Evaluate

Evaluate

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

• Choose the right storage management interface for you

  While older storage interfaces were created to meet international standards at the time, storage has evolved, and updated interfaces may be required to manage your infrastructure. Continue Reading

• Explore the top Wi-Fi 6 technology benefits and providers

  Learn the basics around Wi-Fi 6 along with the security, battery and bandwidth improvements that come with the upgrade and the top companies to consider for buying options. Continue Reading

• What should I know about IP address management systems?

  As networks continuously gain more devices, outdated IP address management methods face new challenges. Despite this, IPAM is still crucial for any organization's network. Continue Reading

• Hyper-converged data center vendors innovate, evolve products

  Review notable hyper-converged, HCI 2.0 and composable disaggregated product news to gain insight into data center convergence technology as you make infrastructure decisions. Continue Reading

• Is microservices adoption right for your organization?

  Assess whether your org will benefit from microservices, and use this expert advice to take the initial steps to make a successful architectural and cultural transition. Continue Reading

• Hyper-converged and composable architectures transform IT

  Hyper-convergence and up-and-coming HCI 2.0 and composable infrastructure can help you achieve your IT and business goals. See why, how and where their strengths and weaknesses lie.Continue Reading

• 4 considerations for vSphere disk provisioning

  To provision disk space in vSphere, consider the following: The size of data stores you require, thin vs. thick provisioning, storage acceleration and managing free disk space.Continue Reading

• 3 reasons testers need a QA manager in Agile

  Agile teams without a QA manager prioritize developers' perspectives -- even to the software's detriment. Here are three ways in which a QA manager offers value to Agile teams, and how they support testers.Continue Reading

• What are some Windows Server 2019 SDN security features?

  Microsoft continued to refine the software-defined networking capabilities in its latest server operating system by developing several new security features.Continue Reading

• Emerging tools to help create virtualized test environments

  Tools from Parasoft, HyperQube and CloudShell let admins virtualize their test environments, but admins should exercise caution as product direction and design continue to evolve.Continue Reading

• SD-WAN requirements for a multi-cloud world

  With the emergence of a multi-cloud world, SD-WAN vendors must upgrade their platforms to ensure secure and reliable SD-WAN connectivity to cloud services.Continue Reading

• Why move to PowerShell 7 from Windows PowerShell?

  The next major release of this venerable automation tool features performance improvements and a bevy of new features that could sway many administrators to switch.Continue Reading

• Amazon's environmental impact delivers climate change concerns

  Consumers are accustomed to free and fast delivery from Amazon and other e-tailers, but the convenience of online shopping comes at a cost to the environment.Continue Reading

• Is it time to consider a cloud exit strategy?

  Cloud repatriation -- or a cloud exit, as it is sometimes called -- is probably not a good choice in most situations. Sometimes, however, it's exactly the right thing to do.Continue Reading

• A brief history of VMware, containers and its competitors

  VMware has long been synonymous with virtualization. However, with the rise of containers, the vendor has pivoted strategies to compete with the likes of Red Hat and Docker.Continue Reading

• How to build a successful cloud migration plan in 3 steps

  Migrating to the cloud is not a simple task. Not all workloads benefit from the move, so hammer out a solid cloud migration strategy first.Continue Reading

• What's the difference between SD-branch vs. SD-WAN?

  As networking pros evaluate SD-branch vs. SD-WAN, they'll notice a key distinction between the two technologies, namely how network functions are managed and orchestrated.Continue Reading

• Use DRS for VMware load balancing and streamlined environments

  VMware DRS uses vMotion to automatically migrate VMs and workloads to available hosts and avoid resource contention. Discover the basics of this essential VMware utility.Continue Reading

• How SD-WAN changes the network security perimeter

  The advent of SD-WAN has changed the network security model by pushing more security and control to the edge -- and businesses need to adjust to this new reality.Continue Reading

• Top 5 storage area network applications for the enterprise

  Find out why a SAN makes sense for enterprise applications such as databases, server virtualization, business applications, VDI, and development and testing.Continue Reading

• Get to know Dell EMC hyper-converged infrastructure products

  Gain insight into Dell EMC's hyper-converged portfolio, including VxRail and XC Series appliances, VxRack System Flex plus vSAN, VxFlex and Microsoft Storage Spaces Direct Ready Nodes.Continue Reading

• Why is a data archive plan important?

