Data Center
Top Stories
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Tip
17 Aug 2026
Building trust: Engaging communities in data center development
Effective communication is essential in data center development. Engaging the community early addresses concerns and prepares IT leaders for stakeholder interactions. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Aug 2026
Understanding AI's resource needs and sustainability challenges
Discover how AI's demands are affecting data centers' power and water resources, cooling challenges and the approaches being implemented to address these concerns. Continue Reading
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Definition
17 May 2019
virtual machine replication
Virtual machine replication is a process used by information technology (IT) professionals to create backup versions of virtual machines (VMs) The backup can be kept and used to restore the machine in the event that its data is corrupted or lost. Continue Reading
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Feature
15 May 2019
Red Hat CTO: Scalability, usability key RHEL 8 components
Linux software is expanding its use cases for data center and cloud options. Red Hat CTO Chris Wright details how the company is helping improve IT management and visibility. Continue Reading
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Opinion
15 May 2019
With atoms and lasers, IonQ makes a quantum computing leap
Startup IonQ is taking a decidedly sci-fi approach to quantum computing, using atoms to store information, along with sophisticated lasers to retrieve and process that data. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 May 2019
3 hyper-converged cloud infrastructure benefits
A hyper-converged cloud enables IT managers to overcome the challenges of managing compute, storage and network resources as separate tiers and move to the cloud in stages. Continue Reading
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News
09 May 2019
Solarflare Cloud Onload aims to improve server efficiency
Solarflare Cloud Onload, a new application acceleration platform, was designed to improve data center efficiency and remove waste from today's cloud infrastructure investments. Continue Reading
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News
09 May 2019
Nutanix fights VMware with AHV hypervisor, cloud support
In the battle for HCI supremacy, Nutanix has hyper-converged history and now AHV, while VMware has virtualization dominance and a boost from its parent Dell's server hardware. Continue Reading
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Opinion
09 May 2019
Hyper-converged infrastructure benefits by reducing IT complexity
Businesses turn to hyper-convergence to reduce data center complexity so IT can more directly support business goals and capitalize on the value of data. Continue Reading
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Infographic
08 May 2019
Enterprise adoption of hyper-converged storage gains traction
Hyper-convergence may be on the upswing, but concerns about vendor lock-in, integration and the independent scaling of resources, including storage, limit its appeal for some. Continue Reading
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News
08 May 2019
With Nutanix Mine, HCI vet adds converged secondary storage
Nutanix prepares to launch its Mine converged secondary storage appliances as it expands beyond primary storage with an architecture that Cohesity and Rubrik have adopted. Continue Reading
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Opinion
08 May 2019
Hyper-converged technology ready for next step, multi-cloud
The height of the next hyper-converged infrastructure wave will revolve more around finding the right use cases rather than the right technology and architecture. Continue Reading
- 08 May 2019
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News
07 May 2019
RHEL 8 launches with AI, container and hybrid cloud focus
Red Hat rolled out its long-awaited Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8, designed to work across corporate data centers and multiple clouds and anchor its container and AI strategies. Continue Reading
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Answer
06 May 2019
What are the limitations of free ESXi?
VMware's ESXi hypervisor is free to license and use, but its capabilities are limited without vSphere. You get what you pay for. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 May 2019
Build up your SDDC security with 3 components
If you want to build a foundation for secure operations in your SDDC, software patches, account privileges and encryption should all be part of your security framework. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 May 2019
Guarantee HCI software compatibility with cloud apps
IT execs must evaluate an organization's current on-prem and cloud setup before selecting a hyper-converged offering to avoid security holes, disjointed workflows and poor user experience. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 May 2019
5 vCenter features you should know about
VMware vCenter is the pre-eminent vSphere management tool. Get to know some of vCenter's lesser-known features to make this tool even more effective in your data center. Continue Reading
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News
30 Apr 2019
New NEC hyper-converged infrastructure appliance targets SMBs
NEC partners with Scale Computing to launch its first hyper-converged infrastructure appliance tailored to SMBs and remote offices in the U.S. and Europe. Continue Reading
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News
30 Apr 2019
Dell EMC VxRail at heart of vendor's cloud strategy
Dell EMC wants to turn its hyper-converged infrastructure market-leading VxRail appliance into the leading hybrid cloud building block with the help of VMware Cloud Foundation. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Apr 2019
Micro data centers build edge computing opportunities
Organizations can use micro data center deployments to increase on-site data processing. Admins can get their setups right with options from Dell and HPE. Continue Reading
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Answer
30 Apr 2019
What are viable Open19 use cases and hardware options?
