Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

Best practices for data center operations

• 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

• 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 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Is our data center staffing model squeezing out system administrators?

  Better data center and system management tools are radically increasing the number of servers to each data center employee.  Continue Reading

• Deciphering The Green Grid's electronics disposal metric

  The Green Grid's electronics disposal efficiency metric can help companies better track what happens to technology flushed by a refresh.  Continue Reading

• Using a Bloom box in the data center: What could go wrong?

  Though the Bloom Energy Server shows promise as an alternative way to power the data center, reliability issues may hamper widespread adoption.  Continue Reading

• How to perform due diligence on sources of used IT equipment

  Used IT equipment can help a business cut capital costs, but be proactive to protect yourself from dishonest gray-market sellers.  Continue Reading

• Shady gray market IT equipment resellers can add problems

  Dealing with disreputable IT equipment resellers can lead to unintended additional costs and needless frustration.  Continue Reading

• Gray market equipment saves money but requires due diligence

  Businesses may choose to make due with gray market equipment when platform updates simply won't work or older systems require continued support.  Continue Reading

• What factors into typical data center construction costs?

  If you want to get an estimate on a data center build cost, the guidelines posted by the Uptime Institute can help with the initial analysis.  Continue Reading

• How do I justify data center expansion plans and expenditures?

  Funding a data center project or an expansion requires building a business case that focuses on three areas.  Continue Reading