Evaluate

Evaluate

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

• Five questions to ask when choosing a data archiving technology

  Many factors need to be considered when determining what the right archiving platform is for you. Jon Toigo highlights the most important in this tip. Continue Reading

• TCP offload's promises and limitations for enterprise networks

  TCP offload products free up limited CPU resources in network-intensive data centers. But TCP offload is no panacea and can introduce more problems. Continue Reading

• AWS re:Invent: Securing the cloud-based virtual desktop

  Following AWS re:Invent, Mark Nunnikhoven, a principal engineer for Trend Micro Inc., talks about cloud security and Amazon WorkSpaces. Continue Reading

• How a shared virtual disk can benefit a Windows Server data center

  With the introduction of Windows Server 2012 R2, shared virtual disks have capabilities to improve failover clusters in a few ways. Continue Reading

• Your next job may be 'network programmer': What you'll need to know

  SDN brings flexibility to networking, but this will require engineers to gain new skills in order to fill the emerging role of network programmer. Continue Reading

• A look inside the DevOps movement

  DevOps is a culture, not a job or procedure for an IT team. That said, there are DevOps tools and organizational strategies to help you get there.Continue Reading

• Major changes in data center fire suppression standards NFPA 75 and 76

  Fire standard changes can add a lot of work and expense to a data center operator's job, but the updates to NFPA 75 and 76 address real safety risks.Continue Reading

• No faults here: Advanced techniques to attain more reliable servers

  A new generation of reliability features can keep busy servers running in the face of serious fault conditions.Continue Reading

• Running PowerShell scripts can ease Windows virtualization tasks

  Put PowerShell cmdlets to work with Windows virtualization by automating setup, maintenance and configuration tasks in your organization.Continue Reading

• Windows Server 2012 R2 makes VM migration faster, smoother

  The Windows Server 2012 R2 release continues to push the trend of faster and less disruptive VM migrations in the data center.Continue Reading

• Compression eases Live Migration process in Windows Server 2012 R2

  By using Live Migration compression, smaller VM files are transferred more quickly between systems and have fewer resent or dropped packets.Continue Reading

• How Remote DMA improves Live Migration in Windows Server 2012 R2

  The RDMA feature can use high-throughput, low-latency data exchanges to improve Live Migration's performance in Windows Server 2012 R2.Continue Reading

• Five tips for selecting system management tools

  Too much granularity? Not enough? Need alerts? Maybe not. There are five considerations for systems management tools -- and cost isn't one of them.Continue Reading

• Big data storage and analytics

  There are two basic types of big data analytics—synchronous and asynchronous—but both have big data storage appetites and specialized needs.Continue Reading

• Comparing DIMM-connected flash vs. PCIe flash benefits

  Leah Schoeb of Evaluator Group discusses DIMM-connected flash as compared with PCIe flash benefits in this Expert Answer.Continue Reading

• API design: How to properly build an application program interface

  Don't let your entire API project go awry. Knowing the applications well is just one way to nail the design and foster developer loyalty.Continue Reading

• Complete guide to Hadoop technology and storage

  Learn how Apache Hadoop works, some of its benefits and drawbacks, and what it means for big data and cloud storage.Continue Reading

• Essential Windows Server 2012 R2 system requirements

  Before upgrading to Windows Server 2012 R2, read up on hardware requirements to ensure there are enough resources to preserve performance.Continue Reading

• Windows Server 2012 R2 Storage Spaces boosts performance

  Three new features in Windows Storage Spaces -- storage tiering, write-back caching and dual parity -- boost storage performance.Continue Reading

• Windows Server 2012 R2 Storage Spaces addresses storage growth demands

  Windows Server 2012 R2 Storage Spaces offers an alternative to traditional SAN storage and includes updates for virtualizing shared storage.Continue Reading

• Windows Server 2012 R2 Storage Spaces suits SSD deployments

  With the new storage tiering feature, Storage Spaces in Windows Server 2012 R2 works best with solid-state-drive devices.Continue Reading

• Erasure coding tradeoffs include additional storage, disk update needs

  Erasure coding tradeoffs include requirement for additional data storage, need to update extra disks for redundancy purposes, UC professor cautions.Continue Reading

• Private Cloud as a Service delivers OpenStack, ensures governance

  SaaS-based private clouds gives enterprises the benefits of cloud -- faster development times and self-service portals -- without all the management angst.Continue Reading

