Data Center
Top Stories
-
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
-
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
-
Tip
12 Jun 2018
Work a command-line interface in Linux with these permissions and prompts
The command-line interface is an integral part of the Linux management environment. With sudo permissions and remote connectivity, working with a command line is easy. Continue Reading
-
News
07 Jun 2018
Hitachi UCP update includes NVMe cache, GPU server
Hitachi updates Unified Compute Platform (UCP) portfolio with new NVMe-based Intel Optane caching option and technology from partners VMware and Cisco. Continue Reading
-
Feature
07 Jun 2018
Find out answers for FAQs about Nutanix AHV and Acropolis
Check out these answers to some of the frequently asked questions about Nutanix's Acropolis and AHV core hyper-converged infrastructure software products. Continue Reading
-
News
01 Jun 2018
IBM's Cloud Private for Data brings on-prem data closer to the cloud
IBM rolled out its Cloud Private for Data platform designed to make it easier for users' on-premises data to interact with not just IBM's public cloud, but those of AWS and Google. Continue Reading
-
Tip
01 Jun 2018
Easily read a log file in Linux with command-line tools
Depending on the specific Linux distribution you use, there is a variety of commands to help you locate, read and search log files within related program components. Continue Reading
-
Tip
31 May 2018
Web server management best practices and essential features
There are a lot of tools on the market for web-based server management. To find the best product, look for functions that automate workflows and add security. Continue Reading
-
Tip
29 May 2018
Top 4 advantages of a command-line interface
With the simple look of the command-line interface, organizations don't always realize the advantages it brings to systems through pointed, accurate commands. Continue Reading
-
News
24 May 2018
Red Hat Hyperconverged Infrastructure for Cloud launches
Red Hat expands its hyper-converged infrastructure lineup with a cloud offering that combines OpenStack and Ceph. The new option joins Gluster-based HCI for Virtualization. Continue Reading
-
Quiz
23 May 2018
Test your Storage Spaces Direct hyper-converged system smarts
Windows Server 2016 took Microsoft into the HCI game, with hyper-convergence features based on Storage Spaces Direct, the upgrade from Windows Server 2012's Storage Spaces feature. Continue Reading
-
Tip
23 May 2018
Get to know SIEM software basics and benefits
Security information and event management tools give organizations enhanced network management functionality, such as automatic reporting, data stream analysis and anomaly detection. Continue Reading
-
News
22 May 2018
Plexxi buy bolsters HPE composable infrastructure strategy
HPE strengthened its composable infrastructure strategy with the acquisition of Plexxi, a startup that adds a networking element crucial to the company's success in that market. Continue Reading
-
Quiz
22 May 2018
Test your hyper-converged infrastructure storage knowledge
Storage in a hyper-converged infrastructure is not limited to whatever disks the vendor decides to put into its base appliance. Test your knowledge of HCI storage with our quiz. Continue Reading
-
Tip
22 May 2018
Hadoop cluster configuration best practices streamline workflows
Organizations that deal with a variety of Hadoop configurations can streamline workflows through baseline configuration, tests and site-specific configuration files. Continue Reading
-
Tip
21 May 2018
Assess network device monitoring capabilities with these tips
Organizations considering new network device monitoring software should evaluate the alerting capabilities and extensibility of several different tools before making a purchase. Continue Reading
-
Tip
16 May 2018
Certain solid-state storage characteristics benefit HCI most
Depending on the workload demands, there are features of solid-state storage that can greatly enhance the performance of your hyper-converged infrastructure system. Continue Reading
-
Answer
16 May 2018
How is RHEL in the cloud different than in the data center?
Implementing RHEL in the cloud isn't exactly the same as using cloud technology in the data center, especially when addressing swap and support concerns. Continue Reading
-
Answer
15 May 2018
SIEM benefits include automated monitoring, malware mitigation
SIEM tools deliver automated alert actions, normalize log data and provide intelligent filtering, all of which can help IT administrators lighten their workloads. Continue Reading
-
Tip
14 May 2018
Hadoop cluster capacity planning best practices
Trying to calculate Hadoop cluster capacities isn't always straightforward. It's important for organizations to include IOPS and compression rates in their predictions. Continue Reading
-
Answer
11 May 2018
Which Windows Server deployment features work best with HCI?
