Evaluate

Evaluate

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

• Larger, expandable HCI nodes bring big infrastructure benefits

  Discover why a larger node strategy enables enterprises to better consolidate workloads in a hyper-converged infrastructure environment while reducing complexity and cost. Continue Reading

• Machine learning for data analytics can solve big data storage issues

  Discover how AI and machine learning -- with support from major vendors and technologies like Lambda architecture, FPGAs and containers -- address big data analytics challenges. Continue Reading

• When converged and hyper-converged -- and cloud -- converge

  Price, ease of management and use cases should determine if you use hyper-converged, converged infrastructure or on-premises public cloud stacks. There are differences, however. Continue Reading

• Machine learning for data storage optimizes data analysis

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• The realities of unstructured data management revealed

  Managing and gleaning business value from unstructured data is of utmost importance to enterprises today. Our infographic outlines the challenges respondents face. Continue Reading

• What effect will 400 GbE have on enterprise networks?

  400 Gigabit Ethernet is the next hurdle for Ethernet capabilities to surpass. But enterprises may not be prepared for this technology yet, due to its immaturity.Continue Reading

• NSX-T 2.4 could surpass NSX-V as VMware's primary SDN platform

  VMware NSX-T now includes High Availability, a simplified UI and firewall updates. If it can provide your data center the same functionality as NSX-V, consider making the switch.Continue Reading

• Move data with these Google cloud migration tools

  From physical appliances to professional services, here's a quick rundown of the tools your team might want to consider for a migration to Google Cloud Platform.Continue Reading

• Are there tools or platforms that support AWS Firecracker?

  Although there are a handful of tools to help run Firecracker more easily, admins might find issues with the lack of major tool integration for the software.Continue Reading

• Get the most out of version control in software engineering

  Version control is a key concept in software engineering, as it enables dev teams to make code changes without overwrites or miscues. Learn version control basics with this guide.Continue Reading

• Top 10 VMworld 2019 sessions to consider

  The catalog for VMworld 2019 has more than 900 sessions. Whether or not you already planned your schedule, take a look at our top picks to see what you might have missed.Continue Reading

• Industry grapples with new Wi-Fi naming conventions

  What's in a name? As the industry gets accustomed to the WFA's new Wi-Fi naming conventions, networking pros discuss pros and cons -- and when to use Wi-Fi 6 vs. 802.11ax.Continue Reading

• Pros and cons of buying used networking equipment on eBay

  To buy or not to buy used networking equipment on eBay, that is the question. Here are the pros and cons, as well as best practices for making a gray market purchase.Continue Reading

• Weigh infrastructure as code risks against the benefits

  Infrastructure as code can transform the modern data center, but maintain a healthy dose of caution -- and thorough documentation and testing environments -- to prevent chaos.Continue Reading

• What is the difference between TCP/IP model vs. OSI model?

  Use this expert advice to learn the differences between the TCP/IP model vs. the OSI model, and explore how they relate to each other in network communications.Continue Reading

• Cloud exchange provider deploys Blue Planet orchestration

  In this case study, a Denver-based colocation and cloud exchange provider explains how Ciena's Blue Planet orchestration technology has helped make over its cloud exchange.Continue Reading

• Get to know data storage containers and their terminology

  Looking into containerization? You're going to need these key terms to better understand the technology, how it works and which vendors are offering it.Continue Reading

• Why would I use Micronaut framework instead of Java?

  Micronaut is JVM-based, so what does it bring to application development and test that the Java framework doesn't already address?Continue Reading

• What is network automation, and what can it do for you?

  This feature explores what network automation is and its influence on organizations. It also discusses assumptions about its effect on network engineers and similarities with SDN.Continue Reading

• Which SD-WAN features truly comprise SD-WAN technology?

