Evaluate

Evaluate

Weigh the pros and cons of technologies, products and projects you are considering.

• The evolution of data center storage architecture

  At the forefront of how IT infrastructure evolves to tackle new applications and emerging workloads are the changes in data center storage architecture. Continue Reading

• The real value of DCIM tools

  Data center infrastructure management, also known as DCIM, means different things to different organizations. At the core of the concept is the idea that a company can more effectively manage its data center by bringing together IT and facilities ... Continue Reading

• Software-defined applications and infrastructure explained

  The inner mechanics of today's software-defined applications and infrastructure reveal an interconnected web of isolated components and scalable resources, supervised by automated management. Continue Reading

• As turnkey data center options grow, so do deployment challenges

  Businesses need to deploy new IT systems quickly. Gradually, vendors have found ways to integrate IT and energy components in the pursuit of a truly turnkey data center option. 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

• Allocate IT resources for big data and IoT-based projects

  Companies embarking on new big data and IoT-based projects would do well to critically examine the necessary processing power, memory, storage and networking resources involved, and how to best make use of the required capacity.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

• The right infrastructure for fast and big data architectures

  Learn the differences between fast and big data architectures before buying new software and hardware for the data center.Continue Reading

• Build a big data and internet of things data center roadmap

  Many data centers make the mistake of diving into new technologies, such as big data and internet of things, too quickly. Pacing yourself and assessing requirements will pay off.Continue Reading

• Is it better to build or buy data center hardware?

  Choosing converged systems or ODM servers for data center hardware depends on the capabilities of your in-house IT staff.Continue Reading

• Two key disaster recovery colocation questions to ask

  Choosing a disaster recovery colocation provider may seem daunting. However, knowing what to look for beforehand can help you make the right choice.Continue Reading

• How to succeed in an ops career without really trying

  An ops career can be stressful if you don't approach decision makers, vendors and end users with flexibility and realistic expectations.Continue Reading

• Future-proof your colo data center choice

  Figure out which colo data center will meet your current and future needs. Be sure to take into account power draw, cost, security and additional services.Continue Reading

• Three server security tools you might not know

  The security of the individual data center server can get lost in the shuffle of protecting enterprise networks. These server security tools will help.Continue Reading

• These IaaS examples show data centers can share the load

  Not every IT workload belongs directly under your control in the data center. Consider these IaaS pros and cons for example workloads.Continue Reading

• IT certification programs to get in-demand skills for 2016

  IT certification programs offer important skills for evolving technological needs. Data center pros will find a lot of clouds on the skills horizon, and can get these certifications to excel.Continue Reading

• Four paths to a cloud bursting architecture

  The lack of capable infrastructure hinders a typical cloud bursting architecture. Choose one of these four paths to better implement cloud bursting.Continue Reading

• The right apps capitalize on IT scalability from HCI

  Hyper-converged infrastructures give IT organizations easy, fast scalability when correctly implemented.Continue Reading

• Growing cloud capabilities influence IT capacity planning

  IT capacity planning must take into account the decrease hardware space requirements, ramping up densities and the potential to interface with cloud services.Continue Reading

• Impact Awards honor best IT products, companies of 2016

  The voters have spoken. From DevOps to cloud, Modern Infrastructure readers have recognized the best IT products in the 2016 Impact awards.Continue Reading

• Server market share shows enterprise buyers aren't forgotten

  If there was concern that interest in the server market was waning among IT pros in a software-dominated world, the latest batch of analyst reports should ease those worries.Continue Reading

• Evaluating the uses for converged infrastructure

  Now that we have significant exposure to converged infrastructure and hyper-converged products, more is known about how -- and where -- these products work best. This three-part guide looks at potential uses for converged infrastructure (CI) and ...Continue Reading

• Innovation, automation keep down outsourced data center bills

  Renewals for data center outsourcing deals during the past year reveal a drop in prices, thanks to increases in automation, and server and storage demand.Continue Reading

• IBM's zEDC brings hardware compression to z systems

  Hardware compression is still vital to many enterprises with mainframes. IBM's zEDC hardware data compression feature enables compression for mainframe workloads at potential cost savings.Continue Reading

• Trip back to earth solves a cloud vs. data center debate

  When the leader in online deals started to hit the big time, the company realized cloud computing was no longer its best option and began to move into its own data center space.Continue Reading

• Containers transform steel mill into modular data center

  Stacking containers inside a former steel mill creates a new modularly designed data center with abundant power.Continue Reading

• The 10 biggest data center news stories of 2015

  Data center teams modernized and adapted throughout 2015, with help -- and hindrance -- from major changes in the IT industry, which ranged from new job demands to transitions among providers.Continue Reading

• Explore data center procurement decisions

  IT buyers know that other IT pros often are the best sources for data center procurement advice. Survey results suggest what's important in server, storage and other important requisitions.Continue Reading

