Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

• 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