  A data archiving plan might not be simply important for your organization -- it could be necessary, given legal and compliance requirements. Make sure you're ahead of the game.Continue Reading

• Project management tools and strategies: Gantt charts, PERT charts and PM planning tools

  In project management, charts can visualize work in progress -- and there are many ways to do so. Learn how Agile teams use Gantt, PERT, burn down and other charts to stay on track.Continue Reading

• Products using Intel Optane SSDs and memory debuted in 2019

  Is your organization ready for storage class memory? See some of the Optane-based products vendors developed and launched last year that incorporated the technology.Continue Reading

• Edge virtualization manages the data deluge, but can be complex

  Virtualizing at the edge introduces device management benefits to admins, but they must ensure edge computing is worth the time and effort.Continue Reading

• What are some features in Microsoft Defender ATP?

  The threat protection platform, which underwent a recent name change, comes with some tailored features for Windows Server 2019 to stop attacks and reduce configuration issues.Continue Reading

• Illustrated guide to hyper-converged edge computing

  Hyper-converged systems can help reduce network strain by making it possible to send only the most valuable and relevant data to centralized remote data centers or the cloud.Continue Reading

• Pros and cons of monolithic vs. microservices architecture

  Developers interested in shifting to microservices should seriously consider whether a monolithic approach may be the smarter choice. Here are the key factors to consider.Continue Reading

• 5 cloud database comparison tips to guide your data strategy

  Catch up on these tips that compare the strengths, weakness and available integrations of popular public cloud database and analytics services from AWS, Microsoft and Google.Continue Reading

• 12 questions to ask about SD-WAN managed services

  When contemplating SD-WAN managed services, organizations should ask questions about network security, infrastructure compatibility and bandwidth requirements.Continue Reading

• Top data center skills admins can use in 2020

  The 2019 tech job sector saw consistent growth and job availability. In 2020, admins should develop expertise on cloud architectures, edge computing deployments and automation.Continue Reading

• Use multi-cloud software-defined storage to prevent storage silos

  Looking for a way to keep data moving freely and efficiently among cloud platforms? Check out how software-defined storage in a multi-cloud environment works.Continue Reading

• How well do you know PowerCLI cmdlets?

  Take this eight-question quiz to determine how much you know about PowerCLI and its cmdlets -- the short scripts that enable you to automate nearly anything.Continue Reading

• Explore native and third-party VM automation tools' features

  VMware and Microsoft offer native tools that provide VM automation capabilities, but admins should also look at third-party vendors, such as Chef, Puppet and SolarWinds.Continue Reading

• Weigh these RPA benefits and challenges against APIs

  APIs are a safe, reliable way for applications to execute a workflow. But they're not always available. Here's how to craft an integration strategy around APIs, RPA and even people.Continue Reading

• When to consider managed SD-WAN services for your business

  SD-WAN offers promising benefits, like the ability to use multiple ISP links, but managing those links can prove challenging. Managed SD-WAN services can help.Continue Reading

• Multi-cloud storage, blockchain, NVMe garner reader attention

  The multi-cloud vs. hybrid cloud storage debate, blockchain storage struggles and NVMe misconceptions were our most-read tips in 2019. See where storage admins are focused for the year ahead.Continue Reading

• The importance of vCloud Connector server, interface and nodes

  The three crucial components of vCC are the interface, the server and the nodes. The interface enables admins to modify the environment, while the server acts as the go-between.Continue Reading

• Advantages of monolithic architecture that prove it isn't dead

  Don't rush to break up a monolith too quickly without considering what you might lose in the process. We examine why a monolithic architecture is sometimes the smarter choice.Continue Reading

• Gartner WAN edge Magic Quadrant offers buying advice

  How should businesses buy WAN edge technology? You probably shouldn't rely on vendor name recognition alone. Instead, consider some niche players in the SD-WAN market.Continue Reading

• Future of networking technology relies on 5G, edge computing

  In this roundup of networking blogs, experts discuss the key trends they look forward to in 2020 and how these advancements could benefit networking's future.Continue Reading

• What is vCloud Connector and what does it do?