• New data storage methods broaden IT horizons

  Data center managers have more choice than ever with SSDs, object storage and more, which means evolving ideas about the best methods of data storage.Continue Reading

• Budgets prompt data center vs. colocation discussion

  Rather than spending another budget cycle struggling to fund the data center, start outsourcing selectively -- and improve at the same time.Continue Reading

• Simpler management motivates Ethernet SAN investments

  Blending LAN and SAN networks cuts a lot of management headaches -- and miles of cable -- out of the data center.Continue Reading

• The new IT security threat coming to your data center

  The latest and greatest in technology opens new opportunities for hackers to penetrate sensitive corporate data.Continue Reading

• A data center design guide to get it right the first time

  Corporate moves, rapid IT refreshes, virtualization initiatives and other factors affect your data center design. Use this data center planning guide for a facility that lasts.Continue Reading

• Dell Quest, SonicWall users face another acquisition deal

  SonicWall and Quest Software users, who endured Dell's acquisition three years ago, face more uncertainty, as Dell reportedly considers the sale of those companies to reduce debt.Continue Reading

• IT cost management shaped by data center spending

  Reduce server costs and data center operations expenditures by investing in the right areas, such as networking and storage.Continue Reading

• Enterprise server architectures headed for a shake up

  After a few humdrum years, server architectures are in for big changes to close out the decade.Continue Reading

• Try a hyper-converged infrastructure setup alongside servers

  Introducing a hyper-converged infrastructure setup in your data center doesn't have to be an all-in endeavor.Continue Reading

• Can your cluster management tools pass muster?

  The right designs and cluster management tools ensure your clusters don't become a cluster, er, failure.Continue Reading

• Switch to white box networking brings choice, disruption

  White box switches separate two long-intertwined data center components: Networking hardware and the network operating system that runs on it. With such a marked change, it's no wonder open networking isn't for everyone.Continue Reading

• Server energy efficiency benchmark takes holistic view

  Benchmarks from the Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation show your server energy efficiency.Continue Reading

• Hidden colocation cost drivers that add up

  These unexpected charges and fees can balloon colocation costs for enterprise IT organizations.Continue Reading

• A clear vision of the future data center in 2020

  By 2020, what will the future data center look like? Take a peek at how networking, servers and storage will evolve in the next five years.Continue Reading

• Disaster recovery cost savings trump efficiency

  IT organizations face an impasse, requiring fast RTOs and high efficiency but balking at the high disaster recovery cost.Continue Reading

• Hyper-converged vs. converged IT infrastructures explained

  More integration means less work for data center IT administrators, but is integration, convergence or hyper-convergence the right path for your IT systems?Continue Reading

• Essential Linux server software for enterprises

  Businesses can deploy a mix of Linux server software offerings to take advantage of the cost and flexibility benefits of open source.Continue Reading

• Cost-cutting tricks for your data center labs

  These IT cost-cutting tricks applied in data center labs can result in big savings.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

• After a long slump, IT certification pay bounces back

  Largely vendor-driven IT certifications decreased in value for a seven-year stretch, until a recent turnaround, with security getting a renewed focus.Continue Reading

• SUSE makes Btrfs stable, flexible SLES file system of choice

  Btrfs proves a viable and more flexible file system for production Linux servers, with proper configuration and setup.Continue Reading

• Enterprises have options for big data infrastructure

  Many in the IT industry remain wary of big data's effect on infrastructure. Here's why.Continue Reading

• IT benchmarking incorporates more than server performance

  While a server performance test is a key IT benchmarking metric, it coexists with prices and the target workloads to yield a true IT performance benchmark.Continue Reading

• TSA packs bags tight with data center consolidation initiative

  The TSA is overhauling its IT infrastructure with equipment upgrades, virtualization and cloud as part of a major data center consolidation initiative.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

• 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

• Get the best mix of servers and storage in the data center

  A fleet of servers is only as good as its connected storage. The right storage design for your data center depends on cost, simplicity and performance requirements.Continue Reading

• Compare HCI from SimpliVity vs. Nutanix vs. VMware

  Before you buy SimpliVity, Nutanix or VMware's EVO:RAIL hyper-converged infrastructure, learn what resources and scalability each line offers.Continue Reading

• IBM delivers Linux mainframes to the open source world

  IBM opens the doors of its proprietary mainframes, delivering two Linux-only boxes and significant code contributions to the open source world.Continue Reading

• Expect big changes from Red Hat Satellite 6

  Red Hat overhauled its Satellite server management tool in version 6, which means a lot more functionality and features but a complex adjustment period for server admins.Continue Reading

• Stonebraker: IT pros fall for big data hype

  Big data marketing hype has included a constantly evolving message, and IT pros keep falling for it, said 2014 Turing Award-winner Michael Stonebraker.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

• Rank colocation companies with this checklist

  Use this checklist to make fair and comprehensive comparisons between colocation data center providers.Continue Reading

