Features

Features

• Your key products for enterprise application integration

  Tom Nolle helps you determine which EAI software product is most appropriate for your company.  Continue Reading

• Facing network breach threats, visibility is key

  In this Q&A, an IT pro at Penn Mutual shares how his dual strategy of user education and Layer 7 visibility helps prevent network breaches.  Continue Reading

• Performance counts when buying a solid-state storage device

  More than half of our surveyed companies are using flash now, with plans to use it for more than just mission-critical apps.  Continue Reading

• What you need to know about the ALM methodology

  Gerie Owen provides an overview of ALM methodology, covering its requirements, development and maintenance phases and its core components.  Continue Reading

• Five cons of container technology

  Containers promise rapid scalability, flexibility and ease, but they're not right for every workload.  Continue Reading

• Brace your infrastructure for a microservices approach

  Before transitioning to microservices, it's crucial to consider the effects on your underlying infrastructure and network -- and to plan ahead.  Continue Reading

• What are data center-class switches?

  Choosing the right switch for your data center can be a difficult task. This article looks at how data center-class switches are evolving in the enterprise to offer flexibility and speed for new traffic flows.  Continue Reading

• Facebook completes Chef DevOps migration, shares lessons

  The mistakes, best practices and tools that Facebook shares from its migration to Chef configuration management apply to your DevOps shop too.  Continue Reading

• Exploring capabilities, costs of Microsoft Azure cloud

  Microsoft Azure targets enterprises that want to connect their existing data centers to the cloud. But is Azure the best bet for your organization?  Continue Reading

• Beat the risks of managing public, private APIs

  Management strategies for private and public APIs should be different. An expert offers best practices for creating effective approaches for each.  Continue Reading

• Getting a handle on Google Cloud Platform options

  With a range of options for big data, storage and more, Google Cloud Platform has become the public cloud of choice for many enterprise users.  Continue Reading

• HP MSA 2040 storage array

  The HP MSA 2040 is a rack-mountable modular storage array for SAN environments that includes increased support for virtualization.  Continue Reading

• Learn how to use BitLocker in Windows Server 2012

  BitLocker is an encryption feature in all versions of Windows Server 2012 that can protect the data on your PC and hard drive. Learn how to install and use it.  Continue Reading

• Tracking VMware's expansion from humble beginnings

  VMware got its start by overcoming the technical hurdles of server virtualization and now faces other barriers as it expands its reach to other markets.  Continue Reading

• EMC VMAX Series storage arrays

  The EMC VMAX is a family of SAN arrays designed for enterprise environments requiring large amounts of storage.  Continue Reading

• A closer look at cloud storage use cases, strategies

  Find out how primary storage vendors are closely integrating with cloud storage providers in ways that enable new uses for cloud storage.  Continue Reading

• Understanding public cloud risks and costs

  Public cloud boasts a number of enterprise benefits, but it isn't perfect. Enterprises should be aware of unpredictable cost structures and other drawbacks.  Continue Reading

• Hewlett-Packard 3PAR StoreServ 7000 Series Storage Arrays

  The HP 3PAR StoreServ 7000 series is a line of storage arrays designed for enterprise SAN environments.  Continue Reading

• Five quick links: Managing big data in the cloud

  Cloud computing can streamline big data management and analysis. But, before diving in, be sure to know the latest in cloud and big data technology.  Continue Reading

• Cultivating the API Economy

  How can hacking be used to make better APIs? Find out the answer and get more API tips in this report from DeveloperWeek 2015.  Continue Reading

• Atlantis USX 2.0

  Atlantis Computing's USX 2.0 claims the silver medal in the storage system software category in Storage magazine's Products of the Year competition.  Continue Reading

• Nimble CS700

  Nimble Storage adds a higher-capacity model to its iSCSI hybrid arrays, plus an all-flash shelf to bulk up performance.  Continue Reading

• Scality Inc. Ring 5.0

  Scality's Ring 5.0 software-defined storage shares the bronze award in the Products of the Year storage system software category with VMware's VSAN.  Continue Reading

• HP OneView for VMware vCenter 7.4.2

  HP OneView for VMware vCenter management software provides a complete look into virtual environments, spanning both physical and virtual layers.  Continue Reading

• Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud features explained

  AWS EC2 is a cloud service that's easy to use and easy to set up if companies understand its many facets and features.  Continue Reading

• Big data and analytics advice from an operations pro

  You don't need to employ special IT personnel for big data analytics. One company uses big data for developers to modify ads and find and adjust pain-points in a game application.  Continue Reading

• IBM Tivoli software for enterprise system management

  IBM Tivoli enterprise system management products are designed to manage all aspects of a data center, including storage, monitoring and automation.  Continue Reading

• Dell OpenManage enterprise system management overview

  Dell's OpenManage product suite provides tools and modules to manage both Dell and third-party IT infrastructures.  Continue Reading

• What does ‘software defined’ actually mean?

