Problem solve

Problem solve

Get help with specific problems with your technologies, process and projects.

• Blade servers: An introduction and overview

  Blade servers add muscle to demanding workloads and virtual data centers, but they also pose some concerns, including power consumption and management complexity. Continue Reading

• Choosing the right server for mission-critical applications

  Planning ahead when selecting a server for mission-critical applications can help you recognize virtualization opportunities and identify potential points of failure. Continue Reading

• Best practices for backup power maintenance

  Testing generators and inspecting batteries are just part of maintaining a backup power system that can help prevent unexpected data center downtime. Continue Reading

• Optimizing Linux for SSD usage

  Default Linux settings won't allow you to take advantage of SSD performance gains. Learn four ways to optimize SSD performance on your Linux system in this tip. Continue Reading

• Turning to 2U, 4U servers in virtualized data centers

  As managers virtualize their data centers, they often turn to larger 2U and 4U servers for better performance. But these form factors can also pose challenges for administrators. Continue Reading

• The data center humidity conundrum

  There are several measures for data center humidity, including relative humidity and dew point temperature, and knowing which ones to use can extend hardware life.Continue Reading

• Data center management for geographically split data centers

  Geographically split data centers can reduce disaster recovery time to zero, but splitting data centers requires an intelligent network and savvy data center management.Continue Reading

• Using Vagrant with Puppet to create VirtualBox hosts

  Vagrant integrates with Puppet and Chef to automate configuration management to build VirtualBox hosts. Linux systems admins can use this technology for quickly creating development hosts and production hosts.Continue Reading

• The problems with code reuse

  Reading this set of guidelines before considering code reuse could facilitate system management and reduce performance errors.Continue Reading

• Setting up a centralized Linux log server

  One of the many benefits of using Linux as a central logging server is that you can set up logging via syslog. Syslog allows messages to be sent over the network to a centralized log host, which is the ideal scenario for managing logging.Continue Reading

• Data center management using DCIM tools

  DCIM tools can help facilitate data center management and energy monitoring, but DCIM software does not come without its own set of challenges and limitations.Continue Reading

• Using DCIM tools to monitor data center power

  Although DCIM tools include many capabilities for monitoring data center power and facilitating data center management, you should know their associated costs before implementing projects.Continue Reading

• Exploring the features of the XFS file system on Linux

  The XFS file system has been designed to deal with high file volumes and large files more efficiently. Find out how the file system manages these files, and when it might be appropriate to use this file system on your Linux servers instead of Ext3 ...Continue Reading

• Comparing various network cable types for your data center

  Choosing the right network cable type is a big part of an effective data center cabling infrastructure, and quantity and quality are key points to consider when choosing.Continue Reading

• Tips on implementing a data center cabling infrastructure

  Unravel a cabling mess with these tips on implementing an effective data center cabling infrastructure. An expert shows you how to decide between three different cabling methods.Continue Reading

• Strategies for planning a data center move

  If you have plans to relocate your mainframe shop, remember that the best data center move strategies include careful testing and a team that's both business- and tech-savvy.Continue Reading

• Increasing network bandwidth available to virtual machines

  These three tips on increasing the amount of network bandwidth available to your VMs, including virtual network creation, can also potentially increase a host server's VM density.Continue Reading

• Addressing data center power failure and its root causes

  Data center downtime is most often a result of human error. But with proper capacity planning and battery selection, among other steps, a data center power failure can be averted.Continue Reading

• Deciding when to use Linux file system barriers

  Linux file system barriers in Ext3 and Ext4 protect data written to the journal. Learn how these barriers work and in which use cases they are a benefit, and in which cases you should disable them on your Linux servers.Continue Reading

• Doing business with Apache OFBiz: Open source ERP solution

  Many large sucessful enterprises use Apache OFBiz as their ERP solution. Find out how to get started with this open source tool for your e-business.Continue Reading

• SELinux tutorial: Commands and management

  Learn some key commands in SELinux and some user and port management tools to get SELinux running on your Linux servers for a more secure environment.Continue Reading

• Addressing data center power path issues and common failure points

  The loss of power in the data center is often troublesome and unexpected, but knowing these common failure points and ways to mitigate power path issues can ease the burden.Continue Reading

