Problem solve

Problem solve

Get help with specific problems with your technologies, process and projects.

• Use tried-and-true DevOps practices to beat analysis paralysis

  If your company feels stuck, the principles behind DevOps can help. Expert David Savage explains why companies need to roll out DevOps ideas everywhere. Continue Reading

• Ten ways to protect intellectual property and trade secrets

  Industrial espionage is on the rise, and more data means more risk. Find out how to control the growth of data stores and secure your organization's most valuable assets. Continue Reading

• The future of flash storage: Is NVMe right for your enterprise?

  Cracks in the SAS and SATA protocols started to appear with the rise of SSDs and the exponential performance improvements they delivered over HDD technology. This led to the development of the nonvolatile memory express protocol to exploit flash's ... Continue Reading

• A complete beginner's guide to blending DevOps and security

  DevSecOps sounds like a mouthful for those new to DevOps, but building security in from the start is key to DevOps success. Expert Kevin Beaver explains. Continue Reading

• Manage app dependencies carefully for serverless platforms

  Application dependencies are tough to manage in serverless computing. Developers need to take specific steps, including the establishment of a well-defined CI/CD process, to cope. Continue Reading

• Want a true DevOps culture change? Start with innovation

  The more you fail, the more you learn. That's the secret of really innovative companies and it's the secret to DevOps, too. Expert David Savage explains.Continue Reading

• A DevOps beginner's guide for user experience professionals

  If you're a UX pro brand-new to DevOps, you might wonder where to begin. UX columnist Jason Grant offers a step-by-step approach for designers who are DevOps newbies.Continue Reading

• Retrieve a Hyper-V event log with the Get-EventLog cmdlet

  Use the Get-EventLog PowerShell cmdlet with the desired parameters to retrieve a Hyper-V event log. This command gets errors and warnings and exports them as a CSV file.Continue Reading

• Are you using the right DevOps metrics in your organization?

  It's tempting to think it's all about how fast you can deploy in DevOps, but the reality is, it's just one of the factors to consider. Mainline branch stability matters the most.Continue Reading

• A comprehensive beginner's guide to DevOps for testers

  Newcomers to DevOps have a steep learning curve and nowhere more so than in test. Expert Matthew Heusser has a beginner's guide to DevOps and testing.Continue Reading

• SaaS support challenges IT ops admins to shift gears

  SaaS means no more app support, right? In practice, IT ops teams enter a new realm of upgrade management and capacity planning when their user base migrates to a SaaS offering.Continue Reading

• Could the DevOps process work better under a different name?

  Intent-based DevOps is a small name change designed to bring development and deployment back to basics. Two industry experts offer their interpretations and suggestions.Continue Reading

• How IPv6 networks create DNS configuration problems

  DNS data is among the most basic and crucial information required for network connectivity, but configuring DNS recursive servers in IPv6-only networks can pose challenges.Continue Reading

• Six software-defined storage architecture mistakes to avoid

  SDS architecture is beneficial for many companies, but organizations making the switch can miss important steps, such as capacity and migration planning.Continue Reading

• Cloud migration planning tips: How to move data out of the cloud

  Most people know how to move data and files to the cloud, but what happens when you decide you want your files back? Getting that data back is no easy task.Continue Reading

• Preserve Hyper-V security from Meltdown and Spectre vulnerabilities

  Protect Hyper-V VMs from Meltdown and Spectre security vulnerabilities, and install patches from Microsoft. Watch out for future revisions, performance impacts and recalls.Continue Reading

• The best enterprise storage systems and services of 2017

  For 16 years, Storage magazine and SearchStorage have recognized the best enterprise storage systems with our annual Products of the Year awards. For this year's competition, vendors submitted new and upgraded products from the past year ...Continue Reading

• Is a software test schedule at the development team's mercy?

