Tips

Tips

• Linux ext4 file system: Performance and compatibility

  The ext4 file system is now shipped with the most popular Linux distributions, but when should you use it and how do you optimize performance? Learn when to use the ext4 file system and how to set up your Linux system for maximized compatibility and...  Continue Reading

• Finding the best capacity planning tool for your data center

  A capacity planning tool can benefit data centers by collecting data, managing virtual machines and preventing bottlenecks. Keep these considerations in mind when choosing and implementing a capacity planning tool.  Continue Reading

• Using ITIL v3 service transition lifecycle to bring IT services into production

  The ITIL v3 service transition lifecycle aims to help IT organizations seamlessly introduce new releases into production. This tip discusses ITIL v3 service transition implementation and how these ITIL processes can aid new service releases.  Continue Reading

• Comparing cloud risks and virtualization risks for data center apps

  What are the risks of cloud computing and virtualization to your data center applications? This tip compares the types of cloud computing and associated risks with in-house server virtualization to help IT managers choose the right execution ...  Continue Reading

• What makes a migration from Unix to Linux attractive?

  Learn about Linux's attractive qualities such as platform flexibilty, quick deployment of patches, and better compatibility and cost structures. Calculating the return on investment (ROI) of migrating from Unix to Linux is also presented.  Continue Reading

• How to find a job in the data center: IT job hunt tips

  In this economy, keeping an updated tech resume is essential whether you're employed or not. Mark Holt shares IT job hunting expertise that will help keep you in control of the job search and ensure you stand out to employers.  Continue Reading

• Making the business case for migrating from Unix to Linux

  Learn how to present the business case for making a Unix to Linux migration. What are the shortcomings of Unix and what are the advantages of Linux? Vendor lock-in, cost, ease of updates or patches, and human capital are compared between Unix and ...  Continue Reading

• Dealing with CICS/MQ trigger interface quirks

  Despite its simplicity, the CICS/MQ trigger interface has its share of quirks, such as messages left in queues and uneven workload distribution. An expert shares fixes for common CICS/MQ message triggering problems in this tip.  Continue Reading

• Configuring GRUB 2: Tweaking the boot procedure in Ubuntu Server 9.10

  Configuring the new version of GRUB in Ubuntu Server 9.10 has changed. Learn how to install, apply changes to default settings and gain insight in the configuration files in /etc/GRUB.d/*.  Continue Reading

• Getting started with OpenVAS

  OpenVAS is an open source network security scanner, and version 3.0.0 has useful features for your Linux system. Learn how to install and set-up OpenVAS in your data center from source on a Linux server.  Continue Reading

• IMS version 11: Reviewing features and functions of IBM's new release

  What's new in IMS 11, the new version of IBM's Information Management System tool? Get a rundown on feature updates in database and transaction management from mainframe expert Robert Crawford.  Continue Reading

• Designing a Linux virtual network for KVM virtualization

  Determine how to configure the virtual and physical network cards for optimal performance on a Linux network with KVM hypervisor. The best use of individual network cards and virtual network cards depends on the I/O of the virtual machines on the ...  Continue Reading

• Second look at HPC: Is retail ready for supercomputing?

  Five years ago, IT pundits said nontraditional supercomputing customers, specifically retailers, would soon buy high-performance computing, or HPC, for business intelligence. Did those predictions come true?  Continue Reading

• OpenSUSE 11.2: A promising future for the Linux Desktop?

  From easier driver management to command line improvements and software management, OpenSUSE 11.2 has a few features that will make Linux desktop users and admins happy.  Continue Reading

• Managing data center growth: Consolidate, colocate or move to cloud?

  Is your data center running out of capacity? In this economy, building a new facility isn't always an option, and many older data centers can't handle high-density virtualized workloads. That means many IT pros will look outside in-house data ...  Continue Reading

• Data center efficiency: Which tactics are worth the cost?

