Tips

Tips

• Five questions on data center virtualization

  Data center virtualization is mature and reliable, offering significant benefits to businesses that deploy it.  Continue Reading

• Changing vendors: Avoiding pitfalls, IT vendor contract negotiations

  Negotiating IT vendor contract terms is crucial for protecting business continuity, physical property and intellectual assets when contracts end.  Continue Reading

• Preparing for network virtualization

  Network virtualization may demand LAN upgrades and configuration changes to achieve optimal performance.  Continue Reading

• Aisle-lighting tips for data center design

  Lighting is an often-overlooked aspect of data center design, but a little bit of preplanning can make hardware, labels and color-coded wires much more visible.  Continue Reading

• Using open source tools to monitor Apache Web Server performance

  Much of today’s business relies on smooth operation of Web servers. Explore these three open source tools to monitor performance, security and traffic on Apache Web servers.  Continue Reading

• Best practices for maintaining a data center CRAC unit

  A CRAC unit failure could often have been avoided through preventive maintenance and correctly sizing cooling infrastructure.  Continue Reading

• Implementing SBD STONITH in Linux HA clusters

  An SBD STONITH approach is simple to set up and is a reliable way to ensure data integrity in a Linux HA cluster.  Continue Reading

• Safeguarding Linux HA server integrity with STONITH

  Designing an approach to automatically shut down a failing node is an important step in protecting data and system integrity in a Linux HA cluster.  Continue Reading

• Basic disassembly: Decoding the opcode

  Programmers can find benefit from disassembling object code–a lost art that begins with understanding the opcode.  Continue Reading

• Securing an Apache Web server with SELinux

  Learn how to keep your Apache Web server secure by applying basic SELinux settings, including adjusting SELinux so Apache uses nondefault settings.  Continue Reading

• Best practices for setting up RAID groups

  Setting up RAID groups is a simple process, but admins should know the pros and cons of various RAID levels and take steps to prevent common problems.  Continue Reading

• Evaluating mainframe system monitoring tools

  There are many system monitoring tools available for mainframes. This tip can help administrators analyze and choose the tool that fits their needs.  Continue Reading

• Considering a raised floor in the data center

  Tile material, strength and durability are important factors to consider when selecting and installing a raised floor in a data center.  Continue Reading

• Selecting raised floors, panels for the data center

  Choosing raised floor panels capable of supporting the weight of data center equipment cabinets requires taking a close look at strength ratings and manufacturers’ claims.  Continue Reading

• Considerations for V2V and V2P workload migrations

  Although there are few situations in which V2V or V2P migrations are necessary, administrators needing to make these moves must be prepared to handle unique challenges.  Continue Reading

• Management tips for planning P2V migrations

  Migrating workloads from physical to virtual machines, or P2V, can present network traffic issues if the move isn't carefully planned.  Continue Reading

• Server refresh options: When to rent a server vs. when to buy

  Companies looking to replace old hardware must consider long-term goals and evaluate financing options when deciding whether to buy or rent a server.  Continue Reading

• Advantages and drawbacks to public cloud services

  Public cloud providers can help an organization save money, but it can be hard for some IT professionals to overlook the disadvantages associated with outsourcing services.  Continue Reading

• When is server hardware too old?

  Modern server hardware is allowing systems to handle more jobs and last longer, easing capital expenses for many data centers.  Continue Reading

• Addressing the EPO switch and data center downtime

  An EPO switch can be a major liability, potentially leading to accidental downtime, but electrical code doesn’t require all data centers to have a big red button.  Continue Reading

• Transaction and database management on z/OS mainframe systems

  Transaction and database management tools for mainframe systems, such as CICS, IMS and DB2, have been around for decades, but have evolved over the years to fit the needs of enterprise customers.  Continue Reading

• Ensuring high availability in the data center

  Using high-availability exclusively in a virtual environment does not provide a data center with the best possible protection.  Continue Reading

