Evaluate

Evaluate

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

• Amazon's sustainability initiatives: Half empty or half full?

  Amazon's public perception and investment profile are at stake as altruism and self-interest mix in its efforts to become a more sustainable company. Continue Reading

• 5 open source software applications for virtualization

  Open source software comes with many benefits, but admins must first determine whether each tool's use cases align with their workload needs. Continue Reading

• Get a quick rundown of 12 cloud developer tools from AWS

  With so many available options, it can be difficult to keep track of all the developer tools AWS has to offer. Check out 12 tools that are a part of AWS' toolkit. Continue Reading

• Composable benefits from infrastructure-as-code techniques

  Learn why composable infrastructure is an effective infrastructure as code delivery model and can serve as a foundation for orchestrating and automating IT resource provisioning. Continue Reading

• Benefits of intent-based networking for modern networks

  Intent-based networking can benefit network teams working remotely with increased workloads due to COVID-19. Benefits include reduced human error and automated manual tasks. Continue Reading

• VMware vs. Nutanix on HPE GreenLake: Comparing approaches

  See how Synergy composable infrastructure with VMware Cloud Foundation and ProLiant DX on Nutanix Enterprise Cloud take different approaches to HPE GreenLake pay-per-use IT.Continue Reading

• WVD vs. RDS vs. VDI: Which should you choose?

  Application and desktop virtualization delivered by Windows Server continues to do the job, but is it time to give Microsoft's new cloud-based desktop service a look?Continue Reading

• The top software developer skills, tools and certifications

  Now tasked with managing complex enterprise software systems, the depth of skills and breadth of knowledge needed by developers has never been more profound.Continue Reading

• Cloud VDI storage: Nasuni vs. Panzura and other competitors

  Data storage for distributed VDIs can be a challenge. Find out how Nasuni, Panzura and other vendors are overcoming obstacles with new approaches to cloud virtual desktop systems.Continue Reading

• VMware general support for vSphere 6 ended; know your options

  VMware ended general support for vSphere 6.0 in March 2020. If you still use this version of vSphere, you should know your options moving forward.Continue Reading

• A beginner's guide to hosted and bare-metal virtualization

  Choosing a virtualization approach isn't a matter of competition. Admins must consider their personal use cases to determine which hypervisor type suits their needs.Continue Reading

• Single-socket servers offer cost, utilization benefits to admins

  Different server types bring advantages in processing speed, memory availability and overall cost. See what single- and dual-socket servers can add to your infrastructure.Continue Reading

• Orchestration vs. choreography in microservices architecture

  Orchestration and choreography are related, but they each have their own role to play. Get to know the basics of these service call approaches, including the use cases for each.Continue Reading

• Understand the pros and cons of the IBM PowerVM

  IBM's enterprise virtualization product, PowerVM, offers a host of benefits, but it also comes with challenges that admins should familiarize themselves with prior to implementation.Continue Reading

• Enterprises prefer private 5G networks over network slicing

  Large enterprises are wary of network slicing within public 5G networks because of potential security risks. But SMBs see network slicing as a viable 5G option.Continue Reading

• Assess TestRail vs. Zephyr test management tools

  TestRail and Zephyr offer test management capabilities and integrate with tools that development teams rely on, like Jira. Check out features and user reviews for each product.Continue Reading

• Third-party cloud services for ETL and application testing

  Don't default to your cloud provider's ETL and app testing services. Get to know third-party offerings and explore the advantages of using these tools in your cloud environments.Continue Reading

• 5 leading data virtualization tools offer integration strategy

  Learn which features and capabilities your organization should consider in order to select the data virtualization platform that will best fits its needs.Continue Reading

• The future of networking jobs in the new normal

  Soft skills will grow in relevance as network pros adapt to a post-pandemic world that includes more remote troubleshooting and the move away from a hard network edge.Continue Reading

• Tools and techniques to master API management in production

  APIs are a cornerstone of modern application development. IT ops teams must monitor and manage APIs in production to resolve issues that hinder performance.Continue Reading

