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Learn to apply best practices and optimize your operations.

• Mad about microsegmentation

  The tech industry seems fixated breaking things apart into ever-smaller units for greater levels of "granularity." Traditional standalone applications are maligned as "monoliths" that must be broken apart in to their component pieces, or "... Continue Reading

• What cloud security controls are best for due diligence?

  With increasing use of cloud sending more enterprise data outside of the organization's control, due diligence is crucial. Expert Dan Sullivan offers advice on how to get it right. Continue Reading

• Developers: Eat your own dog food when you build an API

  It's not enough to simply build an API. If you don't "eat your own dog food" before distributing your API, you are setting yourself up for failure. Zachary Flower explains why. Continue Reading

• What is the DevOps role for operations people?

  In a DevOps world, it can be hard to know where Dev ends and Ops starts. Expert Tim Western explains what the various DevOps roles can and should be. Continue Reading

• The shared-responsibility approach to securing AWS

  Security breaches and data leaks remain a concern for companies doing business in the public cloud. But the onus to protect cloud workloads doesn't lie solely on a cloud service provider. Amazon Web Services takes a shared-responsibility approach to... Continue Reading

• Master interrupt testing on mobile devices

  Since mobile devices were made to be interrupted, the challenge is to create -- and test -- an app that rolls with it all. Yvette Francino explains how interrupt testing works.Continue Reading

• How to blend on-premises IT with the cloud

  Most businesses have existing on-premises technologies up and running, and they aren't in a rush to move entirely to the cloud. This means data center teams are increasingly asked to manage IT resources that are located partly on premises and ...Continue Reading

• Deconstructing disk capacity using VM thin provisioning

  Although thin provisioning promises to reduce the disk footprint of VMs, it can lead to an increase in disk capacity usage, making capacity monitoring absolutely essential.Continue Reading

• Five tips for better API versioning and migration

  Business needs change, and that often means APIs must change along with them. Here we examine five key strategies for avoiding disaster when API changes must occur.Continue Reading

• Windows workloads leap to cloud

  Regardless of hype, there are quite a few areas where cloud remains very much a work in progress. Take cloud bursting. This has long been IT's holy grail for cloud -- the ability to seamlessly expand capacity constrained workloads to outside of your...Continue Reading

• Ten server deployment checklist considerations

  Use this server deployment checklist to make sure you've covered all your bases. From power distribution outlets to available network connectivity, server deployment can be an arduous process.Continue Reading

• Consistency is critical in a business rules management system

  As much as business rules management can help an organization streamline operations, a general misunderstanding of business rules is hurting efforts. Steve Weissman explains why.Continue Reading

• Six alternative Hyper-V management tools

  There are a number of third-party Hyper-V management tools available for organizations that need to handle a few dozen nodes.Continue Reading

• Corporate culture influences selection of best ALM tools

  In today's fast-paced world, there's less time to develop an application, never mind testing it and keeping track of all the iterations. Application lifecycle management software can help companies stay on top of the insanity, particularly when it ...Continue Reading

• Managing containers requires right mix of tools, IT skills

  Choosing the right tool is only the first step when building a container management strategy.Continue Reading

• Get smart about backup and DR in AWS

  Mission-critical workloads require a disaster recovery (DR) plan, regardless of whether they are kept on premises or in a public cloud. In AWS disaster recovery, though, IT teams must make specific decisions and follow best practices so IT functions...Continue Reading

• Scripting workflows with the VMware vRealize Orchestrator

  Understanding the essential elements of how vRealize Orchestrator workflows work is just the first step to increasing functionality, simplicity and compartmentalization.Continue Reading

• Use GitHub for open source data center automation ideas

  GitHub, a bastion of software developers, also offers automation scripts and open source collaboration for data center administrators.Continue Reading

• IPv6 connectivity: Ignore at your own peril

  Gathering knowledge on IPv6 connectivity and implementation is critical to success in modern IP networking.Continue Reading

• Five types of storage virtualization: Pros and cons

  Expert Brien Posey discusses five ways to virtualize storage in an organization. Review the pros and cons of each approach to find the best fit for your data center.Continue Reading

• Base enterprise hybrid cloud evaluation on security, cost

  Explosive data growth has organizations looking at hybrid cloud storage to meet their capacity needs. But cloud costs and security issues need to be addressed.Continue Reading

• The Linux ip command makes network config easy

  The Linux ip command makes monitoring a Linux network configuration easy, but you need to know what to look for.Continue Reading

• Are microservices more like SOA or MVC architecture?