• Seven things you should know about mainframe systems

  Vendors are continuing to invest in mainframe platforms, but should you do the same? Find out why mainframe systems still deserve some serious consideration.  Continue Reading

• Managing Red Hat from a graphical environment over SSH with PuTTY

  Red Hat Enterprise Linux administration can be conducted through a GNOME graphical interface. Learn how to remotely use these tools over an SSH connection using PuTTY.  Continue Reading

• Power management technology for the green data center

  HP, IBM and APC are making initiatives to improve power measurement and facilitate green data center developments.  Continue Reading

• Data center design standards for cabinet and floor loading

  The weight of today’s racks and equipment cabinets can stress floor structures, making it crucial to consider floor loading requirements in your data center design.  Continue Reading

• Server benchmarking tools and stress testing

  Admins should turn to several tools to perform benchmark testing and compare results to verify accuracy. This tip outlines the role of stress testing and lists several tools available to engineers.  Continue Reading

• Best practices for server benchmark testing

  Following the scientific method when benchmark testing a server will help reduce variables and produce accurate performance results.  Continue Reading

• What to look for when conducting benchmark tests with PerfMon

  Microsoft's PerfMon benchmark tests measure a wide range of processes and server aspects, but it can be difficult for IT professionals to understand the numbers and interpret the results.  Continue Reading

• Mastering the Linux history command

  Learning how to take advantage of the Linux history command, as well as the Bash variant, can save Linux admins a lot of time. Discover how the command works, including shortcuts, searching and settings.  Continue Reading

• How to improve KVM performance by adjusting KSM

  KVM Virtualization on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 is optimized for hosting environments with many virtual machines by using kernel samepage merging. But, disabling KSM can provide better performance in a smaller virtualized Linux system.  Continue Reading

• Comparing the advantages of zshell over bash shell in Linux

  Linux admins interested in using zsh instead of bash shell will learn what is similar and what is different. Zshell offers new features for tab completion and typo correction and others that would be much more complex in bash.  Continue Reading

• 'Free' data center cooling: Methods and challenges

  While air- and water-side free cooling aren't options in every climate, data center managers can improve data center energy efficiency by simply using outside temperatures.  Continue Reading

• Using low-latency network switches to improve traffic

  Today's mixed traffic networks generate high traffic volume that can overburden network switches.  Continue Reading

• Improving server capacity planning

  Allocating computing resources to changing workloads is an ongoing challenge, but proper server capacity planning can lead to more efficient use of a data center's resources.  Continue Reading

• Creating RPM packages in Linux

  RPM software management on Linux systems truly has an advantage when you create your own RPM packages. Learn how to use the enhanced vim option to automatically generate a template file after creating a new RPM file with the .spec extension.  Continue Reading

• Using Zabbix for open source network management

  Proactive monitoring and other advanced features have contributed to the growing popularity of Zabbix as an open source network-management tool.  Continue Reading

• Identifying and resolving network performance issues

  Monitoring network performance using tools, such as the VMware esxtop utility, can help to identify dropped packets and network interface card teaming problems.  Continue Reading

• Getting work onto zIIP processors

  IBM zIIP processors are a great idea in theory, but there are quite a few obstacles to overcome when managing zIIP workloads.  Continue Reading

• Data center outsourcing management: A closer look at IaaS and DCaaS

  Understanding the subtle differences between Infrastructure as a Service and Data Center as a Service is key to choosing the right outsourcing management practice.  Continue Reading

• Safer failover testing procedures for the data center

  Haphazard failover testing can be dangerous, but you can minimize the potential risk of data loss or corruption by following a few straightforward procedures.  Continue Reading

• Blade servers: An introduction and overview

  Blade servers add muscle to demanding workloads and virtual data centers, but they also pose some concerns, including power consumption and management complexity.  Continue Reading

• Choosing the right server for mission-critical applications

  Planning ahead when selecting a server for mission-critical applications can help you recognize virtualization opportunities and identify potential points of failure.  Continue Reading