  How do you protect your organization and network against SD-WAN washing? Here are four key SD-WAN features that your system must have in order to be called SD-WAN.Continue Reading

• Where integrated hybrid cloud storage makes sense in the enterprise

  Is your organization ready to do more with hybrid cloud storage? Find out how to integrate this technology and put all the hardware, software and services to work effectively.Continue Reading

• Explore Azure interface options for cloud developers

  All cloud providers, including Microsoft, offer a range of resources to aid cloud development, deployment and management. Explore the various interfaces Azure developers can use to accomplish these tasks.Continue Reading

• Cloud experts weigh in on AWS container capabilities

  Learn where AWS container services stand today: what limitations AWS needs to improve upon and where Amazon's container capabilities are headed in the future.Continue Reading

• Compare Linkerd vs. Istio for service mesh technology

  To decide between Istio and Linkerd for a service mesh platform, consider everything from performance and ease of use to support from major public cloud providers.Continue Reading

• The essentials of refactoring a monolith to microservices

  Enterprise apps are complex, long-lived and vital to the business. In short, they're excruciatingly difficult to modernize. If you address these prerequisites, it will hurt less.Continue Reading

• How can network security analytics detect and thwart threats?

  Network security analytics gives organizations an additional level of protection against malicious attacks. It works closely with network analytics tools.Continue Reading

• Sizing up network edge switch offerings for a campus LAN

  Learn the difference between traditional and open network switches, how to assess your organization's need for edge switches and what features leading switches offer.Continue Reading

• VMware cloud services span several partnerships, integrations

  VMware stakes a bigger claim in the cloud market with VMware Cloud on AWS, VMware on Azure and VMware Cloud on Dell EMC, in addition to cloud management and multi-cloud tools.Continue Reading

• Discover the leading mobile app development platforms

  Explore the many factors that go into considering a mobile app development platform, such as cost of deployment and Android versus iOSContinue Reading

• Check out this free chapter excerpt from ITIL 4 -- A Pocket Guide

  In ITIL 4 -- A Pocket Guide, author Jan van Bon walks readers through the core updates to the ITSM framework, and how they apply to the modern enterprise IT landscape.Continue Reading

• CASB tools evolve to meet broader set of cloud security needs

  When choosing a CASB, enterprises face two primary options: a stand-alone service from a third party or a bundled tool set from some of the large cloud providers. It's important to pick your flavor wisely.Continue Reading

• IronWolf 110 SSD could mark NAS-specific storage shift

  Is there a place in the current storage market for NAS-focused SSDs? Seagate seems to believe so, if the recently released IronWolf 110 is any indication.Continue Reading

• Learn the ins and outs of NSX-T vs. NSX-V

  NSX-V integrates tightly with vSphere, whereas NSX-T integrates with cloud and container platforms. Each version of NSX has its place, but NSX-T might be the way of the future.Continue Reading

• What's the future of NVMe storage in the data center?

  As the NVMe market matures, adopters are gaining new capabilities and options for where and how to use the technology. See what industry experts have to say.Continue Reading

• Is a Cloud Foundry deployment right for you?

  Enterprise PaaS needs have grown from streamlining app deployment to the ability to use the hosting infrastructure of their choice -- which has put Cloud Foundry in the spotlight.Continue Reading

• What are micro VMs and how do they benefit data centers?

  When used together, VMs and containers can provide key benefits to an admin's workload, such as isolation and security, without having to deal with typical disadvantages.Continue Reading

• How to buy NAS systems for any organization

  Explore all the steps that go into purchasing an NAS system, such as evaluating appliance features, comparing devices and exploring the leading market vendors in-depth.Continue Reading

• SD-WAN market sees continued growth, room for mobile support

  The SD-WAN market is growing, thanks to financial firms with distributed deployments. VMware and Cisco continue to lead the vendor pack, with Aryaka and Silver Peak close behind.Continue Reading

• How to choose cross-platform mobile development tools

  Cross-platform development tools help organizations build apps for a variety of users and devices. But where to start? Learn what types of tools fit which situations.Continue Reading

