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Bring yourself up to speed with our introductory content.
Get started
Bring yourself up to speed with our introductory content.
data center services
Data center services is a collective term for all the supporting components necessary to the proper operation of data center. This includes all the implementation, maintenance and operation of a data center. Continue Reading
Avoid server overheating with ASHRAE data center guidelines
Finding the right server operating temperature can be tricky. ASHRAE standards provide guidance for all server classes and what factors can play into temperature readings. Continue Reading
CMDB (configuration management database)
A configuration management database (CMDB) is a file -- usually, in the form of a standardized database -- that contains all relevant information about the hardware and software components used in an organization's IT (information technology) ... Continue Reading
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infrastructure (IT infrastructure)
Infrastructure is the foundation or framework that supports a system or organization. Continue Reading
Uptime Institute’s data center tier standards
The Uptime Institute’s data center tier standards are a standardized methodology used to determine availability in a facility. Continue Reading
ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library)
The ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) is a framework designed to standardize the selection, planning, delivery, maintenance, and overall lifecycle of IT services within a business.Continue Reading
edge data center
Edge data centers are small data centers that are located close to the edge of a network.Continue Reading
Figure out the differences of asset management vs. CMDB
There is no shortage of software options for change management tools. Operational goals can help IT teams decide if ITAM or CMDB is the right choice for the organization.Continue Reading
6 steps for effective real-time monitoring across hybrid IT
Infrastructure monitoring can span multiple stakeholders, data center sites and metrics. Use the five W's to establish a comprehensive monitoring strategy.Continue Reading
Ubuntu Core tutorial: Run IoT devices on Linux
Linux OSes offer flexible IoT device management and have no upfront costs. Get Ubuntu Core up and connect your devices with the steps in this video tutorial.Continue Reading
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A quick primer on the ANSI/TIA-942 standard
Industry standards help organizations minimize downtime and ensure operational quality. With ANSI/TIA-942, IT teams can certify their infrastructure for mission-critical sites.Continue Reading
The case against data center consolidation
Having one centralized data center can bring IT benefits. Use cases such as IoT, edge computing and cloud don't necessarily work with consolidated infrastructure.Continue Reading
A mechanical refrigeration system primer for admins
Mechanical cooling is a necessity to keep data centers efficient year-round. The system type you use depends on the refrigerant, number of heat exchanges and airflow requirements.Continue Reading
Data center power terms to give your vocab a jolt
No matter the data center setup, there are standardized power components and protocols you should know. Build your understanding -- or refresh your knowledge -- with these terms.Continue Reading
IoT data center tech aims to improve operational efficiency
IoT tech can make data center operations data-driven and automated. For a successful implementation, IT managers should evaluate upgrade costs and infrastructure resiliency.Continue Reading
An introduction to DCIM software metrics and terms
Infrastructure management is no easy task. The right software can help admins track how efficient their server racks and facilities are and pinpoint where to make improvements.Continue Reading
6 steps to prep your organization for ISO 9001 certification
ISO 9001 is a quality management standard. Before your team decides to become certified with an official audit, you should have all the gap analyses, documentation and fixes in place.Continue Reading
Learn to use Terraform for Linux automation
Automation is an easy way to ensure consistent Linux deployments. Infrastructure-as-code tools let you increase security and reduce possible human error during creation.Continue Reading
How should I choose a new server hardware configuration?
It's important to consider current and future business needs when choosing a server to ensure you'll have adequate CPU, memory, storage and network resources.Continue Reading
Traditional vs. converged vs. hyper-converged infrastructure setups
HCI clusters, converged infrastructure and rack servers all offer benefits for a data center. Still, figuring out which is easier to set up requires evaluation and planning.Continue Reading
Easily spin up a Docker Ubuntu container
Docker and Ubuntu make it possible for admins to use containers for Windows applications in the data center. Watch what's involved to get started with containerization.Continue Reading
Safeguard data center power with regular UPS maintenance
There are several levels of testing to address when developing a UPS maintenance checklist. Be sure to conduct visual, thermal and load tests to verify UPS health.Continue Reading
What's involved in cloud repatriation cost calculation?