  How new is the concept of microservices? Does it compare more closely with the principles of SOA or those of MVC architecture? Chris Riley examines this topic.Continue Reading

• My MPLS service contract expires soon -- should I renew?

  The rise of SD-WAN has many asking: Do we really need MPLS connectivity? Expert John Burke explains what factors to consider before renewing your existing contract.Continue Reading

• Making an AWS Lambda function and microservices work together

  Our developers want to switch to microservices to improve scalability and ease upgrades to our AWS-based applications. How does AWS Lambda support this type of architecture?Continue Reading

• Cloud spending doesn't need to be a guessing game

  Shadow IT and tough-to-navigate cloud computing bills make it difficult for organizations to get an accurate picture of cloud costs.Continue Reading

• Are you ready for an SDN deployment?

  The principal motivation behind SDN deployments is the need for a responsive and nimble IT organization. While the network architecture is definitely in the future, not all are ready for it.Continue Reading

• Creating virtual machine blueprints with vRealize Automation

  In this installation of our VMware vRealize deployment guide, we take an in-depth look at creating virtual machine blueprints and servers with vRealize Automation.Continue Reading

• Will most 3D NAND flash products continue to feature TLC?

  Vendors are using TLC flash in their 3D NAND flash products, which allows for greater capacity at a lower cost, according to Brien Posey.Continue Reading

• Using PowerShell to create XML documents

  Administrators can avoid introducing errors when building an XML file by using PowerShell to construct the document.Continue Reading

• IoT analytics should not be an afterthought

  IoT is driving huge data growth. Enterprise architects need to think about implementing an IoT analytics service for cloud applications in order to generate new business value.Continue Reading

• Reduce hybrid cloud latency with these five tips

  With the right workload design and infrastructure changes, organizations can minimize latency and boost hybrid cloud performance.Continue Reading

• Server patch management for multi-OS data centers

  If you have a multi-OS data center, you know the struggle that is server patch management. Don't fret, the right combination of tools and human intuition can alleviate the pain.Continue Reading

• Server-side caching has new data center role

  Some server-side caching products have evolved into complete software-defined storage platforms that can aggregate flash across multiple servers.Continue Reading

• Data center metrics and standards guide

  From energy use to server performance, data center metrics form a foundation for improving IT operations.Continue Reading

• Why should I use a build server?

  Because apps can be built on a developer's local machine, some question the usefulness of a build server. However, Brad Irby points out that they provide some distinct advantages.Continue Reading

• Data center humidity recommendation falls dramatically

  An ASHRAE study's conclusions are disproving the conventional wisdom around data centers' relative humidity levels.Continue Reading

• Is there a way to automate API code generation?

  As useful as APIs are, developers still struggle to create them due to lapses in documentation and specs. Brad Irby explores a tool that can help automate API code generation.Continue Reading

• How is cloud penetration testing different for AWS, Google, Azure?

  Penetration tests help organizations spot vulnerabilities in their public cloud environments. But how are the testing requirements different for AWS, Google and Azure?Continue Reading

• Five things to know to land a cloud architect job

  Demand for cloud architects is growing in the enterprise, but competition for jobs is tough. Here are five questions to help you ace a cloud architect interview.Continue Reading

• Three traits of a mature Agile team

  What it takes to have successful mobile project development might surprise you. Expert Jennifer Lent shares the secrets around creating a mature Agile team.Continue Reading

• Can time management improve productivity of QA testers?

  Despite what you might think, time management is possible. Expert Amy Reichert explains how QA testers can stop procrastinating and take charge of their lives.Continue Reading

• Container technology's role in storage

  Containers are somewhat limited in scope and scale so the next logical step for the technology is dealing with storage.Continue Reading

• Persuading management to support the IT buying process

  What steps should you take to get your network buying needs approved by top management? One piece of advice: Learn what your manager needs.Continue Reading

• Application lifecycle management tools finesse app development

  Software development teams in highly competitive marketplaces are constantly under pressure from their companies to be the first to market with the latest and greatest application. That's easier said than done. To streamline the product development ...Continue Reading

• Top object storage vendor use cases for IT

  Today's object storage vendors provide products that are often the best option for archiving, backup and data lake architectures.Continue Reading

• What's the best way to handle end-of-sale devices on your network?

