Get started

Get started

Bring yourself up to speed with our introductory content.

• Learn how to master network traffic analysis with Python

  In this book excerpt, explore key components of network security and network traffic analysis with Python scripting from Packt Publishing author José Manuel Ortega. Continue Reading

• An overview of how BGP works

  Border Gateway Protocol makes the internet work, but how does BGP work? This animated video explains the basics of BGP and discusses its role in the internet. Continue Reading

• Google Cloud Anthos

  Google Cloud Anthos is a hybrid, cloud-agnostic container environment. Continue Reading

• Try out the Graphite monitoring tool for time-series data

  Combined with third-party tools, Graphite provides a number of benefits for IT performance monitoring. Explore its core components -- including Carbon and Whisper -- and basic guidelines for installation. Continue Reading

• Put your VMware vSAN HCI knowledge to the test

  Do you know what it takes to deploy, maintain and secure a VMware vSAN-based hyper-converged infrastructure? Take our quiz to see how deep your vSAN knowledge and expertise runs. Continue Reading

• Definitions to Get Started

  • What is an API (application programming interface)?
  • What is a SAN? Ultimate storage area network guide
  • What is a data retention policy?
  • What is multi-access edge computing? Benefits and use cases

  • What is 5G?
  • What is 6G? Overview of 6G networks & technology
  • phase-locked loop (PLL)
  • What is millimeter wave (mmWave)?

  View All Definitions

• Test your unstructured data storage knowhow

  Do you know how to manage and store unstructured data? Take our quiz to see what's required for enterprise-scale data storage, how machine learning and metadata can help and more.Continue Reading

• The right (and wrong) way to think about code refactoring

  Code refactoring keeps code clean, sharp and efficient -- ideally without changing any of its functionality. Learn how to refactor code without interrupting your deployment pipeline.Continue Reading

• Explore SCVMM features for VM deployment and management

  SCVMM can help admins better manage their virtualization stacks by providing VM networking diagrams and templates, but there are certain requirements admins must meet before use.Continue Reading

• What does an ESXi on ARM architecture look like?

  When you run a hypervisor such as VMware ESXi on ARM architecture, consolidation shouldn't be your goal; isolation, sandboxing and management should be.Continue Reading

• Get up to speed on Azure's serverless functionality

  With so many serverless tools on the market, it can be difficult to pick the right one. Review some of the features of Azure serverless options to help you choose.Continue Reading

• What SD-WAN certifications and courses are available?

  A few SD-WAN certifications do exist, but they're heavily focused on specific vendors and their respective products. Find out why market-wide certs are unlikely.Continue Reading

• How to monitor NetApp quotas for disks with PowerShell

  NetApp's PowerShell module provides a fast and easy way to automate and monitor NetApp quotas for disks. Learn how with this step-by-step tutorial.Continue Reading

• Test your cloud automation and orchestration expertise

  Are you familiar with the tools and services available for cloud orchestration and automation? Take this quiz and see how you stack up.Continue Reading

• VMware security best practices guide

  Without the proper security, you could put your entire VMware environment at risk. These best practices can keep your hosts and VMs safe from potential attacks.Continue Reading

• Master DevOps security with the right team setup and tools

  Before implementing a DevSecOps strategy, software developers, security engineers and IT ops pros need a firm grasp on their unique roles in the process.Continue Reading

• How AWS VPC Traffic Mirroring works

  Solve cloud network traffic issues with VPC Traffic Mirroring. Breakdown how traffic mirroring works and how it can boost monitoring and security practices in your AWS environment.Continue Reading

• The history of virtualization and its mark on data center management

  Virtualization was a huge leap in data center technology with software such as hypervisors and virtual switches that expanded organizations' capabilities and redefined IT.Continue Reading

• How to get the most out of AWS re:Invent 2019

  Get the lowdown on this year's re:Invent before you go. With tips on travel logistics, session reservations and social outings, you'll be ready to maximize your time in Las Vegas.Continue Reading

