Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

• 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