Best practices for data center operations
This data center operations topic center explains the best practices for diverse data center ops, from maintenance to change management to compliance with regulations. Data center operations should be stable with no downtime or outages. That is easier said than done in modern, complex data centers. Reliability of resources depends on highly skilled data center ops.
Top Stories
-
Tip
03 Feb 2022
10 basic network management interview questions and answers
Job interviews should be a two-way conversation. Here are some common network management interview questions for both hiring managers and job applicants. Continue Reading
-
Tip
03 Feb 2022
What to know about data center fire protection
Protect your data center from potential fire hazards through proper mitigation, detection and suppression. Then, create a plan for recovery in the event of a fire. Continue Reading
-
Tip
27 Jan 2022
Create data center electrical safety guidelines
Compose a comprehensive electrical safety strategy and keep your data center staff safe from electrical hazards. Learn what best practices and standards you should consider. Continue Reading
-
Tip
25 Jan 2022
Protect your data center from ransomware attacks
Consider how best to protect your data center from ransomware attackers: Keep safe, air-gapped backups; consolidate your infrastructure and prioritize critical assets. Continue Reading
-
Tip
19 Nov 2021
Best practices for data center risk assessment
Data centers contain risks such as height, environmental and electrical hazards. Keep your staff safe by assessing the level of risk and creating a comprehensive safety plan. Continue Reading
-
Definition
15 Nov 2021
TCO (total cost of ownership)
Total cost of ownership (TCO) is an estimation of the expenses associated with purchasing, deploying, using and retiring a product or piece of equipment. Continue Reading
-
Tip
21 Sep 2021
Evaluate air cooling vs. liquid cooling for your data center
Air cooling and liquid cooling for data centers offer different benefits and drawbacks. To decide which best suits your organization, consider the pros and cons of each. Continue Reading
-
Definition
24 Aug 2021
What is server sprawl and how to prevent it?
Server sprawl is when multiple underutilized servers take up more space and consume more resources than can be justified by their workload. Continue Reading
-
Tip
30 Jun 2021
4 key ways to prevent server sprawl
Take steps to cut back on costly and hard-to-manage server sprawl: consolidate your hardware, virtualize your servers, consider software-defined infrastructure and stay organized. Continue Reading
-
Answer
08 Jun 2021
What are some examples of organizational resilience?
Organizational resilience encompasses everything a company needs to run in times of crisis. These examples show how businesses handle tough situations. Continue Reading
-
Tip
18 Feb 2021
Bolster an operational resilience strategy with these tips
What's the first step to achieve operational resilience? Knowing which assets and activities are most critical to the business. Continue Reading
-
Tip
24 Nov 2020
Avoid server overheating with ASHRAE data center guidelines
Finding the right server operating temperature can be tricky. ASHRAE standards provide guidance for all server classes and what factors can play into temperature readings. Continue Reading
-
News
16 Oct 2020
IBM partners with HBCUs to promote quantum computing
IBM is partnering with a group of historically Black colleges and universities to set up a quantum computing center in hopes of attracting Black students to the field. Continue Reading
-
News
16 Sep 2020
IBM roadmap promises a 1,121-qubit quantum computer by 2023
IBM outlined plans to deliver a series of quantum computers over the next three years culminating with IBM Quantum Condor, a 1,121-qubit system capable of solving complex problems. Continue Reading
-
Feature
27 Jul 2020
Enterprise architecture heats up to meet changing needs
Forrester Research analyst sees barriers to enterprise architects moving forward in skills, tools' ROI and tech-savvy execs who don't want them collaborating with the business. Continue Reading
-
Tip
13 Jul 2020
IT asset retirement in the data center
Is your data center equipment starting to show signs of aging? These performance metrics can evaluate hardware health and help you decide if assets should be maintained or retired. Continue Reading
-
Tip
16 Apr 2020
Prepare for serious health threats with a pandemic recovery plan
COVID-19 has become a serious global threat and is rapidly becoming an issue for business continuity. Pandemic planning can help mitigate disruptive effects of disastrous events. Continue Reading
-
Feature
18 Dec 2019
Guidelines to tackle multi-cloud and hybrid IT management
Managing infrastructure isn't just the on-premises data center anymore. Software selection, architecture configuration and governance are key components of any hybrid IT setup. Continue Reading
-
Tip
26 Nov 2019
Increase efficiency with data center temperature monitoring
Data centers must track multiple temperature components. Organizations can use ASHRAE standards and on-premises hardware for easier monitoring. Continue Reading