• Scala: Lightweight functional programming for Java

  Scala provides a lightweight code option for Java development, but there could be a steep learning curve. Learn a little about Scala and if it's worth adopting.Continue Reading

• Get to know the top managed Kubernetes services in the cloud

  All managed Kubernetes providers address the pain points of deploying and maintaining the container orchestration platform, but they do so in different ways, as outlined in this brief cheat sheet.Continue Reading

• Discover 5 key cloud networking basics for your organization

  Clear away the fog, and explore these five key cloud networking fundamentals -- such as models, challenges and tools -- you need to know before you adopt a cloud network strategy.Continue Reading

• VMware Cloud on AWS training eases deployment and use

  VMware's cloud platform has a steep learning curve, but investing in training courses helps simplify implementation.Continue Reading

• 3 ways to implement a functional programming architecture

  Functional programming, which came about as a highly theoretical, mathematical way to build software, has a place in APIs and other components of applications.Continue Reading

• Cloud adoption a catalyst for IT modernization in many orgs

  Sloppy and insecure IT procedures that had been overlooked before the cloud arrived must evolve with the times to prevent data exposure and system breaches.Continue Reading

• A DevOps pipeline works only when the tooling works

  A DevOps toolchain needs to help IT people do their job, sure. But to do that, it also needs to provide useful glimpses into the process so that everyone is in the loop.Continue Reading

• Watch this Google Cloud Console tutorial

  Get accustomed to the Google Cloud Console. Explore the management features the admin UI has to offer and learn how to customize it to meet your needs.Continue Reading

• Top 5 cloud architect interview questions and answers

  Job candidates need technical skills and much more to work in the cloud. Prepare for your cloud architect interview with these potential questions and answers to stand out from the crowd.Continue Reading

• The vital guide to modern programming languages and their uses

  Get to know programming languages that match modern development styles and architectures like mobile dev, serverless computing and microservices.Continue Reading

• Gene Kim explores DevOps transformation in 'The Unicorn Project'

  This chapter excerpt from Gene Kim's 'The Unicorn Project' touches on one of the book's core themes: Roadblocks occur when developers, ops and business leaders are misaligned.Continue Reading

• Essential private cloud migration steps

  Executive buy-in, application evaluation and tool configuration are all important parts of cloud selection. With these steps, admins can ensure a smooth move to private cloud.Continue Reading

• Grasp Docker networking basics with these commands and tips

  For a containerization novice, networking poses one of the biggest challenges. Use this breakdown of essential Docker networking commands and concepts, including host and bridge setups, to reduce complexity.Continue Reading

• Prep for SD-WAN challenges, and you'll reap its rewards

  Reap SD-WAN's multiple benefits by knowing ahead of time what the likely issues will be and the options available at the implementation and management stages.Continue Reading

• SD-WAN deployment in the works? Consider these 3 things

  SD-WAN can simplify the deployment and management of new branch WANs, but there are some key configuration and technical choices you must make to get started.Continue Reading

• Test your VMware NSX-T, NSX-V knowledge

  VMware's software, NSX, enables admins to stand up networking in a software-defined data center. Take this quiz to ensure you're getting the most out of NSX.Continue Reading

• What AWS testing tools and services are available?

  There are many tools available on the AWS Marketplace for QA testing, making it difficult to determine where to begin. What should an enterprise look for when choosing among QA tools?Continue Reading

• Composable infrastructure platform flexes converged muscles

  Composability tailors resources as unified services to specific workloads. Find out how it works and compares to converged and hyper-converged infrastructures.Continue Reading

• Get to know Oracle Linux Virtualization Manager

  Oracle released Linux Virtualization Manager, a platform that lets admins configure, manage and monitor their virtual server environments.Continue Reading

• 5 best practices for choosing cloud developer tools

  Enterprises are pushing cloud app development as a way to stay up to date on the latest IT trends. Find out how to pick the right cloud and tools for your apps and your staff.Continue Reading

