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• 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

• 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

• Definitions to Get Started

  • data center
  • ISO 9000
  • Linux operating system
  • white box server

  • What is server sprawl and how to prevent it?
  • information technology (IT)
  • VSAM (Virtual Storage Access Method)
  • wireless sensor network (WSN)

  View All Definitions

• 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

• 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

• Evaluate converged vs. hyper-converged infrastructure benefits

  Many IT admins wonder if their data center can benefit from hyper-converged or converged infrastructure. To choose the right one, evaluate uses and scalability.Continue Reading

• Do I need converged or hyper-converged infrastructure appliances?

  Scalability, risk tolerance and cost all factor into the decision between converged and hyper-converged infrastructure. The two technologies have very different use cases.Continue Reading

• Work a command-line interface in Linux with these permissions and prompts

  The command-line interface is an integral part of the Linux management environment. With sudo permissions and remote connectivity, working with a command line is easy.Continue Reading

• How is RHEL in the cloud different than in the data center?

  Implementing RHEL in the cloud isn't exactly the same as using cloud technology in the data center, especially when addressing swap and support concerns.Continue Reading

• What are the top SIEM use cases?

  SIEM tools help organizations detect and mitigate malware and viruses, but they also allow administrators to offload traffic when an attack hampers performance.Continue Reading

• Guide to buying server performance monitor software

  Integration, storage and vendor support all affect whether a performance monitoring tool is right for an organization. Mull over these ten factors to choose the right one.Continue Reading

• IBM blockchain technology spotlights mainframes

  IBM's blockchain offerings aim to ease enterprise IT concerns by combining Z system mainframe hardware with industry-specific open source applications.Continue Reading

• Do I need an information systems management degree?

  IS management degrees are table stakes for many IT job seekers. Hands-on experience and specific certifications make applicants more desirable.Continue Reading

• Pin down these hardware service contract details

  A server warranty won't do much good when every second of downtime counts. Here's how to hammer out a support agreement that addresses the particular needs of your company.Continue Reading

• Organizations don't have to pick private or public cloud

  Organizations don't necessarily have to decide between using a public or private cloud. For some companies, the answer is both. For others, it's neither.Continue Reading

• ISO (International Organization for Standardization)

  ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies.Continue Reading

• Three requirements for a hybrid cloud computing deployment

  As the hybrid cloud computing approach gains steam, organizations will need to pay close attention to cross-cloud connectivity and management, plus microservices.Continue Reading

• SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES)

  SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) is a Linux-based server operating system created and maintained by the German-based organization, SUSE.Continue Reading

• Test yourself on new data center storage architecture

  Data center storage architecture is getting faster and more resilient. Before you jump straight into adoption, it's important to know the key technology trends in the space.Continue Reading

• Data center GPU use on the rise thanks to AI, big data

  GPU vendors have added new devices and cards for data center servers, as data demanding workloads infiltrated the data center and overwhelmed traditional CPUs.Continue Reading

• Unix

  Unix -- often spelled UNIX, especially as an official trademark -- is a multi-user operating system designed for flexibility and adaptability.Continue Reading

• Master RHEL 7.3 before you consider RHEL 8

  RHEL 7.3 offers high security, reliability and performance. Discover how to navigate GRUB 2 and system, and learn which distros work best for Docker, among other tips.Continue Reading

• Words to go: HCI platforms

  Implementing HCI systems in the data center is a big undertaking for IT. Learn the basics of this emerging technology and its components before you make the leap.Continue Reading

• Software-defined memory trends yield speed, high performance

  A new class of memory technologies is coming to the data center landscape. Educate yourself on the emerging tech, including tools you'll want to consider.Continue Reading

• z/OS

  Z/OS is a 64-bit operating system (OS) developed by IBM for its family of z/Architecture enterprise mainframe computers, including the zEnterprise 196 and zEnterprise 114.Continue Reading

• What's the best Linux distribution for Docker in your business?

