Tips

Tips

• The case against data center consolidation

  Having one centralized data center can bring IT benefits. Use cases such as IoT, edge computing and cloud don't necessarily work with consolidated infrastructure.  Continue Reading

• 4 disadvantages of hyper-converged infrastructure systems

  Problems with scalability and cloud compatibility can create major issues for organizations that want to deploy hyper-converged infrastructure systems.  Continue Reading

• The basics and benefits of lights-out management

  For remote IT capabilities, lights-out management tools enable admins to power servers off and on, monitor temperatures and remediate potential operational issues.  Continue Reading

• IT asset retirement in the data center

  Is your data center equipment starting to show signs of aging? These performance metrics can evaluate hardware health and help you decide if assets should be maintained or retired.  Continue Reading

• Troubleshoot Linux kernel panic with the kdump crash tool

  Kernel panic renders your system useless. With an NFS server and kdump crash tool, you can easily perform a root cause analysis and figure out how to bring a system back online.  Continue Reading

• 6 steps to prep your organization for ISO 9001 certification

  ISO 9001 is a quality management standard. Before your team decides to become certified with an official audit, you should have all the gap analyses, documentation and fixes in place.  Continue Reading

• Get the right SLA for enterprise liquid cooling services

  If you're interested in data center liquid cooling, investigate the technology types, available service providers and outline an effective agreement for successful system use.  Continue Reading

• 5 common server issues and their effects on operations

  Server problems can spring from inside and outside hardware. Delve into these common issues and learn about the policies to have in place for regular maintenance and prevention.  Continue Reading

• An in-depth look at calculating server hardware costs for SMBs

  Servers can be expensive, but there's more to the purchase than just the price of the hardware. Learn what additional items an SMB must factor into the overall cost.  Continue Reading

• How to prevent and recover from server failure

  Hardware, software and facility issues can lead to server failure. With the right protocol and preventive maintenance, you can reduce failure amount and troubleshoot time.  Continue Reading

• Pick a data center layout: Raised floors vs. overhead cabling

  There's no definitive design when it comes to data center infrastructure. Cost, manageability and cooling effectiveness are all factors during the selection process.  Continue Reading

• Considerations for SIEM logging software and storage

  SIEM systems aggregate a lot of data across all types of infrastructure. For regular audits, admins should address notification settings, analysis protocols and storage locations.  Continue Reading

• SIEM vs. SOAR: Key considerations for software evaluation

  SIEM and SOAR tools are now seen as complementary to each other, but key differences in purpose and features may determine which one you decide to use in your data center.  Continue Reading

• Tools and tips to track server power consumption

  Server power requirements differ for each organization, but it's still essential to monitor peak loads and track how much power your servers consume to avoid outages.  Continue Reading

• 7 top open source network monitoring tools

  Network is an essential part of infrastructure health and requires constant monitoring. To meet specific OS and hardware requirements, open source tools can be the best fit.  Continue Reading

• Safeguard data center power with regular UPS maintenance

  There are several levels of testing to address when developing a UPS maintenance checklist. Be sure to conduct visual, thermal and load tests to verify UPS health.  Continue Reading

• Essential components and tools of server monitoring

  Server capacity management requires a list of infrastructure components to watch and the right tools. A workflow with these concepts ensures uptime and helps usage predictions.  Continue Reading

• Improvements in CPU features help shape selection

  CPUs have evolved to meet ever-increasing technology demands. We look at the way performance and power characteristics have shifted in recent years.  Continue Reading

• Build a migration plan for enterprise edge infrastructure

  Micro data centers are essential to edge computing use cases. Build an effective migration plan through site selection, application inventory and post-move monitoring tools.  Continue Reading

• Plan a successful migration to HPC colocation

  If your organization decides to host its HPC hardware in a colocated data center, ensure a smooth migration with proper location selection, security measures and application testing.  Continue Reading

• 5 considerations for proper mainframe decommissioning

  As organizations decide to retire mainframe systems, admins should develop a plan that addresses application migration, program replatforming, data security and hardware removal.  Continue Reading

• A look at software-defined networking upgrade guidelines

  SDN brings the benefit of a mostly software-based update process. However, admins still must consider which updates are necessary and if a hardware refresh is required.  Continue Reading

• Initiative aims to improve data center incident reporting

  The Data Center Incident Reporting Network hopes to pull back the smoke screen on software and hardware issues to improve operations and reduce downtime risks -- with admins help.  Continue Reading

• Key components for negotiating an HPC colocation contract

  When it comes to HPC colocation, there are specialized areas to cover in a service-level agreement. Review provider protocols for power, security and network connectivity.  Continue Reading

• Make the case for a technology refresh strategy

  A good portion of IT budgets are spent maintaining aging hardware. Energy efficiency, failure rates and potential downtime costs are all ways to justify regular hardware updates.  Continue Reading

