Problem solve

Problem solve

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

• Steps to generate an HTTP response header with AWS Lambda

  Some AWS users have difficulty setting HTTP response headers based on Lambda functions. Chris Moyer explains how to accomplish that task, and how it can be helpful for developers. Continue Reading

• Draw up a data center network diagram you'll actually use

  Creating a data center network diagram is time-consuming but necessary work. Keep the scope narrow and know the priorities of your diagram to save time and energy. Continue Reading

• Adding an additional virtual bridge to a KVM environment

  Virtualization expert Sander Van Vugt offers tips to simplify the process of adding a second software bridge to your KVM environment to run VMs in an isolated SDN. 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

• Why is there an Outlook folder missing from Outlook Web App?

  Some folders in a mailbox on Exchange Server 2013 are not showing up on the folder list in the OWA virtual directory but do appear in other views. Continue Reading

• How to troubleshoot iPhone and iPad connection problems

  As iPhone and iPad Wi-Fi clients proliferate in the enterprise, IT must troubleshoot Wi-Fi connection problems. Here's how to solve basic iPhone and iPad connection problems.Continue Reading

• How can I troubleshoot AWS connectivity problems?

  Our business is having trouble connecting to our AWS resources. We're not sure if this is an availability or connectivity issue. How can we determine the problem?Continue Reading

• How do I set up a file sharing server for three clients?

  If I want to share files between three client machines and a Windows server, what are my options?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

• 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

• Common network errors and their causes

  Network not behaving? Learn how to identify the most common network errors -- like discards and collisions -- and how to implement solutions to get your network humming again.Continue Reading

• How can I share Outlook calendars from the EMC?

  Is there a way to gain access to multiple users' calendars from the Exchange Management Console in Exchange 2010?Continue Reading

• Enterprise file sharing, shadow IT require swift action

  File sync-and-share has vexed enterprises, but it's time to fight back and get those files out of the clouds and off employees' personal devices.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

• Office 365 issues that torment email admins

  Tricky Office 365 problems are no treat to the IT admin. Fix the nuisances that corrupt your email with these troubleshooting treats.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

• 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

• How to troubleshoot Android Wi-Fi connection problems

  Android hotspots can fail because of carrier limits, settings conflicts, weak signal or security controls. Here are the quickest fixes IT teams should check firstContinue Reading

• How can enterprises manage the cybersecurity skills gap?

  Due to the demand for professionals with backgrounds in both computer science and networking, filling cybersecurity jobs is difficult. Technology will have to play a bigger role.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 modernize legacy apps for mobile devices?

  Here are several options for incorporating mobile apps as part of a legacy system modernization effort. Approaches include vendor apps and writing APIs.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 issues that hinder cloud computing API performance

  APIs can be critical to a cloud application's success. But if poorly designed, they can also be a big headache for cloud providers, developers and users.Continue Reading

• Use a PowerShell script to force logoff an RDP session

  When end users remain logged in to an RDP session, it consumes valuable resources. Use this PowerShell script to force users to log off.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

• OPM hack two months later: What was learned?

  Network security expert Michele Chubirka shares her thoughts about June's OPM hack and what steps IT should take to fend off future attacks.Continue Reading

• Can I use Mikrotik vs. Cisco switches in a data center?

  I'm purchasing rack-level access switches for an enterprise data center, and weighing Cisco vs. Mikrotik, which is less expensive.Continue Reading

• What are the best ways to prevent refactoring problems?

  How do refactoring problems come about, and is there a way to predict them? Contributor Brad Irby has the answers.Continue Reading

• Help! I deleted a Linux boot partition

  I deleted a partition on my Linux system, but I still see a boot menu. How do I re-install GRUB2 and not lose data?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

• 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

• What are SR-IOV pros and cons with Hyper-V?

  SR-IOV in Windows Server 2012 R2 supports Hyper-V Live Migration, but system requirements hampered adoption for some cases. Should everyone put PCIe SR-IOV to use?Continue Reading

• What are the limitations and drawbacks of an IPAM server?

  Windows Server IPAM can only handle one Active Directory forest. Learn about other limitations.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

• Elastic Load Balancing tricks for AWS applications

  Improperly configuring Elastic Load Balancing and Auto Scaling Groups in Elastic Beanstalk can harm AWS app performance. Avoid these setup mistakes.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

• Resolve a network bottleneck with these techniques

  Data center network performance problems will disappear with fixes from a simple reorganization through a strategic overhaul.Continue Reading

• What causes UUID errors with Replication 6?

