Tips

Tips

Best practices for data center operations

• What does a data center facility manager do?

  Data center facility managers are responsible for the data center at large -- from the outside of the building to the infrastructure it houses.  Continue Reading

• IT industry standard training for data center admins

  Axelos, IDCA and the Uptime Institute each offer training courses and certifications for data center admins to increase their knowledge of common data center standards.  Continue Reading

• 4 key ways to prevent server sprawl

  Take steps to cut back on costly and hard-to-manage server sprawl: consolidate your hardware, virtualize your servers, consider software-defined infrastructure and stay organized.  Continue Reading

• Private cloud certificates to build up your tech skills

  Private cloud deployments require a variety of skills to run smoothly on any infrastructure. Expand your technical knowledge with training from Amazon, Google, Dell EMC and HPE.  Continue Reading

• Avoid server overheating with ASHRAE data center guidelines

  Finding the right server operating temperature can be tricky. ASHRAE standards provide guidance for all server classes and what factors can play into temperature readings.  Continue Reading

• Hidden colocation cost drivers to look out for in 2021

  These unexpected charges and fees can balloon colocation costs for enterprise IT organizations.  Continue Reading

• A quick primer on the ANSI/TIA-942 standard

  Industry standards help organizations minimize downtime and ensure operational quality. With ANSI/TIA-942, IT teams can certify their infrastructure for mission-critical sites.  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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Agile workflows shift admins' IT procurement strategy

  Changing business needs and the move toward Agile workflows affect how data center managers make decisions about daily operations and IT purchasing.  Continue Reading

• Get to know SIEM software basics and benefits

  Security information and event management tools give organizations enhanced network management functionality, such as automatic reporting, data stream analysis and anomaly detection.  Continue Reading

• IT support and service contracts ripe for savings

  If you don't pay close attention to IT support, service and maintenance contracts, start now. Chances are your organization is paying more than it needs to.  Continue Reading

• Remain relevant as a data center specialist

  Handling a variety of roles and possessing a multitude of skills make data center specialists a key cog in the IT machine as workloads evolve and businesses demand speed.  Continue Reading

• How to convince execs they need HCI products

  Is your enterprise considering a move to HCI? Evaluate scalability, automation and cost concerns, and be ready to discuss them with management to get the HCI ball rolling.  Continue Reading

• Four must-have skill sets for SDDC architecture

  A learning curve for IT staff -- especially around automation, scripting and APIs -- is a major hurdle during SDDC deployment. Is your data center team ready to make the move?  Continue Reading

• IoT certifications land on data center admins' to-do list

  IoT is still an emerging field, but data center admins should at least consider certification options to make their resume stand out in the long haul.  Continue Reading

• Data center compliance teams face new privacy, sustainability rules

  With new frameworks for data privacy and sustainability, such as Privacy Shield and the Paris Agreement, data center teams may need to rethink their compliance strategies in 2017.  Continue Reading

• Five data center certifications admins need to know

  Data center certifications, including those from VMware and Cisco, can provide a career boost for admins. Consider taking one of these five exams to expand your knowledge.  Continue Reading

• Automate systems and server documentation tasks to boost IT efficiency

  Develop comprehensive IT system documentation to save IT time, create an environment that automatically checks for updates and alert management to critical changes.  Continue Reading

• Evolve IT budget planning for software-defined infrastructure

  During IT budget planning for a software-defined data center, maximize value by accounting for predictable demand spikes, and evaluate resources to avoid losing funding later on.  Continue Reading

• How an IoT deployment reshapes network and storage management

  Data center admins need to know the unique network and storage requirements that come with an IoT deployment, and evolve their IT management practices accordingly.  Continue Reading

• Evolving DCIM market shows automation, convergence top IT's wish list

  Growth continues in the DCIM market, but shows signs of slowing down, as IT teams look for a new generation of tools that can help them consolidate management tasks.  Continue Reading

• What to know before taking the CCNP Data Center exam

  With a focus on data center network implementation and support, CCNP Data Center is a subset certification from Cisco. But is taking the exam really worth all the effort for IT pros?  Continue Reading