  Which data center energy-efficiency tactics are worth the effort? Which data center energy-efficiency measures do not return on investment? This tip illustrates how much you can expect to save on various green IT improvements.  Continue Reading

• Linux networking: Using ip tool instead of ifconfig

  If your server was configured manually, make sure the Linux network is set up with the correct IP configurations and the ip tool is being used to monitor your systems.  Continue Reading

• Finding password weaknesses in your Linux systems

  Getting through the security of your Linux systems might be easier than you think. Prevent unauthorized access by searching out unexpected password weaknesses.  Continue Reading

• Writing a SOAP message header handler

  Write your own Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) message header handler with this SOAP example from CICS expert Robert Crawford.  Continue Reading

• Using kickstart and understanding packages for RHEL 5.4 hardening

  While wholesale installation of Red Hat is the easiest method, it is not the safest for an enterprise Linux server use. Using kickstart and understanding packages in RHEL 5.4 can save a Linux admin a lot of time later dealing with patches and will ...  Continue Reading

• New security technologies tighten data center access control

  New access control technologies are tightening up data center physical security.  Continue Reading

• Linux vendor offerings for cloud computing

  Find out what the major Linux vendors are offering for cloud computing, and how the Linux distributions' cloud computing tools compare to one another. From Ubuntu Enterprise Cloud to Red Hat's RHEV and deltacloud projects and Novell's cloud security...  Continue Reading

• Does IBM's mainframe business constitute a monopoly?

  The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating IBM for antitrust violations to determine whether IBM's business practices constitute a monopoly. The reality, according to one expert, is that while IBM doesn't have a monopoly on business computing, ...  Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting Linux networking problems

  Analyze and repair network problems related to your Linux system in three steps: determine if the network card is there, then check the hardware configuration and drivers. Some hardware also needs to be checked for module compatibility and tainted ...  Continue Reading

• Data center outsourcing best practices and pitfalls to avoid

  In this tip, an expert discusses the elements of successful data center outsourcing as well as mistakes that can derail your IT outsourcing experience.  Continue Reading

• Using BackTrack to check for Linux vulnerabilities

  Through common security methodologies and a full array of security testing tools, BackTrack identifies and exposes flaws within your Linux systems.  Continue Reading

• Five fallacies of cloud computing

  Will cloud computing replace the need for data centers? One expert discusses why cloud computing cannot serve every organization's need and why it will remain a segment of the IT market rather than take over the entire industry.  Continue Reading

• An open source security language: What is OVAL?

  OVAL is a standardized security langauge that will help IT security professionals determine security vulnerabilities in a consistent manner across systems. With a unified language, a definition can be written by the maintainers and by using an ...  Continue Reading

• Will Solaris on x86 survive the Oracle-Sun acquisition and Linux?

  Will Solaris on x86 survive the Oracle-Sun acquisition? With minimal market share and limited ISV support, combined with Oracle's investments in Linux, one expert says it's not likely.  Continue Reading

• Modernizing mainframe applications after a migration project: Part 4

  During a mainframe migration project, admins can add business value by taking a few extra steps, including application modernization for Web services or the cloud, re-engineering mainframe apps, and integrating apps to work with other platforms.  Continue Reading

• Creating virtual appliances with Novell SUSE Studio

  Virtual appliances make testing operating systems and applications simple, but building them can difficult. Tools like Novell SUSE Studio, however, are here to help.  Continue Reading

• Hardening Linux with Bastille UNIX

  Ensure your security by hardening the Linux operating system with either Bastille UNIX or through manual hardening best practices.  Continue Reading

• Improve CICS Web services security and handle Web transaction requests

  Mainframe managers can kill two birds with one stone by coding a message handler to check security and change the transaction ID in CICS.  Continue Reading

• Migrating off the mainframe; part 3: Tuning apps for the new platform

  After migrating off the mainframe, applications don't always run the same on Linux, Unix or Windows as they did on z/OS. In this tip, an expert talks about how to tune migrated apps for performance and security.  Continue Reading

• Mainframe migration strategy, part 2: Segmenting the job

  If you're considering a mainframe migration, this second tip in our series will show you how to segment mainframe applications to rehost on the new system in order of difficulty. Organizing your migration project in this way helps you determine the ...  Continue Reading

• How will KVM virtualization affect RHEL Xen users?