• How HPE InfoSight AI proactively spots, solves infrastructure issues

  Find out how the cloud service uses AI, machine learning and predictive analytics to collect and analyze data from millions of sensors to address problems before they happen.Continue Reading

• Examine the role of VMware in the HCI market

  VMware carved out a leading position for itself in the HCI market. But HCI's evolution to encompass new areas, such as public cloud, keeps VMware on its toes.Continue Reading

• 5 Kubernetes adoption considerations you should think about

  Understand the basics of Kubernetes, including how it works and its pros and cons, before deciding whether or not to adopt. Then, figure out how you plan to manage it.Continue Reading

• Blockchain terminology: 7 key blockchain storage terms

  Storage built around blockchain can be confusing, but understanding basic blockchain storage terminology can help clarify what the technology is and how it works.Continue Reading

• Why did operator NFV adoption lag so much?

  NFV adoption was hampered by high costs and deployment issues, according to one industry insider. Also, learn about the latest on network security and industry hype.Continue Reading

• Streamline CI/CD with the Jenkins Blue Ocean tool

  Organizations that run Jenkins may find that plugins complicate their CI/CD pipeline. Here's how the continuous delivery tool Blue Ocean can help keep things on track.Continue Reading

• Discover the best NAS products for your organization

  Explore some of the top NAS products on the market -- based on features, cost and implementation -- to help you make the right buying decision.Continue Reading

• Effectively manage containers and improve workload performance

  Containers are increasingly popular, so it's vital that admins understand the tools available and learn how to manage containers before deploying them in production environments.Continue Reading

• Why streaming telemetry tops SNMP in tracking network performance

  SNMP isn't going away anytime soon, but streaming telemetry is a much more effective way to generate critical alerts and measure network performance.Continue Reading

• Explore the Citrix guest UEFI boot feature for modern systems

  A guest boot feature offered by Citrix provides admins with improved system performance, but they should be wary of its continued experimental status.Continue Reading

• 3 ways to benefit from open source infrastructure

  Using open source infrastructure can reduce operating costs and streamline upgrades, but it's important to weigh the pros and cons before you jump on the bandwagon.Continue Reading

• The 5 network security basics you need to know

  In this compilation, learn what network security is, as well as how it differs from cybersecurity, common -- and potentially confusing -- technologies, threats and more.Continue Reading

• Define a continuous improvement process with EA models, practices

  Continuous improvement isn't just about centers of excellence or feedback loops. Ultimately, it must bring the vast enterprise architecture into rapid-fire code changes, and vice versa.Continue Reading

• Erasure coding vs. RAID: Pros and cons for hyper-convergence

  Hyper-converged systems, like any other, require data protection. We describe using RAID and erasure coding for hyper-convergence to help you pick the best option for your HCI.Continue Reading

• Get started with native Windows mobile app development

  There are pros and cons to embarking on Windows mobile app development. Find out if developing natively in Windows is right for your company.Continue Reading

• How NVMe-oF advantages are transforming storage

  There's a lot involved with deploying NVMe over fabrics. Here's what you need to know to fully understand this communication protocol and make it work in your organization.Continue Reading

• Look inside the Mesosphere DC/OS distributed operating system

  IT organizations that run large, distributed workloads on clusters should examine the Mesosphere DC/OS approach, but be forewarned: It takes a lot of components to simplify ops.Continue Reading

• IT teams face an uphill battle with serverless migrations

  Moving serverless functions between cloud platforms is met with various obstacles. Make sure to look out for the following key features before starting the process.Continue Reading

• How cloud network services affect transformation and security

  In this roundup of networking blogs, experts dive into three facets of networking that cloud can affect: network transformation, planning and security.Continue Reading

• 5 advantages of cloud storage

  Unlimited capacity, multi-tenancy and built-in disaster recovery are a few of the cloud storage benefits administrators can use to help solve data storage challenges.Continue Reading

• How should app developers choose a cloud provider?

