Problem solve

Problem solve

Get help with specific problems with your technologies, process and projects.

• Design a business intelligence system properly -- for business users

  Rick Sherman explains how to avoid common mistakes when planning and designing BI systems, saying that the varying needs of different business users must be front and center. Continue Reading

• Why the change management process is important for DR

  Paul Kirvan discusses the importance of the change management process for disaster recovery in this Expert Answer. Continue Reading

• Hypervisor-based replication in VMware and Hyper-V

  Independent backup expert Brien Posey discusses native hypervisor-based replication in VMware and Hyper-V, in this Expert Answer. Continue Reading

• Resolving CommVault Simpana error code 91:29

  Independent backup expert Brien Posey details what causes CommVault Simpana error 91:29 and how to resolve it in this Expert Answer. Continue Reading

• Ten common reasons for VM restore failure

  When a VM restore fails, you must troubleshoot quickly. Event logs are a good start, but can be cryptic. Here are 10 causes of VM restore failures. Continue Reading

• Using data profiling techniques -- and estimating the effort required

  Data profiling is a key part of data quality efforts. Here's a simple formula for calculating the amount of time needed to profile a data set.Continue Reading

• Crash-consistent vs. application-consistent backups of virtual machines

  Marc Staimer of Dragon Slayer Consulting compares crash-consistent and application-consistent backups of virtual machines in this Expert Answer.Continue Reading

• Techniques for performing EFS recovery

  IT pros face the daunting task of EFS-encrypted data, but Brien Posey offers EFS recovery tricks in this tip.Continue Reading

• How to dispose of unwanted backup media

  Brien Posey looks at the inherent problems with backup media disposal. Because it contains sensitive data, you must dispose of it safely.Continue Reading

• Big data, fast: Avoiding Hadoop performance bottlenecks

  A variety of performance issues can bog down Hadoop clusters. But there are ways to sidestep the pitfalls and keep your big data environment humming.Continue Reading

• Using PowerShell for bare-metal recovery

  Brien Posey shows you how to create backup in PowerShell that is suitable for performing a bare-metal recovery.Continue Reading

• Coca-Cola overcomes challenges to seize BI opportunities

  The Coca-Cola Co. understands that analytics challenges can be overcome and that a team approach helps businesses take advantage of BI opportunities.Continue Reading

• Pros and cons of the integrated data backup appliance

  Data center backup solutions are complicated; hence, the integrated data backup appliance. George Crump examines whether it is the right approach.Continue Reading

• Gartner describes the building blocks for a strong MDM program

  MDM teams should consider these seven building blocks, outlined by Saul Judah, research director on the information management team at Gartner Inc.Continue Reading

• The keys to a compliance-ready records retention schedule

  Data retention and destruction have become key elements of compliance, making a retention schedule essential to a successful GRC program.Continue Reading

• Building an incident response plan

  Learn how incident response plans offer a starting point for responding to a situation and then deciding how to proceed in this tip from Paul Kirvan.Continue Reading

• IPhone vs. Android backup

  Eric Slack of Storage Switzerland compares iPhone and Android backup in this Expert Answer.Continue Reading

• Should you back up Google Drive contents?

  George Crump of Storage Switzerland discusses whether it is necessary to back up Google Drive contents in this Expert Answer.Continue Reading

• Should you back up Dropbox contents?

  George Crump of Storage Switzerland discusses whether it is necessary to back up Dropbox contents in this Expert Response.Continue Reading

• Microsoft ReFS backup: Ensuring compatibility and testing

  Independent backup expert Brien Posey outlines important considerations for Microsoft ReFS backup in this tip.Continue Reading

• Change management tips for BI program managers

  TechTarget's Wayne Eckerson writes that business intelligence managers can learn some valuable lessons from the book "Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard."Continue Reading

• Real-time querying in Hadoop? Not so fast

  Hadoop vendors are adding real-time query engines to the open source software. But the jury is out on that effort, writes Wayne Eckerson.Continue Reading

• The importance of cloud recovery testing

  Brien Posey explains why it is extremely important to perform cloud recovery testing that simulates a real recovery following a catastrophe.Continue Reading

• Virtual machine backup and restoration in a Windows failover cluster

  Learn about Windows failover clusters and their role in VM backups and restoration in this tip from Microsoft expert Brien Posey.Continue Reading

• Performing Microsoft System Center DPM bare-metal recovery

  Bare-metal recovery with Microsoft System Center DPM is easier than you might think. Brien Posey explains the process in this tip.Continue Reading

• Don't run from 'big data' tools, but approach with caution

  There's nothing magic about "big data" technologies such as Hadoop and NoSQL databases, says BeyeNetwork expert Barry Devlin, who poses a series of questions to ask before deploying them.Continue Reading

