Tips

Tips

• Calculating carbon emissions in the data center

  While data center carbon measurement is in its infancy and lacks hard standards, it still may benefit IT admins to know basic methods for calculating carbon emissions as carbon legislation begins impacting data centers.  Continue Reading

• IBM's zPDT offers developers z/OS on the desktop

  IBM's System z Personal Development Tool (zPDT) allows developers to emulate z/OS on their desktops, but could zPDT be more beneficial if it IBM made it available to a broader audience?  Continue Reading

• Determining the true value of a server operating system

  One of the most critical decisions a network manager can make is which server operating system to deploy. Making that choice is fraught with budget limitations, corporate politics and a numerous other factors. Here, an expert discusses how to ...  Continue Reading

• Look to the Kyoto wheel to maximize free data center cooling

  The Kyoto wheel, a heat wheel redesigned specifically for data centers, can extract the maximum benefit from free air-side cooling. By incorporating Kyoto wheels into your data center cooling strategy, you can drastically lower electrical ...  Continue Reading

• How to install Webmin and ease data center server management

  In this introduction to Webmin, learn how the tool can make it easier to manage Unix and Linux servers in your data center. An expert describes how to install Webmin and get started with this free systems management tool.  Continue Reading

• Seven criteria for implementing an effective cloud computing plan

  Moving a data center's infrastructure to a cloud computing platform requires extensive and granular planning. In this tip, a former IT admin details seven criteria that serve as a guideline for the implementation of an effective cloud computing ...  Continue Reading

• An introduction to mainframe backup utilities

  In order to meet today's storage needs, a system backup strategy needs to be both comprehensive and fine-grained. A mainframe expert details two IBM mainframe backup utilities -- IEBCOMPR and IEBCOPY -- that make up a comprehensive and fine-grained...  Continue Reading

• Bus track and busway power distribution: Power anywhere?

  Bus track and busway power distribution in the data center is a growing trend that allows for greater flexibility and accommodation of rising power densities. This in-depth exploration of bus-type power systems will help you decide whether this is a...  Continue Reading

• Overcoming common Unix-to-Linux migration pitfalls

  You may encounter problems when moving from Unix to Linux. Learn about hardware and application compatibility challenges and how to overcome deployment errors and how to prevent them including client testing, shell script testing, and more.  Continue Reading

• Linux distribution migration: Planning for efficiency

  Migrating from one Linux distribution to another to consolidate the operating systems within your data center? Learn what steps are needed for a smooth transition with support.  Continue Reading

• Serializing on the mainframe with the compare-and-swap instruction

  The compare-and-swap instruction is one of the mainframe's low-cost serialization options. In this tip, mainframe expert Robert Crawford explains compare-and-swap features and limitations.  Continue Reading

• Best practices for choosing a colocation data center

  Incorporating colocation into your IT strategy eliminates the expense of building or upgrading your own facility, but choose your colocation data center wisely, as providers vary greatly in terms of service costs, connectivity and service-level ...  Continue Reading

• Booting a Xen virtual machine from CD-ROM or DVD

  If your Xen virtual machine fails, you may want to boot it from an installation disk and run the rescue program. Learn the required steps to succesfully boot a Xen virtual machine from a disk on a Linux machine.  Continue Reading

• How to approach IT staffing in today's data center

  Virtualization and tight budgets have changed IT staffing in modern data centers. Find out how to blend skills and technology for the best mix.  Continue Reading

• Running z/OS on x86: Should IBM release a mini-mainframe?

  Would running z/OS on x86 with a "mini-mainframe" allow users the benefits of mainframes with the simplicity of distributed systems? In this tip, mainframe expert Robert Crawford makes the case for x86 mainframes and discusses how IBM could approach...  Continue Reading

• Data center transformer types and the K-Factor

  The K-Factor system rates data center transformers, and the typical options are K-1, K-13 and K-20. Consider purchase price and potential cost savings when choosing a transformer.  Continue Reading

• Which data center power distribution voltage should you use?

  As power density rises, IT departments are reconsidering which data center power voltage to use. This tip covers power distribution options and which factors to consider to make the best choice for your data center.  Continue Reading

• Using virtualization for cost-effective servers

  If it's done right, optimizing server utilization with virtualization can save data centers money.  Continue Reading

• Five things you didn't know Bash could do on Linux

  Bash offers a lot of tools to Linux admins, and it may take you years to get a handle on all the useful ones. Learn five lesser-known Bash scripts for your Linux systems including extended globbing, cdspell shell options, improved Bash history, ...  Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting PGMIDERR/AEI0 ABEND in CICS Transaction Gateway

  This tip delves into resolving PGMIDERR/AEI0 ABEND errors within the CICS Transaction Gateway. The solution to these errors isn't always an intuitive one, and may require several additional and lengthy steps along the way.  Continue Reading

• Using libguestfs to easily access Linux virtual machine file systems

  Libguestfs is a library on Linux that helps you access and modify virtual machine disk images. You can then run Linux commands and troubleshoot the machine image from the libguestfs shell or host operating system. Learn how to navigate libguestfs, ...  Continue Reading