  VMware vCC enables organizations to move workloads, such as VMs, templates and vApps, between clouds by extending the data center, synchronizing content and managing content.Continue Reading

• What to expect from VMware in 2020

  VMware experts Brian Kirsch, Alastair Cooke and Rob Bastiaansen take a look at what's ahead for the virtualization vendor in 2020 as it builds Kubernetes into its suite.Continue Reading

• Are attitudes toward edge computing architecture changing?

  Edge computing has many advantages over the centralized running of applications and processing of data on premises and in the cloud. Are IT leaders getting the message, though?Continue Reading

• Organizations try to predict the effect of 5G infrastructure

  With more 5G and IoT devices emerging, admins must prepare their data centers to support low-latency apps and edge computing with the right network and processing hardware.Continue Reading

• Why hyper-converged edge computing is coming into vogue

  Hyper-convergence helps enterprises better provision applications at the network edge and more efficiently process enormous amounts of data generated by IoT devices and smart sensors.Continue Reading

• An introduction to VMware vRealize Operations Cloud

  VMware is set to release a cloud-based management software as a service in 2020, which uses predictive analytics and AI features to optimize, plan and scale VMware-based hybrid clouds.Continue Reading

• 5 software testing books QA professionals should dig into

  There's no cookie-cutter crash course on software testing. However, these five books can get beginners on the right path to better quality software.Continue Reading

• Niche cloud providers take on market giants

  Choose the cloud that best fits your enterprise's needs. While one of the Big Three may seem like the most logical choice, a niche vendor might actually serve your needs better.Continue Reading

• Enterprise data storage 2019 Products of the Year finalists

  The field of entrants in our 18th annual Products of the Year contest has been winnowed to 50 contenders vying for gold, silver and bronze glory in five data storage categories.Continue Reading

• Understanding object storage vs. block storage for the cloud

  The use of block storage in the cloud is becoming more common. See how block and object storage differ, and when to use one versus the other when it comes to cloud storage.Continue Reading

• Features distinguish leading composable infrastructure systems

  Before selecting a composable architecture, compare the different platforms' processing power, latency rates, supported IOPS, size and type of memory.Continue Reading

• AWS Outposts vs. Azure Stack vs. HCI

  See how AWS Outposts vs. Microsoft Azure Stack hybrid cloud offerings work and where they can and cannot take the place of traditional hyper-converged infrastructures.Continue Reading

• Evaluate if serverless cost benefits are worth the upfront price

  Before an IT shop adopts serverless, it must fully grasp how the technology operates, and prepare for the upfront -- and potentially costly -- app refactoring efforts it requires.Continue Reading

• 3 event sourcing patterns that ease app processing

  Examine the pros and cons of three event sourcing patterns that solve certain problems but can introduce new ones in an event-driven architecture.Continue Reading

• 7 key SD-branch trends to expect in 2020

  New year, new developments. See what's new with SD-branch in 2020, including security advancements and how technologies such as Wi-Fi 6 and 5G will affect branch offices.Continue Reading

• AIOps meaning to expand throughout DevOps chain

  AIOps means artificial intelligence to aid in IT operations. But it could mean much more than that, bringing in development, business, security and other application stakeholders.Continue Reading

• On-premises server monitoring tools meet business needs, budget

  Compare these eight on-premises network, server and application monitoring tools to determine which best fits your organization's specific use cases, business needs and budget.Continue Reading

• Red Hat Virtualization 4.3 updates to Cockpit are minor, but beneficial

  Cockpit hasn't seen many changes with the latest RHV 4.3 update, but it still provides beneficial capabilities, such as the ability create a VM from a template or migrate a VM to a different host.Continue Reading

• Are PMEM and storage class memory worth the price?