• Tighter security tops RHEL 6.7 updates

  New security features and predictive analysis of performance issues are two of the new features users will find in RHEL 6.7.Continue Reading

• Big data projects geared toward higher profitability

  Learn how organizations make big data decisions, and if their loyalty lies with the same vendor.Continue Reading

• Moving out to a colocation provider

  Colocation has solidified itself as an attractive outlet for IT, and, unlike the cloud, allows admins to continue to manage their own systems. Colo customers can also take advantage of services that mimic outsourcing, from basic offerings to full-on...Continue Reading

• Uptime certification misuse leads to big changes

  The Uptime Institute's tier-level certification will now only be handed out to constructed projects that meet the standards, not for designs.Continue Reading

• Improve data center energy management with this guide

  The revised 2015 version of the E.U.'s best practices guide for data centers provides up-to-date tips on data center energy management for everyone.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

• RHEL developer preview moves ARM servers closer to reality

  RHEL on ARM servers has developers envisioning new apps, but the hardware and software ecosystem for 64-bit ARM is still just a vision.Continue Reading

• Five quick data center best practices

  Some controversial topics leave data center managers with lingering questions, but DCIM and power and cooling queries were met with best practice tips at AFCOM.Continue Reading

• Hyperconverged systems prove viable SAN alternative

  Why are IT pros looking to hyperconverged offerings? The architecture and skills required for SANs are some reasons.Continue Reading

• Server performance and benchmark testing guide

  The right back-end servers, tuned for maximum efficacy, make the difference in business-critical applications and services.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

• Matching applications to the right converged technologies

  Users in the data center share how the converged technology they chose -- from hyper-converged infrastructure to appliance -- meets the needs of a given application.Continue Reading

• Purging zombie servers saves AOL money, energy

  AOL shares the lessons it learned from a project to rid its data centers of 14,805 zombie servers that saved the company about $10 million.Continue Reading

• Bright data center ideas that lacked staying power

  The data center has seen its fair share of failed attempts to uproot traditional thinking. New ideas for power, cooling and maintenance top the list.Continue Reading

• HP's Machine has a long road from hype to reality

  HP promises a prototype for its memory-driven computing architecture 'The Machine' next year as enterprise IT questions how it will be put to use.Continue Reading

• Are you prepared for the future of data centers?

  Data center managers can expect major changes in the future, whether they run an in-house facility, outsource or do a mix of both.Continue Reading

• Reasons to upgrade a data center network architecture

  The TechTarget Networking Survey reveals which motivating factors cause data centers to upgrade their networks.Continue Reading

• Data center design best practices from a pro

  From Colorado to Illinois, Tehran to New York, Robert McFarlane has innovated in data center design, power and cooling. Here are his tips for data center operators.Continue Reading

• Intel E7 v3 designed for scale-up BI workloads

  The Intel E7 v3 processor entered the ring against IBM Power and other systems. But will the new BI features be enough to take over scale-up workloads?Continue Reading

• Data center components that deserve an upgrade this year

  In the next 12 months, consider making a few component upgrades to the data center. Our advisory board explains which ones are the most important.Continue Reading

• What's the best flash storage choice for your data center?

  All-flash data centers are futuristic concepts, but there are many ways to implement server-side or array-based flash storage in a data center today.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

• Pop quiz: Know the ABCs of data center spending

  There are a lot of acronyms that define data center spending, but which letters will save you money? See how well you know IT budget vocab.Continue Reading

• The FPGA server promises flexible app acceleration

  FPGAs offload tasks from server processors more flexibly than other accelerator options. Hyperscale data centers are keen to deploy the technology.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

• 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

• The ARM-based server vies for first in your data center

  Are the alluring functions of ARM servers enough to cause a reshaping of data center operations? Or will the x86 server continue its domination?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 to tell if OpenStack infrastructure is right for you

  Your data center may -- or may not -- need a flexible open-source cloud. Is your facility ready to handle the infrastructure overhaul of storage and hardware?Continue Reading

• Data center dunces cause operations, security failures

  Data center security is paramount to ensuring the safety of your employees and data. But what happens when you let a fool into your facility?Continue Reading

• Address common problems in mainframe testing concepts

  Accurate mainframe testing data is hard to obtain. This overview covers testing concepts, problems and tool options for improving test data management.Continue Reading

• Master Red Hat, Debian approaches to Linux package management

  Whether you use Red Hat or Debian package manager, get informed on the repositories and commands for easier Linux management.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

• Outsource IT support without losing control

  Secure a highly available IT platform by ensuring you have the best data center support. Without precautions, you may suffer from greedy resellers and vendors.Continue Reading

• New approaches to scalable storage

  With all these scalable storage approaches, IT organizations must evaluate the options against their data storage and analytics needs, as well as future architectures.Continue Reading

• Modern data center cooling systems cut out energy waste

  Better data center cooling techniques and technologies exist, so it's up to IT to identify the correct approach for their organization.Continue Reading