  What does Red Hat's commitment to Kernel Virtual Machine (KVM) virtualization mean for Red Hat Enterprise Linux users that have already deployed Xen-based virtualization? Migrating from Xen to KVM isn't simple, but one expert says users shouldn't ...  Continue Reading

• Developing a successful mainframe migration strategy

  A successful mainframe migration strategy requires careful planning to avoid disruption to end users. This tip discusses best practices for migrating, regenerating or replacing mainframe applications.  Continue Reading

• Data center consolidation strategy can benefit from ITIL lifecycle

  Data center consolidation projects can be complex and risky, but if IT organizations use the ITIL lifecycle to document the process, it can help smooth the transition.  Continue Reading

• Coding a simple mainframe cryptography program

  How do you code a System z cryptography program? Mainframe expert Robert Crawford takes you through the process of using the Integrated Cryptographic Service Facility.  Continue Reading

• Server hardware cost comparison: Is virtualization cheaper?

  Server virtualization's popularity is on the rise, but the cost of hardware for virtualization can be surprisingly high. In this tip, an expert compares the costs of eight small physical servers versus one large, 16-core machine running server ...  Continue Reading

• Sizing computer room air conditioners for data center energy efficiency

  Choosing a right-sized computer room air conditioner (CRAC) is crucial to data center energy efficiency, but there are many variables to consider. Learn more about data center air conditioning design, maintaining humidity levels and temperature, and...  Continue Reading

• Access and repair an ext3 file system with the superblock

  A damaged ext3 file system is accessible and repairable, thanks to the data within either the superblock or the superblock's backup.  Continue Reading

• How is CICS prepared for future IT market demands?

  In honor of the 40th anniversary of CICS, mainframe expert Robert Crawford discusses the CICS features he believes position it to handle the future demands of mainframe computing and the IT market.  Continue Reading

• Learn all about Ubuntu in "The Official Ubutu Server Book"

  The Official Ubunti Server Book teaches readers everything they need to know about the Ubuntu server operating system whether they are beginners or experienced users. The book details everything from installation, navigation, package management, ...  Continue Reading

• Novell SLES Mono Extension could put Windows on mainframe, in cloud

  The Mono Extension in Novell SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) enables Windows apps on the mainframe without code change or language conversion. This could open the door for cloud providers run customers' apps on the most cost-effective platform ...  Continue Reading

• Solving Linux server hangs stemming from kernel issues

  When Linux kernel issues cause functional machines to hang, determining the type of hang -- interruptible or non-interruptible -- is imperative to troubleshooting the situation.  Continue Reading

• How should Sun customers read Oracle's latest rumblings?

  An EU probe has quieted discussion of Oracle's plans for Sun, but Oracle has released the Exadata v2 database appliance based on Sun hardware and has attempted to reassure uneasy Sun customers. How should Sun shops read the latest developments, and ...  Continue Reading

• Why IBM should listen to Neon Software, customers on zPrime

  With high mainframe costs and the failure of mainframe specialty engines to deliver as promised, one expert thinks IBM and independent software vendors have a lot to learn from Neon Software and its zPrime application.  Continue Reading

• Should you comply with Article 645 of the National Electrical Code?

  By complying with Article 645 in the National Electrical Code (NEC), data centers can bypass the most stringent requirements of Chapters 1 through 4 of the NEC. But compliance with Article 645 isn't a free pass – it comes with stricter fire ...  Continue Reading

• Reduce chances of hardware failure with preventive server maintenance

  Data center hardware failure may occur on occasion, but proper preventive maintenance on your servers can minimize the likelihood of failure.  Continue Reading

• Best practices for data center cabling selection

  What are the primary data center cabling selection considerations? How do you choose between the many options? This tip will help you match up data center cabling to your application and budget needs.  Continue Reading

• How will ultra-low sulfur diesel affect data center generator performance?

