Evaluate

Evaluate

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

• AWS analytics tools help make sense of big data

  The data analytics market is rising with the popularity of cloud computing. As the leader in the public cloud, AWS drives the next generation of big data processing. Continue Reading

• EMC XtremIO storage array

  The XtremIO storage array from EMC is an all-flash system that offers scalability and high performance. Continue Reading

• What is the best archival media type?

  Many archival media types are available, including disk and cloud, but their level of reliability and storage density varies. Continue Reading

• Configure disk volumes to optimize your Exchange 2013 performance

  The wrong disk volumes can foil Exchange optimization practices. Assess your configurations with support and compression in mind. Continue Reading

• Why are object stores a good match for archival data storage?

  Latency in object stores that stems from a large amount of metadata means the technology is better suited to non-transactional data. Continue Reading

• What is the best pattern to use for data persistence?

  When designing an application, developers must decide how to implement data persistence. Brad Irby explains which data persistence pattern to consider.Continue Reading

• What is collaboration and why is it important to Agile methodologies?

  Agile methodologies stress the benefits of collaboration, working with cross-functional teams to encourage communication between business owners and IT.Continue Reading

• What are some good suggestions for code refactoring tools?

  Code refactoring tools are plentiful, so how do you choose the one that's right for you? Brad Irby explains what to look for when choosing a tool.Continue Reading

• Find the right recipe for mobile business apps

  Consumerization is driving changes in IT. Creating mobile business apps is a top concern for many companies. Developing these applications quickly, while ensuring high quality, is an enormous task for testers and project managers. Half-baked or ...Continue Reading

• SDN monitoring means new transitions for engineers

  SDN network management means tools are transforming from listening mode to active mode.Continue Reading

• Cloud-based integration seeks to tear down data silos

  As companies adopt a pantheon of cloud apps, so grows the risk of having isolated bodies of data. The cloud-based integration of far-flung systems can have divine results.Continue Reading

• HUS VM SAN array platform

  The Hitachi Unified Storage VM is a storage array designed for enterprise SAN environments requiring high storage capacities.Continue Reading

• Can I use Mikrotik vs. Cisco switches in a data center?

  I'm purchasing rack-level access switches for an enterprise data center, and weighing Cisco vs. Mikrotik, which is less expensive.Continue Reading

• Your key products for enterprise application integration

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

• Taking stock of the cloud storage market

  Rich Castagna takes a closer look at the impact of cloud storage, what's preventing more widespread adoption, and the potential of the technology.Continue Reading

• Performance counts when buying a solid-state storage device

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

• Testing cloud applications for Azure, Google Cloud

  As software development cycles accelerate, IT must more rapidly test cloud-based applications. The right tools and services can help pick up the pace.Continue Reading

• What separates object storage systems from SDS?

  Although software-defined storage and object storage can work in similar ways, there are significant differences between the two.Continue Reading

• Evaluating OpenStack vs. VMware for private cloud

  OpenStack and VMware are both viable options for hybrid and private cloud. So which one should your organization choose?Continue Reading

• Can a VMware snapshot resurrect a VMDK file?

  Snapshots can be used to undo botched upgrades, but can they be used to rebuild a broken VMDK file?Continue Reading

• Lift and shift vs. re-platforming cloud apps

  When evaluating a new technology, some people like to go all in, with gusto, and adopt it hook line and sinker. Then there are folks whose MO is to take baby steps: Dip a toe in the water and do a lengthy proof of concept. What's right for any given...Continue Reading

• How to define hybrid cloud service-level agreements

  Defining hybrid cloud service-level agreements takes more forethought and planning than traditional SLAs. Here is what you should consider.Continue Reading

• Is there an SDN open source alternative to NSX?

  VMware's NSX and Cisco's ACI platforms have gotten the most attention in the SDN space, but is there room for open source alternatives?Continue Reading

• What's the difference between EMC VNX series and ViPR?

