Evaluate

Evaluate

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

• Find the right data center support for any IT organization

  Most of the IT budget goes to maintaining the data center hardware and software. Consider outsourcing for better support. Continue Reading

• Nano server innovation extends beyond the data center

  What's the difference between a nano server and a PC? Timing. Continue Reading

• Identify risky data center providers before it's too late

  These tips from a data center design expert will keep you from partnering with an inadequate cloud hosting or colocation provider. Continue Reading

• What NFV vendors are currently on the market?

  Many data centers are on the path to NFV. How are the NFV standards and vendor offerings guiding -- or challenging -- implementation? Continue Reading

• How to choose between cloud computing and virtualization

  When it comes to cloud and virtualization, asking the right questions will help your IT org choose between the two or support a combination. Continue Reading

• Data center companies to watch in 2015

  Put these data center suppliers, from virtualization leaders to management software startups, on your watch list in 2015 for product innovations and potential blockbuster partnerships.Continue Reading

• Explore information technology budget plans for 2015

  The TechTarget IT Priorities Survey asked how companies plan to spend 2015 IT budgets, and if IT teams expect more money allocated to technology this year.Continue Reading

• Power and cooling checklist for a better data center PUE

  Data center power consumption eats up a large portion of operating costs. These cooling and power changes can help cut back energy use without lessening IT performance.Continue Reading

• Sourcing the modern data center

  Significant IT expenditures can represent a make-or-break moment for the department, especially in this economic climate. In terms of selecting data center hardware, planning can go a long way, and selecting the right mix helps to minimize waste and...Continue Reading

• Multi-vendor data center

  There are a number of ways for IT to ease the process of managing a multi-vendor data center. This e-book series examines the best practices for vetting vendors, integrating new technology into the data center and training personnel effectively on ...Continue Reading

• Micro data centers keep businesses competitive from next door

  A fleet of micro data centers can conquer the latency and resiliency of one centralized data center. Is the edge model right for your enterprise?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

• Data center economizer quiz tests how cool you are

  Using an economizer in your data center could improve operations. Take this quiz to see how much you know about the technology and how it cools a hot data center.Continue Reading

• Five career-advancing information technology skills

  IT pros want to advance their careers. See which IT skills will enhance your worth this year, and the training and certifications that will propel you forward.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

• Buy the right cloud hardware for your IT applications

  Cloud applications typically rely on x86 scale-out servers. You can optimize a cloud data center deployment and buy hardware for special use cases.Continue Reading

• Must-know x86 processor features of 2015

  Processor design philosophies are changing, and new instruction sets are adding speed and security so long as the software on top knows to take advantage.Continue Reading

• Announcing the 2015 Impact Awards winners

  Modern Infrastructure's 2015 Impact Awards winners represent the best IT products for cloud and data centers, from AWS services to cooling containment.Continue Reading

• Eight data center technologies to test in the new year

  As the hype from 2014 dissipates, the new year rings in hot new technologies. IoE, hybrid clouds and other tech innovations make the data center run more efficiently.Continue Reading

• Linux network configuration turns positively wicked

  Wicked replaces a lot of old Linux network configuration commands and utilities in SLES 12, making the OS more cloud friendly.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

• TIA standards, new ideas shape data center cabling

  TIA data center standards address cabling systems with performance, budget and future plans in mind. New concepts bear consideration as well.Continue Reading

• IBM z/OS Connect boosts mainframe communication with apps

  IBM's z/OS Connect is a fresh way to tie in mainframe processing with Internet applications. See what it does and how it overlaps with existing software.Continue Reading

• IT holds the key to business process improvement

  IT isn't a monolithic cost sink. Instead, it is a department that can shape digital initiatives and improve business processes.Continue Reading

• Comparing vendors' chassis server architecture scalability

  The Cisco UCS and IBM/ Lenovo Flex System approach network architecture in significantly different ways. What do you need from a chassis server?Continue Reading

• Vulnerability scanner tools in the data center

  If you're wondering whether to use a software- or hardware-based network vulnerability scanner, take a look at your budget and network deployment.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

• How do you define data center size, density?

