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.
Top 10 things to review when developing a hardware scalability plan
Developing a plan for scalability for an application is based on many complex variables and requires a detailed analysis of the applications, operating systems, and hardware platforms to be used. Here are the top 10 items to include in your ... Continue Reading
CAN vs. CVE numbers
Security expert James Turnbull explains the difference between CAN and CVE numbers assigned to vulnerabilities and bugs. Continue Reading
Managing Samba-3.0.21: The pdbedit utility, part 2
The pdbedit tool in Samba-3 is the only one that can manage account security and policy settings important to businesses that must comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. If you're migrating from Windows to Linux, or remotely managing Samba-3, ... Continue Reading
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Managing Samba-3.0.21: The pdbedit utility, part 1
If you're migrating from Windows to Linux, or remotely managing Samba-3, knowing how to prepare and use Samba-3 PDC is a must. Continue Reading
HRECALL and DASD tapes
Pros and cons of DASD options
I understand that when running Linux under VM, there are several DASD options -- all SAN, all OS/390 or a mix. What are the pros and cons of each? Are you better able to manage capacity and performance if you make all of the DASD VM minidisks as ...Continue Reading
Generating UUIDs in a CICS regions
Accessing an ESDS file that's open to CICS
Advice on accessing an ESDS file that is open to CICS for update from a batch COBOL program.Continue Reading
Managing Samba: Configuration for remote management, part 1
Find out how Samba-3's configuration tools help IT admins create transparency between Windows clients and Linux servers in this tip by Samba team co-founder John H. Terpstra.Continue Reading
Views vs. Stored procedures
Sybase expert Mich Talebzadeh describes the similarities between views and stored procedures that can lead to differences in the speed of compilation.Continue Reading
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OpenOffice 2.0 tips: Creating database forms
OpenOffice expert Solveig Haugland explains table relations and how to create a data entry form linking separate tables.Continue Reading
Rootkit levels of infection and mitigation
PaX team developers Ed Tittel and Justin Korelc describe St. Jude and St. Michael intrusion detection systems as coutermeasures against hackers' exploitive use of rootkit.Continue Reading
Minimum ceiling height for a data center
What do you recommend as the minimum ceiling height in a data center?Continue Reading
What is the kVA/rack limit?
According to the latest studies, power consumption per rack is increasing. What do you think about a boundary (or limit) in kVA per rack in ...Continue Reading
What is the architecture of DB2?
What SQL can be used in a compound SQL statement?
Deleting the top 10 rows in a table
Find out the best way to use the SQL DELETE statement to delete rows from a table.Continue Reading
OpenOffice tip: Everything about envelopes
OpenOffice expert Solveig Haugland walks users through the printing, formatting, and design processes for making a custom envelope.Continue Reading
Managing Samba-3: User rights and privileges
Samba expert John Terpstra explains how to manage the Samba-3 equivalents of administrative security controls in the Microsoft Windows and Linux operating systems.Continue Reading
The pros and cons of IPsec
Roaming profiles for Linux users
Assuring your third-party data center is secure
The costs are generally lower and the bandwidth abundant, but are third party data centers secure enough to protect your data?Continue Reading
Integrating and operating VB with MySQL
What is the difference between a compiler and an interpreter?
Ken Milberg explains the difference between a compiler and an interpreter.Continue Reading
Dual power supplies and power grids
A reader asked: Following on an earlier question about dual power cords, do the power supplies have to be of the same phase? Or can they be from entirely separate power grids. (We will have effectively two supply systems with inline diesel rotary ...Continue Reading
Windows-to-Linux desktop migration tips: Why to switch, how to plan
Versora CTO Jon Walker provides the why and how of migration from Windows to Linux. Why, in a nutshell: Better technology.Continue Reading
Connecting Excel to Linux databases
A major interoperability challenge for Linux users is transferring data from Microsoft Excel spreadsheets into Linux databases. In this tip, Ken Milberg presents some ways to overcome the challenge using various open source and third-party products.Continue Reading
Best practice for UPS loading on distrubted parallel or prallel redundant configuration
Expert Robert McFarlane gives an expert's opinion on a good question.Continue Reading
Learning Linux security administration
Learning Linux, especially Linux security administration, can seem particularly tricky for those only well-versed in Windows. Here, security expert James Turnbull offers some pointers for getting up to speed.Continue Reading
Database tip: Understanding joins and set theory
Sybase expert Mich Talebzadeh provides an excerpt from his book explaining set theory and different types of joins.Continue Reading
Database tip: All about subqueries
A continuation of Mich's response to a user's question about different types of joins.Continue Reading
Configure your RHEL4 network
Learn how to use Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 commands and utilities to configure your network from a GUI or command line.Continue Reading
System panic: Get a serial console log
How to create a serial console log of a system panic.Continue Reading
Rsync and Amanda: Keeping your data safe with open source backup
Rsync and Amanda are two straightforward open source products that can simplify your backup procedure.Continue Reading
Configure LSF in a Unix environment (Solaris and Linux)
Find out how to configure Load Sharing Facility (LSF) in Unix and Linux.Continue Reading
Knoppix Hacks: Use Knoppix to rescue Windows
In "Knoppix Hacks," author Kyle Rankin explains how the Knoppix CD can be used as an indispensable, multi-purpose tool for administrators. One of the many things Knoppix can accomplish is rescuing Windows. In this e-mail exchange, Rankin provides ...Continue Reading
Dual corded power supply
Expert Bob McFarlane explains the details of dual corded power supply.Continue Reading
Data center raised floors and ceiling height
In this question, Bob McFarlane explains the benefits and drawbacks to different data center designs pertaining to cooling and airflow.Continue Reading
Should we use Halon or FM-200?
