Evaluate

Evaluate

Weigh the pros and cons of technologies, products and projects you are considering.

• Virtual servers vs. physical servers: What are the differences?

  Virtualization has cemented itself in the enterprise data center, but that doesn't mean physical servers are obsolete. They each have their benefits and uses. Continue Reading

• Open RAN architecture gives operators options, challenges

  Open RAN architecture could give telecom operators more flexibility as they deliver enterprise-grade 5G services. But making the RAN a virtual function takes careful planning. Continue Reading

• Compare Azure DevOps vs. GitHub for CI/CD pipelines

  GitHub is a more recognized name in the development community than Azure DevOps, but now that Microsoft owns both tools, developers need to see how they differ and work together. Continue Reading

• 3 software development trends to watch in 2021

  As digitization accelerates and to ensure developers are set up for success, companies should enable developer productivity and collaboration, prioritization and developer experience. Continue Reading

• How to find the best server virtualization management software

  Choosing the right server virtualization management software is critical to meeting your organization's current and future needs. Continue Reading

• Is construction Amazon's next target for disruption?

  Amazon has already made inroads into the construction industry and experts speculate that there will be more to come. Construction companies, among the digital laggards, must adapt to the digital era to survive.Continue Reading

• CRAC design upgrades simplify HVAC maintenance

  CRAC/CRAH hardware updates make data center cooling more efficient. And these new systems are easier for admins to maintain and they reduce dust accumulation across infrastructure.Continue Reading

• 3 SASE case studies exploring real-world deployments

  Three case studies demonstrate how SASE technology helps organizations securely connect geographically distributed workforces.Continue Reading

• Using the New EDSFF (E3) SSDs Effectively

  The new EDSFF form factors allow higher system density and more effective forms for high-performance racks. Here is an overview of the specifications and status of EDSFF E3.x and insights on effective use.Continue Reading

• VMware on SmartNICs accelerates virtualization

  You can run ESXi on a SmartNIC to boost the networking, security and compute performance of a VMware environment.Continue Reading

• Future of NOC transformation unifies IT teams

  NOC transformation could lead to unified IT operations with cross-domain teams, but not all enterprises need radical change when smaller upgrades and modernization do the job.Continue Reading

• Memory management strategies improve VM performance

  There are several memory management options, each with their own use cases. Understanding the differences can help admins optimize virtual memory and mitigate resource contention.Continue Reading

• CXL: A Basic Tutorial

  Here is a brief introduction to Compute Express Link (CXL). This is a new high-speed CPU interconnect that enables a high-speed, efficient performance between the CPU and platform enhancements and workload accelerators.Continue Reading

• Monitoring the Health of NVMe SSDs

  Many capabilities have been built into NVMe technology, including enhancing error reporting, logging, management, debug, and telemetry. Here are insights on how you can manage the status and health of NVMe SSDs (like notifying users when an SSD ...Continue Reading

• Compare entry-level SAN arrays for the SMB market

  Performance, capacity and data protection features are a few of the many factors SMB organizations should consider in their comparisons of entry-level SANs.Continue Reading

• The remote workforce is redefining mission-critical apps

  The explosion in remote work doesn't just mean more work calls in your pajamas. IT must be prepared to support application performance and availability as mission-critical.Continue Reading

• How providers' industry-specific cloud offerings impact IT

  Vertical industry offerings are a trend among the leading cloud providers. IT teams will have to learn to adapt to the complications and changes these efforts will spark.Continue Reading

• 5 types of server virtualization explained

  Hypervisor-based might be the most common form of server virtualization in organizations, but there are other options to consider, including hardware-assisted and OS-level.Continue Reading

• Enterprise technology trends for 2021 shaped by COVID-19

  Explore IT infrastructure and storage-related software, hardware and services that will likely be embraced in the coming year, and how the pandemic has influenced their use.Continue Reading

• The best enterprise storage systems and products of 2020

  Nearly 100 products and services competed for top honors in the 'Storage' magazine and SearchStorage annual Products of the Year awards. Find out which won gold, silver and bronze.Continue Reading