  With shifts in the scale and density of data centers, one industry organization is drawing up ways to standardize how we talk about data center size and power needs.Continue Reading

• A data center checklist for facility design and IT ops

  Choose the right data center provider or facility now, and prevent costly errors and inadequate services later.Continue Reading

• Brush up on COBOL basics

  COBOL might be one of the oldest programming languages, but that doesn't mean developers know all there is to know. We have expert insights on COBOL basics.Continue Reading

• In-rack and in-row cooling options for any data center

  Say no to CRAC and consider more selective data center cooling options. In-rack and in-row cooling systems are efficient and optimally dispel heat.Continue Reading

• PCI Express' speed to usher in a new server era

  PCIe speeds of 20, even 100 Gbps enable the plug-and-play server flexibility and scalability that data center managers only dream of, and at a bargain.Continue Reading

• Liquid immersion cooling relief for ultra-dense data centers

  Direct liquid immersion cools servers and paves the way for the next generation of ultra-dense systems. It's not air, and it's not water -- the future is oil.Continue Reading

• Weigh your various data center cooling options

  Not interested in moving to Antarctica? Consider other cooling options by analyzing these pros and cons for methods like in-row coolers and free cooling.Continue Reading

• COBOL compilers improve big data, OLTP applications

  Application development tools optimize code only so much. For the most efficient code on intense apps, a COBOL compiler is still the go-to tool.Continue Reading

• Leaf-spine networks take the lead

  Leaf-spine networks are replacing traditional three-layer designs. Get the basics explained here.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

• The case for a leaf-spine data center topology

  Three-layer network designs are last season's topology. The leaf-spine model is coming in hot, but can the advantages made data center designers forget about the weaknesses?Continue Reading

• It's time for a denser server rack design

  A few of the server racks in your data center went over 8 kW/rack, and the world didn't end. So what's next?Continue Reading

• Centralized versus rack-mount UPS in telecom rooms

  How does a rack-mount UPS stack up against a central data center UPS for telecom rooms? Money doesn't necessarily mean power.Continue Reading

• Business application hosting on-premises vs. cloud options

  Is it better to look for a SaaS version of an app, put it in your own data center on existing equipment, or host it at a cloud provider for a mix of flexible scaling and IT ownership?Continue Reading

• Keep your server sharp and upgrade memory techniques

  It's about memory, remember? This guide covers the server memory choices -- flash, DIMMs, multi-channel -- that might solve problems in your IT shop.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

• Uptime's guide to data center assessment and optimization

  Even the best data center design drifts from its opening day to the present. Uptime shares its recommendations to map cooling power to today's IT load.Continue Reading

• Denser is better: Increased storage and server density

  For storage and servers, being dense is good. Careful planning can maximize the benefits of greater computing densities while minimizing potential risks.Continue Reading

• Share data at all levels with IBM's name/token service

  IBM name/tokens are popular for sharing data among mainframe programs, but little problems can add up to a performance hit.Continue Reading

• Why Facebook and the NSA love graph databases

  Graph databases play six degrees of separation to find real connections. See how IT teams can use the database approach for businesses.Continue Reading

• How many VMs per host is too many?

  The ultimate host server welcomes hundreds of virtual machines. But that doesn't mean consolidation should outrank performance.Continue Reading

• How a Linux processor on a mainframe beats distributed servers

  Want reliability, availability, security and performance from your Linux processor? The mainframe has more under the hood for Linux workloads.Continue Reading

• How to buy a server

  Upgrade choices, resiliency features and even purchase negotiations determine how much buying servers will actually cost.Continue Reading

• Test your Uptime Tier level knowledge

  You've got a lot riding on Uptime Tier-certified data centers. Take this quiz to see how well you know Tiers I through IV.Continue Reading

• What's happening in data center energy management

  Smart PDUs and DCIM turn on data center energy management, but that's the short-term stuff. A strong strategy will energize a data center perennially.Continue Reading

• What's the best Linux OS for your enterprise data center?