• A guide to data center maintenance outsourcing

  Data centers have a lot of moving mechanical parts to maintain. It's beneficial to leave electrical and fire system upkeep to the professionals instead of doing it all in-house.  Continue Reading

• Top data center skills admins can use in 2020

  The 2019 tech job sector saw consistent growth and job availability. In 2020, admins should develop expertise on cloud architectures, edge computing deployments and automation.  Continue Reading

• Improve efficiency with server energy consumption tools

  Deciding what servers are most efficient for your infrastructure requires research. Hardware-level certifications and web-based tools can help you select the right option.  Continue Reading

• Use GRUB to fix Linux boot problems

  GRUB is a handy tool to help admins solve any Linux booting issues. Reinstalling or manually implementing GRUB are two main approaches to getting your system back up and running.  Continue Reading

• Get eco-friendly with LEED data center certification

  The U.S. Green Building Council helps companies make existing and new data centers eco-friendly. HVAC, lighting and monitoring technology help increase infrastructure efficiency.  Continue Reading

• Top 4 open source automation tools for admins

  Open source offerings are an easy way to bring automation into your organization. When selecting software, evaluate the user experience, main features offered and Linux support.  Continue Reading

• Increase efficiency with data center temperature monitoring

  Data centers must track multiple temperature components. Organizations can use ASHRAE standards and on-premises hardware for easier monitoring.  Continue Reading

• Develop a 7-step server maintenance checklist

  For effective server maintenance, admins must perform proactive hardware and software checks. Any list must include dusting, log review and software patch tests.  Continue Reading

• Understand top public cloud repatriation use cases

  Cloud technology can pose billing, management and compliance issues. Here are five reasons why repatriating cloud workloads back on premises might be a better option.  Continue Reading

• Top 5 options for Linux certifications

  Are you ready to expand your Linux knowledge? Here's a look at the latest courses, training content and exams available from professional groups and vendors.  Continue Reading

• Top guidelines for edge computing software selection

  Finding edge software that meets all your organization's needs requires help from both the business and IT sides. Get the right fit with use case information and developer input.  Continue Reading

• A look at HCI hardware maintenance

  Resource forecasting, capacity planning and upgrade compatibility are essential components of hyper-converged infrastructure maintenance. Learn why admins must implement them.  Continue Reading

• Learn the basics of ACI network technology

  Application-centric infrastructure is one way to support an SDN setup. By learning the basics, admins can manage networks with automation and data abstraction.  Continue Reading

• Continuous HCI platform maintenance ensures system health

  These best practices will help data center managers keep their hyper-converged platform in tip-top shape and make the process of deploying future updates simpler.  Continue Reading

• Improve server rack physical security with ISO standards

  Safeguarding information access is essential to data center operations. With ISO Standard 27001 and the right locking mechanisms, you can prevent a security breach at the server hardware level.  Continue Reading

• Essential private cloud migration steps

  Executive buy-in, application evaluation and tool configuration are all important parts of cloud selection. With these steps, admins can ensure a smooth move to private cloud.  Continue Reading

• Addendum sets ASHRAE 90.4 as energy-efficiency standard

  The publication of ASHRAE 90.4 in 2016 brought a new set of energy guidelines, but the industry still used Standard 90.1. A new addendum has changed protocol and best practices.  Continue Reading

• 4 essential components to edge data center maintenance

  Security, connectivity and remote management are integral parts of any edge architecture. Here's how to include them in your infrastructure.  Continue Reading

• Decrease legacy hardware security gaps

  Dated infrastructure poses security threats to organizations -- especially with the amount of sensitive data used today. Address these concerns with active inventory audits.  Continue Reading

• 4 steps for a smooth SDN installation

  Software-defined infrastructure can be tricky to implement. Automation, vendor-supported hardware and skilled developers are essential for smooth updates.  Continue Reading

• 3 ways to approach legacy hardware maintenance

  Budget, maintenance cycles and specialized use cases are all reasons to keep legacy hardware. Minimize costs and outages with service contracts and emulation options.  Continue Reading

• How to get out of a bad colocation contract

  Renegotiation, legal action and cancellation are all options if your colocation service agreement isn't up to par. But each option requires research to avoid big fees or downtime.  Continue Reading

• 5 steps to include on your software update checklist

  Training, testing and automation are all essential components to software updates. Implementing these concepts makes version maintenance a less herculean task.  Continue Reading

• Flexible consumption models lower IT overhead, help investments

  Flexible consumption lets you track infrastructure usage and decrease tech investment overhead. It may seem similar to the as-a-service model, but there are differences between the two.  Continue Reading

• Prepare your organization for 100G data center Ethernet

  Leaf-spine topologies, Ethernet and optics research are driving the next generation of data center networking infrastructure. Stay ahead of the curve with these technologies.  Continue Reading