• Putting old data center hardware to use

  After a consolidation, old data center hardware can do a lot more than just take up space in your facility. This tip explores options for putting old IT equipment to use.  Continue Reading

• Efficiently managing z/OS WLM

  IBM's z/OS Workload Manager (WML) is designed for the best response time, but it doesn't always result in balanced workloads. This tip delves into z/OS WLM efficiency.  Continue Reading

• How to optimize VM placement in data centers

  Move from conservative to aggressive VM placement and reap the server consolidation benefits while maintaining performance.  Continue Reading

• Common security flaws to check for on your Linux-based Web systems

  Your Linux server may have Web application-related security vulnerabilities that should be checked out and repaired. These can include passwords, PHP code injection, weak file and directory permissions and outdated Apache and PHP versions. Learn ...  Continue Reading

• Expanding CICS security on the mainframe

  While CICS security is generally adequate in terms of locking down resources, there are some instances where the existing resources may be used differently or non-CICS components might seek to be secured. Find out how to improve your protection. ...  Continue Reading

• Making Sybase database upgrading easier with 'A Practitioner's Guide to upgrading to Sybase ASE 15'

  Learn more about the nuances of the upgrade to Sybase ASE 15 in this Q&A with a veteran Sybase expert and author of 'A Practitioner's Guide to upgrading to Sybase ASE 15.'  Continue Reading

• Novell drops NetWare support: What do millions of users do?

  Novell's NetWare support is ending and millions of users must choose a new OS with comparable services. This tip outlines possible strategies for replacing NetWare.  Continue Reading

• Fixing Linux I/O write performance problems

  Learn how to optimize your Linux server for I/O writes by adjusting I/O scheduler settings and journaling settings along with some advice about partition set-up.  Continue Reading

• Using common Linux mail clients with an Exchange Server

  Begin your migration away from Microsoft Exchange by learning how to set up Linux mail clients, Evolution and Thunderbird, to talk to Exchange.  Continue Reading

• Analyzing Linux write performance problems with iotop

  Write performance on a Linux system may be causing a performance problem, and iotop shows you how the write processes are affecting I/O and storage. The iotop Linux command is more informative than top for determining the cause of the Linux server ...  Continue Reading

• Will a transformerless UPS work for your data center?

  In recent years, the popularity of the transformerless UPS has begun to rival that of transformer-based systems. But is the transformerless UPS as reliable and efficient of a choice for your data center?  Continue Reading

• Narrowing down GTF trace output

  The General Trace Facility (GTF) in MVS is useful for identifying problems, but narrowing down GTF trace data can be daunting. This tip offers a how-to on narrowing down GTF trace output to simplify debugging.  Continue Reading

• How the vSwitch impacts the network in a virtualized data center

  Though a vSwitch, or virtual switch, is very similar to a physical switch, larger virtualized data centers should be aware of how vSwitches can impact the network in terms of management, configuration and more.  Continue Reading

• Installing Ubuntu 9.10 and the Eucalyptus enterprise cloud computing platform

  Learn how to install Ubuntu 9.10 server edition with Eucalyptus enterprise cloud and set it up to manage applications on AWS or other infrastructure services. Features of the Ubuntu store, including available operating system images and the use of ...  Continue Reading

• Porting applications from Unix to Linux

  To port applications to Linux start with an in-depth discovery process, examining Unix application compatibility and determining whether they're compatible with Linux. The hardware platform and operating system distribution also need to be ...  Continue Reading

• Linux cloning over the network using netcat

  Use netcat to clone Linux images over the network onto multiple servers with a series of simple Linux commands including tar, tee, and dd. This alternative to tools like Clonezilla does not require setting up a separate server.  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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Air flow management strategies for efficient data center cooling

  To achieve efficient data center cooling, you must reduce your facility's air flow waste. In this tip, an expert outlines air flow management strategies and best practices that can improve data center air flow, including the installation of blanking...  Continue Reading

• Preventing a data center power outage

  Today's data centers run a greater risk of running out of power and experiencing outages. In this tip, an expert discusses how to monitor data center power and strategies to reduce power demand, such as virtualization, colocation, and ...  Continue Reading

• Understanding green IT and data center energy-efficiency regulations

  With many green IT and data center energy-efficiency regulations already in place and more on the way, it's important to understand these policies and their effects on your business. In this tip, learn about current and pending IT environmental ...  Continue Reading

• Optimizing server energy efficiency

  Reducing data center energy consumption is a hot topic in the IT industry, but server energy efficiency has only recently become a focus of discussion. Improving server efficiency means optimizing the main components that impact a server's overall ...  Continue Reading

• Using CICS dump tables to manage problems in online systems

  The CICS dump table feature, which maintains tables for transaction and system dumps, can be useful for diagnosing and managing problems in online systems when the information you need isn't available through default channels.  Continue Reading

• Using flywheel power for data center uninterruptible power supply backup

  Using flywheels for data center uninterruptible power supply backup can offer benefits over traditional power storage, including less restrictive cooling and ventilation requirements, a longer lifespan, less maintenance, and more.  Continue Reading