• Best practices for backup power maintenance

  Testing generators and inspecting batteries are just part of maintaining a backup power system that can help prevent unexpected data center downtime.  Continue Reading

• Optimizing Linux for SSD usage

  Default Linux settings won't allow you to take advantage of SSD performance gains. Learn four ways to optimize SSD performance on your Linux system in this tip.  Continue Reading

• The data center humidity conundrum

  There are several measures for data center humidity, including relative humidity and dew point temperature, and knowing which ones to use can extend hardware life.  Continue Reading

• Data center management for geographically split data centers

  Geographically split data centers can reduce disaster recovery time to zero, but splitting data centers requires an intelligent network and savvy data center management.  Continue Reading

• Using Vagrant with Puppet to create VirtualBox hosts

  Vagrant integrates with Puppet and Chef to automate configuration management to build VirtualBox hosts. Linux systems admins can use this technology for quickly creating development hosts and production hosts.  Continue Reading

• The problems with code reuse

  Reading this set of guidelines before considering code reuse could facilitate system management and reduce performance errors.  Continue Reading

• Setting up a centralized Linux log server

  One of the many benefits of using Linux as a central logging server is that you can set up logging via syslog. Syslog allows messages to be sent over the network to a centralized log host, which is the ideal scenario for managing logging.  Continue Reading

• Data center management using DCIM tools

  DCIM tools can help facilitate data center management and energy monitoring, but DCIM software does not come without its own set of challenges and limitations.  Continue Reading

• Using DCIM tools to monitor data center power

  Although DCIM tools include many capabilities for monitoring data center power and facilitating data center management, you should know their associated costs before implementing projects.  Continue Reading

• Exploring the features of the XFS file system on Linux

  The XFS file system has been designed to deal with high file volumes and large files more efficiently. Find out how the file system manages these files, and when it might be appropriate to use this file system on your Linux servers instead of Ext3 ...  Continue Reading

• Strategies for planning a data center move

  If you have plans to relocate your mainframe shop, remember that the best data center move strategies include careful testing and a team that's both business- and tech-savvy.  Continue Reading

• Increasing network bandwidth available to virtual machines

  These three tips on increasing the amount of network bandwidth available to your VMs, including virtual network creation, can also potentially increase a host server's VM density.  Continue Reading

• Addressing data center power failure and its root causes

  Data center downtime is most often a result of human error. But with proper capacity planning and battery selection, among other steps, a data center power failure can be averted.  Continue Reading

• Deciding when to use Linux file system barriers

  Linux file system barriers in Ext3 and Ext4 protect data written to the journal. Learn how these barriers work and in which use cases they are a benefit, and in which cases you should disable them on your Linux servers.  Continue Reading

• Doing business with Apache OFBiz: Open source ERP solution

  Many large sucessful enterprises use Apache OFBiz as their ERP solution. Find out how to get started with this open source tool for your e-business.  Continue Reading

• Addressing data center power path issues and common failure points

  The loss of power in the data center is often troublesome and unexpected, but knowing these common failure points and ways to mitigate power path issues can ease the burden.  Continue Reading

• Configuring load balancing with Linux Virtual Server

  Using Linux Virtual Server, learn how to configure load balancing to help avoid busy servers and achieve optimal resource utilization on your Linux system.  Continue Reading

• Truths and reasoning behind mainframe modernization

  Mainframe modernization offers a host of benefits, including cost savings and preserving investments in legacy applications, but is it the best strategy for your IT department?  Continue Reading

• Nagios notifications: Setting up alerts in the network monitoring tool

  In this tip on the open source network monitoring tool Nagios, learn how to set up custom configurations that can send Nagios notifications to admins at any time of the day.  Continue Reading

• Five tips for negotiating IT support contracts with vendors

  With IT budgets slashed, now is the time for vendor negotiation to get the most bang for your contract buck. These five approaches can help lower IT support contract costs.  Continue Reading

