Problem solve
Get help with specific problems with your technologies, process and projects.
Problem solve
Get help with specific problems with your technologies, process and projects.
How do I justify data center expansion plans and expenditures?
Funding a data center project or an expansion requires building a business case that focuses on three areas. Continue Reading
Determining capital expenditures versus operating expenditures
What factors do you take into account when determining capital expenditures versus operating expenditures? Continue Reading
Are blade servers obsolete?
Blade servers maximize compute density on racks, but are their days numbered? Continue Reading
-
The basics of selecting server memory
Understanding modern memory helps IT professionals make the best choices for selecting a server memory configuration and upgrades. Continue Reading
A deeper look at memory ranks, channels and types
Looking for new server memory? Learning about memory ranks, channels and types is a good step to making the right choice. Continue Reading
What are the key differences in the PCI Express 3.0 standard?
Advances in the PCI Express 3.0 standard will benefit servers and accelerate data-intensive tasks for your next technology refresh cycle.Continue Reading
What does the future hold for PCI Express?
Details on PCIe 4.0 are still being hammered out, but early indications show it will have double the transfer rates of PCIe 3.0.Continue Reading
Optimizing local hard drive configuration for use with virtual servers
Proper hard disk configuration for virtual servers requires attentive server provisioning, optimization and ongoing management.Continue Reading
From the front lines: How to select a colocation facility
The basic idea behind every colocation facility is the same, so follow these six guidelines to figure out which colo is right for your business.Continue Reading
Wondering what to do with old servers? Recycle, reuse or virtualize
If you're worried about what to do with old servers, there are three major options: Virtualize, repurpose or recycle. Our expert weighs in on each.Continue Reading
-
How to securely dispose of data before server donation
Here's some expert advice on preparing old systems for server donation and refurbishment.Continue Reading
Is air circulation a problem with a rear door heat exchanger?
When using a rear door heat exchanger, air circulation should not be an issue if the room has been designed properly.Continue Reading
Use Windows NIC teaming to stay connected
Sysadmins can boost throughput and achieve network resiliency through Windows Server 2012's native feature of NIC teaming.Continue Reading
Desktop market matures but VDI challenges remain
Tools enable companies to reduce support costs, boost security and lower energy consumption, but more is needed to overcome VDI challenges.Continue Reading
The downsides of a software-defined infrastructure
The data center's future might lie with a fully software-defined infrastructure, but a certain amount of technological maturity is required.Continue Reading
Configuring a Zabbix agent for open source monitoring
In this second installment on using Zabbix, we learn how to create a Zabbix agent to register servers that a systems administrator wants to monitor.Continue Reading
Setting up a Zabbix monitoring environment
Systems administrators who need to monitor nodes can use the open source monitoring tool Zabbix to gauge the network's health.Continue Reading
Clearing up questions about 64-bit ARM processors
Emerging 64-bit ARM processors are headed to the data center and may enable a new wave of scalable, energy-efficient enterprise-class computing.Continue Reading
Modern server room design to fit your business needs
Server room design has changed. So when planning one for an existing facility, make sure it meets current and future needs.Continue Reading
Computational fluid dynamics helps cut cooling costs
As racks get packed with denser server ratios, more data center personnel turn to computational fluid dynamics to fight escalating energy bills.Continue Reading
Use Kickstart to automate a Red Hat Enterprise Linux OS installation
Sysadmins who want to streamline Red Hat Enterprise Linux OS installation can use a modified Kickstart file by following these tips.Continue Reading
New automation, virtualization tools aid VM provisioning
Increased automation and better tools are accelerating virtualization adoption and enhancing the approaches to VM provisioning.Continue Reading
Five things to keep in mind when planning a server refresh cycle
Businesses are shortening server refresh cycles to benefit from more powerful and capable computing platforms.Continue Reading
IT equipment recycling: What do you do with old servers?
When it's time to replace old servers, make IT equipment recycling and disposal an important factor in your technology refresh decisions.Continue Reading
What memory compression can do for VM consolidation
Using memory compression to extend a server's effective memory space can save money and increase consolidation with little processing overhead.Continue Reading
The server lifecycle: Is it time for that aging server to go?
