Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

• Should admins learn about serverless computing?

  Serverless architecture is beneficial to organizations that use virtualization and function-as-a-service models. Here's what admins should know about it.  Continue Reading

• What are viable Open19 use cases and hardware options?

  Open19 is working with vendors to make hardware for its open source infrastructure. The goal is to support a growing number of off-premises use cases, such as edge computing.  Continue Reading

• What's the difference between Open19 and the Open Compute Project?

  Though the Open19 initiative and Open Compute Project seem to have a similar goal, they do differ in type of support, hardware requirements and licensing practices.  Continue Reading

• What hardware can I use in an Open19 rack?

  Open19 is a partnership that guides organizations to use open source rack servers. The organization's cages, power shelves and network switches make upgrades easy.  Continue Reading

• How do I successfully install server GPU cards?

  Adding GPUs to your data center requires testing and research. To get the most out of the hardware, upgrade cooling resources and confirm software compatibility.  Continue Reading

• Which GPU specs are most important?

  When selecting GPUs, look at processing power, memory and OS support. These factors ensure hardware compatibility and effective performance in the data center.  Continue Reading

• What containerization technology do I need for my data center?

  Containers in the data center can help maximize server capacity, but there are a few things to consider before a Docker or Kubernetes implementation.  Continue Reading

• What can admins use as a data center GPU?

  There is no formal standard to differentiate consumer and data center GPUs. Still, you should evaluate processing speeds and hardware requirements before GPU installation.  Continue Reading

• What does GPU hardware do in the data center?

  Once part of the gaming industry, GPUs are gaining traction in data center infrastructures. Learn why the power of GPUs makes them fit virtualization and data-heavy applications.  Continue Reading

• What are some useful remote server management tools?

  Choosing software for remote server monitoring and maintenance depends on organizational and administrative needs. Here are a few programs to include in your search.  Continue Reading

• What do I need to know about remote server management?

  The ability to manage servers requires evaluating WAN connection options, available repair staff and software capabilities. This tip offers insight into how it all comes together.  Continue Reading

• 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

• How can I secure my remote server management tools?

  If you monitor a lot of servers, it's important to make sure the tools you use to remotely manage them are secure. Encryption and password best practices can help.  Continue Reading

• Which basic Linux file management commands should I know?

  File management is an essential part of working within Linux. Knowing a few basic commands makes it easier to move content and avoid file misplacement.  Continue Reading

• How can I build AI capabilities for the data center?

  IT departments can integrate AI capabilities with their data center management workflows using machine learning algorithms that enable admins to automate functions over time.  Continue Reading

• Which data center KPIs are the most useful?

  As admins evaluate data center performance, they need ways to look at both short-term and long-term data. KPIs offer one way to evaluate components, such as storage.  Continue Reading

• How does data center colocation affect outage response?

  Navigating data center malfunctions when hardware is off premises can be tricky. Organizations must have strong SLAs with their colo provider to ensure appropriate response times.  Continue Reading

• What network security methods do I need to keep data safe?

  How can you maintain network security beyond the standard firewall and blacklisting tactics? Encryption and digital rights management can ensure organizational data stays safe.  Continue Reading

• How do I protect my OS with Linux security features?

  Linux has a security framework with multiple layers, which makes it hard to maintain permissions and privileges. User-based profiles and whitelisting can help you oversee OS access and give you peace of mind.  Continue Reading

• How do I integrate storage into a blade server architecture?

  Blade servers come in a variety of configurations. In order to effectively manage your data center, you'll want to consider your storage needs, blade location and types of data workflows.  Continue Reading

• How are rack and blade server form factors different?

  Don't neglect form factor as part of your data center server selection. Instead, figure out what type of environment you need and learn what server use cases will work best.  Continue Reading

• How is RHEL in the cloud different than in the data center?

  Implementing RHEL in the cloud isn't exactly the same as using cloud technology in the data center, especially when addressing swap and support concerns.  Continue Reading

• 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

• 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

• What are the options for log management in Linux?

  Linux administrators should use syslog and systemd-journald together for smart log analysis. But there are also open source log management tools to consider.  Continue Reading

• Should my organization consider systems management services?

  IT staff have a lot on their plate, so outsourcing systems management to a third party might be appealing. But organizations must choose a reputable provider that meets their needs.  Continue Reading

• Do I need an information systems management degree?