• 'Big data' analytics danger: Death by a thousand cuts

  Companies that view "big data" and associated analytics processes as the ultimate answer to business decision-making needs do so at their own peril, writes BeyeNetwork expert Barry Devlin.Continue Reading

• Why 'big data' is like seawater for text analytics

  You can't just drink water from the ocean, writes BeyeNetwork expert Bill Inmon. Similarly, he says, unstructured text in "big data" pools must be refined before it's used in analytics applications.Continue Reading

• The value of VMware’s Changed Block Tracking (CBT)

  VMware’s Changed Block Tracking is an important part of VMware’s efforts to simplify and improve the VMware virtual machine backup process.Continue Reading

• Active Directory restores: How to restore deleted objects

  Brien Posey shows how to perform an Active Directory restore using authoritative and non-authoritative techniques.Continue Reading

• Removing a bad patch using Microsoft Windows Server Update Service

  This tip offers information about how to remove a bad software patch using Microsoft Microsoft Windows Server Update Service.Continue Reading

• IIS backup: How to protect Microsoft Internet Information Services

  This tip offers information about how to perform a Microsoft IIS backup.Continue Reading

• Five Microsoft DPM errors and how to prevent them

  Microsoft DPM can produce a wide variety of errors. This article discusses how to solve five common errors that you are likely to encounter.Continue Reading

• Key issues to consider when building a data warehouse

  There are numerous issues, both technical and cultural, that organizations need to consider before building a data warehouse. Learn what they are from our data warehousing expert.Continue Reading

• Backing up VMs: Traditional apps vs. virtual machine backup software

  In this tip on backing up VMs, learn about the pros and cons of traditional backup software vs. VM backup software.Continue Reading

• Wbadmin backup tips for backing up Windows

  The Windows Wbadmin backup command can appear deceptively simple to use. In this tip, we'll teach you the basics of using Wbadmin and its commands.Continue Reading

• Printer backup and recovery tips

  Learn the best way to back up and recover your printers when you upgrade a server from Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008.Continue Reading

• Microsoft's Hyper-V snapshots offer quick VM backups, but with limits

  Microsoft’s Hyper-V snapshots offer a quick way to back up virtual machines during upgrades, but they’re no substitute for long-term archives.Continue Reading

• Six tips for improving data warehouse performance

  Get six expert tips for improving data warehouse performance. Learn how database engines, SSDs and MOLAP cubes can affect your data warehouse performance.Continue Reading

• High availability guidelines and VMware HA best practices

  Elias Khnaser discusses VMware High Availability best practices in this chapter excerpt. After you read the excerpt, download the full backup and high availability chapter.Continue Reading

• Hyper-V recovery: Top tips for restoring Hyper-V virtual machines

  Good backups are only one half of a solid data protection plan. Check out our best tips for solving common Hyper-V recovery problems.Continue Reading

• Off-site disaster recovery: DR solutions for remote offices

  Learn how to find the right off-site disaster recovery solution for your remote or branch office.Continue Reading

• How to back up and restore domain controllers with Windows Server Backup

  Learn how to back up and restore domain controllers with Windows Server Backup in this backup tip by Brien Posey.Continue Reading

• CommVault Simpana 8 backup tips: Storage policies and data retention

  Learn important data backup tips using CommVault Simpana 8 about storage policies and data retention.Continue Reading

• Seven aspects of a successful business intelligence (BI) architecture

  Knowing what makes for a successful business intelligence (BI) architecture can help you plan and expand your current BI system. Learn what your BI architecture should include.Continue Reading

• What is the difference between data definition language (DDL) and SQL?

  Learn the difference between a data definition language (DDL), also known as data descriptive language, and the Structured Query Language (SQL). Find examples of both DDL and SQL.Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting common NDMP backup errors

  Learn how to troubleshoot the most common NDMP backup errors, and what you can do to prevent them.Continue Reading

• What is a business impact analysis questionnaire and what types of questions should be included?

  Harvey Betan explains that a BIA questionnaire is used to gather valuable and important data about a company, the industry and other background information in this expert response.Continue Reading

• Steps for converting a logical data model into a physical data model

  Learn how to convert a logical data model into a physical data model via data modeling best practices. Find out how DDL and your data modeling practices play a role in conversions.Continue Reading

• Data backup and storage networking basics: Why back up network hardware?

  Learn about why it's important to back up your network hardware, get troubleshooting tips and expert advice about network hardware backup in this article.Continue Reading

• What are aggregate tables and aggregate fact tables?

