Evaluate

Evaluate

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

• 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 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

• What HTTP/2 means to the data center and its security

  A new hypertext protocol promises better performance for complex and demanding websites.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

• Blade server cost, performance guide purchasing decision

  The TechTarget Server Hardware Survey reveals how data center pros buy blade servers, and what they plan to purchase in the next year.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 to expect from application performance monitoring tools

  Performance monitoring tools preemptively thwart run-the-business application problems, but only when you have the right APM tool for the job.Continue Reading

• 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

• Does data center size matter in virtualization, DCIM decisions?

  Are you big enough to take advantage of DCIM or virtualization for the power and cost savings? When it comes to certain moves, size is an advantage.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

• Hyperconvergence promises simplicity, but at what cost?

  Hyperconvergence brings a building-block approach to the data center, but these proprietary systems are worth investigating.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

• Ubuntu roadmap leads to cloud, hyperscale computing

  Ubuntu isn't trying to be the best Linux server OS for enterprise apps. Instead, the distribution focuses on cloud and hyperscale installations.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

• Chapter excerpt: Keeping Linux safe with root privileges

  Privileged users have superpowers that keep Linux secure. Learn how to configure and run commands with root privileges in this free book excerpt.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

• Legacy IT vendors transform to survive the mobile, cloud evolution

  BlackBerry, Dell, IBM, Microsoft and other major IT vendors must transform to survive the cloud and mobile era. Will IT buyers invest in their vision?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

• IBM cuts bait on Intel server line, Lenovo bites

  After two weeks of mounting speculation, IBM sold its System X series to Lenovo for $2.3 billion. Company will focus more on cloud, software and big data.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