Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

• Follow these steps to assign vSphere permissions and roles

  Admins can use vSphere permissions to assign VM controls to different IT groups within their enterprise. Follow the networking example below to get started.  Continue Reading

• What are the benefits of private cloud over popular alternatives?

  Don't overlook the advantages of private cloud when choosing a cloud storage implementation. Security, cost and ease of transition make it a viable option.  Continue Reading

• How to cut false security, malware alerts in hybrid cloud

  The bad news: IT teams are deluged by false security and malware alerts with their hybrid clouds. The good news: New tools are here to help.  Continue Reading

• How does VMware secure boot protect VMs and ESXi hosts?

  New to vSphere 6.5, the secure boot feature protects VMs and ESXi hosts from viruses, malware and spyware -- and enabling it is as easy as checking off a box.  Continue Reading

• Compare OpenStack local storage options for now and in the future

  SSDs, HDDs and NVMe can all provide local storage for an OpenStack deployment. But what are the benefits and tradeoffs of each, and how will these technologies evolve?  Continue Reading

• Struggling with testing? Here's how to get lean QA started

  Trying to identify bottlenecks in the software testing process can be challenging, but starting a lean QA effort can help. Expert Amy Reichert explains.  Continue Reading

• What issues can storage I/O control present in vSphere?

  Storage I/O control can be an effective way to handle occasional storage sharing issues, but it is not always suitable for every virtual machine.  Continue Reading

• Phase change memory technology: Where is it headed?

  With the release of Intel's Optane, a product based on phase change memory is finally on the market. Where PCM goes is dependent on quite a few factors.  Continue Reading

• Understand the pros, cons of an AWS cloud VPN service

  Our team will move workloads into AWS, but we need control and security over them. What VPN features does Amazon Lightsail provide, and is it better suited for certain workloads?  Continue Reading

• What happens when acceptance criteria in software testing is missing?

  You can't test something if you don't know what it's supposed to do. Often, testers have a very incomplete understanding of what they're testing. Here's how to fix the problem.  Continue Reading

• How do you change ESXi 6.5 host names and DNS configuration?

  Admins have options when it comes to changing an ESXi 6.5 host name, but only the vSphere Web Client has full functionality in the latest release.  Continue Reading

• How can I prevent data loss during a Linux distribution upgrade?

  It's important to prevent data loss during a Linux OS upgrade. How can partitions or disk drives help IT teams meet that goal?  Continue Reading

• What are some ways to stop and restart OpenStack instances?

  Admins can pause, suspend, shelve or stop a compute instance in OpenStack. But what are the key differences between each option?  Continue Reading

• How will virtual router software benefit the networking industry?

  Although virtual router software has been around for more than a decade, 2017 could be the year vRouting experiences greater adoption due to its available use cases.  Continue Reading

• Which AWS programming language is best for our project?

  AWS developers can choose between a variety programming languages, including Microsoft, .NET, Java and Python. How do they differ and should we use them to develop applications?  Continue Reading

• Are there IT jobs in cloud capacity management?

  If a company moves only 30% of workloads from its data center to the public cloud, that will reduce IT ops demand. Is there still a role for the ops engineer?  Continue Reading

• How do you recreate a missing VMDK descriptor file?

  The descriptor file plays an essential role in a virtual machine disk file, pointing to the larger data file and other VMDK information. So, what do you do when it goes missing?  Continue Reading

• How does Azure Premium Storage billing work?

  For Azure Premium Storage, are users billed by how much storage capacity they actually use or how much they reserve or allocate?  Continue Reading

• Will NFV standards address orchestration in the near future?

  NFV standards for orchestration are affected by the number of standards groups and service providers' individual approaches, says SDN expert Lee Doyle.  Continue Reading

• What are some AWS Marketplace benefits for enterprises?

  Our enterprise lists its services in the AWS Marketplace. What's the best way to use the marketplace to sell our products?  Continue Reading

• Should I allow SSH tunneling connections through the firewall?

  Allowing users to tunnel through a firewall to access any site creates a security risk. How big of a risk is it? It depends on how much you trust your users.  Continue Reading

• How can I ensure that my tape backup technology is secure?

  With the portability of tapes and the ability to store terabytes of data on a single cartridge, appropriate security of tape backup storage is imperative.  Continue Reading

• How do AWS IAM permissions manage resource access?

  We use AWS Identity and Access Management for cloud security, but aren't sure how roles, permissions and policies differ in a cloud security strategy. How do they protect resources?  Continue Reading

• Which caching engines does Amazon ElastiCache support?

  Amazon ElastiCache supports Redis and Memcached as in-memory caching engines. What are the main features of each and how do they differ?  Continue Reading

• What are the limitations when running Active Directory in AWS?

