Tips

Tips

• 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

• DCIM vendors' promises vs. data center realities

  Weigh the cost, integration and staffing implications of DCIM to make a smart buy and put DCIM's monitoring and analytical capabilities to work.  Continue Reading

• Linux boot options in RHEL, SLES help ailing servers

  Is your server not booting correctly? Does it need crucial recovery tasks? Linux boot options with GRUB2 and systemd can help.  Continue Reading

• The reality of software-defined computing

  Software-defined data centers are a brave new future or a vendor-created hype storm, depending on who you ask. Here's how it's likely to shake out.  Continue Reading

• A data center migration checklist to mitigate risk

  Alleviate the pain points for IT upgrades, consolidation or mergers with this 10-step data center migration checklist.  Continue Reading

• How to choose a micro data center in rugged locations

  Rather than a big container setup, the micro data center fits a whole compute system onto 23U, with fire and climate protection built in.  Continue Reading

• What data center Tier levels can and cannot tell you about uptime

  When it's time to go colo, it's important to know what level of facility uptime you need, as well as the data center operator's specific procedures.  Continue Reading

• New administrators' primer: Linux vi commands

  New Linux administrators will need to master a core cadre of vi (or vim) text editor commands. Start with the basics, then explore other vi commands.  Continue Reading

• How silicon photonics is helping to reshape servers and racks

  Optical interconnects turn server designs inside out. The use of silicon photonics will send optical signals on a long-distance journey without loss.  Continue Reading

• Mount Global File System 2, avoid corruption in RHEL High Availability

  You have a working cluster, now what? Red Hat's GFS2 will help you avoid file system corruption. Learn how to mount the default cluster file system.  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

• SELinux commands you should know before giving up hope

  Rather than giving up on SELinux and allowing permissions you shouldn't, use these SELinux commands to troubleshoot problems.  Continue Reading

• New vendor options when buying a server

  Would you approach buying a server in the same way you buy a laptop? Open-source hardware is placing the spotlight on ODM server manufacturers.  Continue Reading

• Six steps to create a highly available Apache Web service

  When a Red Hat cluster goes into production, you can protect it by configuring a supported high-availability service. Here's how.  Continue Reading

• Basic Linux commands for new Linux server administrators

  To manage Linux servers, administrators need a set of basic commands to view and start processes, as well as utilities that make life a little easier.  Continue Reading

• Five best Linux applications for enterprises

  These five applications will improve the lives of enterprise IT and business management by increasing functionality and reducing costs.  Continue Reading

• RISC vs. CISC explained for data center systems

  The role of RISC processors in data center equipment is hotly debated, but new RISC designs are proving that it isn't just a CISC game.  Continue Reading

• Creating a quorum disk and fencing for Linux high availability nodes

  The quorum disk and fencing on a Linux high availability cluster let its nodes know when they are operational and shut them off if they are not.  Continue Reading

• Creating a reliable and fast SAN network design with iSCSI

  There are three tenets of designing an iSCSI network correctly. Proper iSCSI deployment yields affordable and reliable network access for the SAN.  Continue Reading

• Which IT infrastructure strategy is best for your company?

  Each IT infrastructure strategy has its own strengths and weaknesses, so choosing one model is confusing. And none can succeed without good tools.  Continue Reading

• What is a PDU in an intelligent, energy-aware data center?

  Next-generation PDUs share more information with data centers, which can improve understanding of data center conditions.  Continue Reading

• How to approach cloud computing for business workloads

  Hybrid clouds let businesses keep some workloads at home and still capitalize on public cloud platforms. Here's how to get the best of both worlds.  Continue Reading

• Improving mainframe performance with runtime and compiler optimization

  Reducing mainframe CPU usage should be a priority. Learn how to tune IBM LE options for better performance without source code changes.  Continue Reading

• TCP offload's promises and limitations for enterprise networks

  TCP offload products free up limited CPU resources in network-intensive data centers. But TCP offload is no panacea and can introduce more problems.  Continue Reading

• Configuring Linux multipath drivers on a redundant network

  In a SAN topology with multiple paths to your storage device, a Linux multipath driver will keep everything in line. Follow these steps to implement.  Continue Reading

• Using TCP stack, segmentation, receive side scaling or checksum offload

  Smart network adapters offload RSS, checksum and other tasks from the server's CPU and noticeably improve performance if you choose features wisely.  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

• No faults here: Advanced techniques to attain more reliable servers

  A new generation of reliability features can keep busy servers running in the face of serious fault conditions.  Continue Reading

• OpenLDAP configuration for Linux made easy

  OpenLDAP is a simple, free, fully functional alternative to Active Directory. Follow these steps to set up OpenLDAP on Linux platforms.  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