  Look beyond price/performance to find out if SCM and persistent memory modules are right for your business. Faster response time and earlier time to market are important, too.Continue Reading

• Food manufacturer finds success with SD-WAN vendor CloudGenix

  Disappointed in a managed service from Verizon, food manufacturer Diamond Crystal Brands went looking for an SD-WAN vendor that could deliver. It found it in CloudGenix.Continue Reading

• Virtualization automation challenges underscore AI usefulness

  Automation helps reduce the complexity of virtual systems, but admins might find that adoption challenges and temporary resolutions underscore its usefulness.Continue Reading

• SD-WAN drives managed network services trends for 2020

  As network operators offer more SD-WAN managed services in 2020, the managed services market will see some major changes regarding price, feature sets and management.Continue Reading

• Review these 3 key cloud computing trends from 2019

  What cloud trends played a large role in the IT industry in 2019? They might not be the first ones that come to mind.Continue Reading

• NVMe/TCP and edge storage benefits and drawbacks

  NVMe/TCP is finally entering the storage mainstream and can be particularly useful for data storage at the edge. Find out the pros and cons of this approach.Continue Reading

• Aaron's deploys CloudGenix SD-WAN after issues with Meraki

  Before Aaron's could improve its real-time network visibility and VoIP performance with CloudGenix SD-WAN, the retailer had to transition from Cisco Meraki.Continue Reading

• The rise of the high-capacity vs. the high-performance SSD

  Learn about the latest trends in enterprise drives, how high-performance devices figure in and the effect of advances in the underlying NAND flash technology.Continue Reading

• Vendors make a splash in 2019 service mesh implementation rush

  There was a surge of service mesh options that hit the market in 2019, and two significant events helped shape its outcome. Expect to see Envoy and Istio steal the stage in 2020.Continue Reading

• Volta Networks wins NIA for cloud-based routing

  Better together? Not when it comes to routing software and hardware. Networking startup Volta Networks' disaggregated routing platform promises to increase flexibility and lowers costs.Continue Reading

• Latest vRealize suite features impact on-prem, cloud-based workloads

  VMware's vRealize suite has introduced new updates to products such as vRealize Operations and vRealize Business for Cloud, which impact both on-premises and cloud-based workloads.Continue Reading

• Get the lowdown on these 4 Google Cloud management services

  Google Cloud Platform offers numerous tools to manage and deploy resources -- each with its own specific focus. Learn about these four services before you get started on Google Cloud.Continue Reading

• Compare AWS CDK vs. CloudFormation, and the state of IaC on AWS

  Infrastructure as code has become an essential part of the cloud development process. Learn how the AWS CDK addresses the weaknesses of CloudFormation and improves automation on AWS.Continue Reading

• Containers, automation and AI shape 2020 IT trends

  In 2019, Kubernetes took Docker's crown and DevOps matured. As IT operations teams ring in the New Year, they should keep an eye on these 2020 IT predictions.Continue Reading

• AWS monitoring best practices extend beyond CloudWatch

  AWS users can choose from a range of native tools to monitor their environments -- but, ultimately, a combination of these services will produce the best results.Continue Reading

• Slowdown, cloud, as-a-service products top 2019 storage news

  Find out what storage industry news resonated with readers this year, including signs of a slowdown, cloud and consumption-based products, new storage arrays and technologies.Continue Reading

• Experts' cloud predictions for 2020

  This was a big year for cloud computing progress, so what's in store for 2020? See what contributors predict for security updates, container tech and more in the new year.Continue Reading

• The top network security trends, threats and strategies in 2020

  Ransomware and attacks against cloud providers reflect key network security trends in 2020. To combat these threats preemptively, assess your specific network needs.Continue Reading

• Intelligent storage systems optimize performance, proactivity

  Intelligent data storage use is on the rise, employing AI, machine learning and predictive analytics to automate storage and prevent problems before they start.Continue Reading

• AWS security groups vs. network ACLs and other AWS firewalls

  Protect your AWS cloud environment with these Amazon firewall services. Learn how security groups and network ACLs work, along with other key AWS firewall options.Continue Reading

• Top networking trends in 2019 to resurface in 2020

  Recapping the top networking news stories of 2019 could provide a glimpse into the future and reveal some of the top networking technology trends of 2020.Continue Reading

• Are containers on Windows the right choice for you?

