Problem solve

Problem solve

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

• 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

• Q&A roundup: Advice from data center administration experts

  Getting good data center administration advice can be tough, so we've compiled some recent Q&A discussions with experts from the field. 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

• Cloud, converged systems make server hardware future murky

  Server hardware has ruled the data center landscape for many years, but may be usurped as enterprises embrace converged systems and other new tech.Continue Reading

• Proper server maintenance keeps data centers humming

  Noncritical failures may not disable a modern server, but sys admins should be proactive with essential server maintenance to limit disruptions.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

• Is the software-defined data center ready for the mainstream?

  Some tout the so-called software-defined data center as the solution to managing cloud-focused data centers, but is SDDC ready for prime time?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

• Five overlooked cost categories for new servers

  Remembering these five cost categories can go a long way toward easing expenses over the life of that new server.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

• Vendors take different paths with converged infrastructure tools

  As enterprises deploy converged infrastructure solutions, vendors develop variations to gain an advantage. But is a unified system right for you?Continue Reading

• Fully explore modular data center scenarios to avoid headaches

  A container-based modular data center can ease the strain on the existing data center. Follow these tips to avoid snags prior to deployment.Continue Reading

• Exploring the changes in IBM's IMS 13 database management tool

  IBM's latest version of its IMS database management tool features many enhancements to make enterprises consider the upgrade.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

• SDNs promise to shake up networking industry

  Big networking industry names and start-ups have jumped into virtualised networking, hoping it will have the same impact as server virtualisation.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

• Don't let a storage bottleneck clog your data center pipes

  The move to SSD and enhanced Fibre Channel speeds can ease storage bottlenecks at endpoints in the enterprise.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

• Three questions on navigating an outsourcing SLA

  Prospective outsourcing clients must be informed consumers and exercise due diligence when evaluating an outsourcing SLA.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

• Stemming losses: DC vs. AC power in the data center

  Delivering DC vs. AC power to a data center can potentially reduce electrical conversion losses and save electricity costs.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

• IBM's CICS Transaction Server 5.1 gears for cloud deployment

  Open beta of CICS Transaction Server 5.1 introduces a bevy of features to reduce planned downtime and let CICS applications function in the cloud.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

• Anything as a Service, Everything as a Service explained

  As cloud providers diversify, Anything as a Service and Everything as a Service become interchangeable in the cloud landscape.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

• Network virtualization technology headed to the enterprise

  Movement to new network virtualization technology is taking shape, but vendors have to clear many hurdles before deployments take place.Continue Reading

• An in-depth look at IBM's transactional memory support facility

  IBM's zEC12 mainframe introduced support for transactional memory. Learn the basics of Transaction Execution Facility.Continue Reading

• FAQ: Make the most of VM resources with strategic allocation

  Optimizing the allocation of VM resources will help make the most of data center virtualization.Continue Reading

• Tips for DNS server setup in Red Hat Enterprise Linux shops

  Whether internal or Internet-facing, DNS server setup can be a breeze with these basic tips.Continue Reading

• IT security issues: The perception and deception of security

  Consider a few lesser-known IT security issues before resting on your company's current policies.Continue Reading

• Plan for IT disruptions to continue business as usual

  When plotting out your upgrades and agenda, make sure to include proper planning to save money and avoid frustration.Continue Reading

• A virtualized data center is a happy data center, says survey

  Enterprises now run more than half of their applications in virtualized data centers, and the number continues to grow.Continue Reading

• How integrated virtualization makes a UCS work

  Unified computing pulls servers, SAN connections and networking on to one platform. Integrated virtualization aims to make management easier.Continue Reading

• Flexible computing in business: Move to cloud computing or go modular?

  A move to cloud computing could provide business IT with flexibility, but what are the options for those who aren't quite convinced about cloud?Continue Reading

• Mainframe monitoring tools get a new sibling with zEC12's zAware

  Learn more about the IBM zEC12 mainframe's addition to the pantheon of mainframe monitoring tools. Here's a deeper look at zAware.Continue Reading

• Advances in energy efficiency ignored, say data center experts

  Though parts of "The Cloud Factories" article ring true, data center experts agree that recent advances in energy efficiency were absent.Continue Reading

• Open Compute Project brings open source to server design

  The Open Compute Project pushes new server hardware models developed to ease deployments and lower costs for large data centers.Continue Reading

• Think before you build with data center predictive modeling

  If you're thinking about a new data center for your business, data center predictive modeling can help you cover all your bases right up front.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

• Is direct current power the silver bullet for data center efficiency?