• Before leaving a system administrator job, don't burn any bridges

  Leave on good terms from your system administrator job to avoid burning bridges and to keep a good reputation in the industry. Here are some things to consider before your move.  Continue Reading

• New IT jobs emerge to target user experience, service delivery

  Experts in user experience and IT as a service are becoming critical in the enterprise, especially as the gap narrows between IT and business teams in new IT jobs.  Continue Reading

• Get to know ASHRAE 90.4, the new energy efficiency standard

  ASHRAE recently released its new 90.4 energy efficiency standard. Here's how it differs from 90.1, and what data center managers need to know.  Continue Reading

• IT lifecycle management drives smarter refresh decisions

  IT teams need to strike a balance between keeping up with the latest technology and being cost-effective. Proper IT lifecycle management techniques can help.  Continue Reading

• Construct a winning data center project plan

  Before embarking on new data center projects, such as an upgrade or move to the cloud, clearly define all goals and expectations -- and not just for IT.  Continue Reading

• What happens when disaster recovery policies go up in smoke

  Starting with an alarm and ending in disaster, one data center fire nearly wiped out an entire operation. Ultimately, poor design and budget choices were to blame.  Continue Reading

• New IT roles to put on your hiring radar

  The shifting nature of the IT industry doesn't just influence new technology; it's spawning some noteworthy changes in IT staffing, especially around big data and cloud.  Continue Reading

• Tips to ace tough IT operations interview questions

  Few things career-wise are as nerve-wracking as job interviews. Knowing what to expect going into that first meeting for a Web or app administrator role can quell some uneasiness.  Continue Reading

• How to succeed in an ops career without really trying

  An ops career can be stressful if you don't approach decision makers, vendors and end users with flexibility and realistic expectations.  Continue Reading

• Ten server deployment checklist considerations

  Use this server deployment checklist to make sure you've covered all your bases. From power distribution outlets to available network connectivity, server deployment can be an arduous process.  Continue Reading

• IT certification programs to get in-demand skills for 2016

  IT certification programs offer important skills for evolving technological needs. Data center pros will find a lot of clouds on the skills horizon, and can get these certifications to excel.  Continue Reading

• New data storage methods broaden IT horizons

  Data center managers have more choice than ever with SSDs, object storage and more, which means evolving ideas about the best methods of data storage.  Continue Reading

• Budgets prompt data center vs. colocation discussion

  Rather than spending another budget cycle struggling to fund the data center, start outsourcing selectively -- and improve at the same time.  Continue Reading

• The new IT security threat coming to your data center

  The latest and greatest in technology opens new opportunities for hackers to penetrate sensitive corporate data.  Continue Reading

• IT cost management shaped by data center spending

  Reduce server costs and data center operations expenditures by investing in the right areas, such as networking and storage.  Continue Reading

• Today's top IT skills extend far beyond the data center

  Microservices, virtualization, cloud, and other shifts in IT mean traditional deep technical skills are fading from importance. Broad expertise and communication are now the top IT skills.  Continue Reading

• Are you stuck in a legacy data center state of mind?

  Legacy data centers with proprietary code and outdated business practices are familiar, labyrinthine and difficult to leave behind.  Continue Reading

• Managing shadow IT risk to the business

  With more users turning to external IT platforms to meet business needs, IT professionals must take steps to start managing shadow IT.  Continue Reading

• Shape mobility plans with the COBIT 5 framework

  The COBIT 5 framework helps IT organizations bring online new enterprise platforms like mobility without compromising data security and control.  Continue Reading

• Let's get white box servers straight

  What's the difference between white box servers and Open Compute servers? What's the risk involved without brand-name server features?  Continue Reading

• Five COBOL interview questions to land a new job

  Time for a new job on the mainframe? Brush up on your COBOL basics and prepare for these strategic interview questions.  Continue Reading

• Checklist of IT KPIs for responsive data center ops

  The right metrics, aligned with business needs, strengthen data center monitoring and capacity planning. KPIs orient IT performance to specific goals.  Continue Reading