  Does the development team determine the software test schedule? Find out why working with DevOps can alleviate some time and test constraints.Continue Reading

• IT support and service contracts ripe for savings

  If you don't pay close attention to IT support, service and maintenance contracts, start now. Chances are your organization is paying more than it needs to.Continue Reading

• What's automation's role in network provisioning resources?

  IT is embracing network automation, but complications with integration disrupt the process. Using automation for provisioning resources can improve efficiency, but reduce the need for IT personnel.Continue Reading

• Mitigate low-code/no-code platform security risks

  While you can't entirely avoid the security risks of low-code and no-code platforms, you can mitigate them. Here's a look at the top vulnerabilities and how to combat them.Continue Reading

• What enterprises learn from software failure incidents

  Research from Etsy and IBM suggests we are learning the wrong lessons from software failure incidents and points toward how to get it right.Continue Reading

• Sharpen IT effectiveness to go from cost center to business nexus

  IT departments must work to keep user experience positive to avoid a perception as a resource vacuum. If users can't manipulate the app effectively, what does uptime matter?Continue Reading

• Expand KVM storage with virsh commands

  With a few steps -- the creation of files, the addition of XML code and the execution of commands -- you can use the virsh command-line interface to add storage to existing VMs.Continue Reading

• Manage APIs with microservices in a Lambda architecture

  When you use Serverless Framework in an AWS environment, you might run into resource limits. Chris Moyer explains how to use microservices to avoid this problem.Continue Reading

• How can you use perfect forward secrecy for mobile security?

  How can companies increase data protection in mobile communications environments and enhance perfect forward secrecy to safeguard user activity?Continue Reading

• Migrate cloud applications back to on-premises applications

  In the cloud frenzy, it's easy to lose sight of what to do if the cloud doesn't work. With time, patience and cost planning, administrators can migrate applications back on premises.Continue Reading

• Address bulk VMM agent updates with PowerShell automation

  The SCVMM agent upgrade process is a regular, but sometimes laborious, part of VM management. Use PowerShell to make light work of bulk updates through commands and loops.Continue Reading

• IBN: Enablement for a configuration management process?

  How realistic are claims about intent-based networking helping organizations to enhance the network configuration management process?Continue Reading

• SDS, HCI and CDP are key to dream enterprise storage system

  Easy to implement and manage may be the buzzwords of the day for enterprise data storage systems, but too often daily experiences of IT professionals belie that rosy scenario.Continue Reading

• What is the best way to load test mobile applications?

  Mobile apps create a challenge for testers; no approach can cover every device. However, there are best practices for load testing mobile applications.Continue Reading

• How do you upgrade VM hardware, and what are the benefits?

  You can set up your infrastructure to better take advantage of new technology in just a few steps. Perform a VM version upgrade to get the most out of what you have.Continue Reading

• NVMe-oF and storage class memory set to disrupt storage

  NVM Express over Fabrics and storage class memory may disrupt traditional storage over the next half decade in much the same way NAND flash did over the last five years.Continue Reading

• Explosion in unstructured data storage drives modernization

  Increasing amounts of unstructured data are a key part of modern secondary storage environments with their distributed file systems and a scale-out object storage design.Continue Reading

• The pros and cons of container platforms for portability

  Container platforms enable high degrees of portability, but there are some container portability limitations related to persistent storage, different container formats and more.Continue Reading

• Who is responsible for software development and design?

  Can developers and designers ever meet in the middle? And if so, how can they speak the same language? Expert Jason Grant offers tried-and-true advice for making it work.Continue Reading

• How to change an ESXi password for vCenter

  A forgotten ESXi root password can stop you in your tracks. Avoid dodgy quick fixes and learn the proper way to recover a root password for vCenter-connected and stand-alone hosts.Continue Reading

• How do you use VMware ESXi logs to troubleshoot your host?