• Configuring load balancing with Linux Virtual Server

  Using Linux Virtual Server, learn how to configure load balancing to help avoid busy servers and achieve optimal resource utilization on your Linux system.Continue Reading

• Truths and reasoning behind mainframe modernization

  Mainframe modernization offers a host of benefits, including cost savings and preserving investments in legacy applications, but is it the best strategy for your IT department?Continue Reading

• Nagios notifications: Setting up alerts in the network monitoring tool

  In this tip on the open source network monitoring tool Nagios, learn how to set up custom configurations that can send Nagios notifications to admins at any time of the day.Continue Reading

• Five tips for negotiating IT support contracts with vendors

  With IT budgets slashed, now is the time for vendor negotiation to get the most bang for your contract buck. These five approaches can help lower IT support contract costs.Continue Reading

• Mainframe problem analysis: What's the worst that could happen?

  In this mainframe humor observation, an overconfident programmer gets more than he bargained for when he takes his shot at analyzing a TSO problem.Continue Reading

• Best practices for VM workload management, resource allocation

  Effective VM workload management practices such as setting metrics can help you achieve the most efficient workloads and avoid the mistake of over-allocating resources to a VM.Continue Reading

• Working with Linux file system attributes

  File system attributes can provide a valuable addition to the way you ensure security on your Linux server. Learn how to mount, list and change file system attributes in ext4.Continue Reading

• Building massively distributed applications with Hadoop

  Hadoop has become the de facto solution for distributed data processing. Learn about how this open source project from the Apache Software Foundation creates reliable, scalable, distributed computing, and its four subprojects: Hadoop Common, HDFS, ...Continue Reading

• SELinux tutorial: Introduction to Linux kernel security

  SELinux may seem too complex for some administrators who instead disable the useful Linux kernel security tool. Learn how SELinux works, including how subjects and objects work and security policy settings.Continue Reading

• SAN technology considerations for data center virtualization

  While storage area networks (SANs) are key in a virtualization rollout, one company found that problems can arise when an initial SAN deployment isn't properly planned.Continue Reading

• Two forgotten but useful CICS transactions

  While CICS has evolved its system interface, the lesser-known CICS transactions ADYN and CSFE can still be useful for debugging and other tasks.Continue Reading

• Setting up MindTouch document management on a Linux system

  MindTouch is an open source document management system alternative to SharePoint and other commercial software. In this tip, learn how to set up MindTouch on a Linux server, using CentOS 5.5 as the example system.Continue Reading

• RHEL 6 ditches System V init for Upstart: What Linux admins need to know

  System V init is fading to a memory in Linux boot systems as the new Linux disdribution releases, such as Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6, switch to using Upstart. Learn what is different with this boot service and how to work with it to get your Linux ...Continue Reading

• Optimizing SUSE Linux performance for VMware environments

  Learn how to optimize Suse Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) on VMware by optimizing VMware and SUSE. For better performance, switch to VMware's paravirtualization disk driver and adjust I/O settings in SUSE along with changing the journal settings.Continue Reading

• Bash commands for navigation, sharing, and find

  Learn how to use Bash on a Linux server to change command line navigation, switch around in directories, file first redirection, three find commands, and how to show people the command line without giving them access through rerouting.Continue Reading

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux security mechanisms: SELinux, iptables and more

  When setting up Red Hat Enterprise Linux on your data center servers, you need to make security decisions. Learn about security options for RHEL including SELinux, iptables firewall, TCP Wrapper and application security use considerations.Continue Reading

• Data center EPO vulnerability fixed in 2011 National Electrical Code

  Data centers are no longer required to put the big red kill-switch on exit doors, thanks to a committee that convinced the NFPA to revisit its data center EPO regulation.Continue Reading

• Four ways to reduce data center power consumption

  Data center managers can cut their utility bills by following these four steps to reducing data center power consumption.Continue Reading

• Is it time for a data center hardware refresh?