• Pay-per-use pricing model can boost digital initiatives

  Consumption IT shifts the burden of infrastructure support to vendors and expenditures from Capex to Opex. Can pay-per-use pricing keep pace with your digital business roadmap?Continue Reading

• The best enterprise storage arrays of 2020

  Vast Data, Dell EMC and Infinidat show that flash storage rules the data center in the 'Storage' magazine and SearchStorage Products of the Year 2020 disk and disk subsystems category.Continue Reading

• The best enterprise cloud storage of 2020

  Winners address cloud NAS, hosted cloud and cloud-native application management, highlighting the technology's growing importance in an evolving IT world.Continue Reading

• Top hyper-converged systems and composable infrastructure of 2020

  Dell EMC, Scale Computing and SmartX win praise for multifaceted, edge-friendly and high-performance applications, respectively, to lead the way in the hyper-convergence category.Continue Reading

• NetBeans vs. Eclipse: 5 key comparison points for these IDEs

  When implementing IDEs into an application architecture, Eclipse and NetBeans are often top contenders. But is one of these IDEs really better than the other?Continue Reading

• Evaluate open source vs. proprietary AIOps tools

  Cut through the market hype surrounding AIOps to find the tool that suits your needs, comparing the pros and cons of open source vs. proprietary tools.Continue Reading

• SASE market emerges and grows as the 'wave of the future'

  Secure Access Service Edge is the latest technology to garner industry buzz in networking and security. Although it's still relatively new, the technology is making waves.Continue Reading

• The Elasticsearch sideshow and why Algolia is the better bet

  Elastic and AWS continue to make headlines over their licensing dispute, but the bickering avoids an important question: Is Elasticsearch still the right tool for the job?Continue Reading

• 4 reasons Dart is still a language worth learning

  Despite a perception that it is dead, there are a few reasons Dart is still a language worth learning. We explore a few reasons why it may not be as obsolete as some think.Continue Reading

• Track these 4 emerging storage technologies in 2021

  As they seek to increase the efficiency and performance of data storage systems in 2021, administrators should keep these four emerging technologies in mind.Continue Reading

• Compare some of the top online IT training providers

  Everyone learns differently. So, to find the right training provider to match your style, weigh the pros and cons of these five options before you subscribe.Continue Reading

• Guide to building an enterprise API strategy

  In today's digital world, businesses increasingly rely on APIs to deliver data and services. Follow this comprehensive guide to build a successful enterprise API strategy.Continue Reading

• Weighing the advantages of private 5G vs. carrier 5G

  Considering private 5G vs. carrier 5G for your interior networking? No single option fits all, but here are some factors you should consider.Continue Reading

• SASE hype includes SD-WAN, but does it need to?

  Much of the hype around Secure Access Service Edge features the importance of SD-WAN with SASE, but do the two need each other to thrive? Research says probably not.Continue Reading

• Microservices design patterns and tools to watch in 2021

  Building upon years of momentum, architects are well in the swing of transitioning from the monolith to microservices. Here are three of the top trends they'll face in 2021.Continue Reading

• The tradeoffs and cost of network redundancy

  Network redundancy costs vary depending on enterprise use cases, but the determining tradeoff usually depends on how long a company can sustain network downtime.Continue Reading

• Explore low-code features, examples in this Power Apps tutorial

  Microsoft Power Apps is a capable low-code platform. This tutorial shows how it can be used to build software from scratch as well as from Excel files.Continue Reading

• Azure Information Protection P1 vs. P2: What's the difference?

  Azure Information Protection adds security to files such as sensitive emails and files copied to flash drives. See which features Microsoft offers in its two licensing levels.Continue Reading

• Kubernetes deployments vs. pods: What's the difference?

  Pods and deployments are both important to using Kubernetes in production, but they're not the same. Learn the role each one plays in building and managing containerized applications.Continue Reading

• Why and how to adopt a data-centric architecture

  Data has become one of the most valuable assets in the enterprise. IT teams must make changes -- both culturally and technically -- to ensure their strategy reflects that.Continue Reading

• Where does NoOps fit in the future of IT Ops?