  Direct current power shows promise for better data center energy efficiency, but IT shops may balk at upfront costs and hardware lock-in.Continue Reading

• A deeper look inside the zEnterprise EC12's mainframe architecture

  Upgrades to IBM's mainframe may prompt z196 customers to switch. Now that IBM's zEC12 is here, we take a look inside the new mainframe architecture.Continue Reading

• Data center power consumption tips to help ease pricey energy bills

  If operating costs are too high, follow these data center power consumption tips to help push them back down.Continue Reading

• New technology may shorten your next technology refresh plan

  Get ready for a shorter technology refresh cycle. Unified computing, virtualization and automation are changing the timeline.Continue Reading

• IT managers must prepare the next generation of data center staff

  Human, not technical, challenges dog data center staff and IT managers as virtualization and UCS platforms break down traditional barriers.Continue Reading

• System V init's successor, Linux Upstart, isn't tough to master

  Used to System V init from previous Linux distributions? Never fear. Here are a few tips to get started with its successor, Linux Upstart.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

• Can you cut data center infrastructure costs with new analytics tools?

  Leveraging new tools based on 'big data' analytics could help companies save money on data center infrastructure.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

• Basic or robust: Find the DCIM system that works for your data center

  Each DCIM system features a number of tools to help monitor and manage data center facilities. Evaluate your needs and use this tip to help figure out the right DCIM system for your business.Continue Reading

• Keeping up with ‘big data’ analytics means change in your data center

  Many factors determine how to alter your operating environment to prepare for future “big data” analytics and business intelligence needs.Continue Reading

• CICS performance and design questions and answers, part 3

  Robert Crawford answers more of your questions on CICS application performance.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

• Leverage your IT stars to build a DevOps supergroup

  Don’t be afraid to embrace DevOps. At worst, things will continue as-is. At best, you will see better decision-making and improved execution.Continue Reading

• IBM DB2 10 upgrade delivers improvements to all database users

  IBM DB2 10 users report the upgrade can cut administration costs, boost mission-critical apps and bring other benefits to your business.Continue Reading

• Carbon emissions fall as IT adopts green cloud computing

  Switching to a green cloud could provide benefits for IT departments and the environment, studies show.Continue Reading

• The changing face of ASHRAE data center environmental standards

  A brief history of ASHRAE in the data center. How have its data center environmental standards evolved to meet modern reliability requirements?Continue Reading

• IBM's IMS version 12 catalog and repositories helpful for programmers

  IBM's IMS version 12 debuts two tools, repository and catalog, which it hopes will make life easier for programmers.Continue Reading

• Optimize data center virtualization with strategic capacity planning

  Use strategic capacity planning to future-proof your data center's virtualization efficiency and make the most of server hardware.Continue Reading

• Changes to z/OS 1.13 help Java adoption and boost mainframe capacity

  Updates to zFS, better Java performance and tweaks to z/OSMF make IBM's z/OS 1.13 a solid release for developers.Continue Reading

• Using overhead cables to tidy your data center: Ask the Expert podcast

  As data centers move away from tangled messes under the floor, overhead cables usher in a new era of visibility and tidiness.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

• Addressing data center issues and irritants: Advisory Board roundtable

  Our advisory board members discuss their biggest data center issues and irks — and ways to solve them — in this roundtable discussion.Continue Reading

• Arc-flash hazards could lead to deadly consequences in data center

  Arc-flash hazards can cause fatal injuries, equipment damage and unnecessary shutdowns in the data center.Continue Reading

• Best practices for a data center economizer system

  A free cooling economizer system can be a cost-effective means of cutting energy use and costs for maintenance of mechanical cooling systems.Continue Reading

• Will SSD performance benefit your data center?

  SSD performance alone may not give you the results you expect following a hardware upgrade.Continue Reading

• Tracking the evolution of data center virtualization

  Business initiatives spur development of data center virtualization and consolidation thanks to added promise and efficiency of cloud technologies.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

• Using agile development to boost mainframe performance

  Cutting the time to fix bugs and release new versions with agile development on mainframes offers a variety of benefits.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

• Microsoft's System Center 2012 designed to ease data center management

  Microsoft's System Center 2012 Configuration Manager and Virtual Machine Manager 2012 aims to please system administrators.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

• Microservers carve out niche in data centers

  Energy-efficient petite server systems can be a cost-effective solution for basic tasks or hyper-scaling applications in an enterprise data center.Continue Reading

• Remote control: Managing the distributed environment

  Properly manage your remote data center before it launches by assessing your WAN needs then find the right tools to keep your resources optimized.Continue Reading

• Punch up database performance by reorganizing data

  A well-timed mainframe database reorg can result in much improved response.Continue Reading

• Will water-cooled servers make another splash in the data center?

  Direct water cooling promises to keep your data center’s temperatures down with far greater energy and cooling efficiency than forced air cooling.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

• Search and replace on steroids: Do more with these sed commands

  These tips can help administrators help themselves through advanced text editing with the UNIX Stream Editor (sed) utility.Continue Reading