The server lifecycle of a data center may vary. Knowing yours can ease the upgrade decision and benefit the business in the long term.Continue Reading
Cut-through versus store-and-forward in Ethernet switch architecture
Switches in the data center can push frames using either store-and-forward or cut-through. Is one Ethernet switch architecture better than the other?Continue Reading
How to handle the server backup process in the virtual, physical world
Virtualized backup tools sport unique features but lack the functionality necessary to handle the physical server backup process.Continue Reading
Virtual server backup software, best practices for the data center
The best way to learn about server virtualization backup is to try evaluation versions of software to make sure it works with your infrastructure.Continue Reading
Three questions on ASHRAE standards for data centers
Evolving ASHRAE standards for temperature and humidity allow data center owners to save money on power and cooling demands.Continue Reading
The drivers of DevOps movement: Process, automation, collaboration
Get your team to work together by following the principles of DevOps movement: effective processes, data center automation and staff collaboration.Continue Reading
Things to know about blade server technology before you buy
If you're interested in blade server technology as an alternative to towers and racks, sharpen your knowledge with these facts.Continue Reading
Use Security Enhanced Linux on SUSE for solid business security
The SELinux framework isn't part of every Linux distribution by default, so to use Security Enhanced Linux on SUSE, you've got to do some tweaking.Continue Reading
Look deeper into mainframe debugging techniques with the SLIP command
Learn how to set traps with mainframe debugging tools like the SLIP command to spring traps on program errors.Continue Reading
Setting traps with SLIP, king of the mainframe debugging tools
How to use SLIP, one of the best mainframe debugging tools, to set traps for annoying bugs.Continue Reading
Update legacy mainframe assembler programs to make them LE compliant
Modernizing that old mainframe assembler program you depend on can be problematic. Here’s the best way to make them Language Environment compliant.Continue Reading
Tweak Linux swap to improve server performance
Many administrators ignore or underutilize the Linux swap settings but making the proper adjustments will make for better system performance.Continue Reading
Amazon outage due to data center generator problems
Data center generators are to blame for the Amazon outage in June. What's worse, it's not the first of its kind.Continue Reading
Resource allocation with Linux cgroups helps optimize performance
The Linux cgroups feature lets you make a profile to manage resources to keep your system under control.Continue Reading
It’s an easy fix to clean up a GRUB error on your Linux server
A GRUB error will stop a Linux server cold, but following these steps should get you back on track.Continue Reading
How to balance three-phase power to maximize UPS capacity
Apply these techniques to balance the three-phase power load and avoid unnecessarily buying a costly new UPS.Continue Reading
Proper Linux DRBD setup helps sidestep common issues
Execute a proper DRBD setup in Linux to save money and avoid headaches.Continue Reading
Work from the ground up with a data center raised floor
A raised-floor design is costly, so proper planning and installation is the key to maximize your investment.Continue Reading
How to finesse a data center service-level agreement
Doing your homework before you sign a service-level agreement will pay off in the event of an emergency.Continue Reading
Setting up a mirrored Linux DRBD configuration over the network
Administrators can use the distributed replicated block device (DRBD) in Linux to set up basic data redundancy to connect the storage of multiple servers.Continue Reading
Techniques to extract and analyze CMF mainframe performance data
Administrators can use DFH$MOLS and Rexx to process mainframe performance data then import in Excel to do the analysis.Continue Reading
Scale-up or scale-out: What fits best in your data center?