The costs associated with cloud repatriation go beyond the migration itself. IT managers must account for any new hardware, backup requirements and available skilled personnel.Continue Reading
Advances in server hardware components speed up data centers
Server hardware has consistently evolved since the 1980s. Now, IT professionals can implement the latest in CPU and GPU technology in their ever-growing data centers.Continue Reading
Dive into the quantum computing qubit with IBM's Bob Sutor
The quantum computing industry is entering a new era. IBM's Bob Sutor discusses the technology's importance and how his latest book can help readers better understand the qubit.Continue Reading
Build a migration plan for enterprise edge infrastructure
Micro data centers are essential to edge computing use cases. Build an effective migration plan through site selection, application inventory and post-move monitoring tools.Continue Reading
Improve your Linux skills with a Bash tutorial
Bash is a great language for scripting and Linux use. Get a walk-through of its capabilities, such as directory creation, variable definition and file set up.Continue Reading
Top vendor SDDC certification programs for admins
If you decide to grow your knowledge of software-defined data center technologies, VMware, Nuage Networks and Microsoft offer courses and certifications to get you up to speed.Continue Reading
Build up your knowledge of leaf-spine network technology
As organizations deal with challenges of single tree path networks, many admins are considering leaf-spine architectures. Learn the ways its topology helps latency and data flow.Continue Reading
HPC services bring computational power to more organizations
Navigating HPC colocation requires knowledge of power, uptime and security demands. Deploying such services can bring innovative opportunities for organizations.Continue Reading
Plan a successful migration to HPC colocation
If your organization decides to host its HPC hardware in a colocated data center, ensure a smooth migration with proper location selection, security measures and application testing.Continue Reading
SELinux tutorial: Basic components, logs and global modes
SELinux is an effective way for you to implement access policies on your Linux-based servers. Learn what it takes to start the security module on CentOS.Continue Reading
5 considerations for proper mainframe decommissioning
As organizations decide to retire mainframe systems, admins should develop a plan that addresses application migration, program replatforming, data security and hardware removal.Continue Reading
screen scraping
Screen scraping is the act of copying information that shows on a digital display so it can be used for another purpose.Continue Reading
Learn the main Linux OS components
Linux is one operating choice to run on your infrastructure. Get started with these terms to discover how the OS works and how it differs from Microsoft and Apple offerings.Continue Reading
A guide to GPU implementation and activation
Data center GPU usage goes beyond hardware. Admins must work with vendors and developers to have the right software architecture and code to benefit from GPUs.Continue Reading
Key components for negotiating an HPC colocation contract
When it comes to HPC colocation, there are specialized areas to cover in a service-level agreement. Review provider protocols for power, security and network connectivity.Continue Reading
Make the case for a technology refresh strategy
A good portion of IT budgets are spent maintaining aging hardware. Energy efficiency, failure rates and potential downtime costs are all ways to justify regular hardware updates.Continue Reading
Refresh your data center cooling lexicon
As the data center industry moves to improve energy efficiency, refresh your knowledge on the available cooling technology and methodologies.Continue Reading
data center
A data center (or datacenter) is a facility composed of networked computers and storage that businesses and other organizations use to organize, process, store and disseminate large amounts of data.Continue Reading
Increase efficiency with data center temperature monitoring
Data centers must track multiple temperature components. Organizations can use ASHRAE standards and on-premises hardware for easier monitoring.Continue Reading
Top 5 options for Linux certifications
Are you ready to expand your Linux knowledge? Here's a look at the latest courses, training content and exams available from professional groups and vendors.Continue Reading
Essential private cloud migration steps
Executive buy-in, application evaluation and tool configuration are all important parts of cloud selection. With these steps, admins can ensure a smooth move to private cloud.Continue Reading
parallel processing
Parallel processing is a method in computing of running two or more processors (CPUs) to handle separate parts of an overall task.Continue Reading
Elevate software-defined technology's role in the data center
SDS and SDN aren't a cure-all for infrastructure management ails. Proper implementation requires research and a suitable hardware setup. Here's a look at what this tech can do.Continue Reading
blade server
A blade server, sometimes referred to as a high-density server, is a compact device containing a computer used to manage and distribute data in a collection of computers and systems, called a network.Continue Reading
shell script
A shell script is a text file that contains a sequence of commands for a UNIX-based operating system.Continue Reading
4 steps for a smooth SDN installation
Software-defined infrastructure can be tricky to implement. Automation, vendor-supported hardware and skilled developers are essential for smooth updates.Continue Reading
ambient temperature
Ambient temperature is the air temperature of any object or environment where equipment is stored.Continue Reading
Should admins learn about serverless computing?