  While ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel is a boon for the environment, it could negatively affect your data center generator performance and lead to equipment failure.  Continue Reading

• How to solve logical volume management issues

  Excluding certain Logical Volume Manager (LVM) devices from startup scans and the manual activation of logical volumes are two pesky logical volume management issues. Find out how to resolve them.  Continue Reading

• Using cryptography on the mainframe: An amateur's guide

  Cryptography on the mainframe protects sensitive data and aids organizations' compliance to security regulations such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard. This tip discusses the hardware and software available for cryptography on the...  Continue Reading

• Red Hat bolsters Linux for mainframes, tries to catch Novell

  In the Linux-on-the-mainframe market, Red Hat is catching up with Novell. If your mainframe shop is considering Linux on the IBM System z, this tip offers advice on choosing between Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Mainframe Computing and Novell SUSE ...  Continue Reading

• Should you pay for support on all Linux servers in your data center?

  Free Linux distributions are gaining popularity, but choosing whether to adopt paid or free Linux depends on your support staff's level of expertise and the workloads you expect the Linux distro will handle.  Continue Reading

• Are you wasting disaster recovery budget to avoid employee inconvenience?

  It's common for IT to over invest in disaster recovery, even after conducting a business impact analysis. According to a DR expert, one of the most common mistakes when determining DR objectives is trying to avoid inconvenience to employees at high ...  Continue Reading

• How to identify and remediate data center hot spots

  Data center hot spots can cause equipment failure and system outages. Find out how to identify the source of data center hot spots and how to fix the problem in this tip.  Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting Logical Volume Manager boot problems

  If Logical Volume Manager (LVM) boots incorrectly, logical volumes are inaccessible and you can't manage server disk space. In this LVM how-to, we offer some simple steps to troubleshoot boot issues with LVM.  Continue Reading

• Using ITIL to bridge the IT-facilities gap, boost data center efficiency

  True data center energy efficiency can't become a reality until the IT and facilities departments communicate effectively about available data center resources. ITIL best practices provide a framework that can help bridge the IT-facilities gap and ...  Continue Reading

• Novell vs. Red Hat: How their Linux strategies affect your data center

  The leading data center Linux distributions -- Novell's SUSE Linux Enterprise Server and Red Hat Enterprise Linux -- are similar, and choosing the right Linux distribution can depend more on the provider's business direction.  Continue Reading

• IBM z/OS 1.11 preview: New features and functions

  IBM will release z/OS 1.11 in September and promised improvements include simplified system administration and more memory above the 4G bar. This tip explores which new features and functions to expect in version 1.11.  Continue Reading

• Linux provisioning automation with Cobbler

  Learn how to set up and run, Cobbler, an install and provisioning server. It holds OS images and manages PXE booting, network configuration and deploys and installs them. It supports a wide variety of platforms including Red Hat, Ubuntu, Debian, ...  Continue Reading

• How to fix master boot record partition table problems

  The master boot record partition table allows you to access information on your server. Sander van Vugt walks you through how to recover partition tables on your Linux server or desktop starting with the rescue CD, using gpart and fdisk.  Continue Reading

• How to choose the right uninterruptible power supply for your data center

  This tip discusses how to choose the right-sized uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for your data center. It also explains common mistakes in UPS sizing and why UPS power ratings can be so confusing.  Continue Reading

• Five Linux commands you have (probably) never heard of

  Learn about five of the more rarely used Linux commands (logsave, diff3, pstree, nl and split) that are useful, with a description of each command's flags and options. These commands work well for file management, tracking, and output and process ...  Continue Reading

• Solaris Project Crossbow offers virtualized network management

  With Project Crossbow, Solaris has introduced a way to fully virtualize data center networking and has simplified network management in the process.  Continue Reading