• How the colocation data center stacks up to cloud, on-premises builds

  Colocation data centers used to be about proximity. Not anymore. C7 CEO Wes Swenson says colo is about the best location and infrastructure options.Continue Reading

• Erasure coding brings trade-off of resilience vs. performance

  IT's decision on using erasure coding in storage rests on data importance, durability more than amount of data, says storage consultant Marc Staimer.Continue Reading

• What to consider when storing data in the cloud

  Storage administrators who want to keep data in the cloud need to consider collaboration regulations, cost factors and performance requirements.Continue Reading

• Frequently asked questions about server automation tools

  Server automation tools save time and reduce errors. But what should tools offer, and are point systems or suites the way to go? Find out in this FAQ.Continue Reading

• Storage Products of the Year 2013: Nomination Form

  DEADLINE EXTENDED: Products qualify for entry if they were new/significantly upgraded and first shipped after Nov. 1, 2012, and before Oct. 26, 2013. Winning products will be highlighted in February.Continue Reading

• Physical building properties to evaluate during server room design

  Does your server room have space to grow? What's the best mechanical system for it? Start with these questions to develop a good server room design.Continue Reading

• Big data storage architecture: Categories, strengths and use cases

  We explore distributed nodes, scale-out NAS, all-SSD arrays and object storage as choices for a storage architecture for big data.Continue Reading

• Eleven cloud computing industry movers and shapers

  As the cloud computing industry matures, a handful of CTOs, CEOs, analysts and other IT pros stand out as the most influential in the market.Continue Reading

• Programming thread-safe mainframe applications with the CICS ENQ command

  Thread safety in mainframe applications means better vertical integration. Take full advantage with the CICS ENQ command.Continue Reading

• Correcting misconfigured ESXi shared storage settings

  IT shops that started small may find they need to update their ESXi shared storage settings to prevent significant issues when a host fails.Continue Reading

• Choosing among IaaS, PaaS and Database as a Service for a cloud database

  Regardless of which cloud database you choose, multiple factors must come into play, ranging from costs and availability to feature support.Continue Reading

• Microsoft hikes Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter edition pricing

  Microsoft made changes to its license pricing, upping the cost of Windows Server 2012 R2 by as much as 28%. It also discussed a new licensing option.Continue Reading

• Use Windows Server 2012 R2's Storage QoS feature to boost performance

  Learn how the new Storage QoS feature in Windows Server 2012 R2 can boost storage performance and make the best use of capacity.Continue Reading

• Mobile development: The pros of HTML5, hybrid, native applications

  Whether to make use of a hybrid, HTML5 or a native application depends on each specific situation.Continue Reading

• SaaS application testing: Keep performance tests in mind

  Performance testing must be a high priority for SaaS application testers. Learn why and pick up tips on how to test a SaaS system's performance.Continue Reading

• Q&A: Anderson talks BYOD management in Windows Server 2012 R2

  Microsoft's Brad Anderson talks about changes to expect in Windows Server 2012 R2 features, including some to security and enterprise mobility.Continue Reading

• Q&A: Microsoft's Brad Anderson talks Windows Server 2012 R2

  Microsoft's Brad Anderson discusses new features in Windows Server 2012, including a faster update cycle and cross-platform integration.Continue Reading

• Can object storage systems be used with file-based apps?

  Learn how to use applications such as Microsoft Exchange or SQL Server with object storage systems on the back end.Continue Reading

• Feature highlights of EMC's ViPR

  Dave Raffo, senior news director at SearchStorage, highlights some features of EMC's newly announced ViPR software-defined storage platform.Continue Reading

• MRAM technology likely choice as post-flash solid-state storage

  NAND flash-based storage is becoming a common alternative, but NAND flash could soon be replaced by newer forms of non-volatile memory like MRAM technology.Continue Reading

• Hyper-V 3.0’s virtual Fibre Channel feature explained

  Microsoft MVP Brien Posey walks users through the process of establishing virtual Fibre Channel connectivity from a virtual machine to SAN storage.Continue Reading

• Pros and cons of backup tape encryption

  Independent backup expert Brien Posey outlines what's good and what's bad about backup tape encryption in this tip.Continue Reading

• Five ways admins can embrace Windows Server 2012 Remote Management

  As Microsoft encourages Windows admins to deal with servers offsite, here are some easy steps they can use for Windows Server 2012 Remote Management.Continue Reading

• Waiting for the OpenStack 'explosion'

  The buzz around OpenStack has been undeniable, but it's still in early adoption phases. Word at the OpenStack Summit is that this will soon change.Continue Reading