  With access to logs, you can troubleshoot your ESXi host and track issues as they crop up. You can access your logs via the console or a web browser with only a few simple steps.Continue Reading

• Container OS options abound: Make the right selection

  There is an assortment of OSes that support containerized applications, so go into the decision with a set of wants, needs and must-avoids.Continue Reading

• ITSM processes must take this chance to help the business

  ITSM implementations still have value in today's DevOps world, but only if admins can get their processes aligned with the grander business goals.Continue Reading

• Users want hybrid cloud networking to be simple

  As more services move to the cloud and become more mobile, if the network is invisible and performs well, IT pros are doing their jobs in users' eyes.Continue Reading

• How to use traceroute to troubleshoot network problems

  Traceroute is a tool that can provide more insight than you might think. Learn how to use traceroute to troubleshoot network issues.Continue Reading

• UX vs. UI design: It's complicated but important to understand

  User experience is tied to user interface, but they're not the same thing in software design. Expert Jason Grant offers his take on how to use both to make better software.Continue Reading

• Is there a Ceph client to connect Windows machines?

  Integrating Ceph and Windows isn't as straightforward as connecting Ceph to Linux machines. You'll need a Ceph Gateway or SUSE Enterprise Storage to get the job done.Continue Reading

• How do I enable file sharing on Ceph object storage?

  The open source Ceph project prioritizes efficient data storage over easy access, so companies that want to set up file sharing on their object stores must do a little extra work.Continue Reading

• Persistent data storage in containerized environments

  The most significant challenge to the rise of containerized applications is quickly and easily providing enterprise-class persistent storage for containers.Continue Reading

• Should the QA process always include the business side?

  Quality assurance professionals need to start thinking about bringing business along for the ride. Expert Amy Reichert offers tried-and-true advice to get started.Continue Reading

• Test your AWS security tools knowledge

  AWS offers a myriad of native tools and services that enterprises can use to protect their clouds. Sharpen your knowledge of these services, and tighten up your cloud.Continue Reading

• Wasabi Technologies takes on Amazon S3 pricing, performance

  Wasabi secures more cash for data center expansion after cloud storage launch entices trial users on claims of significantly lower prices, higher performance than Amazon S3.Continue Reading

• Chef Habitat offers a different take on configuration management

  Chef Habitat's strategy focuses on the dynamic application environment instead of static servers, approaching configuration management with a new focus.Continue Reading

• IT automation software: Top five common mistakes

  IT automation software projects can involve a great deal of risk, but avoid these common mistakes and it will increase the chances for automation success.Continue Reading

• Simple steps to improve the IT incident management process

  No one notices when there's a solid IT incident management response process in place, but everyone notices when there's not. Improve how you handle issues in three steps.Continue Reading

• Lost and found: Use an Exchange recovery database to restore data

  PowerShell can come to the rescue to restore messages and other items from an Exchange 2016 recovery database when trouble strikes -- or when lawyers make requests.Continue Reading

• Improve query performance, cut costs with Amazon Athena

  Amazon Athena can query more data formats than its competitor Google BigQuery, but developers must choose easy-to-process formats to enjoy Athena's benefits.Continue Reading

• Integrate Ceph object storage in a VMware vSphere environment

  It can be challenging to integrate Ceph in a VMware environment, but with the right interface, vSphere administrators can reap the rewards of object storage.Continue Reading

• What issues can storage I/O control present in vSphere?

  Storage I/O control can be an effective way to handle occasional storage sharing issues, but it is not always suitable for every virtual machine.Continue Reading

• Techniques for optimizing microservice performance in the cloud

  Learn how to prevent bottlenecks, create efficient deployment and avoid security issues to ensure optimal microservice performance in the cloud.Continue Reading

• What happens when acceptance criteria in software testing is missing?

  You can't test something if you don't know what it's supposed to do. Often, testers have a very incomplete understanding of what they're testing. Here's how to fix the problem.Continue Reading

• How can I prevent data loss during a Linux distribution upgrade?