• Amplify improvements streamline AWS mobile app development

  Once just an open source Java library, AWS Amplify is now a full-fledged AWS mobile app development platform. Learn how it works and how it compares to Google Firebase.Continue Reading

• How to use PowerCLI and how it can help you

  PowerCLI enables you to use PowerShell commands to automate a VMware environment, streamlining your system and adding simplicity compared to using a GUI. Here's how to get started.Continue Reading

• How to develop and implement a network security plan

  When formulating a focused network security plan, you'll need to address specific questions about outbound traffic, user logins and government regulations.Continue Reading

• Let DevOps automation tools deliver for you

  With a good strategy and the right tools, you can create a workable pipeline at every stage. Here's how to approach the key areas of DevOps automation.Continue Reading

• Three keys to successful DevOps automation

  An effective CI pipeline starts with build automation. But there are other steps needed to produce results.Continue Reading

• How to create PowerShell modules with a Plaster template

  Follow along this tutorial to create templates in Plaster, an open source tool, and accelerate the development of PowerShell modules.Continue Reading

• UX guidelines for people-friendly software

  Nail these UX design concepts for easier transitions from requirements to application design to code.Continue Reading

• A glossary of key edge computing architecture terms

  Bolster your networking vocabulary and get to know the various features and technologies that constitute edge computing in this comprehensive glossary of key terms and phrases.Continue Reading

• A go-to AWS migration checklist for DevOps-ready enterprises

  Follow this checklist to prepare for a cloud migration and optimize DevOps practices. The steps include advice on tools and practices to support the move to an IaaS model or higher-level AWS offerings.Continue Reading

• Data center transformation drives the ADC security use case

  Application delivery controllers play many roles, but the ADC security use case might be most important. Learn about ADC features and how they boost data center security.Continue Reading

• Compare microservices deployment patterns for best strategy

  To solve pesky deployment woes, match your app to a microservices deployment pattern, like single service instance per host, multiple service instances per host or even serverless.Continue Reading

• 5G explained: A deep dive into the features and facts

  In this 5G guide, learn about key features, challenges and deployment tips. This 5G explanation goes beyond the fundamentals and explores 5G's relationship to other technologies.Continue Reading

• Learn the benefits and limits of a public cloud migration

  The public cloud is an attractive option for enterprises looking to optimize their workloads. However, not all apps are meant for cloud. Find out what drives adoption in this video.Continue Reading

• Perform a Windows event log search with PowerShell

  Event log monitoring is vital to an IT environment's health and success, but finding a specific event in the flood is challenging. PowerShell enables admins to simplify this task.Continue Reading

• Tailor and create compliance rules with this AWS Config tutorial

  Get started with this guide to AWS Config rules. Learn how to customize AWS Config managed rules with CloudFormation and create new rules with AWS Lambda.Continue Reading

• Get started with this Azure cloud migration tool

  There are a lot of moving parts to a cloud migration, which leaves a lot of room for error. Follow Douglas Francis as he demonstrates how to seamlessly migrate to Microsoft Azure.Continue Reading

• The future of PowerShell begins to sharpen in focus

  PowerShell's promise as a cross-platform management tool has come a long way, but much work still needs to be done for both Linux and Windows admins to pick up adoption.Continue Reading

• Choose an event-processing architecture for an application

  Sift through the state control methods that exist for event-driven applications and see which architecture type is the best fit.Continue Reading

• How to work with the WSUS PowerShell module

  The PoshWSUS module automates the process to synchronize and approve Windows updates. You can also use it to perform essential maintenance on the WSUS server.Continue Reading

• Implement automated employee onboarding with PowerShell

  Your time is precious and you shouldn't waste it by clicking through menus to set up a new user. Look at these code examples to put together your own provisioning script.Continue Reading

• Get to know VM networking basics

  Admins can create a network between isolated VMs with the help of several features and products, such as network interface cards and virtual LANs.Continue Reading

• Get started with Google Cloud Run

  Google has upped its resource management game with Cloud Run. Learn the basics of the managed compute platform and follow the simple tutorial on deploying a web app with the service.Continue Reading

• What are some bad coding practices to avoid?