Open19 is working with vendors to make hardware for its open source infrastructure. The goal is to support a growing number of off-premises use cases, such as edge computing. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Apr 2019
3 ways to implement vSphere GPU virtualization
You can implement GPU hardware using VMDirectPath I/O, Nvidia Grid or Bitfusion FlexDirect on vSphere. Understand the pros and cons of each to know which will work best for you. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Apr 2019
5 quick quantum computing terms to learn
Quantum computers use atomic physics to complete extensive calculations in one minute, but you might not be familiar with some quantum computing terms. This guide offers a primer. Continue Reading
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Answer
25 Apr 2019
Why is composable infrastructure important and what are its uses?
The ideal function of composability is to make IT infrastructure more flexible, manageable and scalable than ever. It isn't for everyone, however; at least, not yet. Continue Reading
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Feature
22 Apr 2019
Why composable infrastructure goes hand in hand with private cloud
Some companies are opting out of SAN upgrades or costly converged systems in favor of composable architecture to build servers and storage on the fly. But will the concept take off? Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Apr 2019
How to resolve 5 common VMware SRM error messages
You can use VMware Site Recovery Manager to protect your VMs and the apps that run on them. When SRM errors occur, follow these steps to easily resolve them. Continue Reading
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Answer
18 Apr 2019
What's the difference between Open19 and the Open Compute Project?
Though the Open19 initiative and Open Compute Project seem to have a similar goal, they do differ in type of support, hardware requirements and licensing practices. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Apr 2019
Build a comprehensive outline for your data center budget
Including all necessary data center expenses during budget planning can be daunting. IT managers can start with costs for software licenses, hardware upgrades and cloud migration. Continue Reading
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Answer
16 Apr 2019
These VMware and third-party VM backup tools make your job easier
With the right tools and resources, VM backup and recovery can be easier. Consider factors such as product compatibility and future business needs before deciding what to use. Continue Reading
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Answer
16 Apr 2019
6 VMware VM backup best practices you should know
Understand these six crucial best practices for backing up and restoring VMs on your ESXi host. These strategies will ensure backups are protected and restoration is successful. Continue Reading
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Answer
16 Apr 2019
VMware VM backup strategies combine tradition with new methods
Different VM backup and restoration approaches can favor consistency, speed or simplicity. Consider which you value most, and tailor your methodology to that. Continue Reading
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Answer
16 Apr 2019
Use the command line for ESXi host backup and restoration
Backing up and properly restoring VMs are essential tasks for workload protection. Use a command-line interface, such as vSphere CLI or PowerCLI, to back up and restore the ESXi host. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Apr 2019
Open source virtualization expands VM hardware and OS options
Dive into open source virtualization software with VirtualBox, KVM or QEMU. Each offers customizable VM management capabilities and legacy hardware support. Continue Reading
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Definition
15 Apr 2019
Storage vMotion
Storage vMotion is a component of VMware vSphere that allows the live migration of a running virtual machine's (VM) file system from one storage system to another, with no downtime for the VM or service disruption for end users. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Apr 2019
Yes, pertinent, cost-effective hyper-converged platforms for SMBs exist
Why the simplicity and potential cost savings of a hyper-converged infrastructure from the likes of DataCore, Scale Computing and StarWind may be the way to go for some SMBs. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Apr 2019
How to enable Hyper-V Storage QoS and VMware SIOC
Storage QoS prevents a VM from consuming excessive storage IOPS, but the methods for enabling the feature vary from Microsoft to VMware environments. Continue Reading
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News
09 Apr 2019
HPE-Nutanix deal expands roster of hyper-converged options
The Hewlett Packard Enterprise-Nutanix partnership sprang up on two fronts, bringing more layers of coopetition to the world of HCI. But where does this leave HPE SimpliVity? Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Apr 2019
Craft your data stores with VM storage performance in mind
Proper storage performance requires a systems approach. Discover the different elements at play, such as the queues, SCSI disks and ESXi hosts, and how to optimize your data stores. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Apr 2019