• HCI vs. cloud: The main differences

  A hyper-converged infrastructure can support cloud deployments, but they are not one in the same; the variances in infrastructure should be noted before potential adoption.Continue Reading

• 10 top hyper-converged infrastructure vendors and products

  Determining which hyper-converged infrastructure platform is right for your organization should include analyzing your workloads and assessing technology from top HCI vendors.Continue Reading

• How GreenLake Central improves HPE's GreenLake program

  Learn about the features and benefits of HPE's GreenLake Central, an online portal that lets users manage and optimize their on-premises GreenLake systems.Continue Reading

• 11 main benefits of hyper-converged infrastructure

  Benefits of hyper-converged infrastructure include simplified deployments and management, easy upgrades, scalability and flexibility, improved performance, agility and more.Continue Reading

• Explore 10 popular open source development tools

  Whether you're writing, managing, building or deploying source code, there is an open source development tool to help do the job. Check out these quick tool intros to get you started.Continue Reading

• Use this Amazon Cognito review to assess authentication tools

  Amazon Cognito isn't as user-friendly as some competitors, but it does offer some unique advantages. Explore the pros, cons and alternatives for Cognito.Continue Reading

• The case against data center consolidation

  Having one centralized data center can bring IT benefits. Use cases such as IoT, edge computing and cloud don't necessarily work with consolidated infrastructure.Continue Reading

• Top 8 hyper-converged infrastructure use cases

  You might be aware of basic HCI use cases, such as server consolidation and virtual desktop infrastructure, but there are other areas where HCI can come in handy.Continue Reading

• 8 network diagramming tools for architects

  Network design tools help architects map out the company infrastructure but only with the right product. Explore these eight vendors and their tools to make the right buy.Continue Reading

• 10 cloud computing myths debunked

  A range of public cloud misconceptions -- including those related to security and cost -- give enterprise adopters the wrong idea. Read on to dispel the myths and get the truth.Continue Reading

• 5G for enterprises requires other tech to reap full benefits

  5G won't solve all an organization's problems or fully replace existing 4G LTE architecture. In fact, 5G needs other technology for it to truly succeed and be useful.Continue Reading

• What IT pros can expect from 5G core network architecture

  5G is the first 'G' in the cloud, which means its network architecture can enable functions, services and capabilities past cellular generations couldn't. Here's what to expect.Continue Reading

• 5 advantages of GitLab CI/CD pipelines

  Products can ease the oft-cumbersome CI/CD process. In this video tutorial, walk through five ways GitLab enables and eases CI/CD for DevOps teams and professionals.Continue Reading

• What is a Docker container vs. an image?

  Docker images, Dockerfiles and containers are all instrumental in a Docker setup. Learn what tasks each component completes and how they interact with each other to run applications.Continue Reading

• 5 edge computing basics you need to know

  Edge computing is forcing IT teams to rethink legacy architectures. In this guide, explore edge computing basics, including its pros and cons and its effect on enterprise networks.Continue Reading

• Follow Google's lead with programming style guides

  Code style guides shield developers from dangerous programming approaches and confusion. Here's how Google cultivates style guides, and why you should too.Continue Reading

• Modern HDD technologies that are bringing hard disks back

  Don't write off HDDs just yet. Energy-assisted technologies such as MAMR and HAMR may keep hard disk drives competitive in an evolving secondary storage market.Continue Reading

• How certifications, remote work affect cloud computing salaries

  How many certifications you have and where you live will likely drive what you make as a cloud engineer. Catch the latest cloud salary and hiring trends.Continue Reading

• HAMR vs. MAMR, and the future of high-capacity hard drives

  Energy-assisted hard drive technology is here, and heat-assisted and microwave-assisted magnetic recording technologies are about to bring even more changes to the HDD market.Continue Reading

• Network security in 2020 highlights zero trust, SD-branch

  In this roundup of networking blogs, experts explore various aspects of network security -- from old and evergreen to new and innovative -- and the roles they play in 2020.Continue Reading

