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Bring yourself up to speed with our introductory content.
Get started
Bring yourself up to speed with our introductory content.
CICS (Customer Information Control System)
CICS (Customer Information Control System) is middleware that sits between the z/OS IBM mainframe operating system and business applications. Continue Reading
motherboard tattoo
A motherboard tattoo is a colloquial term once used to denote an ID code that is written in the basic input/output system (BIOS) of a computer to uniquely identify the computer. Continue Reading
TCO (total cost of ownership)
Total cost of ownership (TCO) is an estimation of the expenses associated with purchasing, deploying, using and retiring a product or piece of equipment. Continue Reading
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OLTP (online transaction processing)
OLTP (online transaction processing) is a class of software programs capable of supporting transaction-oriented applications. Continue Reading
single point of failure (SPOF)
A single point of failure (SPOF) is a potential risk posed by a flaw in the design, implementation or configuration of a circuit or system. Continue Reading
U (measurement)
A U is a standard unit of measure for designating the height in computer enclosures and server rack cabinets.Continue Reading
ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies.Continue Reading
data center
A data center -- also known as a datacenter or data centre -- is a facility composed of networked computers, storage systems and computing infrastructure that businesses and other organizations use to organize, process, store and disseminate large ...Continue Reading
How to check your CPU in a Linux system
You can issue commands through your Linux CLI to gather CPU information, including detailed information on cores, class, virtualization support, architecture and usage.Continue Reading
ISO 9000
ISO 9000 is a series of standards, developed and published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).Continue Reading
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Linux operating system
Linux is a Unix-like, open source and community-developed operating system (OS) for computers, servers, mainframes, mobile devices and embedded devices.Continue Reading
Discover the three major CentOS clones
Free, open source AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux and VzLinux are clones of the popular CentOS Linux distribution, which became a rolling release from IBM Red Hat.Continue Reading
Considerations for sustainable data center design
To design a green, sustainable data center, consider methods to improve energy conservation and efficiency. Then, look into green -- or greener -- energy source alternatives.Continue Reading
white box server
A white box server is a data center computer that is not manufactured by a well-known brand name vendor.Continue Reading
7 major server hardware components you should know
Even with software-based data center options, it's still important to know the physical components of a server. Check out these terms to refresh your memory.Continue Reading
Learn the difference between SMP vs. MPP
Learn the differences between the main modes of multiprocessing: SMP, AMP and MPP. Each has a distinct use case that makes it suited for different data centers and organizations.Continue Reading
5 considerations for proper mainframe decommissioning
As organizations decide to retire mainframe systems, IT pros should develop a plan that addresses application migration, program replatforming, data security and hardware removal.Continue Reading
What is server sprawl and how to prevent it?
Server sprawl is when multiple underutilized servers take up more space and consume more resources than can be justified by their workload.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
Explore hot and cold aisle containment for your data center
Explore hot aisle and cold aisle containment for the data center, a practice that can reduce energy costs by helping better manage environmental factors.Continue Reading
VSAM (Virtual Storage Access Method)
VSAM (Virtual Storage Access Method) is a file management system for IBM's larger operating systems now called z/OS.Continue Reading
wireless sensor network (WSN)
A wireless sensor network is a group of specialized transducers with a communications infrastructure that uses radio to monitor and record physical or environmental conditions.Continue Reading
hardware clustering
Hardware clustering is a hardware-based method of turning multiple servers into a cluster (a group of servers that acts like a single system).Continue Reading
How to script a Bash Shell argument
This tutorial teaches you how to add arguments to your Bash scripts, which can simplify and automate a variety of Linux tasks in the data center and eliminate hassle.Continue Reading
JCL (job control language)
JCL (job control language) is a language for describing jobs (units of work) to the MVS, OS/390, and VSE operating systems, which run on IBM's S/390 large server (mainframe) computers.Continue Reading
supervisor call (SVC)
In computers, especially IBM mainframes, a supervisor call (SVC) is a processor instruction that directs the processor to pass control of the computer to the operating system's supervisor program.Continue Reading
job
In certain computer operating systems, a job is the unit of work that a computer operator gives to the operating system.Continue Reading
plenum