  IS management degrees are table stakes for many IT job seekers. Hands-on experience and specific certifications make applicants more desirable.  Continue Reading

• Are hyper-converged infrastructure appliances my only HCI option?

  Preconfigured hyper-converged appliances aren't your only option anymore. Software-only and build-your-own hyper-converged infrastructure have unique pros and cons.  Continue Reading

• What Linux storage benchmarking tools are best?

  Several tools and commands can come in handy to storage admins looking to benchmark I/O performance on Linux systems. But not all benchmarking tools are created equal.  Continue Reading

• SUSE Linux Enterprise Real Time boosts app performance

  Some organizations require real-time support for critical applications that run on Linux. What are some options to achieve that on a SUSE distribution?  Continue Reading

• Follow these steps to assign vSphere permissions and roles

  Admins can use vSphere permissions to assign VM controls to different IT groups within their enterprise. Follow the networking example below to get started.  Continue Reading

• How can I prevent data loss during a Linux distribution upgrade?

  It's important to prevent data loss during a Linux OS upgrade. How can partitions or disk drives help IT teams meet that goal?  Continue Reading

• How do I assign vSphere permissions for segregated VM control?

  Admins can define vSphere roles to manage user access and control over virtualized platforms. So what are some tips to start that process?  Continue Reading

• What role does IT play in a BPM implementation?

  A BPM tool helps business executives monitor performance and other key metrics. But what exactly is IT's role in a BPM implementation?  Continue Reading

• How do I convert CPU hours to MIPS for mainframe capacity planning?

  For better mainframe capacity planning, how do I convert CPU hours to MIPS? And is there a way to calculate the relationship between MIPS and MSUs?  Continue Reading

• Are public cloud or managed colocation services better for DR?

  Is it better to use a managed colocation provider or should I go with a public cloud provider for disaster recovery?  Continue Reading

• What is the difference between hosted colocation and DRaaS?

  Enterprise IT organizations know the importance of disaster recovery. But which fits the budget, in-house expertise and testing requirements: hosted colocation or DRaaS?  Continue Reading

• Should I make a storage LUN for each server?

  In some scenarios, more than one LUN per server makes sense. In others, it's better to maintain a one-to-one ratio. So which is better?  Continue Reading

• Is DDoS attack mitigation possible at a multi-tenant colo?

  Our small colocation provider's other customers have been under DDoS attacks that affected our infrastructure. The colo null routes the bad IP address; meanwhile, our connectivity is poor.  Continue Reading

• How should I go about shipping hard drives?

  Hard drives have a treacherous journey from data centers to archival storage. Shipping hard drives the right way ensures their safety.  Continue Reading

• What principles form the COBIT framework?

  Can my company implement the COBIT framework for compliance? What does it entail?  Continue Reading

• What is the best SSD for server storage improvement?

  Should data centers use SAS- or PCIe-based on-server flash devices? What options are out there for SSDs on servers?  Continue Reading

• How do you verify a HA server or cluster is working?

  I want to ensure server high availability in my production IT environment. Is it better to test server HA and risk disruption, or trust in the systems' reliability?  Continue Reading

• What switched PDU should I buy?

  Our latest firewall/VPN firmware upgrade left CPU usage at 100%. A malfunctioning DHCP-Server means people aren't getting IPs. I have to pull the plug to restart the firewall. What size switched PDU do I get?  Continue Reading

• Should I use a battery cooling system in the data center?

  Do battery cooling cabinets save money over cooling batteries within the whole data center?  Continue Reading

• What can I do to gain Java skills and leave mainframe programming?

  I have two years of experience in mainframe technology, currently working as a mainframe developer. I want to change to Java technology.  Continue Reading

• Do I need another VM host server?

  Operations manager Adam Fowler explains the many factors that determine a VM host server's ability to increase its workload and whether you need to buy additional equipment for your VMs.  Continue Reading

• How expandable or configurable is a white box server?

  A white box server typically comprises standardized parts in a no-frills system configuration. Will they work with GPUs or handle upgrades well?  Continue Reading

• Can I use Mikrotik vs. Cisco switches in a data center?

  I'm purchasing rack-level access switches for an enterprise data center, and weighing Cisco vs. Mikrotik, which is less expensive.  Continue Reading

• How should I spec our new server hardware configuration?

  We are a SaaS Web provider and operate a private cloud in a colo. We are slowly switching from VMs to containers. How do we spec the best hardware for this private cloud?  Continue Reading

• What factors should I consider when buying server networking gear?