• IBM upgrades Parallel Sysplex, boosts importance of mainframe clustering

  Upgrades to IBM's mainframe clustering solution, Parallel Sysplex, may help data centers consolidate servers and reign in administrative costs.  Continue Reading

• Avoid common pitfalls when calculating data center power load

  For data center pros trying to size an air conditioning system or UPS, accurately estimating data center power load is critical. But there are many common pitfalls to avoid.  Continue Reading

• How to install and get started with OpenQRM

  Learn how to install and use OpenQRM, a free and open source pluggable framework for automatic application deployment, management, and monitoring. It supports a range of virtualization tools and works with Nagios and Puppet.  Continue Reading

• What is the CICS grande dynamic storage area?

  What is the CICS grande dynamic storage area and how do mainframe shops make the most of memory above the bar?  Continue Reading

• Open source mainframe software: Two perspectives

  Would open source mainframe software allow systems programmers to make their systems work better and fix the mainframe pricing problem? Or would it open up shops to self-inflicted problems for IBM to fix?  Continue Reading

• Backing up the Linux master boot record

  The Linux master boot record (MBR) contains GRUB and the partition table, and to avoid crippling boot errors, it is a good idea to make a backup of it. Learn how to backup the MBR and how this effort can pay off when troubleshooting a Linux boot ...  Continue Reading

• Cleaning under the raised-floor plenum: Data center maintenance basics

  How do you clean under the raised-floor plenum in your data center? Find out the best practices and pitfalls for raised-floor plenum maintenance in this tip.  Continue Reading

• Preventing particle and gas contamination in the data center

  Learn how to prevent contamination from dust and dirt in IT equipment with a new book from ASHRAE, Particulate and Gaseous Contamination in Datacom Environments. Also, get a free download of Chapter 1, courtesy of ASHRAE and SearchDataCenter.com.  Continue Reading

• Setting up cloud computing with Eucalyptus

  Cloud computing provides on demand provisioning of compute resources. Learn how to set up Eucalyptus on Ubuntu to perform your own cloud computing operations. Eucalyptus is available in source code, and packages are available for CentOS 5.3, ...  Continue Reading

• Comparing Unix versions: AIX, HP-UX and Solaris

  In this comparison of the top Unix versions, learn what distinguishes the file systems, management tools and virtualization products in Sun Solaris, Hewlett-Packard HP-UX and IBM AIX file systems.  Continue Reading

• Key aspects of designing a data center for maintainability

  Designing your data center for maintainability is key to successful operations and maintenance. Learn best practices to implement during the data center design and construction phases that will pay dividends on your facility's uptime for years.  Continue Reading

• What does the future hold for Oracle's virtualization acquisitions?

  For Solaris administrators and Virtual Iron customers, Oracle's recent acquisitions mean the end of the line. But Oracle Virtual Machine users may see some major product improvements.  Continue Reading

• Five ways to consolidate servers and extend the life of your data center

  In this recession, data center managers are faced with growing IT demand and shrinking budgets. If your data center is running out of room for more servers, check out these top five tactics for shrinking your IT footprint.  Continue Reading

• Learning the craft of Linux administration with "Pro Linux System Administration"

  Pro Linux System Administration provides models for implementing a Linux infrastructure and builds the foundation you need to manage open source business systems. This guide to Linux administration provides readers with real-world examples, tips and...  Continue Reading

• Use CICS Management Facility for record compression

  Using CICS Management Facility for compressing CICS records can save CPU and DASD.  Continue Reading

• How to install and use RRDTool to speed up MRTG monitoring

  When monitoring a large number of hosts or devices with the MRTG graphing tool, the system experience frequent CPU spikes. In this RRDTool tutorial, learn how to install RRDTool and convert MRTG to use RRD storage to avoid system overload.  Continue Reading

• Predicting Oracle's plan for Sun assets, the future for Sun customers

  What are Oracle's post-acquisition plans for selling or further developing Sun Microsystems' assets? And how should customers who are invested in Sun products respond to the possible scenarios?  Continue Reading