-
Tip
21 Oct 2019
Cloud adoption a catalyst for IT modernization in many orgs
Sloppy and insecure IT procedures that had been overlooked before the cloud arrived must evolve with the times to prevent data exposure and system breaches. Continue Reading
-
Tip
25 Jul 2019
Underscore preparation in your natural disaster recovery plan
When it comes to recovering after a natural disaster, you'll need more than just basic business continuity and recovery planning. Being informed about severe weather events is key. Continue Reading
-
Opinion
07 Jun 2019
Tech communities offer more than just a quick fix
IT professionals who join tech meetups and online communities might find there's more than just troubleshooting help available when they invest their time in a group. Continue Reading
-
Quiz
30 May 2019
Colocation vs. cloud: Quiz yourself on these workload expansion options
Colocation or cloud? Data centers have plenty of expansion options beyond building a new facility. Learn about each option -- and test your knowledge -- with this quiz. Continue Reading
-
Tip
22 Feb 2019
How to get the most out of your SIEM system
When it comes to threat protection, antivirus software is no longer enough. Data center admins need cloud-based SIEM to ensure their environments are fully protected. Continue Reading
-
Tip
24 Jan 2019
Tips for selecting a data center testing provider
Finding the right service provider for data center tests can be time-consuming. To pick the right one, be sure to have realistic objectives and a detailed SLA. Continue Reading
-
Podcast
19 Dec 2018
IBM and Microsoft open up to open source in 2018
With IBM's purchase of Linux market leader Red Hat and Microsoft buying GitHub, 2018 could prove to be a watershed year for the open source community. Continue Reading
-
Feature
05 Dec 2018
Edge computing architecture helps IT support augmented reality
Augmented reality benefits greatly from reduced latency, which makes edge computing a perfect partner in the data center. Continue Reading
-
Feature
04 Dec 2018
Admins now require data center skills 'a mile wide'
The role of a data center professional is changing in the face of cloud, the internet of things and evolving security. One hiring manager talks about the changes and why admins need broader skill sets. Continue Reading
-
Tip
11 Oct 2018
Minimize downtime during a data center upgrade
End users don't want their productivity interrupted by IT maintenance. With the right technology, testing and planning, you can reduce or eliminate downtime in the data center. Continue Reading
-
Answer
18 Sep 2018
Can I use server automation for remote management?
Depending on your server management workflow, you might want to consider automation and orchestration. Before going forward, you should figure out what scripts are necessary. Continue Reading
-
Tutorial
23 Aug 2018
PowerShell logging boosts security in the enterprise
Want to track any suspicious PowerShell activity across your network? Use these PowerShell logging techniques to curb potential threats that originate from scripts. Continue Reading
-
Tip
05 Jul 2018
Agile workflows shift admins' IT procurement strategy
Changing business needs and the move toward Agile workflows affect how data center managers make decisions about daily operations and IT purchasing. Continue Reading
-
Feature
22 Jun 2018
Why data centers need log management tools
Log files contain rich and useful management data. With the right software tools and a few navigation tips, you can maximize and implement the information that logs provide. Continue Reading
-
Feature
20 Jun 2018
Build your PowerShell command cheat sheet with these basics
Even if you've previously used PowerShell, it's beneficial to add new commands to your reference sheet and keep your overall knowledge as current as possible. Continue Reading
-
Feature
15 Jun 2018
Data center monitoring best practices simplify software choice
Metrics are essential to keep any data center operating smoothly. With monitoring software and best practices, admins can simplify their workflows and get usable data. Continue Reading
-
Answer
15 May 2018
SIEM benefits include automated monitoring, malware mitigation
SIEM tools deliver automated alert actions, normalize log data and provide intelligent filtering, all of which can help IT administrators lighten their workloads. Continue Reading
-
Answer
27 Apr 2018
What are the top SIEM use cases?
SIEM tools help organizations detect and mitigate malware and viruses, but they also allow administrators to offload traffic when an attack hampers performance. Continue Reading
-
News
11 Oct 2005
New Windows licensing simplifies server virtualization
In a radical shift that may spur the adoption of emerging virtualization technology, Microsoft is moving away from licensing per instance of Windows on a physical server, at least for its premium server editions. Continue Reading
-
News
07 Dec 2004
Top tips for buying wisely
Best practices for purchasing storage include sticking to your plan, comparing apples to apples and being upfront with vendors. Continue Reading