Evaluate

Evaluate

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

• Five mobile testing tools for developers to consider

  This review of five mobile testing tools, Appium, Selendroid, ios-driver, Sauce Labs and Perfecto Mobile, will kick-start your research in a growing software market. Continue Reading

• Read and write considerations when designing APIs

  This is the third installment of a four-part series offering enterprise architects advice for designing APIs. Continue Reading

• How do you define data center size, density?

  With shifts in the scale and density of data centers, one industry organization is drawing up ways to standardize how we talk about data center size and power needs. Continue Reading

• How can an enterprise benefit from using a VMware vApp?

  By developing a virtual appliance technology, VMware has given businesses a way to both bundle and manage multiple VMs into a single package. Continue Reading

• Hidden vulnerabilities on your IIS 8 servers

  IIS 8 isn't completely immune to security flaws. Here are some vulnerabilities you might be missing. Continue Reading

• A data center checklist for facility design and IT ops

  Choose the right data center provider or facility now, and prevent costly errors and inadequate services later.Continue Reading

• How does Exchange Native Data Protection work?

  Take a look at what Exchange Native Data Protection does in Exchange 2013 to decide if it fits into your organization.Continue Reading

• In-rack and in-row cooling options for any data center

  Say no to CRAC and consider more selective data center cooling options. In-rack and in-row cooling systems are efficient and optimally dispel heat.Continue Reading

• Three ways to measure wireless network performance

  Trying to find ways to assess your wireless network performance? Here are some tools that can help.Continue Reading

• Is Agile requirement gathering that different from waterfall?

  Does moving to Agile development eliminate up-front requirements gathering? Does it mean the development team takes responsibility for requirements instead of the business side?Continue Reading

• Answering common VMware NSX platform questions

  VMware's network virtualization product promises both flexibility and security in one of the few areas where innovation has lagged in the data center.Continue Reading

• API innovation through management tools

  Editor Jan Stafford presents the API handbook with insight on API innovations.Continue Reading

• What's the best data center network topology?

  You need to know these most common data center network topologies, and check out a host of alternative topologies waiting in the wings.Continue Reading

• The case for a leaf-spine data center topology

  Three-layer network designs are last season's topology. The leaf-spine model is coming in hot, but can the advantages made data center designers forget about the weaknesses?Continue Reading

• SAN storage systems purchases driven by capacity, performance

  Anticipated year-over-year capacity growth of 24% and the need to boost the performance of existing applications is driving new SAN storage systems.Continue Reading

• The need for application-aware storage

  Server virtualization leads to unpredictable workloads. Application-aware storage could be the answer.Continue Reading

• Centralized versus rack-mount UPS in telecom rooms

  How does a rack-mount UPS stack up against a central data center UPS for telecom rooms? Money doesn't necessarily mean power.Continue Reading

• Benefits of Amazon SES in the enterprise

  Marketing firms and online gaming companies often look for less expensive ways to send bulk email to customers or would-be buyers. Here's a look at what Amazon SES has to offer.Continue Reading

• What is the relationship between cache technology, CPU and RAM?

  As flash memory caching is on its way in because of its cost and non-volatile nature, RAM may be on its way out the door, says analyst Jon Toigo.Continue Reading

• Storage vs. database: Moving data to the AWS cloud

  David Linthicum reviews the benefits of database choices from Amazon Web Services and the advantages of leveraging object storage like Simple Storage Service as a storage category.Continue Reading

• Business application hosting on-premises vs. cloud options

  Is it better to look for a SaaS version of an app, put it in your own data center on existing equipment, or host it at a cloud provider for a mix of flexible scaling and IT ownership?Continue Reading

• Is the cost of cloud storage really cheaper than traditional storage?

  Cloud storage can be less expensive from a cost-per-gigabyte perspective, but it's important not to lose sight of other benefits as a value proposition.Continue Reading

• What should I consider when using SSD cloud?

  Using solid-state in the cloud can boost performance, but first be sure you look past cost per gigabyte and are aware of any constraints from providers.Continue Reading

• What is the difference between a storage snapshot and a clone?

  Cloning and snapshotting can both be good approaches to disaster recovery. Learn what environments are best suited to each.Continue Reading

• Umpqua Bank employs NSX, micro-segmentation for enterprise security

  Umpqua Bank's Sam Guidice tells how the organization deployed VMware's NSX as part of its effort to utilize micro-segmentation for enterprise security.Continue Reading

• Redundant cloud storage ensures high availability

  Redundant cloud storage gateways and redundant WAN links help companies avoid protection gaps that could result in outages or data loss.Continue Reading

• Are there any downsides to using VMware thin provisioning?