• Best practices for VM workload management, resource allocation

  Effective VM workload management practices such as setting metrics can help you achieve the most efficient workloads and avoid the mistake of over-allocating resources to a VM.  Continue Reading

• Working with Linux file system attributes

  File system attributes can provide a valuable addition to the way you ensure security on your Linux server. Learn how to mount, list and change file system attributes in ext4.  Continue Reading

• SELinux tutorial: Introduction to Linux kernel security

  SELinux may seem too complex for some administrators who instead disable the useful Linux kernel security tool. Learn how SELinux works, including how subjects and objects work and security policy settings.  Continue Reading

• Improving IT efficiency with server virtualization technology

  The Motley Fool turned to server virtualization technology as its answer to improving IT efficiency and flexibility in the wake of rampant data center growth.  Continue Reading

• Server virtualization software, refresh cycles go hand-in-hand

  By exploring server virtualization software and implementation, one healthcare provider found that a server refresh provided a prime opportunity to improve workload efficiency.  Continue Reading

• SAN technology considerations for data center virtualization

  While storage area networks (SANs) are key in a virtualization rollout, one company found that problems can arise when an initial SAN deployment isn't properly planned.  Continue Reading

• Two forgotten but useful CICS transactions

  While CICS has evolved its system interface, the lesser-known CICS transactions ADYN and CSFE can still be useful for debugging and other tasks.  Continue Reading

• Setting up MindTouch document management on a Linux system

  MindTouch is an open source document management system alternative to SharePoint and other commercial software. In this tip, learn how to set up MindTouch on a Linux server, using CentOS 5.5 as the example system.  Continue Reading

• RHEL 6 ditches System V init for Upstart: What Linux admins need to know

  System V init is fading to a memory in Linux boot systems as the new Linux disdribution releases, such as Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6, switch to using Upstart. Learn what is different with this boot service and how to work with it to get your Linux ...  Continue Reading

• Optimizing SUSE Linux performance for VMware environments

  Learn how to optimize Suse Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) on VMware by optimizing VMware and SUSE. For better performance, switch to VMware's paravirtualization disk driver and adjust I/O settings in SUSE along with changing the journal settings.  Continue Reading

• Managing virtual data center growth and virtualization challenges

  With careful testing, planning and management, virtual data center growth doesn't have to be an issue, even with problems that crop up with some virtualization technologies.  Continue Reading

• Bash commands for navigation, sharing, and find

  Learn how to use Bash on a Linux server to change command line navigation, switch around in directories, file first redirection, three find commands, and how to show people the command line without giving them access through rerouting.  Continue Reading

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux security mechanisms: SELinux, iptables and more

  When setting up Red Hat Enterprise Linux on your data center servers, you need to make security decisions. Learn about security options for RHEL including SELinux, iptables firewall, TCP Wrapper and application security use considerations.  Continue Reading

• Is it time for a data center hardware refresh?

  Options are plentiful when you're considering whether to refresh older data center hardware, even when IT budgets are not.  Continue Reading

• Virtual machine backup strategies

  Virtualization admins can mix traditional data backup technologies and newer tactics for safer, more efficient virtual machine backups.  Continue Reading

• Creating an inventory with nmap network scanning

  Nmap network scanning generates a full system inventory, but it's only usable with the right parameters and output format. Learn how to create an nmap inventory in this tip.  Continue Reading

• Mounting file system resources with AutoFS

  AutoFS allows resources to be mounted on an as-needed basis, simplifying the management of NFS shares. This tip walks you through the process of setting up AutoFS.  Continue Reading

• Incorporating adiabatic humidification into your data center

  Adiabatic humidification is a more energy-efficient means of providing humidity to data centers, and this tip outlines the steps to incorporating it into your data center.  Continue Reading

• Monitoring and optimizing host server performance

  Application performance is even more important in physical servers that share multiple VMs, so ongoing monitoring and optimization of virtual host servers should be routine in any virtual data center  Continue Reading