  It's important to prevent data loss during a Linux OS upgrade. How can partitions or disk drives help IT teams meet that goal?Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting microservices performance problems

  Get a better understanding of troubleshooting tools and techniques for managing microservices performance issues.Continue Reading

• How types of noise in data communication systems affect the network

  Learn about the different types of noise in data communication -- including thermal, intermodulation, cross-talk, impulse and shot noise -- and how they can affect your network.Continue Reading

• The data storage industry will turn upside down in 2017, or will it?

  Rich Castagna reviews the prognostications offered by data storage vendors on the future of data storage technology in 2017.Continue Reading

• How to keep microservices performance from going south

  Microservices can streamline development, but at what cost? Kurt Marko discusses the potential performance impacts and how to implement proper microservices performance management.Continue Reading

• Use a Linux file system journal for data integrity, performance

  Understand the three different file system journaling modes for Linux, as well as which mount option provides the best levels of data protection and performance.Continue Reading

• CMDB discovery tools alone aren't the answer

  CMDB discovery tools have been around for quite a long time because their need is pretty obvious. Organizations are generally understaffed to do the daily work. Many just do not staff to ...Continue Reading

• Set up a virtual home lab to learn OpenStack and more on your own time

  There are many reasons to set up a virtual home lab, not least of all for career advancement and learning. Occasionally, it can be fun too.Continue Reading

• Simplify your platform with IT systems management tools

  So much effort goes into simply keeping an IT infrastructure up and running. Imagine what more could be accomplished once you automate some of those tasks with IT systems management tools.Continue Reading

• Should I allow SSH tunneling connections through the firewall?

  Allowing users to tunnel through a firewall to access any site creates a security risk. How big of a risk is it? It depends on how much you trust your users.Continue Reading

• Compare benefits of a blade server architecture vs. hyper-convergence

  To determine if a series of blade servers is the right call for more condensed compute in your data center, evaluate its benefits compared to hyper-convergence.Continue Reading

• REST vs. SOAP: Choosing the best web service

  SOAP and REST offer different methods to invoke a web service. Learn the variations between the two approaches, including integration concerns and client choices.Continue Reading

• A look at the future of data storage careers

  Thanks to virtualization, the cloud and solid-state technology, data storage professionals and those who want to pursue a career in it face an uncertain future.Continue Reading

• Take the sting out of switching cloud data storage providers

  Switching your cloud storage provider is a complicated, sometimes painful, process, but here's what you need to know before making the decision to migrate your data.Continue Reading

• Networked cloud emerges to meet evolving infrastructure needs

  Some enterprise network managers are beginning to move networking out to the cloud, as they sort out how to best meet their organizations' evolving infrastructure needs.Continue Reading

• Use these DevOps examples to reimagine an IT organization

  These before and after DevOps adoption stories from real IT organizations yield insights into processes and tools, metrics for success and mistakes made.Continue Reading

• Know how to handle IT incident management to avoid chaos

  When an important application goes down, you'd better have the right IT incident management processes and procedures in place to fix it.Continue Reading

• Optimize mainframe processor performance with vertical polarization

  To increase mainframe processor capacity and speed, IBM turned to vertical polarization. Learn how to take advantage of it through a feature called HiperDispatch.Continue Reading

• How container deployment changes the capacity-management equation

  The decision to proceed with container deployment should be based on a clear understanding of what exactly containers can enable and what ramifications they will have on an IT infrastructure. With containerization technology coming more into the ...Continue Reading

• How do I determine which OpenStack version I have?

  Figuring out the OpenStack release or version running in your organization isn't as easy as it sounds. What are some quick tips to find that information?Continue Reading

• Use cloud auto scaling, tagging to give unneeded resources the boot

  Auto scaling services help admins identify underused resources and reduce public cloud costs. Learn how load balancing and tagging can maximize those benefits.Continue Reading

• Comparing development methodologies: Agile vs. DevOps vs. Lean Startup

  It's a confusing, jargon-filled world out there. Expert Christopher Ward brings clarity in part one of a series of articles on the differences between Lean, Agile and DevOps.Continue Reading

• How do I know if my busy QA professionals are actually engaged?