  Here you'll see examples and read definitions of aggregate tables and aggregate fact tables. You'll also learn how to use aggregate tables in data warehouses and databases.Continue Reading

• Data warehouse concepts: Data flow and sending data to source systems

  Learn about a data warehouse concept: data flow. And find out if it's a good idea to flow data from your data warehouse or data marts back to source systems.Continue Reading

• Due diligence on a disaster recovery plan enables business continuity

  Creating an effective disaster recovery plan is essential to business continuity, regardless of ambiguity around IT controls for data protection.Continue Reading

• Network server backup best practices: Backing up clustered servers

  Backing up network servers can be tricky, especially if you're backing up clustered servers. Learn clustered server backup best practices in this tip.Continue Reading

• Service-level agreement management considerations when using online data backup services

  There are many service-level agreement management considerations to be aware of when using online data backup services. Read our list before you sign on the dotted line.Continue Reading

• How to back up encrypted files and how to use the Encrypting File System

  With data backup security being such a high priority, more organizations are encrypting the contents of their file servers. Although encryption improves security, it can complicate an organization's backup efforts.Continue Reading

• The pros and cons of tape media storage for backup and recovery in SMB environments

  Learn about the pros and cons of tape media storage, and if tape storage is the right fit for your SMB environment.Continue Reading

• The pros and cons of IT disaster recovery outsourcing

  Outsourcing DR is becoming a popular option for many companies because of its lower cost. Learn about the pros and cons of outsourcing DR in this tip.Continue Reading

• Using different types of storage snapshot technologies for data protection

  Storage snapshots are commonly used to enhance data protection systems and dramatically shorten recovery time objectives (RTOs) and recovery point objectives (RPOs). Here's a look at the different types of snapshot technologies and the pros and cons...Continue Reading

• What's the difference between a disaster recovery plan and a business continuity plan?

  Kevin Beaver describes the difference between disaster recovery and business continuity planning in this ask the expert response.Continue Reading

• What is the difference between a logical and physical warehouse design?

  What's the difference between logical design and physical design? Get an expert's take, plus learn about three data warehouse models -- the user model, physical model and logical model -- and how they differ.Continue Reading

• Is it better to have a centralized or decentralized master data structure?

  Should your master data be centralized or decentralized? Get an expert's take, plus find out how different MDM architecture styles affect your master data and MDM hub.Continue Reading

• Six criteria for master data management (MDM) tool evaluation

  Starting to evaluate MDM tools and software? Know what six areas you should look at to make sure you choose the best vendor and tool for your business needs.Continue Reading

• Solutions for backing up open files in a Microsoft Windows environment

  Just because a file is open doesn't mean it shouldn't be backed up. Learn solutions for backing up open files in a Windows environment in this tip.Continue Reading

• Real-life examples of effective dashboard design

  Browse through these optimized dashboard examples from BITadvisors, Inc., including examples of strategic, tactical and operational dashboards. Find out how to encourage interactivity in dashboards and how to set up your dashboard.Continue Reading

• Using Symantec Backup Exec Advanced Open File Option

  Symantec Backup Exec has been around for more than a decade. Learn about using its Advanced Open File Option to back up open files.Continue Reading

• How to select an MPP database: DB2 vs. Teradata

  Should you run a massively parallel processing (MPP) database with DB2 or Teradata? Find out how to compare DB2 vs. Teradata and how to choose a database system and with advice from a data warehouse expert.Continue Reading

• Four must-have master data management project skills

  There are four important master data management project skills needed for MDM projects and development efforts. Discover what they are and learn about MDM job roles and responsibilities in this tip.Continue Reading

• Data replication tools for disaster recovery

  For companies whose recovery time objective (RTO) and recovery point objective (RPO) for business-critical applications is a few minutes, data replication tools represent an efficient strategy for disaster recovery (DR).Continue Reading

• Using an autoloader tape drive for data backup in SMBs

  For SMBs, an autoloader tape drive offers more convenience than a standalone tape drive, and a lower price than a tape library. Learn more about using an autoloader tape drive in an SMB environment.Continue Reading

• Understanding data deduplication ratios in backup systems

  Data deduplication ratios can be very confusing. Learn about how to estimate a data deduplication ratio in your backup system and how to evaluate a dedupe product in this tip.Continue Reading

• EMC NetWorker backup best practices

  Brien Posey shares EMC NetWorker backup best practices and troubleshooting tips in this article on EMC NetWorker backup.Continue Reading

• Defining dimensional vs. normalized database design, dimension vs. fact tables

  Find out if your existing database is in dimensional style or normalized database design style, learn the benefits and drawbacks of fact-dimension and normalized database schemas and read a comparison of dimension tables vs. fact tables.Continue Reading

• IBM Tivoli Storage Manager backup software tips

  IBM Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM) has been a popular data backup software product for more than 15 years. Learn about TSM implementation best practices, and how to troubleshoot common Tivoli Storage Manager issues.Continue Reading

• What are the most common system implementation mistakes?