  Storage should be monitored carefully when using VMware's thin provisioning feature to avoid slower performance and potentially maxing out capacity.Continue Reading

• Accelerate dynamic content with AWS CloudFront

  Use AWS CloudFront to optimize the delivery of static content to users and to accelerate dynamic content. This makes the service more useful for non-video-related apps, such as speeding the distribution of user-generated and personalized content.Continue Reading

• What's better? An OVF or an OVA file?

  What is an OVA file and how does it compare to an Open Virtualization Format package?Continue Reading

• CI success depends on quality acceptance criteria

  Successful continuous integration requires testable acceptance criteria that help to guide developers.Continue Reading

• How Apple iOS MAC address spoofing affects location-based services

  Apple iOS 8 will add a MAC address spoofing feature to iPhones and iPads for wireless privacy. It could interfere with Wi-Fi location-based services used by many consumer-facing businesses.Continue Reading

• NVDIMM vs. memory channel flash storage

  Marc Staimer of Dragon Slayer Consulting compares NVDIMM and memory channel flash, explaining the advantages and disadvantages of each.Continue Reading

• Memory channel flash storage vs. PCIe flash storage

  Marc Staimer compares memory channel flash storage with PCIe connected flash and offers insight on the advantages and disadvantages of each.Continue Reading

• Arista switch pioneers 100 GbE uplinks in top-of-rack

  Arista announced top-of-rack 7280E with 100 GbE uplinks. It also released an optic that allows a migration from 10 to 40 GbE without a fiber upgrade.Continue Reading

• Denser is better: Increased storage and server density

  For storage and servers, being dense is good. Careful planning can maximize the benefits of greater computing densities while minimizing potential risks.Continue Reading

• Microsoft cloud storage may lift Azure skyward

  Microsoft will continue to blare its Azure cloud next week with several cloud storage announcements. Will users listen this time?Continue Reading

• Will MPLS traffic engineering technology help you?

  MPLS traffic engineering can improve VPN performance to ensure data travels the most efficient path.Continue Reading

• GENEVE primer: The answer to network virtualization interoperability?

  The GENEVE network encapsulation protocol is more flexible than VXLAN and NVGRE. Will it bring interoperability to network virtualization overlays?Continue Reading

• How to buy: Assessing next-gen firewalls

  Is there a next-gen firewall in your future? Our How to Buy guide offers advice you need to ensure you purchase the best platform to meet your needs.Continue Reading

• Don't ignore this great wireless training resource

  Online wireless support communities are a great resource for IT professionals who need their questions answered quickly.Continue Reading

• What is object storage technology (and why should you care)?

  Object technology offers scalability, economical operation and better data management; but it's very different from file and block storage systems.Continue Reading

• What you need to know about flash caching

  Using solid-state storage as cache can boost server and application performance dramatically, but the kind of flash cache you choose is critical.Continue Reading

• Deconstructing the storage algorithm

  Jon Toigo examines the four steps of the storage algorithm, and concludes that the current storage equation just doesn't add up.Continue Reading

• AWS vs. Azure face-off: cloud costs, commitments and SLAs

  IT pros may find it tough to compare AWS and Azure. But we decode their free and paid plans, as well as costs, SLAs and more.Continue Reading

• Flash storage: Guide to all-flash storage arrays

  TechTarget's all-flash storage array guide navigates the hotly contested market with a comparison chart and snapshot profiles of 15 products.Continue Reading

• How many VMs per host is too many?

  The ultimate host server welcomes hundreds of virtual machines. But that doesn't mean consolidation should outrank performance.Continue Reading

• Violin 6000 arrays feature proprietary flash modules, memory fabric

  Violin 6000 Series all-flash storage arrays use proprietary flash modules, memory fabric architecture and RAID to improve performance and latency.Continue Reading

• What's the best Linux OS for your enterprise data center?

  With several updates to supported Linux OSes, how do you know which to run in your data center? This guide will help you make an informed decision.Continue Reading

• Sizing, pricing Amazon Web Services EC2 instance types

  Bill Claybrook compares complex sizing and pricing issues when choosing EC2 instance types.Continue Reading

• How Amazon CloudWatch provides automated APM tools

  Amazon CloudWatch provides AWS customers with automated APM tools that they can use to keep applications and businesses running smoothly.Continue Reading

• Where are Citrix and VMware headed with end-user products?