  AWS Directory Service provides three options for running Active Directory in the cloud: Microsoft AD, Simple AD and AD Connector. What are the drawbacks of each AD option?  Continue Reading

• How do I know if my busy QA professionals are actually engaged?

  A busy tester seems like a happy tester, but expert Amy Reichert warns that appearances can be deceiving. Here's why you need to be sure your testers are really paying attention.  Continue Reading

• How can we customize the OpenStack Horizon dashboard?

  Admins can use the OpenStack Horizon dashboard to deploy and manage cloud services. But what are some options for customizing the dashboard's view?  Continue Reading

• What do I need to do to create successful hybrid WANs?

  The market for hybrid network services is growing, and with it comes the challenge of successfully creating hybrid WANs.  Continue Reading

• How long does it take to retrieve data from Glacier storage?

  Our enterprise periodically needs to access cold data from Amazon Glacier. How long does it take to retrieve data, and what are other infrequent data access options?  Continue Reading

• How is runtime as a service different from PaaS or IaaS?

  What is runtime as a service and how does it differ from platform as a service and infrastructure as a service?  Continue Reading

• How do I size capacity for VMware oversubscription?

  What best practices and tools can I use to allocate the right resources in an oversubscribed virtualization deployment?  Continue Reading

• What features are involved with Amazon Glacier backup storage?

  We'd like to move infrequently accessed data to cold storage to save money. How does Amazon Glacier work and what are some of the main features?  Continue Reading

• What vSphere's latest features mean for VMware vDS

  VSphere 5 and 6 offer a number of features to boost networking performance. Let's take a look at how these features affect the functionality of vSphere Distributed Switches.  Continue Reading

• How do I prevent an I/O bottleneck in hybrid cloud?

  In a hybrid cloud deployment, what are some ways to eliminate I/O bottlenecks that hurt application performance?  Continue Reading

• How can a vSphere Distributed Switch improve your networking experience?

  Tools like the vSphere Distributed Switch help numb the pain of networking by introducing robust network features and aggregating virtual switches into a single distributed switch.  Continue Reading

• What is the difference between bit rate and baud rate?

  Learn how to understand the difference between bit rate and baud rate in this expert answer.  Continue Reading

• How do I connect to JSON APIs in an Android project?

  In this article, mobile expert Matthew David walks developers through some of the most effective ways to connect to JSON APIs in an Android-based project.  Continue Reading

• How can you disable snapshots in vSphere 6?

  Reducing the number of snapshots that you have could boost performance. Here's how to disable snapshots completely.  Continue Reading

• How can my company reap the advantages of SDN if its culture is risk-averse?

  SDN expert Will Murrell discusses how the advantages of SDN will speak to cautious companies only when network engineers can make a case for SDN's lower cost and high functionality.  Continue Reading

• How do CloudWatch logging features track resources?

  Between our on-premises and in-cloud resources, our hybrid infrastructure produces a multitude of logs. How can we use Amazon CloudWatch to aggregate and visualize logs?  Continue Reading

• How do RDMA storage systems improve latency reduction?

  RDMA technology can help speed up I/O in storage environments by bypassing copy processes in the software stack when data is called up from a system's memory.  Continue Reading

• How can you increase SSD lifespan and keep performance?

  Solid-state drives offer high performance, but their cost remains prohibitive. Here are some ways to prolong your SSD lifecycle while maintaining performance.  Continue Reading

• Connecting APIs: How to integrate a JSON framework with iOS

  Apple now supports two developmental languages. This means integrating JSON with iOS isn't as difficult as it might seem. Expert Matthew David explains further.  Continue Reading

• How do I convert CPU hours to MIPS for mainframe capacity planning?

  For better mainframe capacity planning, how do I convert CPU hours to MIPS? And is there a way to calculate the relationship between MIPS and MSUs?  Continue Reading

• How do AWS configuration management tools work?

  When running AWS in our enterprise, it has been a challenge to keep tabs on active resources. Which native tools define and maintain configuration scripts?  Continue Reading

• What cloud security controls are best for due diligence?

  With increasing use of cloud sending more enterprise data outside of the organization's control, due diligence is crucial. Expert Dan Sullivan offers advice on how to get it right.  Continue Reading

• What is the DevOps role for operations people?

  In a DevOps world, it can be hard to know where Dev ends and Ops starts. Expert Tim Western explains what the various DevOps roles can and should be.  Continue Reading

• How does AWS fit into the application testing process?

  Our on-premises environment makes QA difficult, as our resources are limited. How can a public cloud provider like AWS enable a more effective process to test applications?  Continue Reading

• When should we run Oracle on EC2 vs. RDS?