  NoOps might stand for No Operations, but the goal is to improve processes, not eliminate them. Learn how steps toward automation and cloud migration can change IT operations.Continue Reading

• 3D XPoint vs. NAND flash: Why there's room for both

  While there are key differences between 3D XPoint and NAND flash -- in terms of performance, cost and uses -- the two technologies will likely coexist for years.Continue Reading

• The differences between SVN and Git that matter

  Not sure how to pick between Git and SVN for your versioning needs? We break down the key differences between these tools, including their most potent benefits and drawbacks.Continue Reading

• SolarWinds: Lessons learned for network management, monitoring

  In this roundup of networking blogs, experts reveal the critical lessons learned from the SolarWinds hack in regard to network management and monitoring capabilities.Continue Reading

• Logging as a service isn't SIEM -- so what is it?

  What is LaaS and how does it work? Storing logs in the cloud can be a voluminous -- and expensive -- challenge, but the cloud offers a variety of enticing benefits.Continue Reading

• Compare 3 file and object storage products

  Looking for a product that supports both object and file storage? Explore the varying features of Dell EMC, NetApp and Pure Storage systems.Continue Reading

• How to choose between IaaS and SaaS cloud models

  Even if you already moved a few workloads to the cloud, it's never too early to start looking at where you are going and never too late to make a change. See if IaaS or SaaS is the right service model for your organization.Continue Reading

• Evaluate Spinnaker vs. Jenkins for CI/CD

  Jenkins is one of the most popular CI/CD tools available, but Spinnaker enables IT teams to manage complex pipelines. Is one better than the other, or should 'vs.' be swapped with 'and'?Continue Reading

• COVID-19 and remote work shift cloud predictions for 2021

  If we learned anything from 2020, it's to expect the unexpected. Yet that doesn't stop analysts from trying to predict what's to come in the world of cloud computing this year.Continue Reading

• Amazon's impact on publishing transforms the book industry

  Amazon changed the way we publish, purchase and read books. Publishing experts said they expect more industry disruption to come.Continue Reading

• Refreshing look at Wi-Fi 6 benefits, preparations

  Wi-Fi 6's benefits are real, and most organizations will eventually upgrade to the latest and greatest standard. When and how they'll do so is more complicated.Continue Reading

• Examining the low-code market's race for citizen developers

  Low-code and no-code vendors are fighting viciously for the favor of citizen developers. Examine the reasons for this trend and the market moves that reveal these vendors' motives.Continue Reading

• Explore Bottlerocket's benefits and limitations

  Everything has pros and cons, but the question is whether the good outweighs the bad. Evaluate what Bottlerocket has to offer, and how it compares to Alpine Linux as a container OS.Continue Reading

• Myths and realities of a Wi-Fi 6 upgrade

  Despite the promise of high data rates, longer client battery life and more efficient radio techniques, enterprises need to weigh Wi-Fi 6's limitations.Continue Reading

• Calculate HPC storage costs based on these 8 factors

  IT teams that want an accurate estimate of HPC storage costs must account not only for the technology itself, but for staffing, support and ongoing operational expenses.Continue Reading

• Enterprise data storage 2020 Products of the Year finalists

  The field of entrants in our 19th annual Products of the Year contest has been reduced to 47 contenders vying for gold, silver and bronze status in five data storage categories.Continue Reading

• WUfB vs. WSUS: Which handles Windows updates better?

