Data Center
Top Stories
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Feature
16 Jan 2026
Server vendors: Enterprise hardware options & vendor comparison
Discover and compare the leading vendors in server hardware with these in-depth overviews of the blade, rack and mainframe computers available to see which may be best for you. Continue Reading
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Feature
12 Aug 2025
Server hardware guide: Architecture, products and management
Today's server platforms offer various options for SMBs and enterprise IT buyers; it's important to learn the essentials before making any purchasing decisions. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Jan 2025
5 top colocation providers to watch in 2025
The market share leaders are poised to pursue more AI workloads in 2025, while also expanding their data center portfolios and addressing energy consumption issues. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Oct 2024
11 tools for cloud provisioning and infrastructure automation
Explore the features of cloud infrastructure automation tools from AWS, CircleCI, Google, Jenkins, Microsoft, Perforce, Progress Software, Red Hat, Terraform and VMware. Continue Reading
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Definition
20 Feb 2024
workload
In computing, a workload is typically any program or application that runs on a computer. Continue Reading
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Definition
03 Jan 2024
colocation (colo)
A colocation facility (colo) is a data center or telecommunications facility in which a business can rent space for servers, storage devices, and other computing and networking hardware. Continue Reading
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Feature
02 Jan 2024
How to purchase the best server hardware for small businesses
Before buying a server, it's important to assess an SMB's needs. Review these seven steps outlining the factors an organization should consider before purchasing a server. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Dec 2023
Improve efficiency with server energy consumption tools
Deciding what servers are most efficient for your infrastructure requires research. Hardware-level certifications and web-based tools can help you select the right option. Continue Reading
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Answer
12 Dec 2023
Rack vs. blade server: What's the difference?
Components in a physical data center are held in rack servers or blade servers. Learn the differences, what type of environment you need and which server uses work best. Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Dec 2023
Dive into the history of server hardware
Server hardware has consistently evolved since the first web server in 1990. Here's a look at major advancements in management, virtualization and green initiatives. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Dec 2023
Use ASHRAE guidelines to get server temperature right
Follow ASHRAE's guidelines to set up the right facility for your hardware by understanding proper conditions, such as filtration and inlet air temperature recommendations. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Dec 2023
Essential components and tools of server monitoring
Server monitoring requires a list of the right tools to use and infrastructure components to watch. A workflow with these concepts ensures uptime and helps usage predictions. Continue Reading
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Definition
25 Oct 2023
remote hands
Remote hands is the general name for a service colocation providers offer that enables customers to delegate IT management and maintenance tasks in a colocation facility to technicians hired by the provider. Continue Reading
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Photo Story
24 Aug 2023
Winners of the Best of VMware Explore Awards
TechTarget hosts its Best of VMware Explore Awards to recognize outstanding products that help organizations create infrastructure that is scalable, is secure and supports continuous operations. Continue Reading
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Definition
29 Jun 2023
blade server
A blade server, sometimes referred to as a high-density server, is a compact device containing a computer used to manage and distribute data in a collection of computers and systems, called a network. Continue Reading
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Photo Story
31 Aug 2022
Winners of the Best of VMware Explore Awards
TechTarget hosts its Best of VMware Explore Awards to recognize outstanding products that help organizations create infrastructure that is scalable, is secure and supports continuous operations. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Feb 2022
The top hyper-converged systems and composable infrastructure of 2021
These Products of the Year winners offer the flexibility and scalability that make hyper-converged systems an excellent choice for companies of any size. Continue Reading
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Feature
07 Sep 2021
7 major server hardware components you should know
Even with software-based data center options, it's still important to know the physical components of a server. Check out these terms to refresh your memory. Continue Reading
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News
23 Aug 2021
IBM boosts AI speed, security on next-gen mainframe processor