  A majority of organizations have end-of-sale and end-of-life devices on their networks. What's the best way to ensure your equipment is up to date?Continue Reading

• How do you verify a HA server or cluster is working?

  I want to ensure server high availability in my production IT environment. Is it better to test server HA and risk disruption, or trust in the systems' reliability?Continue Reading

• Check your hybrid Outlook Autodiscover performance

  IT shops with hybrid Office 365 and on-premises Exchange mailboxes need to know how Outlook Autodiscover works when mailboxes haven't migrated.Continue Reading

• Three steps to avoid server NIC teaming problems

  NIC teaming can help reduce resource contention and improve VM performance, but don't fall victim to common mistakes when setting it up.Continue Reading

• Time to erase IT friction between InfoSec, NetOps

  IT friction between your security and network operations personnel sap productivity. Maybe it's time for everyone to work together.Continue Reading

• Product owners don't have time to write Agile user stories? You write them.

  If the product owner won't or can't write the vital Agile user stories, expert Ben Linders explains how to take on this project yourself.Continue Reading

• Big data analytics applications impact storage systems

  Analytics applications for big data have placed extensive demands on storage systems, which Mike Matchett says often requires new or modified storage structures.Continue Reading

• How CPU and memory affect application performance

  Application performance will change depending on if you want more cores, better clock speed or what you choose for memory.Continue Reading

• WAN optimization techniques pace IT investment

  TechTarget's most recent Networking Purchasing Intentions survey reveals IT's priority to invest in WAN optimization techniques in the next 12 months.Continue Reading

• Virtual worlds used as business collaboration tools

  Consider virtual worlds as legitimate business collaboration tools. Not only might you save travel money, you might spur team creativity and innovation.Continue Reading

• Five challenges with open source cloud infrastructure tools

  Open source cloud infrastructure platforms like OpenStack offer many benefits to an enterprise -- but first, IT must clear these five adoption hurdles.Continue Reading

• NIA: Saisei's FlowCommand SDN appliance secures network flows

  Saisei, our latest Network Innovation Award winner, uses its FlowCommand virtual SDN appliance to control network flows and prevent individual users from hogging bandwidth.Continue Reading

• Techniques to create a more secure AWS

  Acceptance of the public cloud depends on users being comfortable with a provider’s security practices. Amazon Web Services, in particular, has been aggressive about enhancing its security offerings. Even so, users need to do their part when it ...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

• 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

• Facing network breach threats, visibility is key

  In this Q&A, an IT pro at Penn Mutual shares how his dual strategy of user education and Layer 7 visibility helps prevent network breaches.Continue Reading

• Climb aboard enterprise sync-and-share technology

  Lately, file sync-and-share products are seeing rapid adoption. With more employees taking it upon themselves to use consumer-grade options to collaborate and access data remotely, enterprises are realizing the value that business-class offerings ...Continue Reading

• Constant and read-only PowerShell variables for admins who fear change

  Constant and read-only PowerShell variables can prevent accidental changes to a script. Here’s how they differ and how to use them.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 run PowerShell cmdlets on remote servers

  The Invoke-Command and New-PSSession PowerShell cmdlets can make it easier for admins to manage a number of remote servers.Continue Reading

• How to implement dependency injection in existing apps

  Adapting an existing app to dependency injection is worth the effort, according to an expert. Follow these tips to make the process go smoothly.Continue Reading

• What you need to know about the ALM methodology

  Gerie Owen provides an overview of ALM methodology, covering its requirements, development and maintenance phases and its core components.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

• Optimizing your AWS costs

  Doing business in AWS is easy; understanding what it costs you is not. Just when you think you understand your AWS pricing structure, it changes. So how do you stay current on the latest costs for popular services? And what additional development ...Continue Reading

• A Windows Server 2016 Group Policy walkthrough

  Administrators who work with Group Policy will appreciate that the structure hasn't changed in Windows Server 2016, but there are new policies unique to the release worth noting.Continue Reading