• Making the most of server maintenance contracts

  When trying to obtain the most value from your servers, watching terms and doing homework on server maintenance contracts can save at the negotiating table.  Continue Reading

• Converting XML to data structures using the CICS TRANSFORM command

  This tip explains how to use the new CICS TRANSFORM command for converting XML to data structures and vice versa.  Continue Reading

• The pros and cons of cloud computing migration

  IT managers should consider the pros and cons of cloud computing migration, and find a balance between the rewards and risks associated with moving a data center to the cloud.  Continue Reading

• Setting up a syslog server in Linux

  A central logging server can make it easier to manage logs. In this tip, learn how to collect and centralize syslog messages from your hosts onto one syslog server in Linux.  Continue Reading

• Using your Linux server to create an ad-hoc wireless network

  In this tutorial, an expert explains how to set up an ad-hoc wireless network access point with your Linux server.  Continue Reading

• Uptime, TIA and BICSI: Who runs the data center design standards show?

  With three major players in the game, where should you look for data center design standards? This tip discusses the similarities and differences between the Uptime Institute tier system, TIA-942 and BICSI 002-2010.  Continue Reading

• Kerberos authentication in RHEL: Easing Windows-Linux integration

  Kerberos authentication for CIFS offers easier Windows-Linux integration. In this tip, learn how Kerberos authentication works and how to set it up in Red Hat Enterprise Linux.  Continue Reading

• Unix overview: The latest features in AIX, HP-UX and Solaris

  Each of the major Unix versions have been updated with useful new features recently. In this overview, get up to date on the features you should know about in the latest releases of IBM AIX, Hewlett-Packard's HP-UX and Oracle's Solaris.  Continue Reading

• The IT chargeback system in a virtual data center

  Managing chargeback can be a difficult task. Multiple company departments may share server hardware in a virtual data center. Learn how to implement an IT chargeback system that charges departments for resources fairly.  Continue Reading

• Moving to Fibre Channel over Ethernet in the data center

  High data center demands require an efficient network to move data efficiently. Learn why Fibre Channel over Ethernet may be a good networking technology option, and how to make the switch.  Continue Reading

• Displaying Puppet reports on Puppet Dashboard

  Managing configurations with Puppet just got easier. In this tip, learn how to display your Puppet reports on the Puppet Dashboard GUI.  Continue Reading

• Server virtualization training and education needed for successful virtualization rollouts

  Virtualization technology is still a long way from Plug-and-Play. Successful virtualization rollouts need staff with the proper education and skills, and IT admins need to understand when it's time to add staff or tinker with the training.  Continue Reading

• Optimizing Linux swap space usage

  Today's powerful servers with plenty of RAM can make swap space seem like a thing of the past, but knowing how much you need can help keep your system running smoothly.  Continue Reading

• Managing CICS performance with Workload Manager

  Workload Manager is a useful tool for easily managing CICS performance on the mainframe. This tip details how CICS and WLM interact with one another and how to use WLM to manage CICS response times.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft Windows Server 2008 licensing for virtualization

  Choosing the right Windows Server 2008 edition can save big money in a virtual data center.  Continue Reading

• Installing the ModSecurity Web application firewall on Red Hat Enterprise Linux

  Learn how to set up the ModSecurity Web application firewall on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.4 and Apache Web server 2.2.x. This firewall monitors access to Web servers to ensure that requests are valid and not malicious.  Continue Reading

• The history of Unix on the PC: Exploring lesser-known variants

  This tip explores the history of Unix, from its creation by AT&T in the 1960s to its present-day use on x86 hardware and PC-compatible systems. Brush up on your Unix history and learn about Unix variants that you never knew existed.  Continue Reading

• How to prevent and correct server cooling failures

  Advanced planning can prevent server cooling failures, and good practices can help to remedy them and minimize the negative impact on your data center.  Continue Reading