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Bring yourself up to speed with our introductory content.
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Bring yourself up to speed with our introductory content.
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
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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
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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
CMDB (configuration management database)
A configuration management database (CMDB) is a database that contains all relevant information about the hardware and software components used in an organization's IT services and the relationships between those components.Continue Reading
infrastructure (IT infrastructure)
Infrastructure is the foundation or framework that supports a system or organization.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
Ask the right questions before committing to a colocation SLA policy
Being happy with a colocation provider has a lot to do with setting clear expectations right from the start. Know what you want and what you can realistically expect.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
remote hands
Remote hands is a service offered by colocation providers that allows customers to delegate management tasks to a technician hired by the provider.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
Linux operating system
Linux is a Unix-like, open source and community-developed operating system for computers, servers, mainframes, mobile devices and embedded devices.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
Ten reasons to consider a hyper-converged data center
Adopting hyper-convergence seems like all the rage among enterprise IT. But not everyone is jumping on board -- and neither should you, unless these 10 reasons fit your needs.Continue Reading
Software-defined applications and infrastructure explained
The inner mechanics of today's software-defined applications and infrastructure reveal an interconnected web of isolated components and scalable resources, supervised by automated management.Continue Reading
Read this before attempting network microsegmentation
Microsegmentation makes network security more flexible with software-defined policies rather than manual configuration work, if implemented with forethought and the right tools.Continue Reading
As turnkey data center options grow, so do deployment challenges
Businesses need to deploy new IT systems quickly. Gradually, vendors have found ways to integrate IT and energy components in the pursuit of a truly turnkey data center option.Continue Reading
Allocate IT resources for big data and IoT-based projects
Companies embarking on new big data and IoT-based projects would do well to critically examine the necessary processing power, memory, storage and networking resources involved, and how to best make use of the required capacity.Continue Reading
What is the difference between hosted colocation and DRaaS?
Enterprise IT organizations know the importance of disaster recovery. But which fits the budget, in-house expertise and testing requirements: hosted colocation or DRaaS?Continue Reading
The right infrastructure for fast and big data architectures
Learn the differences between fast and big data architectures before buying new software and hardware for the data center.Continue Reading
Curiosity didn't kill the mainframe systems programmer
Mainframe systems programmer Robert Crawford explains the lasting relevance of mainframes, his mixed feelings on certifications and how curiosity continues to help him.Continue Reading
load shedding
Load shedding is a reduction of power demand by a utility provider during peak or stressed times. Participants voluntarily reduce demand for utility power and rely on secondary sources for uninterrupted operation, or lower or lose power supply in an...Continue Reading
Two key disaster recovery colocation questions to ask
Choosing a disaster recovery colocation provider may seem daunting. However, knowing what to look for beforehand can help you make the right choice.Continue Reading
What to know about selecting a colocation provider
Selecting a colocation provider is about more than finding one with a low price. The quality of service and conditions spelled out in a colo service-level agreement, or SLA, will be important -- especially if something goes wrong. This handbook ...Continue Reading
These IaaS examples show data centers can share the load
Not every IT workload belongs directly under your control in the data center. Consider these IaaS pros and cons for example workloads.Continue Reading
In IT hardware selection, the first choice is one vendor or many
From a data center perspective, choosing hardware from multiple vendors remains a sticking point. This guide looks at the ongoing debate about using a single vendor versus multiple vendors in IT hardware selection. Working with a single vendor may ...Continue Reading
software-defined everything (SDE)
Software-defined everything (SDE) is an umbrella term that describes how virtualization and abstracting workloads from the underlying hardware can be used to make information technology (IT) infrastructures more flexible and agile.Continue Reading
The top Linux commands for server administrators
Managing Linux servers requires command line skills. Keep a list of the top Linux commands to schedule tasks, check statuses and see open files.Continue Reading
Analyze Linux network connectivity issues with the ping utility
Linux administrators can narrow down network connectivity problems by deploying the ping utility.Continue Reading
white box server
A white box server is a generic server made from commercially available retail computer parts. The phrase "white box" merely indicates that the equipment is generic or brand-agnostic -- the server can be any color.Continue Reading
The best server hardware to maximize IT performance
Get the latest tips on compute, networking and storage to choose the best server hardware to tackle IT workloads.Continue Reading
Data center experts predict 2016 IT trends
Software-defined everything, security, IoT, APIs and other technologies top our experts' predictions for 2016 data center trends.Continue Reading
Budgets prompt data center vs. colocation discussion
Rather than spending another budget cycle struggling to fund the data center, start outsourcing selectively -- and improve at the same time.Continue Reading
Eight emerging data center trends to follow in 2016
Data center facilities are undergoing tremendous change, with trends such as open standards and DCIM catching on, and emerging technologies pushing the limits of density and power.Continue Reading
A data center design guide to get it right the first time
Corporate moves, rapid IT refreshes, virtualization initiatives and other factors affect your data center design. Use this data center planning guide for a facility that lasts.Continue Reading
Should I make a storage LUN for each server?
In some scenarios, more than one LUN per server makes sense. In others, it's better to maintain a one-to-one ratio. So which is better?Continue Reading
converged data center
A converged data center pre-integrates server, storage and networking hardware with management, hypervisor and operating system platforms, as well as applications and services.Continue Reading
Enterprise server architectures headed for a shake up
After a few humdrum years, server architectures are in for big changes to close out the decade.Continue Reading
SUSE Manager handles more than just SLES
SUSE Manager maintains control over server patching on SUSE and Red Hat OSes, but what happens with Red Hat's shift away from Spacewalk?Continue Reading
Today's top IT skills extend far beyond the data center
Microservices, virtualization, cloud, and other shifts in IT mean traditional deep technical skills are fading from importance. Broad expertise and communication are now the top IT skills.Continue Reading
A clear vision of the future data center in 2020
By 2020, what will the future data center look like? Take a peek at how networking, servers and storage will evolve in the next five years.Continue Reading
twin server (0.5 U server)
A twin server has two compute nodes housed side-by-side in 1U of data center rack space. Because each server node fills half of 1U, a twin server may also be referred to as a 0.5U server.Continue Reading
Data center metrics and standards guide
From energy use to server performance, data center metrics form a foundation for improving IT operations.Continue Reading
Essential Linux server software for enterprises
Businesses can deploy a mix of Linux server software offerings to take advantage of the cost and flexibility benefits of open source.Continue Reading
'Rolling data center' inspires GE Industrial Internet
General Electric CEO Jeff Immelt is taking on his biggest challenge yet to reinvent the company on the idea that its new platform will unite the Industrial Internet of Things.Continue Reading
Data center terminology that will get you hired
To land a job in a modern, adaptable data center, you have to speak the lingo. These visualizations of data center terminology will help you communicate about DevOps, scalability and other important concepts.Continue Reading
Data center infrastructure that supports big data
Many data centers aren't built to handle the type of resource-intensive tasks that a big data project requires. The old tools and technologies simply won't get the job done when you're talking about sophisticated data collection and predictive ...Continue Reading
Automated infrastructure management untangles cabling
Cable management typically requires cumbersome manual approaches. As the pace of data center operations accelerates, automation must infiltrate the cable infrastructure.Continue Reading
What principles form the COBIT framework?
Can my company implement the COBIT framework for compliance? What does it entail?Continue Reading
Linux mount command reveals storage device access path
New Linux server administrators will find mounting storage devices very different than they have seen on Windows servers.Continue Reading