• An application security guide for software testers

  This guide explains what's involved in addressing application security form a software tester's perspective by presenting common threats and strategies to deal with them.Continue Reading

• Choosing between colocation services or an on-premises data center

  Here are a few collected tips that might help you choose between data center colocation services and building a new data center on-site.Continue Reading

• XaaS marks the spot with enterprise IT

  To promote public cloud benefits over its shortcomings, vendors are creating Anything as a Service to match specific enterprise needs.Continue Reading

• April 2013: Rethinking storage architectures

  Storage magazine's latest issue describes alternatives to traditional storage systems. Also in this issue: cloud backup and keeping tabs on disk usage.Continue Reading

• Cloud computing services: Lease vs. own

  Many services and applications can be handled by cloud computing providers. But enterprises should look carefully at cost before deciding whether to lease or own.Continue Reading

• BMW accelerates private to hybrid cloud

  Even established companies like BMW have cloud questions. But, with the help of the OCDA, BMW revs up on the path to hybrid cloud.Continue Reading

• How application integration maintenance is like taking care of a car

  Forrester analyst Randy Heffner offers some best practices and his predictions for software integration management.Continue Reading

• Centralized vs. decentralized SDN architecture: Which works for you?

  Two SDN architecture models -- centralized and decentralized -- have much in common, but key differences center on the use of the OpenFlow protocol.Continue Reading

• Thirteen cloud service providers to watch in 2013

  Amazon Web Services may be the talk of the cloud computing market, but these cloud service providers are making inroads and starting buzz in 2013.Continue Reading

• Bare-metal approach may ease enterprises into cloud

  Enterprises hesitant to move workloads to public clouds because of security and cost may find some relief in SoftLayer's bare-metal approach to cloud.Continue Reading

• Mobile apps development: Defining requirements is a whole new ballgame

  Software pros must address three critical issues in the requirements phase of mobile apps development: choosing a platform, security and usability.Continue Reading

• Top ten mobile application threats to enterprise security

  Check out the top ten threats presented by enterprise mobile applications, according to the OWASP Mobile Security Project.Continue Reading

• NexGen Storage Inc. n5-150 Storage System

  IT admins using the NexGen Storage n5-150 Storage System can guarantee performance to each app and isolate workloads from one another on the SAN.Continue Reading

• 2012 Products of the Year winners

  Find out the 14 best data storage products in Storage magazine's/SearchStorage.com's 2012 Products of the Year competition.Continue Reading

• February 2013: 2012 Products of the Year

  Storage magazine's latest issue reveals the winners of our annual Products of the Year competition. Also in this issue: storage for virtual servers and storage networking.Continue Reading

• Can shared storage be used with Hadoop architecture?

  Storage expert John Webster discusses three ways to use shared storage together with Hadoop architecture in this Ask the Expert answer.Continue Reading

• Ten questions to help compare cloud storage services

  Cloud storage expert Arun Taneja suggests 10 questions to help you successfully compare cloud storage services.Continue Reading

• Products of the Year 2012 finalists

  We reveal the 52 data storage systems finalists that stood out in the Storage magazine/SearchStorage.com 2012 Products of the Year competition.Continue Reading

• Data storage companies focus on flash M&A potential

  Our 'Mergers and Acquisitions 2012' slideshow reviews which data storage companies made significant purchases in the industry last year and why.Continue Reading

• Deciding whether to run Server Core in Windows Server 2012

  Our expert breaks down the advantages and disadvantages of deploying Server Core in Windows Server 2012.Continue Reading

• Should you believe vendors’ jaw-dropping solid-state performance specs?

  The benefits of solid-state storage are clear -- cool running, space-saving and blistering performance. But just how “blistering” is that performance? Data storage vendors toss previously unheard of numbers around, like millions of IOPS, to show the...Continue Reading

• December 2012: Hot technologies for 2013

  Storage magazine's latest issue explores which techs will reshape storage in the coming year. Also in this issue: the state of backup dedupe and Quality Awards for tape libraries.Continue Reading

• AWS re:Invent 2012 conference coverage

  For the latest cloud computing news and features from Amazon Web Services' premier global partner and customer show, check out our AWS re:Invent page.Continue Reading

• Understanding unified storage architecture

  Randy Kerns explains that there's more than one way to build a unified storage architecture in this Storage Decisions 2012 TechTalk.Continue Reading

• How to access the Windows Command Prompt

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• Introducing Windows Server 2012 UI

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• The missing Windows Start button