  Trying to get a handle on Windows updates can frustrate even the most seasoned administrators. Which of these two patch management tools fit best in your environment?Continue Reading

• Review these 7 CASB vendors to best secure cloud access

  CASB technology offers threat protection, increased visibility and policy enforcement. Explore how these seven vendors stack up and protect access to cloud applications.Continue Reading

• Cloud providers jockey for 2021 market share

  AWS and Microsoft still dominate the cloud market, but Google, IBM and Oracle aren't without merit. Learn where each provider excels to find your perfect match.Continue Reading

• Top 5 data center technology trends to watch in 2021

  2020 changed how IT pros managed and provisioned infrastructure. In 2021, organizations must find ways to support automation, AI and data analysis in the data center.Continue Reading

• Top 5 SASE use cases balance network connectivity, security

  Secure Access Service Edge can enhance network performance and security controls for remote sites. Discover some of the other top SASE use cases and deployment options.Continue Reading

• OpenShift Virtualization 2.5 simplifies VM modernization

  Red Hat's OpenShift platform enables admins to take a phased approach to retiring legacy applications while moving toward a container-based environment.Continue Reading

• BPM vs. BPA: The differences in strategy and tooling

  The differences between BPM and BPA come down to process complexity, an organization's proficiency with software code and how quickly the business must see ROI.Continue Reading

• Object storage systems: Benefits, alternatives and use cases

  Along with proving itself a reliable option, object storage has stood the test of time. It can tackle unstructured data and the cloud, and it's overcoming performance challenges.Continue Reading

• VMware enhances NSX-T 3.0 to ease networking

  Version 3 of NSX-T gets new alarms, security features and admin tools, as well as new and improved integrations to provide VMware admins with better networking capabilities.Continue Reading

• Enterprise application trends that will impact 2021

  The past year evoked a wave of new software needs, especially in the wake of COVID-19 and increased needs for availability. Here are some 2020 trends that will take shape in 2021.Continue Reading

• 5 networking startups helping enterprises adapt and prepare

  Even in a global pandemic, these five networking startups continue to impress. Learn how their innovative technologies can help enterprises prepare for unforeseen challenges.Continue Reading

• Top 10 software development and test tips of 2020

  What can you do better in 2021? Adopt different test tools, automate more processes, run a more productive dev team? Follow this advice from various experts to make it all happen.Continue Reading

• Gluware automation tech shines in brownfield networks

  Gluware's intelligent network automation technology helps enterprises outgrow manual configurations, even in technically complex, multivendor brownfield environments.Continue Reading

• What experts say to expect from 5G in 2021

  In this roundup of networking blogs, experts explore 5G's potential in 2021, including new business and technical territories 5G may explore and features to transform enterprises.Continue Reading

• Smart UPS features for better backup power

  Vendors now offer UPSes with functions that help regulate voltage and maintain battery health. Before you upgrade, evaluate costs and confirm infrastructure compatibility.Continue Reading

• Understand the differences between VPS vs. VPC

  Both a VPS and a VPC distributes resources and hosts applications, but a VPS is, essentially, a VM used as a server, whereas a VPC is a full private cloud environment.Continue Reading

• Azure AD Premium P1 vs. P2: Which is right for you?

  Azure Active Directory is more than just Active Directory in the cloud. See how the premium editions of the directory service stack up to find the best fit for your organization.Continue Reading

• ITSM and DevOps don't have to be at odds

  Is it possible for ITSM and DevOps to coexist within the same organization? It is, but it raises plenty of questions about how and whether they are a good fit.Continue Reading

• Main factors that can guide your UPS selection process

  To choose the right UPS, be sure to figure out business needs, power supply size requirements and how long your backup systems must last during downtime.Continue Reading

• What the 4 PMem App Direct Modes mean for your organization

  Do you know the difference between the four Intel Optane persistent memory App Direct Mode types? Find out how you can use each of them most effectively.Continue Reading

• Guide to colocation and how to choose a provider

  It's important to thoroughly evaluate facilities, pricing and contract terms before choosing a colocation provider. Also, consider the challenges that come with going colo.Continue Reading

• How to use Agile swarming techniques to get features done

  Agile teams can produce a viable product in no time when they swarm, but this all-hands approach to produce a user story or feature isn't easy.Continue Reading

• Deep dive into NetApp Converged Systems Advisor for FlexPod

  Converged Systems Advisor from NetApp helps FlexPod customers better manage their converged infrastructure deployments. Dive into its features to see if it is right for you.Continue Reading

• Amazon Kendra vs. Elasticsearch Service: What's the difference?