  Application development projects aren't meeting expectations, and developers are not sure why. What are some common bad coding practices that developers follow but should avoid?Continue Reading

• Apply staging environment best practices to an app lifecycle

  From the public cloud to blue/green deployment, there are a myriad of ways that IT teams can make the most of their staging environments -- and use resources they already have.Continue Reading

• Elixir functional programming enables concurrency, fault tolerance

  Developers can combine features of Erlang functional programming with a newer language, Elixir, which promises simplicity and fault-tolerant operations for distributed applications.Continue Reading

• Working with Git branches and repositories

  With a grasp of just a few basic concepts and commands, developers can use Git's branching capability for feature development and experimentation, testing before release and more.Continue Reading

• Elevate software-defined technology's role in the data center

  SDS and SDN aren't a cure-all for infrastructure management ails. Proper implementation requires research and a suitable hardware setup. Here's a look at what this tech can do.Continue Reading

• How to implement GPUs for high-performance computing

  IT managers must take advantage of advances in virtualization technology, such as virtual GPUs, to efficiently manage increasingly complex data center operations.Continue Reading

• How do I manage ACL folder permissions with a PowerShell script?

  PowerShell scripts make short work of repetitive Windows tasks, saving admins time, effort and frustration. One simple area admins can manage with scripts is the access control list.Continue Reading

• Top 5 nontechnical skills for cloud computing success

  Companies that move to the cloud need a staff with a strong technical background, but soft skills are important too. Review five non-tech skills needed for a successful cloud initiative.Continue Reading

• Build cloud economics expertise in-house

  Cloud bills shouldn't be filled with surprises, but unexpected costs are all too common. Ensure your staff can handle cost management and optimization processes to rein in spending.Continue Reading

• Deploy vCenter and vSphere without using a VAR

  VMware platforms are more than just virtualization software; they create an SDDC. If you take the time to understand vSphere and vCenter, you can deploy them without a VAR.Continue Reading

• Try a CCNA 200-301 practice quiz from the official cert guide

  This practice quiz provides a sneak peek into the new 'CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide, Volume 1,' which reflects Cisco's CCNA certification and exam redesigns.Continue Reading

• How to approach test case design

  To be a good tester, start at requirements and user expectations, then develop test cases that make certain those needs are met. Walk through the basics of test cases with expert Gerie Owen.Continue Reading

• Prepare for the CCNA 200-301 exam with this guide preview

  Here's a sneak peek at what to expect from Cisco's redesigned CCNA exam directly from 'CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide, Volume 1' by author Wendell Odom.Continue Reading

• Put your composable infrastructure knowledge to the test

  Are you up to speed on composable disaggregated infrastructure and technology? Take our quiz to find out if you know how composability works and how it can benefit you.Continue Reading

• Debunking 5 common myths about data storage containers

  Storage containers can hold a lot of things, including misconceptions. Here are five common container storage myths that need to vanish.Continue Reading

• To succeed with containerized applications, nail the details

  Containers can help an organization smoothly deploy applications, but the design aspects are complicated. Follow best practices to size and package app components.Continue Reading

• How much do you know about VMware AppDefense?