  Software defined is a term used to describe a wide variety of products, but it’s often used to catch your attention rather than describe a product’s function  Continue Reading

• Cloud data security comes with hefty price tag

  As attacks on IT systems with sensitive data continue, cloud security becomes a top concern. Users won't find the best security practices on a clearance rack.  Continue Reading

• Five mobile testing tools for developers to consider

  This review of five mobile testing tools, Appium, Selendroid, ios-driver, Sauce Labs and Perfecto Mobile, will kick-start your research in a growing software market.  Continue Reading

• How do you define data center size, density?

  With shifts in the scale and density of data centers, one industry organization is drawing up ways to standardize how we talk about data center size and power needs.  Continue Reading

• Answering common VMware NSX platform questions

  VMware's network virtualization product promises both flexibility and security in one of the few areas where innovation has lagged in the data center.  Continue Reading

• The case for a leaf-spine data center topology

  Three-layer network designs are last season's topology. The leaf-spine model is coming in hot, but can the advantages made data center designers forget about the weaknesses?  Continue Reading

• SAN storage systems purchases driven by capacity, performance

  Anticipated year-over-year capacity growth of 24% and the need to boost the performance of existing applications is driving new SAN storage systems.  Continue Reading

• Business application hosting on-premises vs. cloud options

  Is it better to look for a SaaS version of an app, put it in your own data center on existing equipment, or host it at a cloud provider for a mix of flexible scaling and IT ownership?  Continue Reading

• VMware vSphere Fault Tolerance gets a makeover

  Users left wanting to know more about vSphere 6.0 after day one of VMworld. Their wishes were granted on day two when VMware introduced new features in its latest suite of virtualization products.  Continue Reading

• EVO:RAIL creates buzz after release at VMworld 2014

  VMworld 2014 started off with EVO:RAIL, the company's hyper-converged infrastructure. The release caused constant chatter on social media.  Continue Reading

• Umpqua Bank employs NSX, micro-segmentation for enterprise security

  Umpqua Bank's Sam Guidice tells how the organization deployed VMware's NSX as part of its effort to utilize micro-segmentation for enterprise security.  Continue Reading

• Redundant cloud storage ensures high availability

  Redundant cloud storage gateways and redundant WAN links help companies avoid protection gaps that could result in outages or data loss.  Continue Reading

• Network programming skills from scripting to DevOps: What to learn

  Networking pros don't need to become code monkeys, but a little network programming can go a long way toward advancing their careers.  Continue Reading

• Keys to a painless data migration process

  Moving data from array to array has always been a difficult process, but new techs and techniques make your data migration process easier than ever.  Continue Reading

• Denser is better: Increased storage and server density

  For storage and servers, being dense is good. Careful planning can maximize the benefits of greater computing densities while minimizing potential risks.  Continue Reading

• FAQ: Software testing in the cloud

  Tackle the basics of testing software in the cloud with these answers to frequently asked questions.  Continue Reading

• What is object storage technology (and why should you care)?

  Object technology offers scalability, economical operation and better data management; but it's very different from file and block storage systems.  Continue Reading

• What you need to know about flash caching

  Using solid-state storage as cache can boost server and application performance dramatically, but the kind of flash cache you choose is critical.  Continue Reading

• Best of VMworld 2014 Awards: Rules and criteria

  Read the official Best of VMworld Awards rules and find out how to nominate products.  Continue Reading

• Controversial hot aisle containment practices

  Is your hot aisle too hot for OSHA? New data center trends are causing concern. You might need to adapt to adhere to the law.  Continue Reading

• How many VMs per host is too many?