  With several updates to supported Linux OSes, how do you know which to run in your data center? This guide will help you make an informed decision.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

• Turn to in-memory processing when performance matters

  In-memory processing is faster, and vendors are innovating to make in-memory database technology cheaper and better.Continue Reading

• A software-defined networking reality check for potential adopters

  Software-defined environments moved from concept to shipping products recently, so it's time to learn about SDN vendor offerings and their roadmaps.Continue Reading

• Hyperconvergence tackles storage and server strain

  Hyperconverged systems are succeeding converged infrastructure products as the latest in all-in-one data center offerings.Continue Reading

• Get comfortable with an adiabatic cooling system in the data center

  Is your data center in a hot climate? Rather than fight the environment with CRACs, take advantage of it with an adiabatic cooling system.Continue Reading

• DCIM vendors' promises vs. data center realities

  Weigh the cost, integration and staffing implications of DCIM to make a smart buy and put DCIM's monitoring and analytical capabilities to work.Continue Reading

• The past, present and future of top data center components

  Data centers have come a long way, and we still have pretty far to go. Take a look through data centers then and now, and see what's ahead.Continue Reading

• A data center migration checklist to mitigate risk

  Alleviate the pain points for IT upgrades, consolidation or mergers with this 10-step data center migration checklist.Continue Reading

• How to choose a micro data center in rugged locations

  Rather than a big container setup, the micro data center fits a whole compute system onto 23U, with fire and climate protection built in.Continue Reading

• What colocation customers should know about data center tiers

  Colo providers use data center tiers as a quick, recognizable way to market their facilities' reliability and uptime, but that isn't the whole story.Continue Reading

• Is LRDIMM the best memory option for an enterprise server?

  Load-reduced DIMM allows for more memory and decreased latency than on-server memory typically has. So how does it compare to other DIMM designs?Continue Reading

• Getting started with ITIL service management

  Promised cost savings, alignment with business, and operational efficiency are encouraging more organizations to take up ITIL service management.Continue Reading

• Colocation services vs. cloud hosting -- which should you choose?

  Colocation facilities have a reputation as just a roof over your servers' head, so why move into colocation space when you could go straight to cloud?Continue Reading

• New vendor options when buying a server

  Would you approach buying a server in the same way you buy a laptop? Open-source hardware is placing the spotlight on ODM server manufacturers.Continue Reading

• Unix command line quiz

  Do you know how to move a file or get a list of current users from your Unix servers? Take our Unix quiz on essential commands for system admins.Continue Reading

• Attention IT shoppers: How to find the right colocation provider

  Many businesses turn to colocation providers when they need flexible IT facility space and services. But what should you look for in a provider?Continue Reading

• TechWatch: Why your data center might need a fuel cell generator

  You may know fuel cell technology from following NASA space missions, but that same clean, quiet generator could help your data center's power demand.Continue Reading

• IT pros suffer OpenLDAP configuration headaches

  Between the frustrations of installing OpenLDAP and annoyances with configuration problems, some IT pros are questioning its merit.Continue Reading

• How to manage cloud workloads and resources from the data center

  Why hybrid cloud? The added flexibility and scalability of public cloud lets enterprises make the most of their owned resources, if managed correctly.Continue Reading

• What should you do with old servers and outdated data center equipment?

  Complications arise when replacing nonfunctional data center equipment. Decide what to do with the old equipment and how to handle retrofits.Continue Reading

• Five best Linux applications for enterprises

  These five applications will improve the lives of enterprise IT and business management by increasing functionality and reducing costs.Continue Reading

• RISC vs. CISC explained for data center systems

  The role of RISC processors in data center equipment is hotly debated, but new RISC designs are proving that it isn't just a CISC game.Continue Reading

• Can older rack cooling technology handle higher server density?

  Not every facility requires costly cooling upgrades after a server refresh. Use these tips to keep server rack density in line with cooling options.Continue Reading

• How outdated practices harm data center grounding systems

  Isolated grounds are a solution lacking a problem. In fact, isolated grounds create problems for data center cabinet power and add expense all around.Continue Reading

• Creating a reliable and fast SAN network design with iSCSI

  There are three tenets of designing an iSCSI network correctly. Proper iSCSI deployment yields affordable and reliable network access for the SAN.Continue Reading

• Which IT infrastructure strategy is best for your company?