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• The Windows shut-down option and logging out

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• Windows' Administrative Tools

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• Windows Server Core takes precedence over GUI

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• Windows Server 2012 interface tour

  The new user interface in Windows Server 2012 seems scary, but it's easier to use than it looks. These are some of the best ways to work with it.Continue Reading

• Backend as a Service players, users and trends

  Today, Backend as a Service (BaaS) vendors vie with alternatives for mobile apps that must deftly integrate back and front ends.Continue Reading

• Seven minutes of terror in cloud performance testing

  NASA turned to SOASTA and its cloud testing software to ensure a successful stream of its Mars landing earlier this month.Continue Reading

• Third-party tools help with VMware monitoring for storage

  Third-party tools provide a single interface to help IT shops monitor the performance of storage, servers and network traffic in VMware environments.Continue Reading

• Setting traps with SLIP, king of the mainframe debugging tools

  How to use SLIP, one of the best mainframe debugging tools, to set traps for annoying bugs.Continue Reading

• Guide: Ground rules for moving apps to the cloud

  It's easy to misfire when moving applications to the cloud. With the help of expert advice, you'll have all the tools for a successful migration.Continue Reading

• Persistent VDI vs. non-persistent VDI and their effect on storage resources

  Learn the difference between persistent VDI and non-persistent VDI, how they affect storage and which one carries advantages in terms of capacity and backup requirements.Continue Reading

• Various cloud gateway options and use cases

  Arun Taneja explains why a cloud gateway is essential for cloud storage, and drills into the various types of cloud gateways on the market today.Continue Reading

• How do I disable VPN passthrough? What are the pros and cons to disabling it?

  In this Ask the Expert response, Rainer Enders explains how to disable VPN passthrough and what the benefits and drawbacks are.Continue Reading

• Top 10 cloud computing leaders in 2012

  Our cloud leaders list includes the usual suspects and some surprises, ranging from cloud architects to CEOs to those with influence in the cloud.Continue Reading

• Top 10 Microsoft Hyper-V tools to consider

  When it comes to improving Hyper-V performance, Microsoft and third parties provide many useful tools. Here are 10 to pay attention to.Continue Reading

• Choose an integrated stack for efficiency, easy storage implementation

  An integrated stack bundles servers, storage and networking in a preconfigured product and is easy to install and manage.Continue Reading

• Top 10 Microsoft Hyper-V tools to consider

  When it comes to improving Hyper-V performance, Microsoft and third parties provide many useful tools. Here are 10 to pay attention to.Continue Reading

• February 2012: 2011 Products of the Year

  Storage magazine's February issue offers our 2011 Products of the Year awards in six categories. Also in this issue: new tape technologies and how storage stacks stack up.Continue Reading

• Best data storage products 2011

  The 2011 Products of the Year recognizes the best storage products in backup and DR software/services, backup hardware, networking and more.Continue Reading

• Get the right applications to manage your system

  This guide will help administrators find the best way to provision, monitor and manage the performance of virtual workloads across the data center.Continue Reading

• Prioritizing alerts with server monitoring tools

  Setting and prioritizing alerts with server monitoring tools can help an administrator respond quickly to critical problems without being bothered by insignificant alarms.Continue Reading

• Application performance tips: Workload optimization and software pathing

  IT pros looking to maximize application performance should look beyond basic software, tuning to products from vendors pathing software and hardware.Continue Reading

• Changing vendors: Avoiding pitfalls, IT vendor contract negotiations

  Negotiating IT vendor contract terms is crucial for protecting business continuity, physical property and intellectual assets when contracts end.Continue Reading

• Exchange 2010 auditing tools to track admin, end-user behavior

  Compliance rules make tracking admin and email users a necessary evil. Thankfully, audit logging tools in Exchange 2010 can help.Continue Reading

• Storage Products of the Year - Nomination Form

  DEADLINE EXTENDED! Products qualify for entry if they were new or significantly upgraded and shipped after Nov. 1, 2011, and before Oct. 21, 2012. Winning products will be highlighted in February.Continue Reading

• Hospital system addresses IBM SVC performance, stability problems with alternative configuration

  Spectrum Health breaks up IBM SVC eight-node cluster, taking uncommon tiered approach to improve stability and performance of storage virtualization system.Continue Reading

• Using RamMap and VMMap Tools to Troubleshoot Windows Memory Issues

  Even a veteran system admin can be challenged when investigating Windows memory issues. The free RamMap and VMMap tools remove much of the guesswork.Continue Reading