  There are a few situations that will trigger a UUID issue when using vSphere Replication 6 to copy VMs -- and one direct way to correct it.Continue Reading

• Connect the dots to uncover Replication RPO violations

  When attempting to troubleshoot an RPO violation in vSphere Replication, the underlying cause is oftentimes more complex than it appears on the surface.Continue Reading

• How to troubleshoot VMware vSphere Replication issues

  When problems occur with the tool you use to protect your data, it's imperative to track down the logs that can help restore order.Continue Reading

• IIS exploits in Windows Server and how you can fix them

  There are several flaws in IIS that can jeopardize the security of Windows servers. Here are some of the top threats and how to solve them.Continue Reading

• How to save an Amazon EBS snapshot to S3

  I'd like to back up an Elastic Block Store volume to AWS S3. What do I have to do and what are the associated costs?Continue Reading

• Does a tester actually need test cases?

  Discover whether or not test cases are necessary in this expert answer by consultant Robin Goldsmith.Continue Reading

• How do I transfer a PS file from a mainframe to a Linux server?

  I need to transfer one PS file's data from a mainframe to a Linux server. Are there any JCL scripts that can do this for me?Continue Reading

• Setting up a CloudFront distribution on AWS S3

  AWS CloudFront works with a range of other services, including EC2 and S3. Follow these steps to set up a CloudFront distribution from an S3 bucket.Continue Reading

• Here and there: Blending on-premises and cloud environments

  Data center technologies and strategies are evolving toward a blend of infrastructures that reside partly on-premises and partly in the cloud. More and more, IT shops are being asked to coordinate technology resources rather than simply control them...Continue Reading

• Can you verify software compatibility on IT systems?

  If you're thinking about deploying an application software package, how do you know if it is compatible with your particular systems and hardware?Continue Reading

• How to address security risks posed by middleware tools

  Middleware tools can present a huge vulnerability, enough to offset their benefits. However, with some simple steps you can protect yourself and your data.Continue Reading

• Are there intellectual property issues with SaaS tools?

  Should businesses worry about intellectual property when using SaaS tools? Read this expert response to find out.Continue Reading

• How do I grant users outside the LAN access to OWA?

  Our company has users who reside outside the local area network. What's the best way to grant those users access to Outlook Web App?Continue Reading

• Which IBM 3592 tape cartridge has the highest capacity?

  There are a bunch of IBM 3592 'J' tape designations. How do you order the right capacity for your tape drives? Do you take compression into account?Continue Reading

• Five tools to improve embedded software testing efforts

  Embedded software testing tools are useful for catching defects during unit, integration and system testing. Here are five such tools that can make testing easier.Continue Reading

• How do you define data center size, density?

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

• Create a SAN with the Linux LIO iSCSI target

  With the LIO iSCSI target service, Linux shops have an affordable SAN option that ranks up there with expensive proprietary storage solutions.Continue Reading

• How does write back cache improve performance?

  With Windows Server 2012 R2 and earlier, admins have access to write-back caching, leading to reasonable improvements for mission-critical workloads.Continue Reading

• Facing the challenges of migrating applications to the Azure cloud

  Porting an existing application from on-premises to Microsoft Azure comes with challenges, but the hurdles aren't impossible to overcome.Continue Reading

• Monitoring virtual CPU states to improve performance

  A good understanding of vCPU run, wait and ready states can help deliver more responsive VMs.Continue Reading

• What complications can arise when thin provisioning VMware storage?

  Brien Posey dives into the complications users might run into with thinly provisioned VMware data stores and how to address them.Continue Reading

• How to write server documentation

  A data center should be prepared for the worst, but try to avoid that at all costs. Appropriate system documentation helps avoid critical errors.Continue Reading

• How do I increase cache memory?

  Increasing cache memory in your environment might help allocate CPU processes, but it doesn't necessarily result in better performance.Continue Reading

• Are more than five nines of availability really possible?

  When cloud durability is added to the mix, cloud providers are able to tout a high number of nines of availability.Continue Reading

• What are some cloud migration challenges or limitations?