  Options are plentiful when you're considering whether to refresh older data center hardware, even when IT budgets are not.Continue Reading

• Creating an inventory with nmap network scanning

  Nmap network scanning generates a full system inventory, but it's only usable with the right parameters and output format. Learn how to create an nmap inventory in this tip.Continue Reading

• Mounting file system resources with AutoFS

  AutoFS allows resources to be mounted on an as-needed basis, simplifying the management of NFS shares. This tip walks you through the process of setting up AutoFS.Continue Reading

• Incorporating adiabatic humidification into your data center

  Adiabatic humidification is a more energy-efficient means of providing humidity to data centers, and this tip outlines the steps to incorporating it into your data center.Continue Reading

• Monitoring and optimizing host server performance

  Application performance is even more important in physical servers that share multiple VMs, so ongoing monitoring and optimization of virtual host servers should be routine in any virtual data centerContinue Reading

• Making the most of server maintenance contracts

  When trying to obtain the most value from your servers, watching terms and doing homework on server maintenance contracts can save at the negotiating table.Continue Reading

• Converting XML to data structures using the CICS TRANSFORM command

  This tip explains how to use the new CICS TRANSFORM command for converting XML to data structures and vice versa.Continue Reading

• The pros and cons of cloud computing migration

  IT managers should consider the pros and cons of cloud computing migration, and find a balance between the rewards and risks associated with moving a data center to the cloud.Continue Reading

• Setting up a syslog server in Linux

  A central logging server can make it easier to manage logs. In this tip, learn how to collect and centralize syslog messages from your hosts onto one syslog server in Linux.Continue Reading

• Zenity tutorial: How to automate Linux admin scripting

  In this Zenity tutorial for Linux admins, learn how to set up Zenity and use its dialogs to automate scripting.Continue Reading

• Using your Linux server to create an ad-hoc wireless network

  In this tutorial, an expert explains how to set up an ad-hoc wireless network access point with your Linux server.Continue Reading

• Uptime, TIA and BICSI: Who runs the data center design standards show?

  With three major players in the game, where should you look for data center design standards? This tip discusses the similarities and differences between the Uptime Institute tier system, TIA-942 and BICSI 002-2010.Continue Reading

• Common Linux security policy management gaps

  Linux security is commonly overlooked in IT security policies, especially when management is out of touch with what’s happening on the ground.Continue Reading

• Sharing Windows files with the Linux CIFS client

  It can be surprisingly easy to share files between Linux and Windows with the Linux CIFS client. In this tip, learn how to install the Samba client and set up CIFS on Linux.Continue Reading

• Kerberos authentication in RHEL: Easing Windows-Linux integration

  Kerberos authentication for CIFS offers easier Windows-Linux integration. In this tip, learn how Kerberos authentication works and how to set it up in Red Hat Enterprise Linux.Continue Reading

• Unix overview: The latest features in AIX, HP-UX and Solaris

  Each of the major Unix versions have been updated with useful new features recently. In this overview, get up to date on the features you should know about in the latest releases of IBM AIX, Hewlett-Packard's HP-UX and Oracle's Solaris.Continue Reading

• Biodiesel mandates cause backup generator problems

  States such as Minnesota and Oregon have passed biodisel mandates, but data center managers say improper handling of biodiesel can cause problems for backup generators.Continue Reading

• The IT chargeback system in a virtual data center

  Managing chargeback can be a difficult task. Multiple company departments may share server hardware in a virtual data center. Learn how to implement an IT chargeback system that charges departments for resources fairly.Continue Reading

• Moving to Fibre Channel over Ethernet in the data center

  High data center demands require an efficient network to move data efficiently. Learn why Fibre Channel over Ethernet may be a good networking technology option, and how to make the switch.Continue Reading

• Displaying Puppet reports on Puppet Dashboard

  Managing configurations with Puppet just got easier. In this tip, learn how to display your Puppet reports on the Puppet Dashboard GUI.Continue Reading

• Optimizing Linux swap space usage

  Today's powerful servers with plenty of RAM can make swap space seem like a thing of the past, but knowing how much you need can help keep your system running smoothly.Continue Reading

• Managing CICS performance with Workload Manager

  Workload Manager is a useful tool for easily managing CICS performance on the mainframe. This tip details how CICS and WLM interact with one another and how to use WLM to manage CICS response times.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Windows Server 2008 licensing for virtualization

  Choosing the right Windows Server 2008 edition can save big money in a virtual data center.Continue Reading

• Installing the ModSecurity Web application firewall on Red Hat Enterprise Linux