  We're looking to expand our 10 Gb Ethernet networks on servers, and I'm trying to figure out which way to go. What are people deploying?  Continue Reading

• Is CEEDA a better energy-efficiency certification than ISO 50001?

  Are there reasons that I would select CEEDA certification versus ISO 50001 certification to show that the data center is energy efficient?  Continue Reading

• Help! I deleted a Linux boot partition

  I deleted a partition on my Linux system, but I still see a boot menu. How do I re-install GRUB2 and not lose data?  Continue Reading

• What should an IT systems analyst learn about big data?

  I am an IT systems analyst working on a big data project. What should I know before I dive into the project?  Continue Reading

• What can I expect from data center infrastructure management tools?

  Should facilities and IT teams agree on one cohesive DCIM tool for everything in the data center? Are DCIM vendors offering that?  Continue Reading

• How do I avert database security issues in match/merge?

  Our IT organization needs to secure customer names, but also needs to conduct searches on the entire customer database to match and merge records.  Continue Reading

• Should I automate critical application failover on nodes?

  Is it a best practice to automate the startup process after critical application failover from one node to another?  Continue Reading

• How do I estimate server power consumption per rack?

  We're setting up a 3,700-square-foot server area with 175 server racks and in-row cooling. It's a greenfield project. How do we estimate power consumption and weight per rack?  Continue Reading

• What are the best ways to prep for CompTIA exams?

  I took the CompTIA Security+ online exam once and wasn't able to clear it. How can I prepare to pass the test next time?  Continue Reading

• How can I keep cable patching projects on track?

  What are some best practices for cleaning up a data center with over 100 patch cords to change? Everything must go back the same way -- patch panel port to switch port.  Continue Reading

• Do individual VMs bring virtualization security issues?

  Don't treat physical and virtual machines' security differently. Since VM security issues threaten the whole infrastructure, here's how to stop spreading malware.  Continue Reading

• Is geothermal cooling a viable data center option?

  We are looking at a building surrounded by several acres of land for a new data center. Should we consider geothermal horizontal loops for cooling?  Continue Reading

• What kind of VM management tools help plan growth?

  What tools can I use to manage capacity to accommodate further VM growth in a complex IT environment?  Continue Reading

• How do I configure vSphere HA for automatic failover?

  I want to install a virtualization environment with physical servers for failover and a storage server to boot up some virtual servers in our network. How can I do this?  Continue Reading

• What advice would you offer on Linux for newbies?

  I am just starting out with Linux and hoping to get a job working with it in the near future. What should I do now to get ahead?  Continue Reading

• Can I configure DB2 replication from the mainframe to AIX?

  I want to replicate DB2 from the mainframe to an AIX box since it's cheaper and the copy can be used for testing. Is this possible?  Continue Reading

• How do I size the physical server to host virtual machines?

  I want to convert a physical machine to a virtual machine. How can I select and size the right server infrastructure to host VMs?  Continue Reading

• What's the best way to get a server benchmark?

  What is the best way to access large multicore servers for benchmarking? How do I know what needs to be benchmarked?  Continue Reading

• Can I use a transformer that doesn't match my high-voltage server?

  The specs of the 480-V power equipment are all the same as a 400-V step-up transformer. The only difference is voltage. Can we use the 480-V transformer with 400-V servers?  Continue Reading

• What is the result of a CPU bottleneck on the I/O process?

  What's the impact on I/O when you run in a CPU-constrained mainframe environment?  Continue Reading

• How do I transfer a PS file from a mainframe to a Linux server?

  I need to transfer one PS file's data from a mainframe to a Linux server. Are there any JCL scripts that can do this for me?  Continue Reading

• Can you virtualize a NetBackup master server?

  I have only seen companies deploy a NetBackup master server on a physical server. Are there any drawbacks to using a VM as a NetBackup master server?  Continue Reading

• Can an Oracle database update from mainframe jobs?

  Can administrators set IBM mainframe jobs to update Oracle databases directly, or are there incompatibilities between the systems?  Continue Reading

• Does a mainframe cloud exist, and is it practical?

  The mainframe is IT's original cloud, and there are still ways to float cloud operations onto big iron today. But is it pragmatic?  Continue Reading

• Should you ionize air in the data center?

  Is air ionization in the data center justifiable for preventive equipment maintenance? Is it worth the hassle and cost?  Continue Reading

• What's the best way to measure data center airflow?