Hoping to make the mainframe more relevant to users implementing AI, IBM plans to introduce next year a processor that runs AI applications faster and with better security. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Aug 2021
Learn the major types of server hardware and their pros and cons
Servers protect data, centralize resources and enable remote worker productivity, but buyers must understand which server types works best for their data center. Continue Reading
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Feature
18 Dec 2020
Guide to colocation and how to choose a provider
It's important to thoroughly evaluate facilities, pricing and contract terms before choosing a colocation provider. Also, consider the challenges that come with going colo. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Dec 2020
How to negotiate a fair data center colocation agreement
It's critical to business operations and your overall budget to know what a good colocation SLA covers, what it doesn't and how to negotiate one for your organization. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Dec 2020
Colocation pricing guide: Understanding data center costs
Colocation facility costs can include anything from power fees and bandwidth service charges to connectivity expenses, change fees and support costs. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Dec 2020
Avoid colocation and cloud noisy neighbor issues
In any multi-tenant IT environment, noisy neighbors can be an issue. Here's a closer look at how the challenges differ in the public cloud versus colocation. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Dec 2020
9 considerations for a colocation data center selection checklist
Use this data center selection checklist to make fair and comprehensive comparisons between colocation data center providers before making a decision. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Dec 2020
Retail colocation vs. wholesale data centers: How to choose
One offers more control, while the other offers more flexible space. If you're considering a colocation facility, how do you decide between wholesale and retail? Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Dec 2020
7 benefits of colocation for your business and 4 challenges
Colocation is not a silver-bullet solution for everyone. Discover the benefits and drawbacks that come with allowing a third-party to manage your IT equipment. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Nov 2020
5 ways a remote hands data center ensures colocation success
Off-site hardware upkeep can be tricky and time-consuming. With remote hands options, your admins can delegate routine maintenance and monitoring to trained, on-site service staff. Continue Reading
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Answer
20 Nov 2020
Colocation data center outage response and support
Navigating data center malfunctions when hardware is off premises can be tricky. Organizations must have strong SLAs with their colo provider to ensure appropriate response times. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Sep 2020
VMware vSAN vs. SAN: What are the differences?
VMware vSAN differs from a traditional SAN in a few crucial ways, including pooled vs. isolated storage, access management and optimization for different types of environments. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Sep 2020
Tips to get colocation contract renewal right
During your team's colocation contract renewal process, be sure to reevaluate power requirements, spending flexibility and one-time cross-connect fees to gain better services. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Jun 2020
5 common server issues and their effects on operations
Server problems can spring from inside and outside hardware. Delve into these common issues and learn about the policies to have in place for regular maintenance and prevention. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Jun 2020
An in-depth look at calculating server hardware costs for SMBs
Servers can be expensive, but there's more to the purchase than just the price of the hardware. Learn what additional items an SMB must factor into the overall cost. Continue Reading
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Answer
02 Jun 2020
How should I choose a new server hardware configuration?
It's important to consider current and future business needs when choosing a server to ensure you'll have adequate CPU, memory, storage and network resources. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Jun 2020
How to prevent and recover from server failure
Hardware, software and facility issues can lead to server failure. With the right protocol and preventive maintenance, you can reduce failure amount and troubleshoot time. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 May 2020
Assess risk, forecast for IBM software licensing agreement success
When it's license renewal time, ClearEdge Partners recommends taking stock of the licenses you already have and determining how to allocate spending across your IBM ELA. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Apr 2020
HPE Primera storage makes Synergy, Composable Rack more intelligent
See how intelligent all-flash Primera storage with InfoSight predictive analytics brings a more cloud-like resilient, agile, scalable experience to HPE composable infrastructures. Continue Reading
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Opinion
16 Dec 2019
How is HCI market fragmentation affecting buyers, vendors?