  The ultimate host server welcomes hundreds of virtual machines. But that doesn't mean consolidation should outrank performance.  Continue Reading

• Six things that can wreck storage system performance

  Performance bottlenecks can occur in different places in a storage system. Here's how to identify and eliminate them.  Continue Reading

• Build your knowledge of UML diagrams

  These six questions will help you build a better understanding of UML diagrams.  Continue Reading

• Violin 6000 arrays feature proprietary flash modules, memory fabric

  Violin 6000 Series all-flash storage arrays use proprietary flash modules, memory fabric architecture and RAID to improve performance and latency.  Continue Reading

• How to leverage the power of open source BPM

  Establishing a relationship with open source BPM providers can help users quickly resolve technical issues and reduce internal IT staff.  Continue Reading

• Knowledge, skills and abilities for software QA jobs

  The right knowledge, skills and abilities for QA jobs don't necessarily include test script automation or security testing skills. Jenn Lent explains.  Continue Reading

• Backup targets: Tape libraries and VTLs

  Tape drives, tape libraries and virtual tape libraries are among the popular backup target options available today.  Continue Reading

• BPM workflow management software answers IT manager's call

  An inside look at how an IT manager researched workflow management software to determine how to best meet his organization's growing needs.  Continue Reading

• Learn about using Amazon AppStream to stream resource-gobbling apps

  In this feature, contributor Caroline de Lacvivier answers frequently asked questions about Amazon Web Services' new developer tool, Amazon AppStream.  Continue Reading

• FAQ: AWS takes on real-time processing with Amazon Kinesis

  Amazon Kinesis was launched at the 2013 AWS conference. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions to help you decide if it's right for you.  Continue Reading

• Figuring out when 16 Gbps Fibre Channel storage networking makes sense

  Moving to 16 Gbps FC makes sense for IT shops with new and heavily virtualized servers, solid-state storage and test firm president advises.  Continue Reading

• Deciding why and when to use an integration framework

  An integration framework is an important tool for managing the movement of data between applications and organizations.  Continue Reading

• Considering migration to the cloud? Answer five key questions first

  In this Q&A, Todd DeCapua of Shunra Software Ltd. discusses considerations for minimizing risk and maximizing benefits in a migration to cloud.  Continue Reading

• Social media loosens up sober BPM

  Companies are switching from closed-door BPM to a more democratic approach, and their cue comes from the madding crowd of social media.  Continue Reading

• Data center network design moves from tree to leaf

  Leaf-spine designs are pushing out the hierarchical tree data center networking model, thanks to the popularity of Ethernet fabric networks.  Continue Reading

• Big data storage and analytics

  There are two basic types of big data analytics—synchronous and asynchronous—but both have big data storage appetites and specialized needs.  Continue Reading

• Networking server-based storage

  Direct-attached or server-based storage is gaining renewed attention as emerging techs offer ways to pool and share this scalable storage resource.  Continue Reading

• What to consider when storing data in the cloud

  Storage administrators who want to keep data in the cloud need to consider collaboration regulations, cost factors and performance requirements.  Continue Reading

• Big data storage architecture: Categories, strengths and use cases

  We explore distributed nodes, scale-out NAS, all-SSD arrays and object storage as choices for a storage architecture for big data.  Continue Reading

• Best practices for SSD technologies

  No longer a luxury item for well-heeled data centers, SSD technologies are more affordable than ever and come in a variety of form factors with a choice of deployment options.  Continue Reading

• Recognizing and correcting common VM migration problems

  A careful and systematic approach can speed the recognition and correction of common VM migration problems.  Continue Reading

• Q&A: Microsoft's Brad Anderson talks Windows Server 2012 R2

  Microsoft's Brad Anderson discusses new features in Windows Server 2012, including a faster update cycle and cross-platform integration.  Continue Reading

• What is Ethernet-dedicated Internet?

  Ethernet-dedicated Internet is a continuous, high-bandwidth way for enterprises to connect their LANs to the public Internet and to streamline the performance of their WAN.  Continue Reading

• 10 ways to improve virtual server storage

  Virtual server storage operations can have a profound effect on the storage network. Here are 10 ways to help ensure that your storage yields its best I/O for the VMs it supports.  Continue Reading

• Primer: A new generation of programmable ASICs

  Programmable application-specific integrated circuits allow the data plane of switches to support new technologies, like software-defined networking.  Continue Reading

• IBM SmartCloud Enterprise–Object Storage cloud plans expansion

  IBM SmartCloud Enterprise–Object Storage cloud service plans to expand and offer customers 99.999% availability with three or more copies of data.  Continue Reading

• Cloud computing services: Lease vs. own

  Many services and applications can be handled by cloud computing providers. But enterprises should look carefully at cost before deciding whether to lease or own.  Continue Reading

• How to plan for a campus core switch refresh: Basic requirements

  Network architects and engineers discuss the features and functions they look for when planning a campus core upgrade.  Continue Reading