  Learn how to set up the ModSecurity Web application firewall on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.4 and Apache Web server 2.2.x. This firewall monitors access to Web servers to ensure that requests are valid and not malicious.Continue Reading

• The history of Unix on the PC: Exploring lesser-known variants

  This tip explores the history of Unix, from its creation by AT&T in the 1960s to its present-day use on x86 hardware and PC-compatible systems. Brush up on your Unix history and learn about Unix variants that you never knew existed.Continue Reading

• How to prevent and correct server cooling failures

  Advanced planning can prevent server cooling failures, and good practices can help to remedy them and minimize the negative impact on your data center.Continue Reading

• Calculating carbon emissions in the data center

  While data center carbon measurement is in its infancy and lacks hard standards, it still may benefit IT admins to know basic methods for calculating carbon emissions as carbon legislation begins impacting data centers.Continue Reading

• IBM's zPDT offers developers z/OS on the desktop

  IBM's System z Personal Development Tool (zPDT) allows developers to emulate z/OS on their desktops, but could zPDT be more beneficial if it IBM made it available to a broader audience?Continue Reading

• Determining the true value of a server operating system

  One of the most critical decisions a network manager can make is which server operating system to deploy. Making that choice is fraught with budget limitations, corporate politics and a numerous other factors. Here, an expert discusses how to ...Continue Reading

• Look to the Kyoto wheel to maximize free data center cooling

  The Kyoto wheel, a heat wheel redesigned specifically for data centers, can extract the maximum benefit from free air-side cooling. By incorporating Kyoto wheels into your data center cooling strategy, you can drastically lower electrical ...Continue Reading

• How to install Webmin and ease data center server management

  In this introduction to Webmin, learn how the tool can make it easier to manage Unix and Linux servers in your data center. An expert describes how to install Webmin and get started with this free systems management tool.Continue Reading

• Securely connecting Linux servers to WiFi using the command line

  Connecting a Linux server to WiFi requires the use of the command line. Learn the commands and procedures for wireless networking in your Linux data center.Continue Reading

• Bus track and busway power distribution: Power anywhere?

  Bus track and busway power distribution in the data center is a growing trend that allows for greater flexibility and accommodation of rising power densities. This in-depth exploration of bus-type power systems will help you decide whether this is a...Continue Reading

• Overcoming common Unix-to-Linux migration pitfalls

  You may encounter problems when moving from Unix to Linux. Learn about hardware and application compatibility challenges and how to overcome deployment errors and how to prevent them including client testing, shell script testing, and more.Continue Reading

• Linux distribution migration: Planning for efficiency

  Migrating from one Linux distribution to another to consolidate the operating systems within your data center? Learn what steps are needed for a smooth transition with support.Continue Reading

• Serializing on the mainframe with the compare-and-swap instruction

  The compare-and-swap instruction is one of the mainframe's low-cost serialization options. In this tip, mainframe expert Robert Crawford explains compare-and-swap features and limitations.Continue Reading

• Weighing Linux server consolidation tools

  Choosing the best Linux server consolidation software for your data center hinges on factors other than cost. This tip compares Novell's PlateSpin, HP and VMware's Capacity Planner in terms of your data center requirements.Continue Reading

• Linux troubleshooting fast guide

  This useful reference guide to Linux troubleshooting involves everything you need to know to manage Linux in the enterprise, from addressing boot problems to recovering your Linux server.Continue Reading

• Best practices for choosing a colocation data center

  Incorporating colocation into your IT strategy eliminates the expense of building or upgrading your own facility, but choose your colocation data center wisely, as providers vary greatly in terms of service costs, connectivity and service-level ...Continue Reading

• Booting a Xen virtual machine from CD-ROM or DVD

  If your Xen virtual machine fails, you may want to boot it from an installation disk and run the rescue program. Learn the required steps to succesfully boot a Xen virtual machine from a disk on a Linux machine.Continue Reading

• How to approach IT staffing in today's data center

  Virtualization and tight budgets have changed IT staffing in modern data centers. Find out how to blend skills and technology for the best mix.Continue Reading

• Running z/OS on x86: Should IBM release a mini-mainframe?