  In this podcast, we shed light on Citrix and VMware end-user product roadmaps with a recent news recap and an interview with VMware CTO Kit Colbert.Continue Reading

• AWS mobile development tools hold steady lead

  AWS mobile tools are able to stay ahead of other mobile development vendors' tools.Continue Reading

• Four points of archiving data on AWS S3

  Storing archives on S3 can be a cost-effective option with proper planning and long-term management.Continue Reading

• Amazon Kinesis benefits and alternatives

  Amazon made waves with the release of Kinesis, but companies should know its ups and downs before blindly adopting AWS's service.Continue Reading

• How to estimate the lifespan of backup tape media

  Brien Posey offers advice on how to estimate the useful lifespan of backup tape media based on how it is used, in this Expert Answer.Continue Reading

• How to leverage the power of open source BPM

  Establishing a relationship with open source BPM providers can help users quickly resolve technical issues and reduce internal IT staff.Continue Reading

• Traditional IT silos face a hostile software-defined environment

  Think you got rid of data center silos when you adopted virtualization? Not so fast. Software-defined data center tools promise more silo-busting.Continue Reading

• Working with OpenStack storage: Tips on Cinder, Swift and the cloud

  This guide explores the block, object and cloud storage offerings from OpenStack, one of the most sought-after open source storage platforms.Continue Reading

• Successful DevOps practices from the start

  Here's all you need to know to get started with DevOps, from identifying goals and roadblocks, to useful tools to scale DevOps to the next level.Continue Reading

• Agile application lifecycle management is not an oxymoron

  Learn how Agile application lifecycle management supports the development process for better software and business needs.Continue Reading

• Examining the future of the RAID volume

  Expert Jon Toigo provides a set of tips to answer key questions regarding RAID's place in today's storage world, and whether it will be replaced.Continue Reading

• Hypervisor comparison: VMware vs. Microsoft vs. Red Hat

  VMware has had the dominant enterprise-class hypervisor, but there are others worth reviewing. This tip details how Microsoft and Red Hat compete.Continue Reading

• IT asset management best practices for any data center

  Choosing a data center asset management tool depends on how the infrastructure functions, the mix of hardware and software in action and more factors.Continue Reading

• Explore new AWS offerings for developers and enterprises alike

  This Amazon Web Services guide contains expert insights on three AWS offerings -- AppStream, Kinesis and WorkSpaces -- while touching on other issues.Continue Reading

• How does a scale-out NAS environment affect storage management?

  Phil Goodwin explains how scale-out NAS systems simplify storage management through a single point of control and by combating performance problems.Continue Reading

• Are SSDs necessary to perform analytics on big data efficiently?

  Storage expert Phil Goodwin explains how SSDs can speed up analytics, but solid-state technology is only needed in certain types of environments.Continue Reading

• Backup targets: Tape libraries and VTLs

  Tape drives, tape libraries and virtual tape libraries are among the popular backup target options available today.Continue Reading

• Is LRDIMM the best memory option for an enterprise server?

  Load-reduced DIMM allows for more memory and decreased latency than on-server memory typically has. So how does it compare to other DIMM designs?Continue Reading

• A tiered storage model is different from caching

  In this podcast, Evaluator Group strategist Randy Kerns looks in-depth at today's tiered storage model, including how it differs from flash caching.Continue Reading

• Getting started with ITIL service management

  Promised cost savings, alignment with business, and operational efficiency are encouraging more organizations to take up ITIL service management.Continue Reading

• February 2014: Products of the Year

  Storage magazine's February issue reveals the 2013 data storage products of the year, describes 10 common DR mistakes, and explains how to configure storage for big data files.Continue Reading

• More faith in cloud backup services compared to last year

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• Choosing storage for streaming large files in big data sets

  Learn how to select storage that can both scale and perform to effectively stream large files in big data environments.Continue Reading

• Hyper-V networking: The three virtual switches that fuel connectivity

  In this Hyper-V networking primer, learn about the three virtual switches behind Microsoft virtualization connectivity.Continue Reading

• Agile ALM tools have pitfalls to acknowledge

  While venders only discuss the benefits of using Agile ALM tools, test expert Amy Reichert reveals the possible pitfalls.Continue Reading