In buildings, a plenum is a separate space provided for air circulation for heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (sometimes referred to as HVAC) and typically provided in the space between the structural ceiling and a drop-down ceiling.Continue Reading
MVS (Multiple Virtual Storage)
MVS (Multiple Virtual Storage) is IBM's best-known operating system for mainframe and large servers. Released in 1974, MVS successor systems include OS/390 and z/OS.Continue Reading
RPM Package Manager (Red-hat Package Manager)
RPM Package Manager (RPM), originally called the Red-hat Package Manager, is a program for installing, uninstalling, and managing software packages in Linux.Continue Reading
field-replaceable unit (FRU)
In computer systems, a field-replaceable unit (FRU) is a circuit board or part that can be removed and replaced without having to send the entire product or system to a repair facility.Continue Reading
ISAM (Indexed Sequential Access Method)
ISAM (Indexed Sequential Access Method) is a file management system that allows records to be accessed either sequentially or randomly.Continue Reading
Electric plugs for each country
Discover the electrical plugs, outlets and voltages used in different countries around the world.Continue Reading
epoch
In a computing context, an epoch is the date and time relative to which a computer's clock and timestamp values are determined.Continue Reading
raceway
A raceway is an enclosed conduit that forms a physical pathway for electrical wiring and protect wires and cables from heat, corrosion, water intrusion and other environmental threats.Continue Reading
GNOME (GNU Network Object Model Environment)
GNOME (GNU Network Object Model Environment, pronounced gah-NOHM) is a graphical user interface (GUI) and set of computer desktop applications for users of the Linux operating system.Continue Reading
twisted pair
Twisted pair is the ordinary copper wire that connects home and many business computers to the telephone company. (Continued...)Continue Reading
boot loader (boot manager)
A boot loader, also called a boot manager, is a small program that places the operating system (OS) of a computer into memory.Continue Reading
scalability
Scalability is the ability of a computer application or product (hardware or software) to continue to perform well when it (or its context) is changed in size or volume in order to meet a users need.Continue Reading
Mathematical symbols
This table contains mathematical symbols and links to definitions of what they represent and how they are used.Continue Reading
high availability (HA)
High availability (HA) is the ability of a system to operate continuously without failing for a designated period of time.Continue Reading
Programmable processor technology for next-gen data centers
The right processing technology can benefit your data center. Learn about advancements in CPU technologies, recent vendor offerings and important market trends.Continue Reading
Private cloud certificates to build up your tech skills
Private cloud deployments require a variety of skills to run smoothly on any infrastructure. Expand your technical knowledge with training from Amazon, Google, Dell EMC and HPE.Continue Reading
Get a template to estimate server power consumption per rack
Admins can struggle with power consumption estimation as infrastructure gets more complex. The kW-per-rack metric can help provide an accurate calculation of server power use.Continue Reading
statistical mean, median, mode and range
The terms mean, median, mode, and range describe properties of statistical distributions.Continue Reading
Main factors that can guide your UPS selection process
To choose the right UPS, be sure to figure out business needs, power supply size requirements and how long your backup systems must last during downtime.Continue Reading
workload
In computing, a workload, typically, is any program or application that runs on any computer.Continue Reading
Your primer to colocation pricing and rack space rightsizing
Even with structured pricing methods, there's a lot to consider when making colocation infrastructure purchases. Account for future hardware needs and spend flexibility.Continue Reading
remote hands
Remote hands is the general name for a service offered by colocation providers that enables customers to delegate IT management and maintenance tasks in a colocation facility to technicians hired by the provider.Continue Reading
colocation (colo)
A colocation facility, or colo, is a data center facility in which a business can rent space for servers and other computing hardware.Continue Reading
Colocation pricing guide: Understanding data center costs
Colocation facility costs can include anything from power fees and bandwidth service charges to connectivity expenses, change fees and support costs.Continue Reading
9 considerations for a colocation data center selection checklist
Use this data center selection checklist to make fair and comprehensive comparisons between colocation data center providers before making a decision.Continue Reading
What is database refreshing?
IT testing and software development constantly requires fresh data. It's easy to run a database refresh and generate new data for sandbox or production tasks.Continue Reading
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
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
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
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
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
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
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