A guide to hyper-converged data resiliency options and requirements
What you need to find out from HCI vendors to architect a resilient hyper-converged environment that will protect data against failure, error and attack. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Apr 2019
4 considerations for choosing a private cloud provider
Key features to look for from a private cloud provider include interoperability, scalability and how familiar admins are with the provider's technology. Continue Reading
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News
04 Apr 2019
Intel Xeon Scalable launch prompts server upgrades
Dell and Super Micro timed server upgrades to this week's launch of next-generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors, based on the Cascade Lake chipset with machine learning software. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Mar 2019
Why a VMware certification is still a valuable asset
In the cloud era, renewing or upgrading a VMware certification might feel like a waste of time, effort and money. But for some admins, it might still be a good idea. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Mar 2019
4 essential composable infrastructure questions answered
Learn how composable IT works, and find out when this highly flexible, programmable infrastructure model makes sense for your servers, network, and storage and when it doesn't. Continue Reading
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News
28 Mar 2019
IBM-Red Hat merger timing, fairness in question
Six months after IBM revealed plans to acquire Red Hat, some IT industry experts have reason to believe approvals will take longer than the companies have suggested. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Mar 2019
Manage a multitude of VMware datastores using PowerCLI
Discover how you can use PowerCLI to boost your storage by monitoring and managing VMware datastores across multiple hosts. This tool has many advantages over the typical GUI. Continue Reading
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Answer
27 Mar 2019
What hardware can I use in an Open19 rack?
Open19 is a partnership that guides organizations to use open source rack servers. The organization's cages, power shelves and network switches make upgrades easy. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Mar 2019
Top 5 Linux performance commands for system administrators
Figuring out Linux host performance issues is time-consuming without the right tools. The top, vmstat, iostat, free and sar commands can help get CPU, device and memory data. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Mar 2019
Get to know VMware's vRealize Suite Lifecycle Manager
With vRealize Suite Lifecycle Manager, you can easily set up test and development environments and push any changes to your production environment. 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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Tip
22 Mar 2019
Pick the right colocation site for your organization
Colocation is more than signing a contract and installing hardware. Evaluate redundancy, rack space real estate and distance to ensure a successful colo partnership. Continue Reading
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News
20 Mar 2019
Dell EMC VxBlock 1000 mixes in Unity hybrid, Data Domain
Ten years later, VCE is gone, EMC is part of Dell and Vblocks have become VxBlocks. But the early converged infrastructure stack is still going, with new products coming online. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Mar 2019
Sizing and scaling VMware datastores 101
When deploying vSphere, you must know how to size and scale your datastores for optimal VM efficiency. Discover what options you have and how best to use them. Continue Reading
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Opinion
19 Mar 2019
Can IT admins benefit from a DevOps environment?
Admins might wonder if they need to pay attention to DevOps, but collaboration with developers helps minimize bad code and optimize processing hardware. Continue Reading
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Answer
15 Mar 2019
What is HPE SimpliVity hyper-converged with Composable Fabric?
SimpliVity with Composable Fabric incorporates HPE's software-defined networking technology for implementing, managing and automating a fully connected and composable mesh fabric. Continue Reading
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Opinion
13 Mar 2019
IBM quantum computing may arrive sooner than expected
If IBM continues doubling the performance of its quantum computers, as recent benchmarks indicate, it could deliver the first commercial system in the next three to five years. Continue Reading
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News
11 Mar 2019
Startup gives Datrium DVX subscription pricing
With Datrium Forward, the software-defined storage startup looks to deliver a 'cloudy feel' to pricing for its DVX storage that spans on premises and in Amazon Web Services. Continue Reading
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News
11 Mar 2019
Nvidia acquires Mellanox against growing AI, data competition
Nvidia acquires Mellanox for $6.9 billion, as competition increases for platforms that can handle AI and other data-intensive platforms. Continue Reading
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Answer
11 Mar 2019
Is HCI but a stop on the road to composable architecture?