  Not every service in the cloud matters to developers. Look for these core features, and see which providers stand out when it comes to microservices, containers, AI services and IDEs.Continue Reading

• Fit iOS development tools into your app dev approach

  There are pros and cons to going full bore into iOS development tools. Find out if developing natively in iOS is worth the extra cost and effort.Continue Reading

• Why networking certifications no longer matter

  Networking certifications have consistently been an important milestone for network professionals. But diverse network infrastructure, automation and UI upgrades could change that.Continue Reading

• What does open source SD-WAN look like, and do we need it?

  Open source software has an openly available source code that users can adopt or modify. Open source combined with SD-WAN might be a perfect match or a too idealistic goal.Continue Reading

• Size up AWS Lambda vs. Elastic Beanstalk for app hosting

  AWS users evaluating Elastic Beanstalk against Lambda must decide if infrastructure control matters when it comes to application performance, or if nonstop operation is wasting money.Continue Reading

• How to use PowerCLI for alarm automation in vCenter

  Alarms are central to good security. Bypass the unwieldy GUI and use PowerCLI instead to quickly and easily retrieve, monitor and modify alarms in your vCenter ecosystem.Continue Reading

• Pros and cons of Android app development tools

  There are pros and cons to embarking on native Android app development. Find out if implementing an Android dev tool is right for your company.Continue Reading

• Compare the top mobile operating systems for developers

  Explore the differences between the leading mobile operating systems as well as the ways that they differ from traditional desktop applications.Continue Reading

• 3 serverless development strategies for stateful applications

  Serverless developers can connect stateless functions to state information in several ways, without introducing debilitating latency to the application design.Continue Reading

• Open networking switch market extends focus to campus edge

  Factors such as cost and flexibility, which make open switches attractive to data centers, will eventually extend to edge deployments in campus environments.Continue Reading

• VMware multi-cloud management shows room for improvement

  Multi-cloud management is on the rise as companies modify services to accommodate changing cloud platforms. VMware is emerging in the cloud management market with its vRealize Suite.Continue Reading

• An ITSM tool comparison for enterprises with an eye on AI

  All AI-enabled ITSM tools aim to streamline and automate IT operations, but buyers must make the right selection to get the most out of these products.Continue Reading

• Exchange Online vs. Office 365: Which plan is a better fit?

  A switch from Exchange Server to Exchange Online might make financial sense, but it might not fit the needs of your organization. Here are some common migration mistakes to avoid.Continue Reading

• 3 vendors to consider for an HCI appliance

  HCI isn't just a software product; market vendors such as Nutanix, HPE and Pivot3 also have specific appliances for admins that want features for network and storage management.Continue Reading

• 5 common open source software licenses you need to know

  Everyone likes getting credit, but not everyone remembers to give it. Learn what conditions open source licenses impose, such as copyright notices and redistribution rules.Continue Reading

• What's new in hybrid Azure services in Windows Admin Center?

  Trying to get the most out of Azure hybrid services? Discover Microsoft's latest developments to further centralize management in Windows Admin Center.Continue Reading

• Analyst details why pros and cons of serverless architecture matter

  Get an expert's take on the top three pros and cons of serverless architecture, including the potential cost savings, but also rearchitecting work involved for existing applications.Continue Reading

• Oracle Cloud Infrastructure seeks a spot in the IaaS market

  Don't count out Oracle IaaS before knowing what it has to offer. Learn where Oracle Cloud Infrastructure excels and what to expect from this public cloud offering.Continue Reading

• Does an Azure cloud migration make sense for your workloads?

  While you can't move all of your Windows Server workloads into the Azure cloud and turn off your local server closet, you can get much closer than ever.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Azure AD complements Active Directory

  Azure users have a cloud-based version of Active Directory at their fingertips, but it's not a carbon copy of the on-premises version. Learn how to use the services in tandem.Continue Reading

• 5 multi-cloud use cases for better storage

  Use cases for multi-cloud storage proliferate as the technology becomes mainstream. Consider the technology for backup, resiliency, compliance, AI and software development.Continue Reading

• Assess AIOps benefits and challenges for enterprise IT teams

  To successfully reap the benefits of an AIOps implementation, IT teams first have to navigate some crucial cultural and technical shifts.Continue Reading

• What do the top cloud security providers offer in 2019?