  To find the best Linux distro for Docker, compare options from Red Hat, Ubuntu, VMware and more to make a match and smoothly run containers in your enterprise.Continue Reading

• Remain relevant as a data center specialist

  Handling a variety of roles and possessing a multitude of skills make data center specialists a key cog in the IT machine as workloads evolve and businesses demand speed.Continue Reading

• Persistent memory trend preps for launch, but no takeoff yet

  The interest in persistent memory continues to grow, but a few things -- including support from server vendors -- must happen before widespread adoption.Continue Reading

• Before you deploy OpenStack, address cost, hybrid cloud issues

  OpenStack deployments are complex and involve power, hybrid cloud, performance, update and cost concerns. Research each carefully to avoid these OpenStack challenges.Continue Reading

• SELinux (Security-Enhanced Linux)

  SELinux, or Security-Enhanced Linux, is a part of the Linux security kernel that acts as a protective agent on servers.Continue Reading

• Install Ubuntu Core successfully with these steps

  An Ubuntu Core installation can often prove tricky for IT teams. Use these step-by-step instructions to properly install the platform for a more secure Docker environment.Continue Reading

• Emergency Power Off (EPO) button

  The Emergency Power Off (EPO) button -- sometimes called an EPO switch -- is a large red device in data centers that kills power to a particular piece of equipment, or to an entire facility, in the event of an emergency.Continue Reading

• Boost application resilience to keep workloads running

  Increase application resiliency and availability for enterprise workloads through clustering, replication, snapshots, microservices and application design.Continue Reading

• An edge computing architecture upends the data center

  To get closer to customers, more businesses are taking data center technologies all the way to the edge. Here's what it takes to actually make that happen.Continue Reading

• SUSE Manager

  SUSE Manager is an open source infrastructure management tool for Linux systems.Continue Reading

• Serverless architectures offer more than a catchy buzzword

  There's an innovative concept behind the buzzword 'serverless.' Discover the benefits of this emerging architecture and how it delivers the true promises of cloud computing.Continue Reading

• Paris Agreement

  The Paris Agreement is an international treaty that seeks to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. The agreement is sponsored by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and seeks to limit temperature increases in the ...Continue Reading

• Red Hat Satellite

  Red Hat Satellite is an IT infrastructure management tool primarily used to monitor and manage Red Hat Enterprise Linux environments.Continue Reading

• Linux distros (Linux distribution)

  A Linux distribution -- often shortened to "Linux distro" -- is a version of the open source Linux operating system that is packaged with other components, such as an installation programs, management tools and additional software such as the KVM ...Continue Reading

• Software-based networking brings new automation perks, challenges

  More data center teams have moved to software-defined networks. And while the technology brings new benefits around automation, it also brings a host of implementation challenges.Continue Reading

• Test your knowledge of hyper-converged technologies

  Hyper-converged and converged systems continue to make their way into the data center. Test yourself on the current market, and major differences between the two tecnologies.Continue Reading

• Are you prepared for the challenges of IoT in the data center?

  IoT will force data center teams to evolve their network, storage and cloud strategies. Take this short quiz to see how much you know about IoT implications in the data center.Continue Reading

• Words to go: Data center colocation services

  Don't jump feet first into the colocation pool. First, make sure you understand the different options for colocation services and agreements, using these key terms below.Continue Reading

• automatic transfer switch (ATS)

  An automatic transfer switch (ATS) is a device that automatically transfers a power supply from its primary source to a backup source when it senses a failure or outage in the primary source.Continue Reading

• Understand the benefits, limits of composable infrastructure

  Composable infrastructure leads the next stage of data center evolution, changing the way admins manage IT resources. But lock-in and other hurdles may hinder adoption -- for now.Continue Reading

• power cycling

  Power cycling is the process of turning hardware off and then turning it on again. In the data center, technicians use power cycling to test the durability and reliability of network components.Continue Reading

• Test yourself on modern data center networking architecture

  Evolving business needs demand a new approach to data center networking. Keep yourself updated on SDN, VXLAN and other technologies with this quiz.Continue Reading