• Mobile apps development: Defining requirements is a whole new ballgame

  Software pros must address three critical issues in the requirements phase of mobile apps development: choosing a platform, security and usability.  Continue Reading

• Tegile Zebi HA2800 Storage Array

  The Tegile Zebi HA2800 multiprotocol array can be used as an all-flash system or in front of a pool of hard drives as a hybrid array.  Continue Reading

• NexGen Storage Inc. n5-150 Storage System

  IT admins using the NexGen Storage n5-150 Storage System can guarantee performance to each app and isolate workloads from one another on the SAN.  Continue Reading

• The king of all backup jobs: Backing up the Library of Congress

  The Library of Congress is the ultimate backup job, preserving petabytes of Internet data and created from turning physical files into digital ones.  Continue Reading

• VMware VADP and vSphere Data Protection FAQs

  VStorage API for Data Protection replaced VMware Consolidated Backup and VMware Data Recovery. It works with VMware Data Protection and other tools.  Continue Reading

• Will we ever need 400 Gigabit Ethernet enterprise networks?

  With 40 and 100 Gigabit Ethernet so new, what could possibly drive the need for 400 Gigabit Ethernet in the enterprise? Hint: It’s not just the WAN.  Continue Reading

• Backend as a Service players, users and trends

  Today, Backend as a Service (BaaS) vendors vie with alternatives for mobile apps that must deftly integrate back and front ends.  Continue Reading

• The storage-for-VDI equation: Capacity, IOPS, TCO, ROI and persistency

  A virtual desktop project can bring savings and efficiency to IT operations, but storage for VDI is a complex issue, and the wrong choices can hobble the project.  Continue Reading

• Protecting petabytes: Best practices for big data backup

  How do you protect the massive data sets? Learn the best practices and products used for big data backup disaster recovery.  Continue Reading

• Public vs. private cloud applications: Two critical differences

  Private cloud applications are similar to public cloud applications, but there are a few key considerations, experts warn.  Continue Reading

• Define SSD: Top terms you need to know

  How do you define SSD? Check out this list of important SSD terms. The list includes terms you should know and some that may seem obscure.  Continue Reading

• Five data protection guidelines for business continuity

  Storage expert Jon Toigo offers data protection guidelines to help storage admins achieve the best possible results when protecting data in their care.  Continue Reading

• API learning guide

  The expansion of Web services, mobile, cloud and SaaS platforms has altered the realm of APIs. This guide offers the latest in API developments.  Continue Reading

• Choose an integrated stack for efficiency, easy storage implementation

  An integrated stack bundles servers, storage and networking in a preconfigured product and is easy to install and manage.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft Exchange Online explained

  With all the chatter around hosted services these days, it pays to know about Exchange Online. Get a handle on its benefits and drawbacks.  Continue Reading

• Enterprise storage trends: SSDs, capacity optimization, auto tiering

  Several enterprise storage trends are emerging at big and small storage vendors. Find out why certain technologies are trending and what they can do for your storage environment.  Continue Reading

• Hospital system addresses IBM SVC performance, stability problems with alternative configuration

  Spectrum Health breaks up IBM SVC eight-node cluster, taking uncommon tiered approach to improve stability and performance of storage virtualization system.  Continue Reading

• Case studies show the benefits of virtualization

  These case studies demonstrate how businesses have deployed virtual machines to improve efficiency and add computing power, while also saving money.  Continue Reading

• The SharePoint content repository: It's just a database

  SharePoint's lifeline is the content repository, where all the content is housed. Learn how the database works as well as its challenges.  Continue Reading

• Sub-LUN tiering: Five key questions to consider

  IT shops must consider five areas before adopting sub-LUN tiering as offerings vary in number of tiers, block size, analysis period, policies and monitoring  Continue Reading

• Auto-tiering software set to boost adoption of SSDs

  Discover why auto tiering could make expensive SSDs a more viable option, and about improvements to sub-LUN auto tiering and available auto-tiering options.  Continue Reading

• NetGear ReadyNAS review: A look at the ReadyNAS 2100

  This NetGear ReadyNAS review takes an in-depth look at the ReadyNAS 2100. Learn about the ReadyNAS 2100 features, setup and configurations to determine if it's right for your environment.  Continue Reading

• Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) implementation case studies

  Learn how three firms tackled management issues in a Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) implementation; case studies detail potential turf wars, restructuring.  Continue Reading

• RAID level comparison chart: A free download

  Download our free RAID level comparison chart, where the most important RAID levels are defined, along with information about the pros and cons of each RAID level.  Continue Reading