• Small updates meet big data center requirements

  Not all IT infrastructure projects require a large budget and lengthy schedule. These relatively inexpensive updates boost performance and reliability.  Continue Reading

• Fill in skills shortages with mainframe outsourcing

  New deeply skilled mainframe staffers won't pop up overnight, so use a mix of in-house and outsourcing tactics to support another decade on big iron.  Continue Reading

• What HTTP/2 means to the data center and its security

  A new hypertext protocol promises better performance for complex and demanding websites.  Continue Reading

• Identify risky data center providers before it's too late

  These tips from a data center design expert will keep you from partnering with an inadequate cloud hosting or colocation provider.  Continue Reading

• Five tips to prep for a Sarbanes-Oxley audit

  For IT organizations in public U.S.-operating companies, SOX audits are a fact of life. Look forward to a compliance audit with these immediate and long-term preparations.  Continue Reading

• Five career-advancing information technology skills

  IT pros want to advance their careers. See which IT skills will enhance your worth this year, and the training and certifications that will propel you forward.  Continue Reading

• Master the art of RFP writing for data centers

  Writing a biased RFP is a great way to get everything you want, and nothing you need. If you want to address an IT or business demand, sometimes it pays to leave out specifics.  Continue Reading

• This data center cost calculator keeps you on budget

  Calculating every data center expense can be challenging, but with the right spreadsheet -- and formulas -- you will accurately assess the total cost.  Continue Reading

• Data center maps lead IT to server treasure

  Can't find the server that needs repairs or the right reboot button when the host blue-screens? A data center map is vital when disaster hits.  Continue Reading

• A data center checklist for facility design and IT ops

  Choose the right data center provider or facility now, and prevent costly errors and inadequate services later.  Continue Reading

• Create a SAN with the Linux LIO iSCSI target

  With the LIO iSCSI target service, Linux shops have an affordable SAN option that ranks up there with expensive proprietary storage solutions.  Continue Reading

• COBOL compilers improve big data, OLTP applications

  Application development tools optimize code only so much. For the most efficient code on intense apps, a COBOL compiler is still the go-to tool.  Continue Reading

• Set accurate service-level agreement metrics

  SLAs do no good collecting dust in an office drawer, nor are penalties effective. Make sure your SLA fits with the business' present and future needs.  Continue Reading

• What to look for in a Tier III data center provider

  Don't believe just any sweet-talking colo provider claiming to be Tier III. Make sure you're getting what you pay for with a true Tier III data center.  Continue Reading

• How to buy a server

  Upgrade choices, resiliency features and even purchase negotiations determine how much buying servers will actually cost.  Continue Reading

• DevOps and Agile IT save mainframe training from skills quagmire

  The problem isn't that new hires aren't familiar with the complex, custom daily tasks of mainframe ops. The problem is that you're still doing them.  Continue Reading

• Getting started with ITIL service management

  Promised cost savings, alignment with business, and operational efficiency are encouraging more organizations to take up ITIL service management.  Continue Reading

• Major changes in data center fire suppression standards NFPA 75 and 76

  Fire standard changes can add a lot of work and expense to a data center operator's job, but the updates to NFPA 75 and 76 address real safety risks.  Continue Reading

• Does SSL decryption deserve a place in the enterprise data center?

  Many companies use SSL decryption to monitor network traffic and add another layer of security, but what does it actually do for data centers?  Continue Reading

• Creating more useful server benchmarks with five guidelines

  To improve benchmarking, make sure your server benchmarks are accurate, applicable and repeatable. The benchmark is only useful if performed properly.  Continue Reading

• Do you have the IT skillset for these five hot data center jobs?

  With technologies such as cloud computing in the limelight, data center pros need to upgrade their skillsets to catch the latest wave of innovation.  Continue Reading

• Five data center upgrade strategies to modernize your facility

  These five data center upgrade strategies can revitalize older data centers and stave off expensive construction projects.  Continue Reading

• PUE metric helps keep data center energy use in check

  The PUE metric helps smaller enterprises measure data center energy use to determine if various efficiency initiatives are worth pursuing.  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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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