  Learn about some of the biggest mistakes in system implementation and why successful implementations are few and far between. Find out how to avoid these pitfalls with careful planning and more tips from our project management expert.Continue Reading

• Data deduplication technology: The business case for dedupe

  If you've considered implementing data deduplication, you may be asked how it will benefit your business. This tip will help you decide if dedupe is right for your business.Continue Reading

• Including employees in your disaster recovery plan

  To really ensure business continuity, organizations need to protect and support employees while continuing to manage the business. This tip examines key issues that are affecting employees in business continuity and disaster recovery situations.Continue Reading

• A comparison of data compression and data deduplication technologies for SMBs

  Data deduplication can often refer to technologies that aren't really deduplication at all. In this tip, we'll discuss the different types of data compression, the pros and cons of each and offer recommendations for SMB storage environments.Continue Reading

• How to back up and restore a certificate store

  One type of server that is critical to back up is your enterprise certificate authority. If you lose your certificates, you lose data.Continue Reading

• Data deduplication methods: Block-level versus byte-level dedupe

  Block-level and byte-level data deduplication methods deliver the benefit of optimizing storage capacity. When, where and how the processes work should be reviewed for your data backup environment and its specific requirements before selecting one ...Continue Reading

• Top 10 things to ask a vendor when buying backup software

  Before you rush out to buy new data backup software, here are 10 questions you should ask potential backup vendors to help you decide what is best for your backup environment.Continue Reading

• Benefits and drawbacks of incremental and differential backup

  The differences between incremental and differential backups continue to generate many debates and cause confusion. Read this tip to learn how incremental and differential backups differ, and the benefits, drawbacks and uses of each.Continue Reading

• What are the components of service-oriented architecture (SOA)?

  What are the components that make up service-oriented SOA? Find out in this expert response.Continue Reading

• What's the difference between SOA and Web services?

  How are Web services and service oriented architecture (SOA) different? Find out in this expert response.Continue Reading

• Definition of data abstraction and data abstraction layers

  Data abstraction simplifies database design. Learn the definition of data abstraction and find out the three formal kinds of abstraction layers, from a database expert.Continue Reading

• Backup and recovery basics: Testing your backups

  All too often testing is the missing step in making backups. This tip explores how often you should be testing your backups and some things to look out for.Continue Reading

• The pros and cons of file-level vs. block-level data deduplication technology

  Some data deduplication approaches operate at the file level, while others examine data at a block level. This tip explores advantages and disadvantages of each method.Continue Reading

• The differences between block-based and file-based data backup

  This tip examines the differences between block-based and file-based data backup and will help you choose what's best for you.Continue Reading

• Data deletion or data destruction?

  It's often assumed that once data has been marked for disposal, it no longer requires much attention. But when data backups or archives are deleted, are they really gone?Continue Reading

• Using BETWEEN with DATETIMEs in SQL

  Expert Rudy Limeback is asked if SQL can be used to retrieve data between two dates, including the two dates.Continue Reading

• How to evaluate data warehouse software in five steps

  Get five steps to evaluating data warehouse software from a data warehouse expert.Continue Reading

• Enterprise versus project level conceptual data modeling

  Learn the differences between enterprise level and project level conceptual data modeling, and find out how both approaches are compatible.Continue Reading

• Four ways to streamline your data backup process

  Are your data backup operations out of control? Here are four tips to help you streamline your data backup and recovery process.Continue Reading

• Data warehousing, data mining and data querying: Terms and definitions

  Learn the difference between data warehousing, data mining and data querying.Continue Reading

• Data model conversion: Conceptual design to logical design using an ER model

  Learn two common approaches to converting a data model from a conceptual design to a logical design.Continue Reading

• Can a dimension table be a fact table for another data mart?

  Find out if a dimension table can be a fact table for another data mart -- and get an explanation of the answer.Continue Reading

• What is electronic vaulting?

  Electronic vaulting usually fits between tape backup and disk mirroring as part of an overall data protection plan.Continue Reading

• The ETL process and MySQL

  Get advice on the ETL process and ETL tools for transforming raw data in MySQL.Continue Reading

• What are the benefits of a conceptual data model?

  Learn the functions and potential benefits of a conceptual data model, from data modeling expert Pete Stiglich.Continue Reading

• Data mining tools: Advantages and disadvantages of implementation

  Learn the advantages and disadvantages of data mining tools and of implementing data mining technology.Continue Reading