Our fire protection expert says that it's time to plan the move away from Halon.Continue Reading
Security differences between Linux and Unix
As close cousins, both Unix and Linux share many similar security concepts. But there are significant differences in how, and exactly what, security is implemented on Unix and Linux platforms. These differences, however, are more dependent on the ...Continue Reading
Minimize outsourcing risks: Best practices in security
Offshore outsourcing can cut costs, but if you fail to analyze a vendor's certifications, methodologies and security procedures, it'll cost you more than money in the long run.Continue Reading
Recover deleted records from a MySQL table
Postfix vs. sendmail
Migrating from Exchange to a Linux mail server
Excavating ancient abbreviations in Linux
Courtesy of Unix developers' creativity, Linux contains a legacy of bizarre terms with a history all their own.Continue Reading
Closing a VSAM file in CICS
Solving latency problems with a local ISP
The differences between System V and BSD Unix
How are checkpoints used in Sybase?
Difference between virtualization and consolidation?
Data center management expert Charles King explains the relationship between virtualization and consolidation in the data center.Continue Reading
Why a disaster recovery plan is a core part of compliance
Compliance cares whether or not the organization can provide accountability and assurance that they are protecting the information's and processes' confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Hence, the connection.Continue Reading
Samba-3: Windows file and directory ACLs
Discover the parallels between files and directories in Windows and Unix and challenges to transparent interoperability. This tip proposes solutions to common problems using Samba.Continue Reading
Consolidation and virtualization: The same, but different
While they're similar, these two approaches are also fundamentally different. Managers need to explore how to use both if they want to end server sprawl.Continue Reading
Why does Linux keep time from Jan. 1, 1970?
UPS management checklist
UPS management checklist: Business continuity efforts will end in a fizzle if your power fails. Here are ten ways to make sure your data center is always plugged in.Continue Reading
What is the max memory addressable by COBOL?
Comparing apples to apples in vendor pricing
Uppercase to lowercase in VS COBOL II
What are some COBOL coding techniques for performance?
Get performance tips to use when coding in COBOL.Continue Reading
Dynamic file allocation in COBOL
We need to create a unique DSN from within a COBOL program. The actual name of the file needs to be unique for every execution of the program.Continue Reading
Can I convert a legacy file to XML with COBOL?
What is the difference between utility computing and grid computing?
What IBM MVS commands will safely shut down a stuck task?
Mainframes don't always operate as they should. In extreme circumstances, the FORCE command can help close down a stuck program.Continue Reading
What is the role of XML in managing open source apps?
Counting characters in COBOL
How do I define the length of the query? Is there any predefined function that calculates the length of the string in COBOL?Continue Reading
Sequence number differences between Oracle and MySQL
Nigel McFarlane points out some essential differences between Oracle and MySQL sequence numbers.Continue Reading
How to figure size requirements for new UPS unit
Find out how to decipher the size ratings for UPSes.Continue Reading
A date with CICS
Putting a CICS application together and you need date and time information? Try the ASKTIME and FORMATTIME commands. This tip explores how they are used.Continue Reading
Naming and renaming MySQL files for case sensitivity
Converting a decimal to BCD in Java
Using IEBEDIT to randomize Job Control Language steps on the mainframe
The IEBEDIT utility for mainframe programming copies data into new data sets and retains the original order. So is it possible to switch IEBEDIT to 'random mode'?Continue Reading
How to enable and view user audit logs in Linux
Creating a table with a MUL column
Is there an open source alternative to IBM's Websphere?
MyISAM and foreign key support
What is meant by application hardening?
Are there Visual Basic equivalents for Linux?
What happens when you type the "cat" command?
What can you do with the "cat" command?
Which is better and more stable: Windows, Unix or Linux?
Query hints to override optimizer
Getting error 1006: Can't create database
Troubleshooting CICS SOS messages.
Fast Guide to Fibre Channel basics
This Fast Guide to Fibre Channel basics has everything you need to get up-to-speed on the speediest (not to mention one of the most expensive) of the storage interconnects.Continue Reading
Is MySQL relational?
How is a C program stored in memory?
Comparing Windows and Linux: Systematic file storage
The architecture of Windows and Linux file systems is similar in some points, but diverges greatly when tools are considered. Here's a quick comparison.Continue Reading
ICETOOL, SYNCTOOL utilities exclude mainframe subset files
Mainframe programmers can turn to ICETOOL and SYNCTOOL utilities to avoid writing a COBOL program when working with records.Continue Reading
Multiple starts on the same CICS transaction
Estimating the database size
Is there a Linux equivalent of Microsoft's Active Directory?
Keep an eye on Linux processes with ps
Use this simple command-line tool to check out what's running on your Linux server.Continue Reading
Mozilla on Linux vs. Mozilla on Windows
What is the advantage of GCC compiler over CC compiler?
How to keep an eye on Linux performance
Need to monitor Linux performance without purchasing a pricey diagnostic package? Try these simple, built-in command line tools.Continue Reading
Migrating from Oracle to Linux -- tips and TCO considerations
Netstat: A small but powerful tool for administrators
Learn how to check for network spies using the netstat command.Continue Reading
Can I run OpenOffice and MS Office on the same machine?
Changing the IP address
Get the full command line argument of any running process with bash
Get the full commandline arguments of any running process with this tip.Continue Reading