayer was known for its competitive pricing, especially on dedicated servers. They offered a variety of pricing models, including hourly, monthly, and reserved instances. They allowed for a lot of customization of servers.
• IBM Cloud Pricing:
  • IBM Cloud pricing is complex and varies depending on the services and resources you choose.
  • They offer both pay-as-you-go and subscription-based pricing.
  • Bare Metal Servers: Pricing is generally based on server configuration, location, and operating system. You can expect to pay a significant premium compared to virtual machines.
  • Virtual Machines (VMs): Priced hourly or monthly, based on CPU, memory, and storage.
  • Networking: Bandwidth is usually metered, and you ll pay for outbound data transfer.
  • Storage: Priced per GB per month, depending on the type of storage (block, object, archive).

• Key Pricing Considerations:

  • Compute: CPU, memory, and GPU resources.
  • Storage: Type of storage (SSD, HDD, object storage), capacity, and data transfer.
  • Networking: Bandwidth, data transfer, and any specialized networking features.
  • Operating System and Software Licenses: The cost of the OS and any software licenses you need.
  • Support: The level of support you require.
  • Reserved Instances/Committed Use Discounts: Consider these options for long-term cost savings.
  • Free Tier/Trials: Many cloud providers offer free tiers or free trials to get started.

Customer Care Details (IBM Cloud):

• Support Levels: IBM Cloud typically offers different tiers of support, ranging from basic (included with your account) to premium (paid). The higher tiers usually provide faster response times and more dedicated support engineers.
• Support Channels:
  • Online Documentation: IBM Cloud has extensive documentation, tutorials, and FAQs.
  • Support Tickets: You can submit support tickets through the IBM Cloud portal.
  • Phone Support: Available for higher support tiers.
  • Community Forums: IBM Cloud has community forums where you can ask questions and get help from other users.
  • IBM Cloud Advisor: A tool to help you optimize your environment and resolve issues.
• Service Level Agreements (SLAs): IBM Cloud offers SLAs that guarantee uptime and performance. Review the SLAs carefully to understand your rights in case of outages or performance issues.
• Monitoring and Management Tools: IBM Cloud provides tools for monitoring the health and performance of your resources.

How to Find IBM Cloud Support:

1. IBM Cloud Console: Log in to your IBM Cloud account. Look for a Support or Help link in the navigation.
2. IBM Cloud Documentation: Search the IBM Cloud documentation for the specific service or issue you re having.
3. IBM Support Website: Go to the main IBM Support website and search for IBM Cloud.

In summary:

SoftLayer s technology lives on as part of IBM Cloud. When evaluating cloud options, carefully consider your specific needs, compare pricing models, and assess the quality of customer support. Don t just focus on the original SoftLayer capabilities; consider the entire IBM Cloud ecosystem and whether it fits your current and future requirements. Remember to thoroughly research the current IBM Cloud offerings and pricing, as they have evolved significantly since the SoftLayer acquisition.