Serverless architecture is beneficial to organizations that use virtualization and function-as-a-service models. Here's what admins should know about it.Continue Reading
Expand your edge data center vocabulary
Data, devices and distributed computing are all important parts of edge setups. Learn about edge computing components and how you might see them in your organization.Continue Reading
Tailor data center colocation services to your IT needs
Securing the right colocation contract takes time and research. When it comes to colocation options, evaluate facility location and provider services to get the right fit.Continue Reading
OLTP (online transaction processing)
OLTP (online transaction processing) is a class of software programs capable of supporting transaction-oriented applications on the Internet.Continue Reading
A quick guide to data center commissioning
Service provider selection, design documentation and thorough testing are all necessary for commissioning. Learn the process's nuances to get your facilities online.Continue Reading
statistical mean, median, mode and range
Calculating the mean, median, mode and range of a set of numbers allows you to track changes over time and set acceptable ranges and variance. Here's how to find your data's mean, median, mode or range, and what it tells you.Continue Reading
Drill down to basics with these server hardware terms
Even with software-based data center options, it's still important to know the physical components of a server. Check out these four terms to refresh your memory.Continue Reading
free cooling
Free cooling is an approach to lowering the air temperature in a building or data center by using naturally cool air or water instead of mechanical refrigeration.Continue Reading
Colocation vs. cloud: Quiz yourself on these workload expansion options
Colocation or cloud? Data centers have plenty of expansion options beyond building a new facility. Learn about each option -- and test your knowledge -- with this quiz.Continue Reading
uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is a device that allows a computer to keep running for at least a short time when the primary power source is lost.Continue Reading
3 ways to approach cloud bursting
With different cloud bursting techniques and tools from Amazon, Zerto, VMware and Oracle, admins can bolster cloud connections and efficiently move data in and out of on-prem facilities.Continue Reading
data center as a service (DCaaS)
A data center as a service (DCaaS) provider will supply turnkey physical data center facilities and computing infrastructure (e.g., servers, networking, storage, and so on) to clients in the form of a service.Continue Reading
How to build a successful colocation strategy
Proper evaluation of a colocation data center means reviewing geographic location, cost structure and accessibility to ensure the facility is right for their organization.Continue Reading
5 quick quantum computing terms to learn
Quantum computers use atomic physics to complete extensive calculations in one minute, but you might not be familiar with some quantum computing terms. This guide offers a primer.Continue Reading
What's the difference between Open19 and the Open Compute Project?
Though the Open19 initiative and Open Compute Project seem to have a similar goal, they do differ in type of support, hardware requirements and licensing practices.Continue Reading
high availability (HA)
High availability (HA) is the ability of a system or system component to be continuously operational for a desirably long length of time.Continue Reading
What hardware can I use in an Open19 rack?
Open19 is a partnership that guides organizations to use open source rack servers. The organization's cages, power shelves and network switches make upgrades easy.Continue Reading
Pick the right colocation site for your organization
Colocation is more than signing a contract and installing hardware. Evaluate redundancy, rack space real estate and distance to ensure a successful colo partnership.Continue Reading
4 PowerShell modules every IT pro should know
Find out how to use four of the most popular PowerShell community modules in the PowerShell Gallery to help better manage your data center and automate certain tasks.Continue Reading
Get started with PowerShell Core on Linux
PowerShell Core lets you configure and manage Windows, Linux and Mac-based servers in the data center. Learn how to install and navigate the command-line shell in this tip.Continue Reading
Test your knowledge of cloud computing types
Not all cloud architectures are created equal. Complete this quiz to learn about which cloud models, management tools and features are helpful to data center admins.Continue Reading
A data center planning and design guide for IT pros
Data center design and management now goes beyond servers and networking cables. Defining budget and IT goals helps set an effective roadmap for data center architecture.Continue Reading
information technology (IT)
Information technology (IT) is the use of any computers, storage, networking and other physical devices, infrastructure and processes to create, process, store, secure and exchange all forms of electronic data.Continue Reading
data center administrator (DCA)
A data center administrator monitors systems, installs equipment and cabling, and participates in change processes and everyday procedures that support information technology.Continue Reading
How to prepare your data center for an HCI appliance
Vendors tout hyper-converged infrastructure as a plug-and-play offering, but before you install anything in your data center, be sure your network supports the hardware.Continue Reading
Hone these top 5 data center skills in 2019
As data centers become more software-based, admins should prepare themselves by learning about the cloud, containers, DevOps and artificial intelligence.Continue Reading
Considerations for a successful DCIM implementation
Selecting the right DCIM software is a complicated process. Make sure you have executive buy-in, vendor support and defined goals to get the best return on investment.Continue Reading
Top five data center trends to watch in 2019
In 2019, data center admins should research how technologies such as AIOps, chatbots and GPUs can help them with their management, help desk and processing needs.Continue Reading
HCI, acquisitions led 2018 data center news
In 2018, major data center vendors expanded portfolios with acquisitions for HCI and software-defined data center tech -- bolstering admin tool sets for cloud, containers and VMs.Continue Reading
What containerization technology do I need for my data center?