  There are different approaches to running Oracle Database on AWS. What are the strengths and limitations of using Amazon RDS and EC2 for Oracle Database?  Continue Reading

• What licenses do we need to run Oracle Database on AWS?

  Working in AWS has made it difficult for our enterprise to keep track of software license limitations. What restrictions should we watch for when running Oracle on AWS?  Continue Reading

• Why is there an Outlook folder missing from Outlook Web App?

  Some folders in a mailbox on Exchange Server 2013 are not showing up on the folder list in the OWA virtual directory but do appear in other views.  Continue Reading

• How can active-active clustering use load balancers?

  Active-active clustering and cloud services enable IT workload resilience or redundancy in the enterprise. How does load balancing influence these setups?  Continue Reading

• How can I troubleshoot AWS connectivity problems?

  Our business is having trouble connecting to our AWS resources. We're not sure if this is an availability or connectivity issue. How can we determine the problem?  Continue Reading

• Hardware vs. software load balancer: Which is better for an enterprise?

  Can a software load balancer perform with the same capabilities as a hardware load balancer? Decide which aides enterprise the best in this hardware vs. software load balancer comparison.  Continue Reading

• How do I set up a file sharing server for three clients?

  If I want to share files between three client machines and a Windows server, what are my options?  Continue Reading

• When should I use Azure VM Scale Sets?

  Microsoft Azure VM Scale Sets help cloud admins manage a collection of VMs as a single unit. But what workloads are they best suited for?  Continue Reading

• My MPLS service contract expires soon -- should I renew?

  The rise of SD-WAN has many asking: Do we really need MPLS connectivity? Expert John Burke explains what factors to consider before renewing your existing contract.  Continue Reading

• Making an AWS Lambda function and microservices work together

  Our developers want to switch to microservices to improve scalability and ease upgrades to our AWS-based applications. How does AWS Lambda support this type of architecture?  Continue Reading

• What are my options for Azure ExpressRoute connections?

  For companies that need a private connection and full access to different Azure regions, Microsoft offers a premium version of Azure ExpressRoute.  Continue Reading

• Should I make a storage LUN for each server?

  In some scenarios, more than one LUN per server makes sense. In others, it's better to maintain a one-to-one ratio. So which is better?  Continue Reading

• How can I share Outlook calendars from the EMC?

  Is there a way to gain access to multiple users' calendars from the Exchange Management Console in Exchange 2010?  Continue Reading

• What works for daily event log monitoring?

  I have 80 Windows servers in the data center. What can I use for daily event log monitoring?  Continue Reading

• Will most 3D NAND flash products continue to feature TLC?

  Vendors are using TLC flash in their 3D NAND flash products, which allows for greater capacity at a lower cost, according to Brien Posey.  Continue Reading

• Do you have to choose between smoke and regression tests?

  Software testing options abound. In the battle of smoke versus regression tests, which scenario fits best? Expert Amy Reichert explains how and when to use both for the best results.  Continue Reading

• What's the best way to secure Amazon S3 buckets?

  Our enterprise stores different types of data, including video and graphics, in Amazon S3. What options are available to secure Amazon S3 buckets and encrypt our data?  Continue Reading

• How is cloud penetration testing different for AWS, Google, Azure?

  Penetration tests help organizations spot vulnerabilities in their public cloud environments. But how are the testing requirements different for AWS, Google and Azure?  Continue Reading

• Can time management improve productivity of QA testers?

  Despite what you might think, time management is possible. Expert Amy Reichert explains how QA testers can stop procrastinating and take charge of their lives.  Continue Reading

• How are microservices and cloud computing related?

  Microservices and cloud are both on the up and up when it comes to enterprise adoption. But what exactly is the connection between the two technologies?  Continue Reading

• How can enterprises manage the cybersecurity skills gap?

  Due to the demand for professionals with backgrounds in both computer science and networking, filling cybersecurity jobs is difficult. Technology will have to play a bigger role.  Continue Reading

• What's the best way to handle end-of-sale devices on your network?

  A majority of organizations have end-of-sale and end-of-life devices on their networks. What's the best way to ensure your equipment is up to date?  Continue Reading

• How do you modernize legacy apps for mobile devices?

  Here are several options for incorporating mobile apps as part of a legacy system modernization effort. Approaches include vendor apps and writing APIs.  Continue Reading

• How do you verify a HA server or cluster is working?

  I want to ensure server high availability in my production IT environment. Is it better to test server HA and risk disruption, or trust in the systems' reliability?  Continue Reading

• Product owners don't have time to write Agile user stories? You write them.

  If the product owner won't or can't write the vital Agile user stories, expert Ben Linders explains how to take on this project yourself.  Continue Reading

• How will software-defined WANs impact the enterprise?