  Brien Posey explains how two of EMC's virtual storage products work and for what use cases they work best.Continue Reading

• Five cons of container technology

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

• Can hyperconverged systems transform the enterprise?

  It's hard to predict which novelties will become mainstays, and which will be has-beens. One current hot technology is hyperconvergence, the subject of Alex Barrett's article in our May issue, "The Hyperconvergence Effect." Is hyperconvergence a ...Continue Reading

• Server performance and benchmark testing guide

  The right back-end servers, tuned for maximum efficacy, make the difference in business-critical applications and services.Continue Reading

• Examine your computing environment before you buy flash storage

  The decision to buy flash storage can overcome many performance issues, but other areas of your computing environment could be contributing factors.Continue Reading

• Realize the benefits of storage virtualization

  Storage virtualization can come in a number of different forms. Some might consider storage virtualization as software that acts as a control layer to pool capacity from multiple, different vendors. Others might include the several types of products...Continue Reading

• What are data center-class switches?

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

• How the balloon driver helps VM performance

  Using the balloon driver in VMware Tools is a better option for reclaiming RAM from a VM; otherwise there may be a bigger performance issue.Continue Reading

• Advanced threat protection add-on comes to Microsoft EOP

  The ATP add-on for Exchange Online Protection gives on-premises Exchange Server and Office 365 customers another layer of security.Continue Reading

• Pros and cons of memory channel storage

  Memory channel storage is a relatively new technology that allows storage professionals to overcome some of the most limiting storage bottlenecks. Although flash storage is often heralded as providing far greater performance than traditional hard ...Continue Reading

• Why a COTS package requires testing

  Buying COTS systems doesn't necessarily mean security. Learn why COTS testing is needed.Continue Reading

• Will memristor technology replace NAND flash?

  Brien Posey says that with HP working on a memristor-based computer it plans to launch by 2020, the technology could eventually succeed NAND flash.Continue Reading

• SAN basics: All the tools you need to purchase a storage-area network

  Whether you're purchasing a SAN for the first time or looking to upgrade, this guide walks you through the buying process from start to finish.Continue Reading

• The good and the bad of online discussion forums

  What is the value of online discussion forums? This expert sees the good and the bad in online forums.Continue Reading

• Exploring capabilities, costs of Microsoft Azure cloud

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

• Getting a handle on Google Cloud Platform options

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

• Comparing features, tiers and pricing of PaaS vendors

  As cloud services become more complex and customized, the harder they are to evaluate. An expert offers advice for evaluating PaaS vendors.Continue Reading

• What are SR-IOV pros and cons with Hyper-V?

  SR-IOV in Windows Server 2012 R2 supports Hyper-V Live Migration, but system requirements hampered adoption for some cases. Should everyone put PCIe SR-IOV to use?Continue Reading

• HP MSA 2040 storage array

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

• Amazon earnings numbers show AWS success, IaaS growth

  Amazon finally broke out AWS numbers in its recent earnings report, quieting critics and proving it's a viable IaaS cloud provider for the enterprise.Continue Reading

• Tracking VMware's expansion from humble beginnings

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

• EMC VMAX Series storage arrays

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

• Horizon View Direct-Connection Plugin streamlines configuration

  The Direct-Connection Plugin lets Horizon View users connect to a virtual desktop without connecting to a Connection Server first.Continue Reading

• What are the limitations and drawbacks of an IPAM server?

  Windows Server IPAM can only handle one Active Directory forest. Learn about other limitations.Continue Reading

• Taming data center disturbances with vRealize Operations Manager

  As more workloads and servers are virtualized, the vSphere administrator will need some kind of tool to help keep an eye on resources and make intelligent choices.Continue Reading

• Elastic Load Balancing tricks for AWS applications

  Improperly configuring Elastic Load Balancing and Auto Scaling Groups in Elastic Beanstalk can harm AWS app performance. Avoid these setup mistakes.Continue Reading

