Techsplainers by IBM

This episode of Techsplainers explores cloud storage—a service that allows data and files to be stored offsite by third-party providers and accessed via the internet or private networks. We examine how cloud storage works through virtual servers in massive data centers, with data replicated across multiple machines for redundancy. The discussion covers four different cloud storage environments (public, private, hybrid, and multicloud) and three main types of storage solutions (file, block, and object). We also highlight the significant benefits of cloud storage, including offsite management, fast implementation, cost-effectiveness, and virtually unlimited scalability. Security considerations, compliance tools, and pricing models are explained, along with common use cases ranging from team collaboration to AI and data analytics. With the cloud storage market projected to grow from $108.7 billion in 2023 to $665 billion by 2032, this technology continues to transform how organizations of all sizes manage their ever-increasing data volumes.

Find more information at https://www.ibm.com/think/podcasts/techsplainers.

Narrated by Daniela Baez

This episode of Techsplainers explores the concept of multicloud—the strategic use of cloud services from more than one provider. We examine how organizations leverage multicloud to optimize performance, control costs, and avoid vendor lock-in while maintaining flexibility to adopt the best technologies as they emerge. The discussion covers the differences between simple SaaS usage and more complex enterprise multicloud scenarios using PaaS and IaaS from major providers like AWS, Google Cloud, IBM Cloud, and Microsoft Azure. We also address the challenges of multicloud management and how organizations use centralized platforms with AI capabilities to maintain consistent security, compliance, and operational efficiency across diverse cloud environments. Finally, we clarify the relationship between multicloud and hybrid cloud, explaining how most enterprise environments today are actually hybrid multiclouds that combine the benefits of both approaches for maximum business value.

Find more information at https://www.ibm.com/think/podcasts/techsplainers.

Narrated by Daniela Baez

This episode of Techsplainers explores virtualization—the foundational technology that enables the creation of multiple virtual environments from a single physical machine. We trace its evolution from IBM's early experiments in 1964 to today's $85 billion industry powering cloud computing worldwide. The episode explains how virtualization works through hypervisors—software that creates and manages virtual machines—and dives into its many benefits, including resource efficiency, easier management, minimal downtime, and cost savings. We also explore the various types of virtualization beyond servers, including desktop, network, storage, and application virtualization, while comparing traditional VM-based virtualization with newer containerization approaches. Whether you're running a massive data center or simply want to run multiple operating systems on your laptop, this episode provides a comprehensive overview of this essential technology that makes modern computing more efficient, flexible, and resilient.

Find more information at https://www.ibm.com/think/podcasts/techsplainers.

Narrated by Daniela Baez

This episode of Techsplainers explores cloud infrastructure—the foundational hardware and software components that make cloud computing possible. We dive into the four key elements of cloud infrastructure: servers (both physical and virtual), storage solutions for various data types, networking components that enable communication between resources, and management software that ties everything together. The discussion covers virtualization technology and hypervisors that create multiple virtual machines from physical hardware, as well as modern cloud-native approaches using containers and microservices. We also examine different deployment models, including public, private, hybrid, and multicloud, along with service delivery options like IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, and serverless computing. Finally, we highlight the significant benefits cloud infrastructure offers: reliability through redundancy, agility for rapid deployment, elasticity to handle variable workloads, cost optimization through pay-as-you-go models, and robust disaster recovery capabilities.

Find more information at https://www.ibm.com/think/podcasts/techsplainers.

Narrated by Daniela Baez

This episode of Techsplainers introduces hybrid cloud—a flexible IT approach that combines public cloud, private cloud, and on-premises infrastructure into a unified environment. We explore the core components of hybrid cloud architecture including network connectivity, virtualization, containerization, and management platforms, while tracing its evolution from traditional physical connections to modern workload portability across environments. The discussion highlights how businesses leverage hybrid multicloud to improve developer productivity, optimize infrastructure spending, enhance security compliance, and accelerate innovation. You'll learn about real-world applications, including regulatory compliance, scalability, legacy app enhancement, and disaster recovery. We also examine how hybrid cloud is enabling next-generation technologies like generative AI, with insights into the explosive market growth projected to reach $558.6 billion by 2032.

Find more information at https://www.ibm.com/think/podcasts/techsplainers.

Narrated by Daniela Baez