• The TPC Energy Specification: Energy consumption vs. performance and costs

  Data center energy efficiency has become a key consideration in IT purchasing decisions. The Transaction Processing Performance Council (TPC) will soon release its Energy Specification, a new data center benchmark that compares energy consumption, ...  Continue Reading

• Measuring data center energy consumption in watts per logical image

  While power usage effectiveness (PUE) and data center infrastructure efficiency (DCIE) are common ways to measure data center energy efficiency, concerns that these numbers can be manipulated have led one expert to propose a new data center energy ...  Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting Linux boot problems

  If your Linux server fails to show the login screen at startup, you have a boot problem. Learn some tricks on how to diagnose and fix a Linux server boot problem from Grub failure to init and runlevels.  Continue Reading

• Not defining Web services in a CICS SOA

  Expert Robert Crawford discusses how to use the Web services binding directory to work around defining Web services in a CICS SOA, or service-oriented architecture.  Continue Reading

• Configuring YUM on Linux

  YUM is a package manager for RPM systems, it is made to update groups of machines without having to update each specific RPM. Learn how to configure it using yum.conf and get some basic commands. Yum allows use of a single command to update all ...  Continue Reading

• How to install and configure MRTG, an essential sys admin tool

  Multi Router Traffic Grapher (MRTG) is an essential tool that allows systems administrators to monitor and graph network traffic and more. In this tutorial, an expert explains how to install and configure MRTG on Solaris 10.  Continue Reading

• Top ten reasons to choose the mainframe for service-oriented data centers

  According to many experts, mainframe architecture is the best choice for new, service-oriented data centers. One analyst lays out advantages of basing your data center strategy on the IBM System z10 mainframe.  Continue Reading

• Recovering your Linux server with a Knoppix rescue disk

  Learn how to recover data on your Linux server if it doesn't boot properly using Knoppix, and how to mount the Linux file systems on your server with step-by-step instructions. How to troubleshoot and interpret server data from the fdisk -l command ...  Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting mainframe application performance variables

  Why is mainframe application performance so variable? Processor clock cycles can vary for many reasons. Mainframe expert Robert Crawford outlines some reasons why, and tips for troubleshooting performance issues.  Continue Reading

• Top 50 universal Unix commands

  Learn about the top 50 most helpful Unix commands for administrators out of the thousands that exist. Use case examples are provided, along with links to other resources.  Continue Reading

• Using nmap for Linux administration and security

  The open source tool nmap is ideal for network troubleshooting, scanning and auditing. The tool can be used to identify devices on the network as well as the services running on them. It can also identify advanced information, such as operating ...  Continue Reading

• The Ext4 file system: A real improvement in Linux file storage?

  The Ext4 file storage system is now integrated into the Linux kernel and supported by the major distributions. Should you switch from your Ext2 or Ext3 set-up? With complete backwards compatibility, there is little reason not to make the jump ...  Continue Reading

• Security essentials for Active Directory on Linux

  Active Directory functionality in heterogeneous data centers with Windows and Linux is increasingly appealing, but admins should be aware of the security risks this activity poses. The open admin policy on Active Directory doesn't adequately protect...  Continue Reading

• Keys to successfully running Samba in a production environment

  Running Samba in a heterogenous production environment with Linux/Unix and Windows systems is critical to business. Learn best practices for configuration, backup, and support. Proper implementation of change control, keeping an updated version of ...  Continue Reading

• Capacity planning tools tutorial for Linux and Unix

  Effective capacity planning is a proactive way of ensuring that your data center servers will not prematurely run out of space or horsepower. Learn the tools available to help you, both native to Linux and Unix platforms including Solaris, Red Hat, ...  Continue Reading

• Virtualization options for enterprise Linux

  KVM is taking over as the top ranked virtualization option for Linux, despite some of its stability shortcomings compared to Xen. Learn about virtualization options for Linux including container-based and desktop virtualization and where they are ...  Continue Reading