  You can't measure airflow from raised floor tiles in the same way as any other air duct. Optimize data center airflow with the right tools.  Continue Reading

• How will the future of IoT impact data centers?

  With the streams of data being used and stored, does the data center have space for the future of IoT?  Continue Reading

• Can vendors go unescorted in a secure colocation center?

  You've sentenced your production servers to five-to-life lockdown in a secure colocation cage. Who's allowed to visit them?  Continue Reading

• Should one person lead data center facility management?

  Dogs and cats, Edison and Tesla, oil and water, IT and facilities. Some great entities are destined to butt heads. Is it ever possible to unite them?  Continue Reading

• Are new data center cabinets too heavy for the floor?

  We built a data center several years ago and are refreshing the IT equipment in it. Should I worry about how big and heavy my new cabinets will be for the existing structure?  Continue Reading

• Which IBM 3592 tape cartridge has the highest capacity?

  There are a bunch of IBM 3592 'J' tape designations. How do you order the right capacity for your tape drives? Do you take compression into account?  Continue Reading

• Is mainframe application migration a good idea?

  I currently have banking applications on a mainframe platform. Is it possible to move them onto servers? What are the adjustments and risks involved?  Continue Reading

• Can I sell this land as data center real estate?

  I have one acre of real estate located near multiple data centers that cater to the financial community. Can the property, with a 35,000 square foot building, host a data center?  Continue Reading

• Will a 'create Linux partition' script work?

  I want to write a shell script that contains commands for Linux partition creation. Can I automate everything so the user only inputs the partition size and details?  Continue Reading

• What's the best data center network topology?

  You need to know these most common data center network topologies, and check out a host of alternative topologies waiting in the wings.  Continue Reading

• How do I improve OS performance in a mixed data center?

  We took on a legacy data center and now, planning for performance optimization is a necessary evil. How can we corral OS sprawl?  Continue Reading

• Is an OpenFlow switch the only option for SDN?

  Our network team wants to start implementing software-defined networking. Do we need to use an OpenFlow switch? Are there other SDN switch options?  Continue Reading

• What should I look for in mainframe tape products?

  We use an IBM System z mainframe and it's time to update some aging tape drives. How big of a difference is there between the tape storage products on the market?  Continue Reading

• What mainframe storage basics should admins know?

  Tape, disk, virtual disk and other storage media all work with my mainframe, but how do I decide which is the best option for storing data?  Continue Reading

• Can multiple mainframes share IBM tape storage?

  I want to share a tape drive between the IBM System z mainframe and other IBM systems. Are there prerequisites for tape drive sharing?  Continue Reading

• What to do when UPS sizing goes wrong

  UPS sizing is hard, with confusing terminology and an ever-shifting IT load. If you get the calculations wrong, don't worry about a Michael Bay movie scene in the data center. Here's what to do when UPS is too wimpy or too beefy for the task.  Continue Reading

• Don't let Linux malware problems trouble your servers

  Malware on a Linux server? It can happen, but with a few tools you can monitor for, prevent and fix rootkit attacks.  Continue Reading

• Linux experience and RHCE bring in the big bucks

  Looking for a high-paying job in a Linux data center but don't know where to start or what your certification will get you? Not just any certification pays off.  Continue Reading

• Could an isolated ground cause PDU failures?

  Isolated, dedicated grounds, telecom grounds -- the performance and, more importantly, safety of data center equipment -- rely on proper grounding.  Continue Reading

• Powerful Linux performance tools that go underutilized

  There are some powerful Linux performance tools available to system administrators -- the problem is knowing how to use them.  Continue Reading

• Is evaporative cooling efficiency up to data center standards?

  Evaporative cooling offers energy efficiency, but there are downsides to consider before choosing it over CRACs.  Continue Reading

• When CICS commands won't respond to your TEXT

  With 3270 bridge, you can't stack input messages into one structure. The bridge can't process them all at once. It takes a little more work.  Continue Reading

• Non-mechanical options for green data center cooling

  The local climate determines which green data center cooling technologies, such as free air cooling and water economizers, will keep servers happy.  Continue Reading

• What's the highest server temperature you can handle?

  There's no correct inlet air temperature for all servers. Age, performance and design help determine how much heat your server can handle.  Continue Reading

• What's limiting on-site DC data center power supply?

  Direct current data center power supply hasn't caught on as a mainstream idea, but are the major utilities to blame?  Continue Reading