Containers in the data center can help maximize server capacity, but there are a few things to consider before a Docker or Kubernetes implementation.Continue Reading
Edge computing architecture helps IT support augmented reality
Augmented reality benefits greatly from reduced latency, which makes edge computing a perfect partner in the data center.Continue Reading
How to install ZFS on Linux
ZFS on Linux lets admins error correct in real time and use solid-state disks for data caching. With the command-line interface, they can install it for these benefits.Continue Reading
What can admins use as a data center GPU?
There is no formal standard to differentiate consumer and data center GPUs. Still, you should evaluate processing speeds and hardware requirements before GPU installation.Continue Reading
Navigate DCIM software selection, security and support
To properly evaluate DCIM software, pinpoint where you can benefit from more operational data and work with vendors. Then, ensure your selection fits your data center needs.Continue Reading
How to successfully perform a data center upgrade
When data center hardware becomes outdated, there are a few options. Here are ways that admins can ensure that a migration is efficient and downtime is minimized.Continue Reading
What does GPU hardware do in the data center?
Once part of the gaming industry, GPUs are gaining traction in data center infrastructures. Learn why the power of GPUs makes them fit virtualization and data-heavy applications.Continue Reading
Red Hat
Red Hat is a leading software company in the business of assembling open source components for the Linux operating system and related programs into a distribution package that can easily be ordered and implemented.Continue Reading
Research advances data center liquid cooling tech
You might want to investigate alternatives to water and fans to keep your data center cool. Still, there are costs and environmental concerns facing researchers and IT administrators.Continue Reading
Top 7 system administrator interview questions and answers
To land any IT job, you need to master the interview. Here are seven questions to expect in your next sysadmin interview and how to ace the answers.Continue Reading
Can I use server automation for remote management?
Depending on your server management workflow, you might want to consider automation and orchestration. Before going forward, you should figure out what scripts are necessary.Continue Reading
Discovery functions, FIPS compliance increase DCIM security
Data center infrastructure management is one way to track security patches and unauthorized hardware access. There are a few features you can use to increase security.Continue Reading
Data center admins gain the benefits of microservices
Microservices bring perks to data center infrastructures, especially when it comes to long-term maintenance. But admins need to properly evaluate it before implementation.Continue Reading
How can I build AI capabilities for the data center?
IT departments can integrate AI capabilities with their data center management workflows using machine learning algorithms that enable admins to automate functions over time.Continue Reading
ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers)
ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) is an organization devoted to the advancement of indoor-environment-control technology in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) industryContinue Reading
Getting started with Linux containers
Linux-based containers allow you to run applications in the data center without modifying OSes. If you're not sure how to get started, options such as Docker and CoreOS can help.Continue Reading
How to keep your data center skills up to date
It can be tough to pick the skills to develop when there are so many certifications to choose from. Data center industry trends can give you insight into what skills to pursue.Continue Reading
kernel
The kernel is the essential center of a computer operating system (OS).Continue Reading
Choose the cloud computing deployment model that fits your data center needs
Organizations looking to the cloud to update their data center should consider the future development of systems management providers when selecting a cloud computing deployment model.Continue Reading
SDDC architecture basics and deployment considerations
Software-defined data centers accelerate hardware provisioning and maintenance. These benefits are reason enough for admins to familiarize themselves with SDDC components.Continue Reading
SIEM software basics and use cases for IT administrators
Security information and event management products use algorithms to stop cyberattacks in their tracks, but they also offer other workflow benefits for admins.Continue Reading
Open source log management options for Linux distributions
Open source log management tools provide a variety of options and capabilities for admins who want customizable Linux log management functions in a server or cloud environment.Continue Reading