  Cloud security providers need to play catch-up with the evolving advancements in cloud technology. Find out what the top CSPs offer today and which one is right for you.Continue Reading

• How GitHub and Bitbucket augment key Git features

  Learn how GitHub and Bitbucket enhance the Git version control system, enabling management and security on top of Git's native abilities to clarify workflows and protect data.Continue Reading

• How to pick the right application wireframing tool

  Determine the best application wireframing tool for mobile and website projects based on team collaboration, prototype complexity and other real-world factors.Continue Reading

• Evaluate the Azure serverless tools to ease deployment anxiety

  So you want to build a serverless application on Microsoft Azure? Explore the tools and features that support those apps and determine how you want to manage your eventflow.Continue Reading

• Know the risk of hyper-converged vendor lock-in, myths and facts

  The risk of HCI vendor lock-in is real. The reason why is different than you might think, however. See how it often comes down to financial, not technical, limitations in this article.Continue Reading

• Review AWS Quick Starts for third-party integrations

  AWS Quick Starts integrations use CloudFormation templates to automate deployment of popular technologies from Tableau and IBM, among others. Learn how this 'AWS App Store' works.Continue Reading

• How products from leading campus LAN switch vendors compare

  Before evaluating campus LAN switches, assess the organization's core needs as well as future requirements, such as capabilities for Wi-Fi 6 or high-end PoE to power IoT devices.Continue Reading

• The history of Docker's climb in the container management market

  When the concept of containers became stale, Docker brought containers back to the forefront by creating container management software, and the company continues to evolve.Continue Reading

• Discover the benefits of a network-attached storage device

  Find out what's new with NAS technology today, including how it differs from SAN and DAS and where a NAS device might fit into your enterprise's storage plan.Continue Reading

• Simplify Java-based development with the Kotlin language

  What makes Kotlin popular among Java professionals? Explore the attributes of this functional programming language that's equipped for both traditional Java and Android developers.Continue Reading

• Does DevOps require end-to-end monitoring tools?

  While basic monitoring services and feedback loops provide critical insight for DevOps teams, an end-to-end monitoring tool gives them a more holistic view of the end-user experience.Continue Reading

• Navigating the network analytics software buying process

  Network analytics tools can help organizations identify the root cause of network performance issues and provide insight for predicting future networking demands.Continue Reading

• 9 enterprise NAS features and purchase considerations

  If you're in the market for enterprise NAS, pay close attention to the system's form factor, the media it supports and how easy it is to increase capacity, among other features.Continue Reading

• Future of PowerShell lies in DevOps, cloud resource management

  While PowerShell isn't the only automation and scripting tool that fits in IT pros' cloud and CI/CD toolboxes, it won't fall out of favor any time soon.Continue Reading

• Applitools Eyes now free for open source libraries

  Open source libraries can now access Applitools Eyes at no cost as part of Applitools' effort to invest in open source. It has also partnered with This Dot for an apprentice program.Continue Reading

• 8 practical serverless design patterns for enterprise devs

  Serverless app teams can turn to architecture patterns to guide the way to a successful product. Learn the criteria to narrow your options and the key differences between eight patterns.Continue Reading

• Kubernetes CSI volume plugin and the products that support it

  Several volume drivers support the Kubernetes Container Storage Interface volume plugin, making it easier to connect containerized workloads with storage systems.Continue Reading

• What roles are included in a network engineer job description?

  What is a network engineer? The role can encompass several disciplines, especially as new technologies emerge. Software knowledge, in particular, is in high demand.Continue Reading

• HCI management layer vs. native hypervisor management

  See why inherent differences between hyper-converged and native hypervisor management tools tend to make one better suited for managing virtualized HCI resources than the other.Continue Reading