• Five common Linux security vulnerabilities you may be overlooking

  Contrary to popular belief, Linux has security risks, that if not addressed can lead to malicious attacks of your system. Linux system administrators need to make security vulnerability testing a priority.  Continue Reading

• Server cluster failure considerations to maintain a fault-tolerant data center

  Server clustering can help you achieve a fault-tolerant data center, but cluster failures can cause problems if your heartbeat monitoring system is on the same network as your production workload. An expert discusses the problems he encountered with...  Continue Reading

• The pros and cons of brand-name vs. black-box servers

  Are servers from brand-name manufacturers worth the cost, or do generic black-box servers offer more bang for your buck? Users should weigh price, features and support options.  Continue Reading

• Manage CICS workloads with transaction classes

  Using transaction classes is a great way to manage CICS workloads that come in varying or unpredictable increments. Learn how to define transaction classes, calculate a maximum active number and get examples on how to use transaction classes in this...  Continue Reading

• When to use Solaris vs. Linux: Operating system comparison

  When should you go with Solaris and when should you go with Linux? What about OpenSolaris – what is it exactly and where does this fit into the mix? Ken Milberg describes the advantages of the three operating systems, and suggests how each may...  Continue Reading

• Linux distributions ranked for speed, security, support, performance: Whirlwind Tech Tour

  How do Linux distributions compare in terms of performance, support services, security and speed under different enterprise conditions? Linux experts compare Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Novell SUSE Linux Enterprise and Ubuntu against these criteria.  Continue Reading

• Using z10 HiperDispatch for vertical CPU management

  The new HiperDispatch feature for the IBM z10 mainframe manages CPU vertically instead of horizontally. This new feature could boost performance on large transactional workloads.  Continue Reading

• Improving data center cooling capacity with chilled water plants

  With a chilled-water plant, you can improve your data center cooling capacity and possibly prevent more drastic measures, such as having to build a new facility.  Continue Reading

• Comparing blades with rack servers on price, performance

  Are blades or rackmount servers more cost-effective? Several experts weigh in on the factors to consider, including space constraints, power consumption, and performance.  Continue Reading

• Ensuring server time synchronization with NTP on SLES

  Synchronize your SUSE Linux Enterprise Server times using NTP time server. Two servers are recommended for enterprise situations, as redundancy will save the day in case of a disaster.  Continue Reading

• Repairing SUSE Linux Enterprise Server using a Rescue CD

  SUSE Linux Enterprise Server offers a Rescue CD for repairing the system if your hardware causes a crash at reboot. This tip shows you how to use it.  Continue Reading

• Use DFHLS2WS to expose CICS applications as a Web service

  DFHLS2WS is one of the Web services assistants that allows traditional CICS applications to provide or consume Web services without significant changes and without getting into the details of SOAP or XML coding.  Continue Reading

• Business continuity planning consultants: Are they worth the money?

  When embarking on business continuity planning for your data center, the first step is deciding who will lead the process. In-house personnel may be qualified, but if not a consultant is what you need.  Continue Reading

• Which database is best for multiple platforms: Windows, Linux and Unix

  Linux expert Ken Milberg offers advice on database selection for the heterogeneous data center, and recommends Oracle based on market share, support and technical abilities.  Continue Reading

• The future of the mainframe in healthcare: Two scenarios

  Mainframe use in the healthcare industry may look different depending out the outcome of the 2008 presidential election. Each candidate has a different healthcare system proposal that would be a change from the present system.  Continue Reading

• How to troubleshoot RHEL performance bottlenecks

  This tip provides a step-by-step approach to application-tuning, troubleshooting bottlenecks and enhancing performance on RHEL 5 systems.  Continue Reading

• Data center commissioning: Data center construction runbook, Chapter 4

  Selecting a data center commissioning agent may be just as important as the design firm you select. Chapter 4 of the data center construction runbook outlines the commissioning process, how to select a commissioning agent and common pitfalls to ...  Continue Reading

• Essential tools for mainframe operation and management

  Working on the mainframe can be slow and tedious, but there are tools that can improve your mainframe efficiency. Robert Crawford shares his favorite tools: cut and paste, HSSF, SAS, MXG and REXX.  Continue Reading

• Chilled-water production optimization for data center cooling

  Optimizing chilled-water production is a little-noticed practice that can reduce data center energy consumption. This article outlines optimal configuration of the water chiller system, control strategies and equipment selection, which is the first ...  Continue Reading

• Using External Call Interface (EXCI) to access CICS

  In this CICS tip, mainframe expert Robert Crawford outlines how to use External Call Interface (EXCI) to access CICS from anywhere on the mainframe.  Continue Reading

• Using OpenSSL to create and manage certificates

  Establishing an independent certificate authority with OpenSSL enables you to create public key certificates and to verify that these public keys are authentic and that email messages are secure.  Continue Reading

• IBM z10 mainframes and event-driven architectures: Pull the trigger

  The mainframe is becoming better able to support service oriented architectures (SOAs), and therefore EDAs, than ever before. Enterprise driven architecture's (EDA) ability to offer real-time decision support will make it the next "big thing," and ...  Continue Reading