• A quick guide to data center commissioning

  Service provider selection, design documentation and thorough testing are all necessary for commissioning. Learn the process's nuances to get your facilities online.  Continue Reading

• How machine learning in data centers optimizes operations

  Machine learning can help manage your data center more efficiently and address power consumption concerns and hardware maintenance. Today's tools make implementation easy and effective.  Continue Reading

• 3 ways to benefit from open source infrastructure

  Using open source infrastructure can reduce operating costs and streamline upgrades, but it's important to weigh the pros and cons before you jump on the bandwagon.  Continue Reading

• Use ASHRAE guidelines to get server temperature right

  The main factors that affect server efficiency are inlet air temperature, humidity and contaminants. Follow these ASHRAE guidelines to set up the right facility for your hardware and save energy.  Continue Reading

• 3 vendors to consider for an HCI appliance

  HCI isn't just a software product; market vendors such as Nutanix, HPE and Pivot3 also have specific appliances for admins that want features for network and storage management.  Continue Reading

• How to cultivate the ideal IaaS agreement

  As you expand your infrastructure, you might use service providers for certain components. Make sure you get a comprehensive SLA that addresses responsibilities, costs and security.  Continue Reading

• Data center cooling systems advance, incorporate natural sources

  Despite concerns around water-based cooling technology, organizations are developing new hardware setups that rely on fjords and oceans to effectively cool dense server racks.  Continue Reading

• A 6-step guide for hardware disposal

  Asset tracking, information logging and security measures should all be a part of hardware decommissioning. Don't miss a step with these considerations.  Continue Reading

• 4 essential KPIs for edge computing management

  If you want to track edge deployment activity, look at storage, network and processing resources to guide workload configuration and maintenance needs.  Continue Reading

• A guide to IaaS provider selection

  Adding a cloud infrastructure service requires proper evaluation procedures and research. For a smooth transition, assess VM shapes, developer skill sets, licensing and security.  Continue Reading

• How to enhance FTP server security

  If you still use FTP servers in your organization, use IP address whitelists, login restrictions and data encryption -- and just a few command prompts -- to keep them secure.  Continue Reading

• 3 ways to approach cloud bursting

  With different cloud bursting techniques and tools from Amazon, Zerto, VMware and Oracle, admins can bolster cloud connections and efficiently move data in and out of on-prem facilities.  Continue Reading

• Build up your SDDC security with 3 components

  If you want to build a foundation for secure operations in your SDDC, software patches, account privileges and encryption should all be part of your security framework.  Continue Reading

• Guarantee HCI software compatibility with cloud apps

  IT execs must evaluate an organization's current on-prem and cloud setup before selecting a hyper-converged offering to avoid security holes, disjointed workflows and poor user experience.  Continue Reading

• Micro data centers build edge computing opportunities

  Organizations can use micro data center deployments to increase on-site data processing. Admins can get their setups right with options from Dell and HPE.  Continue Reading

• 8 pros and cons of colocation

  Colocation is not a silver bullet solution for everyone. Discover the advantages and disadvantages that come with allowing a third-party to manage your IT equipment.  Continue Reading

• Build a comprehensive outline for your data center budget

  Including all necessary data center expenses during budget planning can be daunting. IT managers can start with costs for software licenses, hardware upgrades and cloud migration.  Continue Reading

• Open source virtualization expands VM hardware and OS options

  Dive into open source virtualization software with VirtualBox, KVM or QEMU. Each offers customizable VM management capabilities and legacy hardware support.  Continue Reading

• 4 considerations for choosing a private cloud provider

  Key features to look for from a private cloud provider include interoperability, scalability and how familiar admins are with the provider's technology.  Continue Reading

• Top 5 Linux performance commands for system administrators

  Figuring out Linux host performance issues is time-consuming without the right tools. The top, vmstat, iostat, free and sar commands can help get CPU, device and memory data.  Continue Reading

• Pick the right colocation site for your organization

  Colocation is more than signing a contract and installing hardware. Evaluate redundancy, rack space real estate and distance to ensure a successful colo partnership.  Continue Reading

• 4 PowerShell modules every IT pro should know

  Find out how to use four of the most popular PowerShell community modules in the PowerShell Gallery to help better manage your data center and automate certain tasks.  Continue Reading

• Get started with PowerShell Core on Linux

  PowerShell Core lets you configure and manage Windows, Linux and Mac-based servers in the data center. Learn how to install and navigate the command-line shell in this tip.  Continue Reading

• How to get the most out of your SIEM system

  When it comes to threat protection, antivirus software is no longer enough. Data center admins need cloud-based SIEM to ensure their environments are fully protected.  Continue Reading