• Understanding public cloud risks and costs

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

• Unlock the potential of a converged system for storage

  Converged storage offerings package compute, storage and networking together for easy deployment and cost savings. Two of the primary benefits of converged infrastructure systems are enhanced time to production and a potential for cost savings. A ...Continue Reading

• Five ways VDI technology is affected by storage

  Managing storage for your VDI infrastructure has progressed, but there are still some snags. Here are five ways to avoid VDI environment issues.Continue Reading

• Survive and thrive in cloud DevOps

  Research shows that more companies are adopting DevOps, or the blending of an organization’s application development and systems operations teams. Cloud DevOps is a natural fit for many organizations because it enables faster development and ...Continue Reading

• Hewlett-Packard 3PAR StoreServ 7000 Series Storage Arrays

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

• What's the effect of network switch buffer in a data center?

  What's causing buffer? How much buffer should ideally be available in a network switch? Is there any standard available for buffer?Continue Reading

• Cache networks for better mobile application performance

  Architects find they can improve mobile application performance by leveraging caching networks and new data synchronization protocols.Continue Reading

• Agile Manifesto: Both timeless and outdated?

  The Agile Manifesto changed the way we look at the software development process. Today, the Manifesto is outdated in some ways and timeless in others.Continue Reading

• How do I size the physical server to host virtual machines?

  I want to convert a physical machine to a virtual machine. How can I select and size the right server infrastructure to host VMs?Continue Reading

• Connect the dots to uncover Replication RPO violations

  When attempting to troubleshoot an RPO violation in vSphere Replication, the underlying cause is oftentimes more complex than it appears on the surface.Continue Reading

• Three traits of continuous software development

  What is 'continuous' in software development? Combining iterative development with automation produces code so quickly it is now thought of as continuous.Continue Reading

• Tape vs. disk: Which offers the greatest energy efficiency?

  Jon Toigo looks at the factors that determine whether disk or tape is more energy-efficient.Continue Reading

• Three reasons why object storage is a good HDFS alternative

  HDFS manages data across dispersed nodes, but an object storage system that leverages commodity storage can be a compelling alternative.Continue Reading

• Watch online: Effective approaches to AWS cloud monitoring

  AWS administrators can monitor AWS Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) instances using native tools like CloudWatch, but those native tools don’t always get to the heart of the matter. This handbook examines third-party cloud management tools that can help ...Continue Reading

• Three apps in which Docker containers really shine

  Docker containers offer a variety of benefits. But apply the software to these three application types to get the biggest bang for your buck.Continue Reading

• Vendors predict the future of data storage 2015

  The future of data storage isn’t easy to predict. While some vendors see it clearly, others prove that, going into 2015, their crystal balls may be a little hazy.Continue Reading

• Atlantis USX 2.0

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

• Nimble CS700

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

• Scality Inc. Ring 5.0

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

• HP OneView for VMware vCenter 7.4.2

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

• DeveloperWeek 2015: Dev techies unite in San Francisco

  DeveloperWeek 2015 is one of the largest tech events in the country. Find out the latest news from the show.Continue Reading

• Can you virtualize a NetBackup master server?

  I have only seen companies deploy a NetBackup master server on a physical server. Are there any drawbacks to using a VM as a NetBackup master server?Continue Reading

• AWS vs. Google comparison guide

  AWS and Google are slugging it out in the public cloud ring -- going blow for blow on price and features. How do they compare on performance and cost?Continue Reading

• What's the difference between 'usable' and 'effective' flash capacity?

  Vendors often publish numbers for 'usable' capacity versus 'effective' capacity. Can you explain this and how can you plan flash capacity needs with these numbers in mind?Continue Reading

• Here and there: Blending on-premises and cloud environments

  Data center technologies and strategies are evolving toward a blend of infrastructures that reside partly on-premises and partly in the cloud. More and more, IT shops are being asked to coordinate technology resources rather than simply control them...Continue Reading

• How do I use SR-IOV for Hyper-V VMs?

  Single Root I/O Virtualization, or SR-IOV, can help reduce latency and increase I/O throughput when enabled for Hyper-V VMs.Continue Reading

• When should I use global file locking in the cloud?