• A Deep Dive Into Border Gateway Protocol

  This step-by-step training guides you through all the border gateway protocol components -- from how the protocol works to how to verify that it is working correctly.Continue Reading

• Craft an application integration strategy and pick the best tool

  Application integration is easier said than done. Learn how to navigate this challenging process -- particularly, if you're integrating legacy applications with new applications.Continue Reading

• VMware vCenter, vSphere pricing and licensing guide

  VMware licenses and prices both vSphere and vCenter in various ways depending on the desired support, the size of the environment and the required functionality.Continue Reading

• What VMware's Nyansa acquisition means for SD-WAN

  VMware's Nyansa acquisition brings new AI and machine learning capabilities to its networking suite. However, it could apply what Nyansa brings to the table to other areas.Continue Reading

• 5G enterprise market will overtake consumer cellular by 2036

  5G is the first cellular technology generation that enterprise use cases will play a larger role than consumer use cases. Learn more from ABI Research's 5G Technology Summit.Continue Reading

• Compare on-premises migration to cloud server migration

  A cloud migration is not too different from an on-premises server-to-server migration. Compare the two processes before you organize and implement your plan.Continue Reading

• 5 consumption models help simplify storage buying options

  Consumption-based pricing offers organizations flexible options to purchase storage and other infrastructure on-premises, just like they would cloud services.Continue Reading

• 4 disadvantages of hyper-converged infrastructure systems

  Problems with scalability and cloud compatibility can create major issues for organizations that want to deploy hyper-converged infrastructure systems.Continue Reading

• NVMe Zoned Namespace lowers costs and improves performance

  The new zoned storage interface capitalizes on NAND flash capabilities to let host software communicate with NAND storage to better align workloads with SSD storage.Continue Reading

• Container use and the implications for storage

  Knowing which type of storage to deploy when using containers is important. We look at the storage architectures enterprises are using, the features preferred and more.Continue Reading

• When should my company use cloud arbitrage?

  Organizations can escape vendor lock-in with a cloud arbitrage model. However, it requires an upfront investment and a solid understanding of the limitations of this approach.Continue Reading

• GitKraken vs. Sourcetree: Pick a Git GUI that fits dev needs

  Git GUIs give developers a visual means to manipulate source code repositories. Learn why GitKraken and Sourcetree are popular options among developers, and where each stands out.Continue Reading

• When to use canary vs. blue/green vs. rolling deployment

  App deployment strategies such as rolling updates and blue/green environments help IT organizations manage change with minimal risk. See which strategy fits your application.Continue Reading

• A comparison of 6 top programming languages

  Choosing the right programming language can be tough. We place six popular languages head to head: Python vs. Ruby, Kotlin vs. Swift and Erlang vs. Elixir.Continue Reading

• Explore the benefits of multi-cloud -- and the drawbacks

  The use of multi-cloud is trending up, but is it right for your workloads and business? Review the advantages and disadvantages with Gartner expert Daryl Plummer.Continue Reading

• IT spending priorities in 2020 shift to network management, UC

  The global pandemic has temporarily slowed SD-WAN and campus network spending, but enterprises are still investing in network infrastructure, focusing on network management and UC.Continue Reading

• Compare hybrid clouds: AWS Outposts vs. Azure Stack vs. Google Anthos

  Azure Stack, AWS Outposts and Google Anthos all have similar objectives but operate in different ways. Find out which hybrid cloud platform offers the right model for your company.Continue Reading

• Evaluate the top hybrid cloud providers

  There are a few different ways you can go with hybrid cloud platforms. Take a look at the top offerings and overall strategy from IaaS vendors and other large infrastructure providers.Continue Reading

• The basics and benefits of lights-out management

  For remote IT capabilities, lights-out management tools enable admins to power servers off and on, monitor temperatures and remediate potential operational issues.Continue Reading

• An overview of Knative use cases, benefits and challenges

  Knative might be more complex than a serverless platform in the public cloud, but for IT shops already committed to Kubernetes and microservices, it could be worth the leap.Continue Reading