  Containers have grown in popularity, but there are some considerations to weigh before you decide to migrate Server 2008 workloads to this technology.Continue Reading

• Use EventBridge to unlock AWS event-driven architecture

  Amazon EventBridge improves serverless capabilities on AWS. Learn the differences between EventBridge and CloudWatch Events and how to get the most out of event-driven applications.Continue Reading

• How vSAN hyper-converged infrastructure software works

  Delve into important aspects of VMware vSAN to help clarify its features and how it works to see if the hyper-converged infrastructure software is right for your organization.Continue Reading

• Why should I consider an AIOps platform for my network?

  AIOps can take various tasks -- such as data collection and analysis -- off the plates of network teams. This can provide organizations with better insight into network visibility.Continue Reading

• Gartner analyst lists application migration strategy essentials

  Application prioritization, risk assessment and cost evaluation are key migration strategy components for organizations looking to move workloads from on prem to the cloud or a colo facility.Continue Reading

• VMware NSX Intelligence boosts data center visibility, security

  The new NSX Intelligence distributed analytics engine is part of VMware NSX-T 2.5. Learn how it gives networking teams deep visibility into virtualized and containerized workloads.Continue Reading

• Compare Red Hat OpenShift vs. Cloud Foundry in a Kubernetes faceoff

  Looking for a container ecosystem platform? OpenShift and Cloud Foundry have similar roots as PaaS platforms, but this comparison identifies a clear winner for most organizations.Continue Reading

• Apigee vs. Mulesoft: An API management platform face-off

  Mulesoft and Apigee are two of the most widely used API management platforms around. This article places them side by side to compare their pros and cons.Continue Reading

• How is HCI market fragmentation affecting buyers, vendors?

  An increasingly crowded market and the technological limitations of standard HCI have led to innovative new takes on hyper-convergence to the benefit of vendors and buyers alike.Continue Reading

• How software prototyping beats requirements gathering

  How do you know which features to code into the software you're developing? Application teams share tips on how to deliver ROI with prototyping, UX research and a design week.Continue Reading

• Evaluate general and niche cloud service use cases

  Can't decide between a niche cloud provider or a hyperscaler? Review some real-world examples to help weigh the options and find the best fit for your workloads.Continue Reading

• Compare niche cloud services to the hyperscale offerings

  Consider your enterprise's specific needs when choosing between niche clouds and hyperscale clouds. Here's an overview of what you should know about both options.Continue Reading

• Emphasize app modernization in 2020 IT budget plans

  IT budgeting can be stressful and complicated, but it doesn't have to be. Communicate with business leaders and users to identify -- and capitalize on -- the right opportunities.Continue Reading

• How do I choose the right network automation tools or platform?

  In your organization's search for the best network automation platform for business operations, compare the pros and cons of proprietary and open source tools.Continue Reading

• Comparing Linux distributions: Red Hat vs. Ubuntu

  Before selecting a Linux distribution, compare Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Ubuntu when it comes to features, ease of use, licensing and documentation.Continue Reading

• What does HCI 2.0 mean for hyper-convergence?

  Like composable infrastructure, next-gen hyper-convergence promises to ease procurement and management by, among other things, enabling users to add disparate IT resources independently.Continue Reading

• The benefits of Python are plenty, but it's not for everyone

  Python boasts plenty of features that make it a go-to object-oriented language. But is it always the right choice? We take a look at what you should know about coding with Python.Continue Reading

• Get to know the Kaspersky Light Agent app for virtual systems

  Kaspersky's Security for Virtualization Light Agent application provides multilayered protection for virtual servers and VDIs as well as their VMs and OSes across multiple hosts.Continue Reading

• Assess the Wi-Fi 6 features available in Wave 1 and Wave 2

  Catch up on the different features available with the first wave of Wi-Fi 6, including OFDMA and Target Wake Time, and find out which capabilities Wave 2 will bring.Continue Reading

• Samsung V-NAND SSDs designed for high capacity, speed, efficiency

  Samsung's V-NAND chip breaks through existing 3D NAND cell stacking limits with the industry's first 100+ layers in a move designed to enhance speed, capacity and power efficiency.Continue Reading