• Data center budget process should review business goals first

  Discover four factors data center managers should evaluate when allocating financial resources and areas to address to ensure funding requests meet execs' business goals.  Continue Reading

• How to prepare your data center for an HCI appliance

  Vendors tout hyper-converged infrastructure as a plug-and-play offering, but before you install anything in your data center, be sure your network supports the hardware.  Continue Reading

• Considerations for a successful DCIM implementation

  Selecting the right DCIM software is a complicated process. Make sure you have executive buy-in, vendor support and defined goals to get the best return on investment.  Continue Reading

• Tips for selecting a data center testing provider

  Finding the right service provider for data center tests can be time-consuming. To pick the right one, be sure to have realistic objectives and a detailed SLA.  Continue Reading

• Top five data center trends to watch in 2019

  In 2019, data center admins should research how technologies such as AIOps, chatbots and GPUs can help them with their management, help desk and processing needs.  Continue Reading

• Top server maintenance tips to extend hardware lifespan

  IT administrators can upgrade CPU, RAM and networking hardware to maintain smooth server operations and to maximize resources.  Continue Reading

• HCI storage advancements require network technology upgrades

  Flash storage options make HCI scalability easier, but they also require newer network hardware. Data center admins are looking at NVMe-based fabrics as a possible fix.  Continue Reading

• Streamline data center power usage tracking with DCIM

  If you want a more in-depth picture of your data center's power consumption, explore DCIM options that provide server workload metrics and overall power system data.  Continue Reading

• How to install ZFS on Linux

  ZFS on Linux lets admins error correct in real time and use solid-state disks for data caching. With the command-line interface, they can install it for these benefits.  Continue Reading

• Choosing the best OS: Linux server vs. Windows Server

  When determining the best server OS for a data center, you have Windows Server and multiple Linux options. For both, you'll want to look at vendor support, cost and functionality.  Continue Reading

• How mainframe maintenance intersects with x86 server upkeep

  Mainframe maintenance overlaps with some x86 server upkeep tasks. Patching and storage management play a role in keeping mainframes up to date.  Continue Reading

• Evaluate Linux server distros for your data center

  Linux is known for its reliability and flexibility in the data center. To select the proper distribution for your servers, you'll need to evaluate your application and support needs  Continue Reading

• Research advances data center liquid cooling tech

  You might want to investigate alternatives to water and fans to keep your data center cool. Still, there are costs and environmental concerns facing researchers and IT administrators.  Continue Reading

• Mitigate data center storage capacity miscalculations

  You can use cloud storage and deduplication to expand storage capacity, prevent application failure and maintain data center performance.  Continue Reading

• A look at fundamental Linux sed commands

  The Linux stream editor is a useful way to run scripts in the data center. With these command examples, you can start to build your familiarity with sed.  Continue Reading

• Minimize downtime during a data center upgrade

  End users don't want their productivity interrupted by IT maintenance. With the right technology, testing and planning, you can reduce or eliminate downtime in the data center.  Continue Reading

• Navigate data center management software selection

  Software evaluation can be a lengthy process, especially with both open source and commercial options. Functionality and support can help you form a short list of possibilities.  Continue Reading

• Top 7 system administrator interview questions and answers

  To land any IT job, you need to master the interview. Here are seven questions to expect in your next sysadmin interview and how to ace the answers.  Continue Reading

• Discovery functions, FIPS compliance increase DCIM security

  Data center infrastructure management is one way to track security patches and unauthorized hardware access. There are a few features you can use to increase security.  Continue Reading

• Getting started with Linux containers

  Linux-based containers allow you to run applications in the data center without modifying OSes. If you're not sure how to get started, options such as Docker and CoreOS can help.  Continue Reading

• Converged data center migration practices to avoid data loss

  Refreshing data center hardware is no simple task, especially for organizations with multiple workflows. Before completing an upgrade, make a plan for backups and workload management.  Continue Reading

• Streamline data center ops by adding functionality to your DCIM tool

  Once you've successfully set up DCIM software, it's important to evaluate what further capabilities you need and the ways you can improve data center planning.  Continue Reading

• SDDC architecture basics and deployment considerations

  Software-defined data centers accelerate hardware provisioning and maintenance. These benefits are reason enough for admins to familiarize themselves with SDDC components.  Continue Reading

• GPUs, FPGAs increase software-defined data center performance

  Some applications in your SDDC might need special hardware so they can function at their best. GPUs and FPGAs are an effective way to increase performance.  Continue Reading

• Four top open source SIEM tools you should know

  Open source SIEM software offers organizations a way to test capabilities and augment existing functionalities for analytics and log management. Get started with these options.  Continue Reading

• Ten Linux process management commands that simplify admin workflows

  If you work in Linux, chances are you have to do some process management. Here are some commands to simplify that workflow.  Continue Reading