• Top 5 benefits of Jenkins for CI/CD pipelines

  Many software teams continue to use open source Jenkins for CI/CD, despite other platforms on the market. Here's how Jenkins fits what teams look for in CI/CD tools.Continue Reading

• The ins and outs of Google Cloud Anthos on NetApp HCI

  Combining NetApp HCI with Anthos from Google enables enterprises to more easily implement and maintain a hybrid cloud infrastructure that supports modern applications and more.Continue Reading

• Why enterprises choose multi-cloud environments

  Multi-cloud environments have become more popular with enterprises, but this isn't a vendor lock-in issue. Find out how and why enterprises adopt multi-cloud computing.Continue Reading

• Choose the best programming language for DevOps workflows

  DevOps is a rapidly evolving set of technologies and practices; choosing the right programming language -- or languages -- makes a big difference in terms of functionality, efficiency and speed.Continue Reading

• Top software documentation tools and how to use them

  The best software documentation helps frame development projects and improve existing offerings. Learn the ins and outs of popular software documentation types and tools.Continue Reading

• The advantages of containers over virtual machines for storage

  Understanding the key advantages of containers vs. VMs is critical to knowing what storage features are needed for container-based application success.Continue Reading

• How to choose a long-term data archiving services vendor

  When evaluating archiving services, you must determine what you need to archive, requirements around that data and how to make the most cost-effective selection.Continue Reading

• Evolution of WLAN technology improves data rates, security

  WLAN technology has evolved dramatically -- most notably, in terms of network speeds and security. Innovations in Wi-Fi 6 show that the WLAN evolution isn't slowing, either.Continue Reading

• Future of wireless communications unifies 5G and Wi-Fi 6

  The future of cellular, Wi-Fi and other wireless communication networks will see these technologies unify to support faster network speeds and real-time communications.Continue Reading

• When should you use cloud vs. on-premises storage?

  Choose the right data storage approach with this breakdown on the differences between cloud and on-premises storage. Consider cost, compliance, performance and other factors.Continue Reading

• Explore common machine learning use cases in IT operations

  Machine learning is a hot topic with use cases that span IT and the business. Learn how IT operations teams most commonly apply the technology -- from help desk response to gauging end-user satisfaction.Continue Reading

• 6 basics of storage automation, predictive analytics and AI

  AI and predictive analytics are included in many storage offerings. See how this functionality helps automate storage, which features are useful and which products have them.Continue Reading

• 4 common software maintenance models and when to use them

  Should you use a quick-fix or closed-loop maintenance model for the software project on your development team's plate? What about iterative? Learn the benefits, use cases and limits of four common models.Continue Reading

• Why Linux containers on Windows is a big deal

  Microsoft introduced support for Docker Linux containers in its latest versions of the Windows client and server operating systems, so why should it matter to you?Continue Reading

• 6 storage resource management tools offer insights, optimization

  Software for managing storage resources provides in-depth information on capacity and performance to help enterprises proactively manage their storage infrastructure.Continue Reading

• Why network configuration templates are useful in automation

  If a network team automates network configuration templates, it can save time and eliminate redundant activities in order to focus more on data collection and analysis.Continue Reading

• An automation-first approach enables network predictability

  For an organization to prioritize network automation, it needs an automation-first approach. This strategy involves understanding automation workflows and enabling proper training.Continue Reading

• CPU vs. microprocessor: What are the differences?

  CPUs and microprocessors can execute many of the same tasks, such as arithmetic and I/O processing. However, there are some tasks CPUs can't execute effectively.Continue Reading

• Is SCCM in Azure right for your organization?