  Each IT infrastructure strategy has its own strengths and weaknesses, so choosing one model is confusing. And none can succeed without good tools.Continue Reading

• Modernizing the IT governance framework for fun and profit

  IT governance frameworks should protect the business, but they're often barriers to innovation. It's time to rethink governance mandates.Continue Reading

• Evaluate your data center requirements and data security issues

  Continue Reading

• How to approach cloud computing for business workloads

  Hybrid clouds let businesses keep some workloads at home and still capitalize on public cloud platforms. Here's how to get the best of both worlds.Continue Reading

• Improving mainframe performance with runtime and compiler optimization

  Reducing mainframe CPU usage should be a priority. Learn how to tune IBM LE options for better performance without source code changes.Continue Reading

• TCP offload's promises and limitations for enterprise networks

  TCP offload products free up limited CPU resources in network-intensive data centers. But TCP offload is no panacea and can introduce more problems.Continue Reading

• SUSE's SLES 12 OS and computing roadmap

  With SLES 12, some changes are in store for Linux admins, including a new default file system and bootloader. Here's the lowdown on SUSE's OS roadmap.Continue Reading

• Building blocks of converged infrastructures

  The unifying theme of unified computing is vendor lock-in: one vendor for all or most components. But what are those pieces and what are your options?Continue Reading

• Following both sides of the decentralized vs. centralized IT debate

  Consumerization and cloud have pulled technology control away from IT. But management issues may push enterprises back to a centralized IT model.Continue Reading

• Major changes in data center fire suppression standards NFPA 75 and 76

  Fire standard changes can add a lot of work and expense to a data center operator's job, but the updates to NFPA 75 and 76 address real safety risks.Continue Reading

• No faults here: Advanced techniques to attain more reliable servers

  A new generation of reliability features can keep busy servers running in the face of serious fault conditions.Continue Reading

• Reintroducing the RISC processor for data center servers

  Will energy and processing efficiencies in RISC processors be enough to oust x86 chips from servers, or will RISC stay stuck in a niche?Continue Reading

• Modern processor design means integration, efficiency

  The quest for improved integration, energy efficiency and performance is taking processor designs in new directions.Continue Reading

• From the ToR switch to data center containers: Design and layout fads

  Of all the hot trends in IT, changes to data center design and layout run the gamut from small to revolutionary. And some are here to stay.Continue Reading

• Trends in data centers: Adiabatic cooling, DP humidity control and more

  Could your data center benefit from free cooling or intelligent power strips, LED lighting or SSD storage? Let's parse the latest data center trends.Continue Reading

• OpenLDAP configuration for Linux made easy

  OpenLDAP is a simple, free, fully functional alternative to Active Directory. Follow these steps to set up OpenLDAP on Linux platforms.Continue Reading

• Modern data center cooling systems: No muss, no fuss, no waste

  If old school data center cooling strategies leave your energy bill sky high, try more modern systems and bring it back down to earth.Continue Reading

• Does SSL decryption deserve a place in the enterprise data center?

  Many companies use SSL decryption to monitor network traffic and add another layer of security, but what does it actually do for data centers?Continue Reading

• On-premises build offers better data center costs, security and control

  When it came time for a new data center, VSE decided -- after much research -- to build rather than outsource, and repurpose its old equipment for DR.Continue Reading

• How the colocation data center stacks up to cloud, on-premises builds

  Colocation data centers used to be about proximity. Not anymore. C7 CEO Wes Swenson says colo is about the best location and infrastructure options.Continue Reading

• Immersion cooling and other source-of-heat options for cooling data centers

  Source-of-heat cooling can be energy-efficient and free up data center design. Immersion cooling, a new source-of-heat option, has its pros and cons.Continue Reading

• Physical building properties to evaluate during server room design

  Does your server room have space to grow? What's the best mechanical system for it? Start with these questions to develop a good server room design.Continue Reading