• Build Linux from scratch to improve admin skills

  There's a sure-fire way to increase your knowledge about the Linux kernel and how to troubleshoot Linux servers: Build one yourself.Continue Reading

• Avoid strapped IT budgets with cloud cost optimization

  Many businesses expect cloud to be cheaper, but cost-efficiency is no guarantee. To reap cloud's financial rewards, devise a cost optimization plan.Continue Reading

• Container technology thrives for IT

  Just when you thought you had driven the last nail in the coffin of old-school IT, you find out it's back -- albeit with a twist.
  
  Remember operating system-level virtualization? This method of server virtualization is back with a vengeance ...Continue Reading

• Checklist of IT KPIs for responsive data center ops

  The right metrics, aligned with business needs, strengthen data center monitoring and capacity planning. KPIs orient IT performance to specific goals.Continue Reading

• Beat the risks of managing public, private APIs

  Management strategies for private and public APIs should be different. An expert offers best practices for creating effective approaches for each.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

• How to build your own virtual test lab

  A virtual test lab can give you a place to test patches and configuration changes -- and avoid the potential for downtime in the production environment.Continue Reading

• How to integrate IT infrastructure monitoring tools

  When done successfully, performance monitoring tool integrations enhance administrative insight and productivity across a busy data center.Continue Reading

• Cutting data center power costs

  Reining in energy costs is one of the top concerns for data center managers everywhere. And since power consumption represents a significant cost for organizations, data center managers need to have solutions in mind when they get called into ...Continue Reading

• EMC World 2015: Expect backup, flash, future directions

  EMC will roll out products in its Data Domain, XtremIO and ViPR platforms at EMC World 2015, but what about a CEO succession plan?Continue Reading

• What are protocol endpoints in vSphere VVOLs and how do they work?

  VMware's new VVOLs feature allows storage functionality to be distributed on a per-VM basis. Protocol endpoints are integral to proper allocation.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

• Switch authentication modes during a disaster recovery

  Converting authentication modes is a rare thing admins need to address, but it must be fixed right away when it happens -- and Microsoft's documentation on it is incorrect.Continue Reading

• Two ways to manage different server operating systems

  Several tools and techniques let data center systems administrators work with multiple server OSes on one host system, and manage it effectively.Continue Reading

• Big data workloads live on-premises

  Seven years after its birth, the frenzy around cloud is beginning to subside. IT organizations have embraced public cloud for some workloads, and built private clouds for others.

  IT is having productive discussions about which applications to ...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

• This PowerShell module takes control of NTFS permissions

  One simple install of the File System Security PowerShell Module can help manage NTFS permissions for user access to folders.Continue Reading

• Define project scope in terms of time, money and quality

  We all want our projects to be on budget, on time and of high quality, but not necessarily in that order. What is your advice for balancing these needs?Continue Reading

• The new face of scale-out storage

  There are plenty of new approaches to address ever-growing data needs, including scale-out vs. scale-up designs, the shift from hierarchical file systems to object storage, and the Hadoop Distributed File System. Pretty soon there will be absolutely...Continue Reading

• Four tips to maximize the lifespan of your flash memory storage

  The lifespan of flash memory storage is not the hot-button issue it once was, but you should perform these tasks to prolong the life of your drives.Continue Reading

• Five quick links: Managing big data in the cloud

  Cloud computing can streamline big data management and analysis. But, before diving in, be sure to know the latest in cloud and big data technology.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

• 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

• Take data center efficiency to the max on three-phase power

  Three-phase circuits provide considerably more power efficiency to data center equipment, but phase balancing can trip up deployments.Continue Reading

• Hybrid cloud command and control

  Expectations set by the public cloud around self-service and speed of deployment are beginning to creep into the enterprise. In the early days of cloud, developers were so wowed -- and the controls around accessing it were so loose -- that many ...Continue Reading

• Cultivating the API Economy

  How can hacking be used to make better APIs? Find out the answer and get more API tips in this report from DeveloperWeek 2015.Continue Reading

• Master Linux service management on System V and systemd

  Managing services on Linux is an essential task for administrators. Learn to work with either System V or systemd.Continue Reading