  System Center Configuration Manager still has a long life, which was further underscored by Microsoft supporting deployments of the endpoint management tool to Azure.Continue Reading

• Understanding VMware Cloud Foundation components, features

  VMware Cloud Foundation enables users to implement an integrated software-defined data center. Version 4 represents a major architectural upgrade integrating Kubernetes in vSphere.Continue Reading

• Test your cloud knowledge: VMs vs. containers vs. serverless

  Take this quiz to help guide your choice between virtual machines, containers and serverless functions. Identify the uses, features and services associated with each computing approach.Continue Reading

• 4 FAQs to better understand a paravirtualization interface

  Admins are using paravirtualization because of its ability to improve system performance and reduce virtualization overhead, but its challenges can cause issues for some.Continue Reading

• Evaluate 3 IT ops use cases for the Aternity monitoring tool

  Operations teams can use data from an IT environment to detect, prevent and remediate issues. With Aternity, they can specifically track metrics and manage tasks related to user experience.Continue Reading

• Gain SD-branch benefits through automation, orchestration

  SD-branch technology is evolving, but don't put off learning about what this tool can do now and the advantages it will deliver in the near future.Continue Reading

• Pros and cons of composable architecture vs. traditional storage

  If traditional storage isn't meeting your organization's needs, composable infrastructure may be the answer. Get to know the pros and cons of both approaches.Continue Reading

• Computational storage fundamentals explained

  Computational storage is an emerging technology, but it isn't too soon to develop an understanding of how it can be used to address storage latency and performance issues.Continue Reading

• SNIA's NVM Programming Model and how it works

  The Storage Networking Industry Association spec provides a standardized approach to building a non-volatile memory-based storage system architecture. We take an in-depth look.Continue Reading

• Illustrated guide to converged infrastructure and vendors

  Prequalified, turnkey systems from converged infrastructure vendors deliver the flexibility of traditional IT approaches with some of the support and management aspects of HCI.Continue Reading

• PowerShell book captures the tool's intense early days

  Getting PowerShell off the drawing board and into Windows required an iron will, as well as technical chops. A new book unveils the story behind its development process.Continue Reading

• AWS Savings Plans vs. Reserved Instances, explained

  AWS Savings Plans offer discounted EC2 rates to help reduce your AWS bill and compute costs. Learn why Savings Plans are a good alternative to Reserved Instances.Continue Reading

• Vendors investigate chiplets as CPU expansion option

  As chipmakers expand the amount of processing power in CPUs, some are considering the use of chiplets. These modular silicon pieces offer a possible option for scalable designs.Continue Reading

• HCI vs. traditional IT vs. dHCI vs. composable infrastructure

  Compare outcomes of hyper-converged, traditional/converged, disaggregated HCI and composable infrastructures, plus hybrid cloud, to decide which approach best fits your IT needs.Continue Reading

• What is the difference between memory and storage?

  Storage and memory, while connected, fulfill separate roles in a computer. Memory meets temporary data access needs and storage retains data and other files over the long term.Continue Reading

• ServiceNow vs. Jira Service Desk for ITSM workflow management

  ServiceNow and Jira Service Desk are both big names in ITSM, but which one is better for your workflow management needs? Compare the two tools in terms of flexibility, integration support and more.Continue Reading

• Network traffic pattern shifts reflect COVID-19 changes

  The novel coronavirus pandemic spurred initial changes in network traffic patterns, but other trends are playing important roles in perpetuating permanent traffic shifts.Continue Reading

• 5 major reasons to adopt an API management platform

  Why adopt an API management platform? Examine when it makes sense to adopt a platform, and five major ways they can actually assist your DevOps teams.Continue Reading

• Get the right SLA for enterprise liquid cooling services

  If you're interested in data center liquid cooling, investigate the technology types, available service providers and outline an effective agreement for successful system use.Continue Reading

• Organizations tackle data center operations during COVID-19

  With an increased remote workforce, organizations must address infrastructure bandwidth, data center access and business continuity. The right software and staffing policies can help.Continue Reading

• Third-party cloud services for images, search and authentication

  Don't limit your cloud services to just what your provider offers. Consider these third-party alternatives to handle images, search and authentication.Continue Reading

• An in-depth look at calculating server hardware costs for SMBs

  Servers can be expensive, but there's more to the purchase than just the price of the hardware. Learn what additional items an SMB must factor into the overall cost.Continue Reading