  It's not uncommon to run into challenges when migrating data to the cloud. Here are some roadblocks to keep an eye out for.Continue Reading

• What to do when UPS sizing goes wrong

  UPS sizing is hard, with confusing terminology and an ever-shifting IT load. If you get the calculations wrong, don't worry about a Michael Bay movie scene in the data center. Here's what to do when UPS is too wimpy or too beefy for the task.Continue Reading

• Redundant cloud storage ensures high availability

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

• Accelerate dynamic content with AWS CloudFront

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

• Software quality metrics paint partial project picture

  QA consultant Gerie Owen discusses the use of two post-production metrics: defect removal efficiency and defect detection percentage.Continue Reading

• Virtual switch tweak optimizes ESXi networking

  Administrators in an ESXi environment should adjust the networking configuration to prevent slow VM migrations.Continue Reading

• Effective storage service management rests on well-allocated features

  Jon Toigo explains how proper management of value-added storage features can make a data center more efficient.Continue Reading

• Six things that can wreck storage system performance

  Performance bottlenecks can occur in different places in a storage system. Here's how to identify and eliminate them.Continue Reading

• The right way to rename VMs with vSphere Storage vMotion

  A quirk in older ESX/ESXi versions will not result in a prompt rename of a VM until it has moved to another data store.Continue Reading

• Why isn't Windows Server allowing me to create a storage tier?

  Microsoft expert and SearchStorage.com contributor Brien Posey addresses key challenges to creating storage tiers in Windows Server 2012 R2.Continue Reading

• Untangle cloud billing knots across multiple providers

  Tracking your spending while using multiple cloud accounts can be a budgeting nightmare, but services are available to simplify the process.Continue Reading

• How to estimate the lifespan of backup tape media

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

• Linux boot options in RHEL, SLES help ailing servers

  Is your server not booting correctly? Does it need crucial recovery tasks? Linux boot options with GRUB2 and systemd can help.Continue Reading

• Traditional IT silos face a hostile software-defined environment

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

• Using clones as templates in VMware Workstation

  After you make sure the template is cleared of specifics, follow these steps to use clones as templates in VMware Workstation.Continue Reading

• Updating COBOL programs: Pitfalls to avoid when going from COBOL to C

  To keep operational expenses low, keep these modernization considerations in mind when dealing with COBOL programs.Continue Reading

• How to hunt down VM network timeout issues with performance charts

  Setting up the performance counters in the vSphere client can help troubleshoot a dropped packets issue.Continue Reading

• How to clear a clogged core dump in VMware ESXi

  With a little manipulation via SSH or ESXi Shell, a locked core dump file can soon be just a distant memory for your ESXi environment.Continue Reading

• Agile application lifecycle management is not an oxymoron

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

• How to build an enterprise private cloud that looks better than AWS

  Clouds that enterprises build rarely stack up to AWS and its ilk in a public cloud. Follow these steps if you want a viable private cloud for users.Continue Reading

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

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

• IT asset management best practices for any data center

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Three key strategies to prevent RAID failure

  In this tip, analyst Jon Toigo shares several ways storage admins can proactively prevent the failure of RAID arrays.Continue Reading

• Mount Global File System 2, avoid corruption in RHEL High Availability

  You have a working cluster, now what? Red Hat's GFS2 will help you avoid file system corruption. Learn how to mount the default cluster file system.Continue Reading

• What is the top storage challenge with in-memory databases?

  Wikibon CTO David Floyer said the greatest challenge with an in-memory database from a storage perspective is recovery in the event of a problem.Continue Reading

• Getting started with ITIL service management

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

• Agile project management: Increasing business agility with Agile ALM

  Increase business agility capabilities with Agile project management. Find tips and tools for Agile ALM best practices.Continue Reading

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

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

• Enterprise design: Is three-tiered architecture still useful?

  When dealing with complex systems, an enterprise design that includes a Web services tier that can support different types of devices is a necessity.Continue Reading

• Agile ALM tools have pitfalls to acknowledge

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

• Agile and ALM: A marriage made in heaven?

  Learn why developing Agile and ALM can benefit organizational processes.Continue Reading

• Choosing the right data snapshot approach

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

• Comparing performance and cost of DRAM vs. NAND

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

• How Agile ALM tools shape business agility

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

• Six steps to create a highly available Apache Web service

  When a Red Hat cluster goes into production, you can protect it by configuring a supported high-availability service. Here's how.Continue Reading