Find out if composable infrastructure is the next step in the evolution of HCI, if it is a completely different type of IT infrastructure or if the truth is somewhere in between. Continue Reading
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News
08 Mar 2019
IBM quantum computer roadmap moves full speed ahead
With IBM releasing its latest benchmark, the company's quantum computer appears to be consistently, if not slowly marching toward commercial reality. Continue Reading
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Feature
07 Mar 2019
Data center GPU market set for growth, AI workflows
As GPU adoption increases, vendors and organizations are consistently addressing challenges in hardware installation and software development. Even so, the market is poised for growth in 2019. Continue Reading
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Answer
06 Mar 2019
The pros and cons of hyper-converged flash storage
Find out why and for what use cases and application workloads 100% solid-state flash may not be the best storage choice for hyper-converged infrastructure. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Mar 2019
Get started with PowerShell Core on Linux
PowerShell Core lets you configure and manage Windows, Linux and Mac-based servers in the data center. Learn how to install and navigate the command-line shell in this tip. Continue Reading
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News
04 Mar 2019
Nutanix HCI position under fire due to sales slump
Nutanix CEO says HCI sales slowdown is temporary because its technology remains strong; in the meantime, Dell-VMware is pushing HCI deeper into the enterprise. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Mar 2019
Essential hyper-converged cloud questions answered
Hyper-convergence can help make taking a cloud or multi-cloud approach to your architecture easier to implement, manage and scale. Read on to find out how and why. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Feb 2019
What to do when you can't deploy an OVF template
Invalid certificates can keep OVF-based VM deployments from working properly. Luckily, admins can work around this issue by logging into the host or using the OVF Tool application. Continue Reading
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Answer
28 Feb 2019
How do I successfully install server GPU cards?
Adding GPUs to your data center requires testing and research. To get the most out of the hardware, upgrade cooling resources and confirm software compatibility. Continue Reading
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Quiz
27 Feb 2019
Test your knowledge of cloud computing types
Not all cloud architectures are created equal. Complete this quiz to learn about which cloud models, management tools and features are helpful to data center admins. Continue Reading
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Definition
27 Feb 2019
network convergence
Network convergence is the efficient coexistence of telephone, video and data communication within a single network. Continue Reading
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News
22 Feb 2019
IBM adds Power to Watson Machine Learning
While they debuted few whiz-bang offerings, IBM did roll out a handful of products that allow users to run AI technologies across more platforms, including Power Systems servers and competitor clouds. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Feb 2019
Hyper-converged integrated systems crucial to long-term HCI success
No HCI platform exists in a silo. Learn why hyper-converged systems must communicate, interact and integrate with third-party management tools and the wider IT infrastructure. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Feb 2019
How to get the most out of your SIEM system
When it comes to threat protection, antivirus software is no longer enough. Data center admins need cloud-based SIEM to ensure their environments are fully protected. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Feb 2019
Data center budget process should review business goals first
Discover four factors data center managers should evaluate when allocating financial resources and areas to address to ensure funding requests meet execs' business goals. Continue Reading
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Feature
15 Feb 2019
The hyper-converged network benefits from commingling HCI, SDN
Merging software-defined networking with hyper-converged infrastructure platforms should simplify and ease the deployment, scaling and management of hyper-converged networks. Continue Reading
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Answer
12 Feb 2019
Which GPU specs are most important?
When selecting GPUs, look at processing power, memory and OS support. These factors ensure hardware compatibility and effective performance in the data center. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Feb 2019
How to prepare your data center for an HCI appliance
Vendors tout hyper-converged infrastructure as a plug-and-play offering, but before you install anything in your data center, be sure your network supports the hardware. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Feb 2019
Hyper-converged cloud key to private cloud success
Granular scaling and rapid deployment help make hyper-converged infrastructure the ideal platform for building out, deploying and scaling out a private cloud. Continue Reading
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Opinion
06 Feb 2019
Hone these top 5 data center skills in 2019
As data centers become more software-based, admins should prepare themselves by learning about the cloud, containers, DevOps and artificial intelligence. Continue Reading
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News
05 Feb 2019
Carbon Relay debuts AI-based software for data center cooling
Newcomer Carbon Relay has introduced two products that use artificial intelligence to help IT pros manage data center efficiency. Continue Reading
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News
05 Feb 2019
HCI software maker Maxta shuts down after funding failure
Maxta tried to carve a niche in hyper-converged infrastructure with MxSP software for industry-standard x86 servers -- the business model HCI pioneer Nutanix shifted to in 2018. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Feb 2019