• To reap the benefits of hyper-convergence, manage it right

  Use a policy-based approach to manage hyper-converged infrastructure.Continue Reading

• colocation marketplace

  A colocation marketplace is an online platform that connects colocation users with managed service providers, IT vendors and potential business partners.Continue Reading

• How an IoT deployment reshapes network and storage management

  Data center admins need to know the unique network and storage requirements that come with an IoT deployment, and evolve their IT management practices accordingly.Continue Reading

• Prep your network for a big data initiative or IoT project

  This chapter addresses the network traffic challenges inherent in a large-scale data project. The internet of things, in particular, involves lots of machines talking to each other. This makes it necessary to know what demands are being placed on an...Continue Reading

• the Open19 project

  The Open19 project is aimed at standardizing servers, storage and networking components into a common set of form factors for any Electronic Industries Association (EIA) 19-inch data center rack. The initiative was launched by LinkedIn Corp. in 2016.Continue Reading

• The Green Grid Performance Indicator (PI)

  The Green Grid Performance Indicator (PI) is a set of metrics designed to help information technology (IT) teams assess current and future data center cooling performance. PI was developed by The Green Grid in 2016.Continue Reading

• Choices for Red Hat virtualization include RHEL, RHEV and OpenStack

  While the KVM functionality in Red Hat Enterprise Linux can help admins manage VMs on a few servers, larger deployments may call for RHEV and OpenStack.Continue Reading

• Full SDDC architecture adoption remains in the distant future

  Why are most organizations not adopting full SDDCs yet? Find out what's blocking their road to an SDDC architecture and how some companies are overcoming those challenges.Continue Reading

• A big data, IoT project brings unique storage demands

  With the proliferation of IoT and big data, the amount of data in the enterprise increases every day. Find out how to meet storage demands for these new IT initiatives.Continue Reading

• Cutting edge: IT's guide to edge data centers

  As organizations look to support a growing workforce, or enable IoT, edge computing is gaining traction in the enterprise -- but it also presents challenges for data center managers.Continue Reading

• computerized maintenance management system (CMMS)

  A computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) is software that helps operations and maintenance staff identify and track the status of maintenance tasks and availability of replacement parts.Continue Reading

• New IT roles to put on your hiring radar

  The shifting nature of the IT industry doesn't just influence new technology; it's spawning some noteworthy changes in IT staffing, especially around big data and cloud.Continue Reading

• Storage for big data and IoT is no small detail

  Capturing and capitalizing on vast amounts of data about customers and products can help a business adapt and even thrive. But implementing big data or IoT means creating or adjusting IT resources to handle the burden. With these emerging IT ...Continue Reading

• Virtualization containers spark a consolidation comeback

  Over the past 10 years, virtualization has made waves in data centers everywhere. But now, containers are tipping the scale back toward server consolidation.Continue Reading

• Two server memory types shaking up performance expectations

  Memory manufacturers are getting creative for high performance. High Bandwidth Memory and Hybrid Memory Cube modules could appear in the next generation of servers.Continue Reading

• SD-WAN benefits create serious competition for MPLS

  SD-WAN architecture offers features that reduce operational costs and simplify deployment models. Learn how to take advantage of SD-WAN benefits and navigate its potential downfalls.Continue Reading

• Get in the know about data center Ethernet

  Bring yourself up to speed on what's happening in the realm of data center Ethernet with this quick guide covering advances in standards, speeds and cabling.Continue Reading

• Tips to ace tough IT operations interview questions

  Few things career-wise are as nerve-wracking as job interviews. Knowing what to expect going into that first meeting for a Web or app administrator role can quell some uneasiness.Continue Reading

• leaf-spine (leaf-spine architecture)

  Leaf-spine is a two-layer network topology composed of leaf switches and spine switches. Leaf-spine is a two-layer data center network topology that's useful for data centers that experience more east-west network traffic than north-south traffic.Continue Reading

• PaaS examples prove apps dictate infrastructure choices

  PaaS is the least-known XaaS category. However, it is a great way to bootstrap custom app development and increase IT productivity.Continue Reading

• 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