An increasingly crowded market and the technological limitations of standard HCI have led to innovative new takes on hyper-convergence to the benefit of vendors and buyers alike. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Dec 2019
Comparing Linux distributions: Red Hat vs. Ubuntu
Before selecting a Linux distribution, compare Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Ubuntu when it comes to features, ease of use, licensing and documentation. Continue Reading
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News
12 Nov 2019
Dell EMC PowerOne, On Demand add cloud-like pricing
Dell EMC expands storage-as-a-service pricing, launches PowerOne converged stack for IT users looking for the "Holy Grail" of cloud pricing and on-premises management. Continue Reading
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News
26 Aug 2019
VMware hybrid clouds refreshed with containers
Hoping to remain competitive with rivals Microsoft and AWS, VMware is updating its hybrid cloud platform, marrying cloud products with a number of container-based technologies. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Mar 2019
Understand VMware virtual machine files
Effectively navigate each of the VMware VM file types, such as the flat.vmdk file and the VSWP file, to simplify VM management tasks. Continue Reading
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Feature
04 Jan 2019
Buy server hardware with these key functions in mind
Find the right server hardware for your data center by evaluating what leading vendors offer in terms of processors, memory, storage, connectivity, hot swapping and security features. Continue Reading
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Photo Story
29 Aug 2018
Best of VMworld 2018 U.S. Award winners
The Best of VMworld 2018 U.S. Awards highlight the most innovative products on display at VMworld 2018. Here are the winners of all seven categories and the Best of Show. Continue Reading
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Opinion
08 Mar 2018
Why do Azure Stack appliances have to be certified?
Azure MVP Marius Sandbu gives us a lesson on Azure Stack. Continue Reading
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Answer
04 Jan 2018
What is VMware Remote Console and how do you run it?
A vSphere administrator can use VMware Remote Console to remotely access a VM's peripherals, configuration and desktop remotely through the vSphere Web Client. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Nov 2017
Compare different vCenter Server editions to find what fits
Compare and contrast vCenter Server licensing options, and choose what's best based on how much support you need and how many ESXi hosts you want to manage. Continue Reading
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Answer
24 Oct 2017
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
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Answer
25 Sep 2017
What happens when you violate affinity or anti-affinity rules?
Just because VM placement is flexible doesn't mean you should take it for granted. Affinity rule conflicts can take a serious toll on the functionality of multiple VMware platforms. Continue Reading
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Answer
11 Sep 2017
What are VM-VM and VM-host affinity and anti-affinity rules?
It's important to create specific rules in VMware DRS to outline how different VMs and hosts behave. What kinds of affinity and anti-affinity rules are there, and how do they work? Continue Reading
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Answer
04 Aug 2017
What is Photon OS, and why would I use it in my data center?
Due to its scalability, low cost and fast deployment, container technology is on the rise. How does VMware harness the power of containers in a vSphere environment? Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Jun 2017
VSAN Encryption: What it is, what it does and how to use it
New to vSphere 6.6, vSAN Encryption uses an XTS AES-256 cipher to encrypt all objects in the vSAN data store across both all-flash and hybrid configurations. Continue Reading
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Answer
07 Jun 2017
How does VMware secure boot protect VMs and ESXi hosts?
New to vSphere 6.5, the secure boot feature protects VMs and ESXi hosts from viruses, malware and spyware -- and enabling it is as easy as checking off a box. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Mar 2017
Copying virtual machines with VMware vSphere Replication
Now that you've completed the installation and configuration, it's time to walk through the process of how vSphere Replication works. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Jun 2015
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
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Answer
04 Feb 2015
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
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Feature
09 Jan 2015
Big data and analytics advice from an operations pro
You don't need to employ special IT personnel for big data analytics. One company uses big data for developers to modify ads and find and adjust pain-points in a game application. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Jan 2015
Linux network configuration turns positively wicked
Wicked replaces a lot of old Linux network configuration commands and utilities in SLES 12, making the OS more cloud friendly. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Oct 2014
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
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Tip
17 Feb 2014
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
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Tip
29 Aug 2013
A new troubleshooting and management process with GRUB2 bootloader
Nearly everything changed from the GRUB bootloader to GRUB2. With major enterprise Linux distributions moving to GRUB2, it's time to get acquainted. Continue Reading