  Would running z/OS on x86 with a "mini-mainframe" allow users the benefits of mainframes with the simplicity of distributed systems? In this tip, mainframe expert Robert Crawford makes the case for x86 mainframes and discusses how IBM could approach...Continue Reading

• Data center transformer types and the K-Factor

  The K-Factor system rates data center transformers, and the typical options are K-1, K-13 and K-20. Consider purchase price and potential cost savings when choosing a transformer.Continue Reading

• Which data center power distribution voltage should you use?

  As power density rises, IT departments are reconsidering which data center power voltage to use. This tip covers power distribution options and which factors to consider to make the best choice for your data center.Continue Reading

• Using virtualization for cost-effective servers

  If it's done right, optimizing server utilization with virtualization can save data centers money.Continue Reading

• Five things you didn't know Bash could do on Linux

  Bash offers a lot of tools to Linux admins, and it may take you years to get a handle on all the useful ones. Learn five lesser-known Bash scripts for your Linux systems including extended globbing, cdspell shell options, improved Bash history, ...Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting PGMIDERR/AEI0 ABEND in CICS Transaction Gateway

  This tip delves into resolving PGMIDERR/AEI0 ABEND errors within the CICS Transaction Gateway. The solution to these errors isn't always an intuitive one, and may require several additional and lengthy steps along the way.Continue Reading

• Using libguestfs to easily access Linux virtual machine file systems

  Libguestfs is a library on Linux that helps you access and modify virtual machine disk images. You can then run Linux commands and troubleshoot the machine image from the libguestfs shell or host operating system. Learn how to navigate libguestfs, ...Continue Reading

• Putting old data center hardware to use

  After a consolidation, old data center hardware can do a lot more than just take up space in your facility. This tip explores options for putting old IT equipment to use.Continue Reading

• Efficiently managing z/OS WLM

  IBM's z/OS Workload Manager (WML) is designed for the best response time, but it doesn't always result in balanced workloads. This tip delves into z/OS WLM efficiency.Continue Reading

• How to optimize VM placement in data centers

  Move from conservative to aggressive VM placement and reap the server consolidation benefits while maintaining performance.Continue Reading

• Common security flaws to check for on your Linux-based Web systems

  Your Linux server may have Web application-related security vulnerabilities that should be checked out and repaired. These can include passwords, PHP code injection, weak file and directory permissions and outdated Apache and PHP versions. Learn ...Continue Reading

• Expanding CICS security on the mainframe

  While CICS security is generally adequate in terms of locking down resources, there are some instances where the existing resources may be used differently or non-CICS components might seek to be secured. Find out how to improve your protection. ...Continue Reading

• Making Sybase database upgrading easier with 'A Practitioner's Guide to upgrading to Sybase ASE 15'

  Learn more about the nuances of the upgrade to Sybase ASE 15 in this Q&A with a veteran Sybase expert and author of 'A Practitioner's Guide to upgrading to Sybase ASE 15.'Continue Reading

• Novell drops NetWare support: What do millions of users do?

  Novell's NetWare support is ending and millions of users must choose a new OS with comparable services. This tip outlines possible strategies for replacing NetWare.Continue Reading

• Fixing Linux I/O write performance problems

  Learn how to optimize your Linux server for I/O writes by adjusting I/O scheduler settings and journaling settings along with some advice about partition set-up.Continue Reading

• Using common Linux mail clients with an Exchange Server

  Begin your migration away from Microsoft Exchange by learning how to set up Linux mail clients, Evolution and Thunderbird, to talk to Exchange.Continue Reading

• Analyzing Linux write performance problems with iotop

  Write performance on a Linux system may be causing a performance problem, and iotop shows you how the write processes are affecting I/O and storage. The iotop Linux command is more informative than top for determining the cause of the Linux server ...Continue Reading

• Patching running Linux kernels on servers with no reboot using Ksplice Uptrack

  Ksplice Uptrack keeps Linux servers up-to-date with recent kernel security patches without rebooting, saving time and reducing down-time for mission critical production servers. Learn how the tool works and hear about a Linux-based hosting provider ...Continue Reading

• Will a transformerless UPS work for your data center?

  In recent years, the popularity of the transformerless UPS has begun to rival that of transformer-based systems. But is the transformerless UPS as reliable and efficient of a choice for your data center?Continue Reading