  SD-WAN has a lot of potential for enterprises, especially as developers cobble together custom services and capabilities.  Continue Reading

• What is a cloud-based system?

  Get an overview of what a cloud-based system is and what would work best in your enterprise.  Continue Reading

• What can I do to gain Java skills and leave mainframe programming?

  I have two years of experience in mainframe technology, currently working as a mainframe developer. I want to change to Java technology.  Continue Reading

• How do vRealize Automation and vRealize Orchestrator differ?

  VMware offers two products that can help automate cloud management tasks to provide more consistency with the distribution of IT services.  Continue Reading

• How does AWS Simple Email Service differ from my email server?

  Our business sends promotional emails and newsletters. We like our current email server, but could AWS Simple Email Service help with our marketing efforts?  Continue Reading

• What is the best archival media type?

  Many archival media types are available, including disk and cloud, but their level of reliability and storage density varies.  Continue Reading

• Why are object stores a good match for archival data storage?

  Latency in object stores that stems from a large amount of metadata means the technology is better suited to non-transactional data.  Continue Reading

• What is the best pattern to use for data persistence?

  When designing an application, developers must decide how to implement data persistence. Brad Irby explains which data persistence pattern to consider.  Continue Reading

• What is collaboration and why is it important to Agile methodologies?

  Agile methodologies stress the benefits of collaboration, working with cross-functional teams to encourage communication between business owners and IT.  Continue Reading

• What is eventual consistency in object stores?

  Eventual consistency in object stores can be an issue because object storage is spread over many nodes and up-to-date data may not always be available.  Continue Reading

• What are some good suggestions for code refactoring tools?

  Code refactoring tools are plentiful, so how do you choose the one that's right for you? Brad Irby explains what to look for when choosing a tool.  Continue Reading

• Can I use Mikrotik vs. Cisco switches in a data center?

  I'm purchasing rack-level access switches for an enterprise data center, and weighing Cisco vs. Mikrotik, which is less expensive.  Continue Reading

• What separates object storage systems from SDS?

  Although software-defined storage and object storage can work in similar ways, there are significant differences between the two.  Continue Reading

• Can a VMware snapshot resurrect a VMDK file?

  Snapshots can be used to undo botched upgrades, but can they be used to rebuild a broken VMDK file?  Continue Reading

• How does Elastic File System affect AWS storage costs?

  Amazon only charges for actual storage capacity incurred in its new Elastic File System service. Fine, but what is the final price for the service?  Continue Reading

• Is there an SDN open source alternative to NSX?

  VMware's NSX and Cisco's ACI platforms have gotten the most attention in the SDN space, but is there room for open source alternatives?  Continue Reading

• What are the best ways to prevent refactoring problems?

  How do refactoring problems come about, and is there a way to predict them? Contributor Brad Irby has the answers.  Continue Reading

• Help! I deleted a Linux boot partition

  I deleted a partition on my Linux system, but I still see a boot menu. How do I re-install GRUB2 and not lose data?  Continue Reading

• What's the difference between EMC VNX series and ViPR?

  Brien Posey explains how two of EMC's virtual storage products work and for what use cases they work best.  Continue Reading

• How can we save money in Amazon EC2 Container Service?

  Our group doesn't need containers all the time. How can we scale back or stop a Docker container that's running in Amazon Elastic Container Service?  Continue Reading

• Will memristor technology replace NAND flash?

  Brien Posey says that with HP working on a memristor-based computer it plans to launch by 2020, the technology could eventually succeed NAND flash.  Continue Reading

• The good and the bad of online discussion forums

  What is the value of online discussion forums? This expert sees the good and the bad in online forums.  Continue Reading

• What are SR-IOV pros and cons with Hyper-V?

  SR-IOV in Windows Server 2012 R2 supports Hyper-V Live Migration, but system requirements hampered adoption for some cases. Should everyone put PCIe SR-IOV to use?  Continue Reading

• What are the limitations and drawbacks of an IPAM server?

  Windows Server IPAM can only handle one Active Directory forest. Learn about other limitations.  Continue Reading

• What are protocol endpoints in vSphere VVOLs and how do they work?

  VMware's new VVOLs feature allows storage functionality to be distributed on a per-VM basis. Protocol endpoints are integral to proper allocation.  Continue Reading

• Taming data center disturbances with vRealize Operations Manager

  As more workloads and servers are virtualized, the vSphere administrator will need some kind of tool to help keep an eye on resources and make intelligent choices.  Continue Reading

• What's the effect of network switch buffer in a data center?

  What's causing buffer? How much buffer should ideally be available in a network switch? Is there any standard available for buffer?  Continue Reading