A growing enterprise with the need for more computing power will have to decide whether to take a scale-out or scale-up approach.Continue Reading
FM-200 systems: What data center managers need to know
Get the lowdown on using FM-200 systems for data center fire suppression, and whether or not they're a good choice for your company.Continue Reading
Five questions on data center environmental monitoring
Our expert explains how to maintain ideal conditions for your server room using data center environmental monitoring tools and techniques.Continue Reading
Analyze MXG mainframe performance data with Excel
Mainframe administrators can analyze a report from the MXG software suite by importing the information in Excel.Continue Reading
Tune the Linux Ext4 file system for optimal performance
While Ext4 by default works fine for most people, follow these tips to tweak your servers to squeeze out even more speed.Continue Reading
Revitalize mainframe storage performance with VSAM
The traditional VSAM storage tactic sees renewed use as mainframe virtualization grows.Continue Reading
Linux DRBD saves you from costly SAN deployments
Avoid pricey storage area network (SAN) devices and synchronize data with DRBD, a powerful — and free — software component available in Linux.Continue Reading
Get more from your data center by following iSCSI best practices
Following these iSCSI best practices can enhance the performance and reliability of iSCSI deployments in enterprise data centers.Continue Reading
An introduction to the ARM server
High scalability and extreme efficiency may allow the ARM server to compete with traditional server architectures.Continue Reading
The realities of PUE and PUE v2
PUE calculations are getting more accurate, but require more caution and common sense when drawing comparisons.Continue Reading
Why monitoring data center power consumption is vital
Monitoring data center power consumption is the first step to reducing energy expenses, but many facilities still lack key monitoring capabilities.Continue Reading
Understanding and using IMS SOAP Web services
SOA message exchange works with IMS transaction processors to keep mainframes on the leading edge of service delivery.Continue Reading
Five questions on data center outsourcing
Understanding selection criteria and opportunities for leverage can help you get the best deal with data center outsourcing providers.Continue Reading
Avoiding single point of failure design flaws
Redundancy can help a data center avoid downtime, but sometimes hidden flaws in the electrical design can still create a single point of failure.Continue Reading
CICS mainframe storage protection
Mainframe storage protection can help prevent storage overlays that can corrupt data or wreck a CICS region.Continue Reading
Setting up Ubuntu Server 11.04 for iSCSI storage
Learn how Ubuntu Server 11.04 can be set up as an iSCSI storage server using simple Linux command line operations.Continue Reading
Preventing virtual resource oversubscription with capacity management
Identify the symptoms of resource oversubscription, and learn capacity management strategies to prevent it.Continue Reading
Strategies for mainframe application modernization
Mainframe application modernization, re-engineering or distributed integration can maintain support for business-critical applications.Continue Reading
Data center design tips: What you should know about ASHRAE TC 9.9
Following the data center design and cooling standards recommended by ASHRAE TC 9.9 will help IT professionals improve facility safety and efficiency.Continue Reading
Five questions on data center virtualization
Data center virtualization is mature and reliable, offering significant benefits to businesses that deploy it.Continue Reading
Darker shades of the IT equipment gray market
Counterfeit IT equipment makes the “gray market” treacherous for data center operators.Continue Reading
Changing vendors: Avoiding pitfalls, IT vendor contract negotiations
Negotiating IT vendor contract terms is crucial for protecting business continuity, physical property and intellectual assets when contracts end.Continue Reading
Managing Red Hat Enterprise Linux network settings using NetworkManager
Red Hat Enterprise Linux includes a graphical network management application called NetworkManager that can be used to set network connections instead of using the command line.Continue Reading
Preparing for network virtualization
Network virtualization may demand LAN upgrades and configuration changes to achieve optimal performance.Continue Reading
Aisle-lighting tips for data center design
Lighting is an often-overlooked aspect of data center design, but a little bit of preplanning can make hardware, labels and color-coded wires much more visible.Continue Reading
Using open source tools to monitor Apache Web Server performance
Much of today’s business relies on smooth operation of Web servers. Explore these three open source tools to monitor performance, security and traffic on Apache Web servers.Continue Reading
Implementing SBD STONITH in Linux HA clusters
An SBD STONITH approach is simple to set up and is a reliable way to ensure data integrity in a Linux HA cluster.Continue Reading
Safeguarding Linux HA server integrity with STONITH
Designing an approach to automatically shut down a failing node is an important step in protecting data and system integrity in a Linux HA cluster.Continue Reading
Basic disassembly: Decoding the opcode
Programmers can find benefit from disassembling object code–a lost art that begins with understanding the opcode.Continue Reading
Securing an Apache Web server with SELinux
Learn how to keep your Apache Web server secure by applying basic SELinux settings, including adjusting SELinux so Apache uses nondefault settings.Continue Reading
Best practices for setting up RAID groups
Setting up RAID groups is a simple process, but admins should know the pros and cons of various RAID levels and take steps to prevent common problems.Continue Reading
Data center cooling and power capacity challenges
Administrators face many complications when it comes to data center cooling, but knowing which approach best fits their facility’s needs is the first step to better energy efficiency.Continue Reading
Evaluating mainframe system monitoring tools
There are many system monitoring tools available for mainframes. This tip can help administrators analyze and choose the tool that fits their needs.Continue Reading
Process monitoring and management on Red Hat using graphical tools
Use the learn gnome-system-monitor command on Red Hat Enterprise Linux to monitor and manage processes on your server in a graphical environment.Continue Reading
Considering a raised floor in the data center
Tile material, strength and durability are important factors to consider when selecting and installing a raised floor in a data center.Continue Reading
Selecting raised floors, panels for the data center
Choosing raised floor panels capable of supporting the weight of data center equipment cabinets requires taking a close look at strength ratings and manufacturers’ claims.Continue Reading
Server refresh options: When to rent a server vs. when to buy
Companies looking to replace old hardware must consider long-term goals and evaluate financing options when deciding whether to buy or rent a server.Continue Reading
Advantages and drawbacks to public cloud services
Public cloud providers can help an organization save money, but it can be hard for some IT professionals to overlook the disadvantages associated with outsourcing services.Continue Reading
When is server hardware too old?