  A busy tester seems like a happy tester, but expert Amy Reichert warns that appearances can be deceiving. Here's why you need to be sure your testers are really paying attention.Continue Reading

• How can we customize the OpenStack Horizon dashboard?

  Admins can use the OpenStack Horizon dashboard to deploy and manage cloud services. But what are some options for customizing the dashboard's view?Continue Reading

• DynamoDB Streams keep database tables in sync

  Developers who want to deploy localized apps in different regions should know about database synchronization challenges. DynamoDB Streams and Lambda can ensure tables are updated.Continue Reading

• IP subnetting: How to calculate subnet masks

  Check out IP subnetting shortcuts on how to do subnet mask calculations and break down IP address classes to route traffic within your network.Continue Reading

• When DevOps and requirements gathering techniques collide

  Moving from Agile to DevOps? Requirements gathering is a great place to start rethinking and incorporating a high level of collaboration. Expert Christopher Ward explains.Continue Reading

• Patch servers the right way without wasting time

  Apply these server patching best practices to save time, reduce complexity, and build an optimal schedule and toolkit.Continue Reading

• Comparing cable types: Fiber vs. copper twisted pair

  What's the difference in fiber vs. copper cables? Key differences include cost, speed and more when it comes to fiber optic and copper twisted-pair cabling options.Continue Reading

• Set Office 365 data loss prevention policies with PowerShell

  Exchange administrators can use PowerShell to manage Office 365 compliance, e-discovery and data loss prevention.Continue Reading

• How do I prevent an I/O bottleneck in hybrid cloud?

  In a hybrid cloud deployment, what are some ways to eliminate I/O bottlenecks that hurt application performance?Continue Reading

• What is the difference between bit rate and baud rate?

  Learn how to understand the difference between bit rate and baud rate in this expert answer.Continue Reading

• Upgrade ESX to ESXi hosts in seven steps

  The upgrade from ESX to ESXi hosts can be difficult; no current tools convert hosts for you and you can't preserve manual configurations. But there are ways to ease the process.Continue Reading

• A custom cloud instance lets admins get choosey

  Not satisfied with the standard instance types from your public cloud provider? Consider customizing your own to cut down on costs and unneeded resources.Continue Reading

• Six helpful Linux networking commands to monitor connectivity

  There are plenty of useful Linux tools to help in the event of a network connection failure. Here are six of the top commands to stay ahead when trouble occurs.Continue Reading

• Creating successful RESTful API design

  Successful API design requires lots of attention to detail. Take these three steps for creating RESTful API design.Continue Reading

• Beat hackers with a vulnerability assessment process

  Get started on a vulnerability risk assessment process to prevent hacks on data, applications and more. Take these steps to identify vulnerabilities and improve risk management.Continue Reading

• Start using the PowerShell pipeline with this example

  An administrator can create functions to support the PowerShell pipeline, which improves upon text-based shells by allowing the scripter to pass objects across the pipe.Continue Reading

• Get the most from cloud-based storage services

  Enterprise data storage managers are in position to help their companies get more from cloud storage services.Continue Reading

• Hadoop data analysis: Common concerns with the HDFS platform

  Using HDFS technology as a data analysis platform may be insufficient for your storage needs. Explore the challenges storage administrators may encounter and find out how to address them.Continue Reading

• How can you disable snapshots in vSphere 6?

  Reducing the number of snapshots that you have could boost performance. Here's how to disable snapshots completely.Continue Reading

• How can my company reap the advantages of SDN if its culture is risk-averse?

  SDN expert Will Murrell discusses how the advantages of SDN will speak to cautious companies only when network engineers can make a case for SDN's lower cost and high functionality.Continue Reading