Considerations for a successful DCIM implementation
Selecting the right DCIM software is a complicated process. Make sure you have executive buy-in, vendor support and defined goals to get the best return on investment. Continue Reading
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News
31 Jan 2019
France, HPE are building Europe's most powerful AI supercomputer
France is building a supercomputer that can perform both traditional high-performance computing workloads and AI-specific workloads. The converged design is becoming increasingly common. Continue Reading
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News
25 Jan 2019
Broadcom execs: Here's how the CA acquisition works
Broadcom explains why its surprising acquisition of CA Technologies can work, citing complementary portfolios and the long-term viability of mainframe software. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Jan 2019
Tips for selecting a data center testing provider
Finding the right service provider for data center tests can be time-consuming. To pick the right one, be sure to have realistic objectives and a detailed SLA. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Jan 2019
10 top tips to maximize hyper-converged infrastructure benefits
The most-read hyper-converged tips of the past year represent a range of best practices for procuring and implementing HCI as all or part of your overall data center architecture. Continue Reading
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News
16 Jan 2019
Datera storage software trains for long run on HPE servers
Hewlett Packard Enterprise and startup Datera combine on block-storage appliances and expect to compete against Dell EMC's ScaleIO-based VxRack Flex hyper-converged systems. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Jan 2019
Top five data center trends to watch in 2019
In 2019, data center admins should research how technologies such as AIOps, chatbots and GPUs can help them with their management, help desk and processing needs. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Jan 2019
How VMware snapshots work and how to use them
Disk snapshots can save VMware virtual servers from failed patches and upgrades. Easily create and manage various types of snapshot files with these strategies. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Jan 2019
Manage an ESXi firewall with PowerCLI and ESXCLI
Regardless of whether you prefer ESXCLI or PowerCLI, learning to manage firewalls via the command line can save you time when making changes to firewalls on multiple hosts. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Jan 2019
Top server maintenance tips to extend hardware lifespan
IT administrators can upgrade CPU, RAM and networking hardware to maintain smooth server operations and to maximize resources. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Jan 2019
Hyper-converged infrastructure vendors adapt to AI workloads
Hyper-converged infrastructure evolves to accommodate the increasing demands of resource-hungry AI workloads. AI, in turn, promises to improve management of HCI and non-HCI resources. Continue Reading
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News
10 Jan 2019
IBM quantum computing system, apps lab seek commercial users
IBM finally introduced its first integrated quantum computer that is designed for commercial accounts. But the emergence of commercial apps may take some time. 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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Tip
03 Jan 2019
HCI storage advancements require network technology upgrades
Flash storage options make HCI scalability easier, but they also require newer network hardware. Data center admins are looking at NVMe-based fabrics as a possible fix. Continue Reading
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News
03 Jan 2019
Detroit Symphony tunes up performance on Scale Computing HC3
The nonprofit Detroit Symphony Orchestra refreshed its data infrastructure with a three-node Scale Computing HC3 hyper-converged storage cluster to manage 10 TB of data. Continue Reading
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Feature
02 Jan 2019
HCI, acquisitions led 2018 data center news
In 2018, major data center vendors expanded portfolios with acquisitions for HCI and software-defined data center tech -- bolstering admin tool sets for cloud, containers and VMs. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Dec 2018
Deploy a VM from a template with VMware PowerCLI
Quickly create and deploy VMs from templates using Packer or PowerCLI rather than doing so from scratch via installation media. This helpful how-to walks you through the steps. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Dec 2018
Set up vCenter two-factor authentication
How do you set up two-factor authentication with VMware vCenter? Expert Stuart Burns explains how to configure 2FA and includes implementation and troubleshooting advice. Continue Reading
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Podcast
19 Dec 2018
IBM and Microsoft open up to open source in 2018
With IBM's purchase of Linux market leader Red Hat and Microsoft buying GitHub, 2018 could prove to be a watershed year for the open source community. Continue Reading
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News
12 Dec 2018
Amarillo hyper-converges IT with Dell EMC VxRail appliances
Hyper-convergence cut costs, streamlined operations and set up Amarillo to use the cloud for storage tiers, while shifting resources away from managing infrastructure. Continue Reading
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Answer
10 Dec 2018
What containerization technology do I need for my data center?
Containers in the data center can help maximize server capacity, but there are a few things to consider before a Docker or Kubernetes implementation. Continue Reading
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Feature
06 Dec 2018
Security, staffing land atop IT's edge computing challenges
Edge computing is a new way for data center admins to process data closer to the source, but it comes with challenges around security and staffing that organizations must address head-on. Continue Reading