Modern server hardware is allowing systems to handle more jobs and last longer, easing capital expenses for many data centers.Continue Reading
Addressing the EPO switch and data center downtime
An EPO switch can be a major liability, potentially leading to accidental downtime, but electrical code doesn’t require all data centers to have a big red button.Continue Reading
Transaction and database management on z/OS mainframe systems
Transaction and database management tools for mainframe systems, such as CICS, IMS and DB2, have been around for decades, but have evolved over the years to fit the needs of enterprise customers.Continue Reading
How to install an OpenStack Nova compute cloud with Puppet
The open source cloud project, OpenStack, can be used to host private or public clouds. Learn how to install it using the Puppet configuration management tool on your Linux server.Continue Reading
Seven things you should know about mainframe systems
Vendors are continuing to invest in mainframe platforms, but should you do the same? Find out why mainframe systems still deserve some serious consideration.Continue Reading
Managing Red Hat from a graphical environment over SSH with PuTTY
Red Hat Enterprise Linux administration can be conducted through a GNOME graphical interface. Learn how to remotely use these tools over an SSH connection using PuTTY.Continue Reading
Power management technology for the green data center
HP, IBM and APC are making initiatives to improve power measurement and facilitate green data center developments.Continue Reading
Data center design standards for cabinet and floor loading
The weight of today’s racks and equipment cabinets can stress floor structures, making it crucial to consider floor loading requirements in your data center design.Continue Reading
Server benchmarking tools and stress testing
Admins should turn to several tools to perform benchmark testing and compare results to verify accuracy. This tip outlines the role of stress testing and lists several tools available to engineers.Continue Reading
Best practices for server benchmark testing
Following the scientific method when benchmark testing a server will help reduce variables and produce accurate performance results.Continue Reading
What to look for when conducting benchmark tests with PerfMon
Microsoft's PerfMon benchmark tests measure a wide range of processes and server aspects, but it can be difficult for IT professionals to understand the numbers and interpret the results.Continue Reading
Mastering the Linux history command
Learning how to take advantage of the Linux history command, as well as the Bash variant, can save Linux admins a lot of time. Discover how the command works, including shortcuts, searching and settings.Continue Reading
How to use SUSE Manager for multiplatform Linux server administration
Linux administrators using both SUSE Linux Enterprise Server and Red Hat Enterprise Linux can take advantage of the features in SUSE Manager, a multiplatform server management tool to automate configuration and management tasks on Linux virtual ...Continue Reading
How to improve KVM performance by adjusting KSM
KVM Virtualization on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 is optimized for hosting environments with many virtual machines by using kernel samepage merging. But, disabling KSM can provide better performance in a smaller virtualized Linux system.Continue Reading
Comparing the advantages of zshell over bash shell in Linux
Linux admins interested in using zsh instead of bash shell will learn what is similar and what is different. Zshell offers new features for tab completion and typo correction and others that would be much more complex in bash.Continue Reading
How to configure Postfix MTA on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 uses Postfix for mail transmission. Learn how to configure the open source mail server in your Linux system.Continue Reading