• Choosing the right data snapshot approach

  Independent backup expert Brien Posey compares the various methods for creating a data snapshot in this Expert Answer.Continue Reading

• BPM workflow management software answers IT manager's call

  An inside look at how an IT manager researched workflow management software to determine how to best meet his organization's growing needs.Continue Reading

• Comparing performance and cost of DRAM vs. NAND

  George Crump of Storage Switzerland compares the performance and cost of DRAM to NAND flash in this Expert Answer.Continue Reading

• How NAND flash degrades and what vendors do to increase SSD endurance

  Storage Switzerland senior analyst Eric Slack digs into the technical aspects of SSD cell degradation and how vendors are increasing SSD endurance.Continue Reading

• External storage might make sense for Hadoop

  Using Hadoop to drive big data analytics doesn't necessarily mean building clusters of distributed storage; a good old array might be a better choice.Continue Reading

• Building a better archival storage strategy

  This guide walks through important tips and considerations regarding storage archive design strategies and technologies.Continue Reading

• How Agile ALM tools shape business agility

  Learn how Agile ALM tools can increase agility in businesses.Continue Reading

• Amazon's data flow PaaS: AppStream and Kinesis

  Learn why AppStream and Kinesis are different kinds of data flow services.Continue Reading

• Is Amazon CloudSearch superior to do-it-yourself search tools?

  Big data can be incredibly valuable for enterprise business intelligence. But to extract that value, you must choose the most appropriate search tool.Continue Reading

• How DRAM or NVRAM cache can reduce flash SSD write amplification

  DRAM/NVRAM caching provides SSD systems with better performance while reducing flash SSD write amplification.Continue Reading

• Products of the Year 2013 finalists

  Find out the 52 products in the running for the Storage magazine and SearchStorage.com 2013 Products of the Year awards.Continue Reading

• RISC vs. CISC explained for data center systems

  The role of RISC processors in data center equipment is hotly debated, but new RISC designs are proving that it isn't just a CISC game.Continue Reading

• Amazon Kinesis: When to use Amazon's new big-data processing service

  In this expert answer, Chris Moyer offers advice on using Amazon Kinesis for near-real-time processing of streaming big data.Continue Reading

• Using the RESTful API as an onramp to object storage

  RESTful APIs are essential in moving data on and off of object storage systems. Expert Marc Staimer describes the three options currently available.Continue Reading

• Creating a reliable and fast SAN network design with iSCSI

  There are three tenets of designing an iSCSI network correctly. Proper iSCSI deployment yields affordable and reliable network access for the SAN.Continue Reading

• FAQ: AWS takes on real-time processing with Amazon Kinesis

  Amazon Kinesis was launched at the 2013 AWS conference. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions to help you decide if it's right for you.Continue Reading

• Figuring out when 16 Gbps Fibre Channel storage networking makes sense

  Moving to 16 Gbps FC makes sense for IT shops with new and heavily virtualized servers, solid-state storage and test firm president advises.Continue Reading

• Data archiving technology to keep on the radar

  Archival storage options are expanding, getting more resilient and less costly. Find out which technologies are making an impression.Continue Reading

• Should you migrate to Windows Server 2012 R2?

  It's time to seriously consider migration plans for Windows Server 2012 R2. Learn best practices, what's new and more.Continue Reading

• Deciding why and when to use an integration framework

  An integration framework is an important tool for managing the movement of data between applications and organizations.Continue Reading

• Social media loosens up sober BPM

  Companies are switching from closed-door BPM to a more democratic approach, and their cue comes from the madding crowd of social media.Continue Reading

• Your data lives where?! Strange and secure data center locations

  In these data center pictures, tour barges, former mines and oil rigs. Sometimes a strange location makes the most sense for a secure data center.Continue Reading

• Modern Infrastructure Impact Award winners

  The votes are in, and the winners determined. The first edition of the Modern Infrastructure Impact Awards gave prizes to winners in eight categories, which reflect the big topics affecting data center professionals today. Cloud computing, ...Continue Reading

• December 2013: Hot technologies for 2014

  Storage magazine's December issue predicts data storage trends for 2014, discusses tools to manage storage for virtual servers and presents Quality Awards for tape storage systems.Continue Reading

• Counting down the top cloud computing vendors of 2013

  Though it may be clear to cloud pros and experts which vendor 'won' this year, the more interesting story is who is making the case to take them down.Continue Reading