  Amazon Elasticsearch Service and Amazon Kendra both handle search, but that's about where the similarities end. Learn how and when to use each AWS offering for your application.Continue Reading

• 7 ways data storage management in 2020 has changed

  2020 has been a year of storage management change, from the rush to the cloud to VDIs for all to more automation. Learn about the trends and post-pandemic expectations.Continue Reading

• 4 data center UPS vendors to evaluate

  UPSes are crucial components to any backup power system. Use power ratings, infrastructure voltage requirements and the UPS type to guide the selection process.Continue Reading

• Composable disaggregated infrastructure right for advanced workloads

  Composability provides the agility, speed and efficient resource utilization required to support advanced workloads that continue to grow ever-more sophisticated and comprehensive.Continue Reading

• Colocation vs. cloud: What are the key differences?

  An organization can host a private cloud in a colocation facility, but using the colocation facility isn't the same as building a private cloud; the two are exceedingly different.Continue Reading

• How the computational storage drive is changing computing

  Take a closer look at computational storage technology and products, and how localized computation is changing storage architecture and the compute-storage dynamic.Continue Reading

• Your primer to colocation pricing and rack space rightsizing

  Even with structured pricing methods, there's a lot to consider when making colocation infrastructure purchases. Account for future hardware needs and spend flexibility.Continue Reading

• Software-defined home offerings drive remote productivity

  Say hello to software-defined home, a 'branch of one' package that combines professional-grade Wi-Fi, security, SD-WAN and centralized management for remote workers.Continue Reading

• 4 sources of storage latency and PMem's emerging role

  Controllers, the software stack, and external and internal interconnects have an outsized impact on storage latency. Learn about their affects and how PMem is countering latency.Continue Reading

• How to negotiate a fair data center colocation agreement

  It's critical to business operations and your overall budget to know what a good colocation SLA covers, what it doesn't and how to negotiate one for your organization.Continue Reading

• Containers bring cloud-agnostic workloads closer to reality

  Cloud-agnostic workloads have been a largely elusive goal in enterprise IT. But has containerization -- and, particularly, Kubernetes -- made agnosticism feasible?Continue Reading

• NFV systems converge virtual network services at the edge

  Explore functions, products and use cases that illustrate how NFV and edge computing trends combine SD-WAN endpoints and other network services on single pieces of hardware.Continue Reading

• The new features of vSphere 7 DRS

  The updated version of Distributed Resource Scheduler that VMware premiered with vSphere 7 has several new features, including configuration options and scalable shares.Continue Reading

• Objective-C vs. Swift: The war for iOS development supremacy

  While Objective-C still holds the crown, Swift is quickly mobilizing to rule iOS development. Let's examine and compare the most compelling features of each language.Continue Reading

• Colocation pricing guide: Understanding data center costs

  Colocation facility costs can include anything from power fees and bandwidth service charges to connectivity expenses, change fees and support costs.Continue Reading

• Avoid colocation and cloud noisy neighbor issues

  In any multi-tenant IT environment, noisy neighbors can be an issue. Here's a closer look at how the challenges differ in the public cloud versus colocation.Continue Reading

• 9 considerations for a colocation data center selection checklist

  Use this data center selection checklist to make fair and comprehensive comparisons between colocation data center providers before making a decision.Continue Reading

• Analyze Google's cloud computing strategy

  After a few false starts, Google has taken a different, more open approach to cloud computing than AWS and Azure. Let's take a look at this strategy and roadmap to date.Continue Reading

• Retail colocation vs. wholesale data centers: How to choose

  One offers more control, while the other offers more flexible space. If you're considering a colocation facility, how do you decide between wholesale and retail?Continue Reading

• 7 benefits of colocation for your business and 4 challenges

  Colocation is not a silver-bullet solution for everyone. Discover the benefits and drawbacks that come with allowing a third-party to manage your IT equipment.Continue Reading

• What is database refreshing?

  IT testing and software development constantly requires fresh data. It's easy to run a database refresh and generate new data for sandbox or production tasks.Continue Reading