  How much do you know about VMware's security product, AppDefense? This quiz asks you about AppDefense's technology and use cases to prove your understanding.Continue Reading

• Use these PowerCLI vMotion cmdlets to automate VM migration

  VMware vMotion moves VMs between hypervisors and storage devices to keep those VMs running. You can use PowerCLI to easily automate complex vMotion tasks.Continue Reading

• Object-based storage gains primary storage traction

  This infographic illustrates why most IT leaders believe object storage is ready to support leading IT initiatives.Continue Reading

• Cloud repatriation is a symptom of a wider cloud storage trend

  People are rethinking their cloud storage strategies, adjusting for hidden costs, application needs and compatibility issues in a world of public, private and hybrid options.Continue Reading

• Set AWS security automation in motion with these practices

  Enterprises need to continuously improve their cloud security posture. Catch up on the latest expert advice on AWS security tools and practices.Continue Reading

• Why cloud block storage deployments are on the rise

  Move over object and file storage; use of block storage in the public cloud is increasing as more businesses prepare to move or have already redeployed workloads to the cloud.Continue Reading

• Hyper-converged infrastructure basics for virtualization admins

  Hyper-convergence provides many benefits, such as simplified provisioning and management, but virtualization administrators should get to know HCI technology before implementing it.Continue Reading

• Bridge vs. switch comparison: What's the difference?

  A network bridge connects two local area networks. A network switch, on the other hand, connects multiple clients to a network. Learn more about these two network components.Continue Reading

• Challenge your wits on stateful and stateless concepts

  It's essential to understand the differences between stateful and stateless application characteristics, especially as distributed architectures grow in popularity. Test your knowledge on state concepts with this quiz.Continue Reading

• Follow this AWS Fargate tutorial to deploy a containerized app

  New to containers on AWS? Learn how to navigate the Amazon ECS Management Console to configure the proper container orchestration in this simple AWS Fargate example.Continue Reading

• What is Group Policy Object (GPO) and why is it important?

  Microsoft’s Group Policy Object (GPO) is a collection of Group Policy settings that defines what a system will look like and how it will behave for a defined group of users.Continue Reading

• Prepare for cloud security and shared responsibility

  Organizations that move to the cloud must prepare to adapt their security playbooks. Learn how AWS' shared responsibility model complicates cloud security.Continue Reading

• Test your cloud migration services knowledge

  Are you familiar with the vendor services and tools that can support a cloud migration? Take this quiz and see what you know about cloud migration services.Continue Reading

• Learn to set up and use PowerShell SSH remoting

  Remoting over SSH in PowerShell Core has some advantages over the traditional Windows PowerShell remoting method, but it will require a fair amount of manual configuration work.Continue Reading

• How to plot out a test automation strategy

  Test automation can deliver great value or immense frustration. Map out a winning approach that helps engineers learn test automation skills and doesn't leave them exasperated.Continue Reading

• Internet Information Services (IIS)

  Internet Information Services (IIS) is a flexible, general-purpose web server from Microsoft that runs on Windows systems to serve requested HTML pages or files.Continue Reading

• 4 steps for a smooth SDN installation

  Software-defined infrastructure can be tricky to implement. Automation, vendor-supported hardware and skilled developers are essential for smooth updates.Continue Reading

• Manage and provision storage for DevOps

  Continue Reading

• Learn how to get started with your networking career

  Wherever you are on your networking career path, these expert insights can help you decide where to go and give advice about job requirements, certifications and industry changes.Continue Reading

• Serverless architecture diagram shows a new side of server-side

  Examine this serverless architecture diagram to see how development processes and the lifecycle of code differs from traditional server- and client-side development.Continue Reading

• Network pros on new Cisco DevNet certification: 'Finally!'

  Want to learn infrastructure as code? Now, there's a Cisco cert for that. Learn more about the new network automation certification suite, plus changes to the CCNA, CCNP and CCIE.Continue Reading

• How to automate patch management in Windows

  Automating Windows updates with PowerShell will ease some of the labor associated with the routine patch deployment process.Continue Reading

• Explore Docker vs. LXC through the lens of a three-tier app

  Containers are not small virtual machines, and they're not all the same under the hood. To make smart deployment choices, understand the nuanced differences between container types.Continue Reading

• Try these 5 team-building activities for software developers

  Whether it's a soft skills workshop, simulated outage exercise or in-house tech conference, these one-day events get dev teams out of a coding rut. Plan yours now.Continue Reading