• Linux admins: Securely integrate a NetApp filer with LDAP

  Linux administrators can share files in a storage network with a NetApp filer, thanks to LDAP integration. But it can be tricky.  Continue Reading

• Overcoming the many challenges of a Unix-to-Windows migration

  Switching from Unix to Windows means new programming languages, Web services, security and more. Ease the transition with planning and emulators.  Continue Reading

• How to prepare a server cluster for Linux high availability

  With a Linux distribution supporting mission-critical business applications, it's time to set up Linux high-availability software.  Continue Reading

• Immersion cooling and other source-of-heat options for cooling data centers

  Source-of-heat cooling can be energy-efficient and free up data center design. Immersion cooling, a new source-of-heat option, has its pros and cons.  Continue Reading

• Understanding servers' Power-On Self-Test codes

  Servers are chaotic and complex at startup, making errors during this stage even more difficult to diagnose. Power-On Self-Test codes can help.  Continue Reading

• Microservers' pros and cons as an alternative to x86 servers

  A new generation of microservers, based on SoCs, is giving data centers simpler, denser, cheaper options than x86 servers. But there are obstacles.  Continue Reading

• Physical building properties to evaluate during server room design

  Does your server room have space to grow? What's the best mechanical system for it? Start with these questions to develop a good server room design.  Continue Reading

• A new troubleshooting and management process with GRUB2 bootloader

  Nearly everything changed from the GRUB bootloader to GRUB2. With major enterprise Linux distributions moving to GRUB2, it's time to get acquainted.  Continue Reading

• Programming thread-safe mainframe applications with the CICS ENQ command

  Thread safety in mainframe applications means better vertical integration. Take full advantage with the CICS ENQ command.  Continue Reading

• Server cabinet cooling options from hot/cold aisles to full containment

  Server cabinet cooling strategies range from hot and cold aisles to partial and full containment designs, and each pays off in energy savings.  Continue Reading

• When to use Linux memory swap to solve server performance problems

  Adding physical memory may seem like the best way to solve a Linux server's memory shortage. But that's not the only way, so troubleshoot first.  Continue Reading

• Adding application performance monitoring tools to systems management

  Application performance is a key metric for cloud infrastructures. But few companies use application performance monitoring tools or use them well.  Continue Reading

• How to implement SNMP monitoring to augment network monitoring tools

  Network monitoring tools put agents on the devices they track. Augment this data by enabling SNMP monitoring on devices that don't support agents.  Continue Reading

• Uncomplicated server updates with the Spacewalk Linux management tool

  Linux server management software helps refine patching and organization. Choose the Spacewalk Linux management tool or enterprise-grade options.  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

• Linux's flexibility, native hardware integration as a mainframe OS

  Linux OSes pair well with inherently secure mainframe hardware configurations. While software development can be arduous, the benefits are numerous.  Continue Reading

• How to improve network performance via advanced NIC options

  Ethernet networks often struggle with modern data center workloads, but emerging NIC technologies are here to help improve network performance.  Continue Reading

• What to look for in Linux memory usage

  Linux kernel memory management is largely automated, but there are a few ways to analyze and boost Linux memory usage.  Continue Reading

• Analyzing and optimizing Linux power consumption with PowerTop 2

  The PowerTOP tool tracks power consumption in Linux servers. You can tweak servers and applications to consume less power if you understand PowerTOP.  Continue Reading

• New data center cooling strategies to improve efficiency, lower costs

  Stagnant strategies for data center cooling will keep energy bills climbing ever higher, but a more modern approach can bring them back down to earth.  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

• Five steps to take when the server is down

  Companies rely heavily on websites to transact business and stay in contact. Here's how to fix Web server issues and prevent future problems.  Continue Reading

• The basics of selecting server memory

  Understanding modern memory helps IT professionals make the best choices for selecting a server memory configuration and upgrades.  Continue Reading

• A deeper look at memory ranks, channels and types

  Looking for new server memory? Learning about memory ranks, channels and types is a good step to making the right choice.  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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Does UPS maintenance go to IT or the facilities management team?

  The UPS is the last line of defense for keeping your data center alive, but does its care fall to the facilities management team or IT?  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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Proper Linux DRBD setup helps sidestep common issues

  Execute a proper DRBD setup in Linux to save money and avoid headaches.  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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• An introduction to the ARM server

  High scalability and extreme efficiency may allow the ARM server to compete with traditional server architectures.  Continue Reading

• The realities of PUE and PUE v2

  PUE calculations are getting more accurate, but require more caution and common sense when drawing comparisons.  Continue Reading

• Why monitoring data center power consumption is vital

  Monitoring data center power consumption is the first step to reducing energy expenses, but many facilities still lack key monitoring capabilities.  Continue Reading