  According to analyst George Crump, global file locking isn't required for single-office cloud users, but for multisite organizations it is a top requirement in a cloud service.Continue Reading

• Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud features explained

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

• Advantages of Amazon RDS vs. a personal relational database

  One of the advantages of developers using Amazon RDS instead of managing their own databases is that it reduces or eliminates their administrative responsibilities.Continue Reading

• When and how to use the AWS Command Line Interface

  Sometimes a command line is needed for application management. Learn how and when to use the AWS Command Line Interface.Continue Reading

• Eight data center technologies to test in the new year

  As the hype from 2014 dissipates, the new year rings in hot new technologies. IoE, hybrid clouds and other tech innovations make the data center run more efficiently.Continue Reading

• How are SSD garbage collection, wear leveling and TRIM different?

  While using solid-state drives in a vSphere environment can give a boost to VMs that require high performance, it's important to know how certain longevity features function in the storage hardware.Continue Reading

• Linux network configuration turns positively wicked

  Wicked replaces a lot of old Linux network configuration commands and utilities in SLES 12, making the OS more cloud friendly.Continue Reading

• It's time to redefine the enterprise file sync-and-share market

  Today's enterprise file sync-and-share products do so much more than synchronizing data that it might be time to re-think the moniker.Continue Reading

• API security more critical as componentization grows

  Securing APIs is critical as componentization grows. Expert Tom Nolle suggests that an API's security attributes are as important as functional attributes.Continue Reading

• What criteria are most important when evaluating cloud storage costs?

  With cloud storage pricing models varying so much, it makes sense to compare summaries of these criteria to be sure you make the right choice.Continue Reading

• Are there intellectual property issues with SaaS tools?

  Should businesses worry about intellectual property when using SaaS tools? Read this expert response to find out.Continue Reading

• Amazon Cognito offers back-end support in multi-device world

  Users working on multiple devices want access to customized app environments. Cognito creates a back end for identity management and gives those users a consistent experience.Continue Reading

• A cloud management tools comparison guide

  With its complex nature, cloud management can get bumpy at times. Luckily, cloud management tools from VMware, Dell and others can help.Continue Reading

• IBM Tivoli software for enterprise system management

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

• Dell OpenManage enterprise system management overview

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

• How is big data changing data archiving strategies?

  Analyst Jon Toigo explains why performing analytics on big data sets means that data is no longer considered cold, reducing the importance of archives.Continue Reading

• Archiving methods: Smart meta tags, archive in place and FLAPE

  Jon Toigo outlines several archiving techniques, the technologies that make them run smoothly, and explains why data classification is crucial.Continue Reading

• What are some vCloud Director features for cloud management?

  In virtualization's evolution from servers to the cloud, VMware has several offerings for managing resources in virtual data centers.Continue Reading

• Cloud data security comes with hefty price tag

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

• OpenStack features, services creating industry buzz

  OpenStack features, including portability, security and storage are prompting vendors and IT pros alike to support the open source cloud platform.Continue Reading

• Which IBM 3592 tape cartridge has the highest capacity?

  There are a bunch of IBM 3592 'J' tape designations. How do you order the right capacity for your tape drives? Do you take compression into account?Continue Reading

• Five tools to improve embedded software testing efforts

  Embedded software testing tools are useful for catching defects during unit, integration and system testing. Here are five such tools that can make testing easier.Continue Reading

• Web services vs. cloud services: Are they the same?

  Learn how Web services and cloud services differ, and how working together impacts business efficiency.Continue Reading

• What are the benefits of using an object storage system with file access?

  With increasingly demanding workloads, NAS systems can have a hard time keeping up. Can using NAS with an object storage option relieve some of these problems?Continue Reading

• Where JMS 2.0 misses the mark

  JMS 2.0 added significant ease-of-use and messaging features to the popular API. Bill Claybrook looks at what's new in JMS 2.0 and what's missing.Continue Reading