There are features in Windows Server 2016 that are specific to hyper-converged infrastructure, but many of the more basic functions also can be used to customize and improve HCI. Continue Reading
-
Feature
10 May 2018
Decide which application monitor software is right for you
Organizations that want to implement application monitoring tools should consider how the tool gathers and reports information, as well as the purchase and licensing costs Continue Reading
-
News
10 May 2018
Nutanix .NEXT 2018: CEO Pandey talks Xi, Cisco, multi-cloud
Nutanix CEO Dheeraj Pandey discusses why Xi Cloud Services are taking so long to deliver, blames Nutanix No. 1 HCI market share loss on 'funky accounting.' Continue Reading
-
Feature
09 May 2018
Hyper-converged software: Eight things you need to know
What are some commonly asked questions about the choice to build a DIY software-only HCI platform? Below are FAQs about the benefits, drawbacks and option of buying HCI software. Continue Reading
-
News
09 May 2018
Nutanix Flow, Beam, Era highlight .NEXT 2018 launches
Nutanix uses small acquisitions to fuel further expansion of its core HCI into an enterprise cloud OS with Flow, Era and Beam, which were announced at the Nutanix .NEXT 2018. Continue Reading
-
News
04 May 2018
Dell HCI, server upgrades flex hardware muscle for software plans
Upgrades to Dell's high-end PowerEdge servers, along with HCI servers to run machine learning workloads, illustrate the company's balancing act to address corporate users' needs for server hardware and hybrid cloud. Continue Reading
-
Quiz
03 May 2018
Test your hyper-converged infrastructure use cases knowledge
Our quiz is all about how different workloads and applications require choosing different hardware and software options in a hyper-converged infrastructure platform. Continue Reading
-
Tip
03 May 2018
Inline deduplication fits well with hyper-converged IT
Of the two main types of deduplication, most HCI vendors choose inline over post-process because of the performance benefits and lower levels of total storage required. Continue Reading
-
News
02 May 2018
'Software-defined' Dell EMC HCI gets hardware boost
Dell EMC VxRail customers discuss their use of the HCI platform inside and outside the data center; platform moves to faster 14th gen PowerEdge servers powered by NVMe flash. Continue Reading
- 01 May 2018
-
Opinion
01 May 2018
Cohesity's hyper-converged secondary storage takes on data growth
An out-of-the-box secondary storage strategy to deal with the coming deluge of file and object data promises to overcome scalability, management and capacity limits of NAS. Continue Reading
-
Feature
01 May 2018
Systems management software heads for the cloud
Systems management providers are pushing their on-premises offerings to the cloud, as well as developing or acquiring pure cloud-based software in hopes of staying relevant. Continue Reading
-
Tip
30 Apr 2018
Composable architecture keeps hardware flexibility
With composable systems, an IT admin can get more choice from the devices on the back end and more choice on the devices it delivers the virtualized resources to. Continue Reading
-
Tip
27 Apr 2018
Use Windows Server deployment for feature-filled HCI
Windows Server 2016 not only supports a hyper-converged infrastructure implementation, but brings with it a rich set of features for both performance and security. Continue Reading
-
Tip
27 Apr 2018
5 top SIEM use cases in the enterprise
In the age of AI everything, SIEM might seem a little boring -- but it still matters. Explore top SIEM use cases that span the enterprise, from cybersecurity to IT ops. Continue Reading
-
Answer
24 Apr 2018
What are the options for log management in Linux?
Linux administrators should use syslog and systemd-journald together for smart log analysis. But there are also open source log management tools to consider. Continue Reading
-
Tutorial
20 Apr 2018
Use iSCSI storage for VMware to create a data store
Administrators can create a data store in vSphere with iSCSI storage. It's a relatively cheap, fully supported option, but it doesn't perform as well as direct-attached storage. Continue Reading
-
Tip
19 Apr 2018
Guide to buying server performance monitor software
Integration, storage and vendor support all affect whether a performance monitoring tool is right for an organization. Mull over these ten factors to choose the right one. Continue Reading
-
News
18 Apr 2018
VxRack Flex at the center of Medicity's SaaS cloud
Hungry for power, healthcare SaaS provider Medicity installed Dell EMC VxRack Flex rack-scale HCI for private cloud to store petabytes of data for its customer network. Continue Reading
-
News
17 Apr 2018
VMware pulls vSAN 6.7 deeper into vSphere
By giving the vSAN 6.7 release more of a vSphere look and common management, VMware hopes to lure more of its customers to use its hyper-converged storage software. Continue Reading
-
News
16 Apr 2018
How IBM's data science team quickens users' AI projects
In this Q&A, IBM's Seth Dobrin discusses the rising user interest in machine learning and AI projects and the help inexperienced users need to launch those projects. Continue Reading
-
Quiz
13 Apr 2018
Take the converged vs. hyper-converged infrastructure quiz
Before you start the decision-making process over which IT approach you should take, quiz yourself on your hyper-converged and converged platform knowledge. Continue Reading
-
Tip
12 Apr 2018
Three solid-state storage advantages that boost HCI performance
There are many advantages to including solid-state storage in your hyper-converged infrastructure plans, such as better performance and lower power costs. Continue Reading
-
News
12 Apr 2018
Emergencies force Safelite to break glass, add NetApp FlexPod
An auto glass supplier chooses FlexPod to consolidate and retire aging storage from several vendors. NetApp AFF supports VMware, and SolidFire arrays support growing claims management. Continue Reading
-
Tip
11 Apr 2018
IBM blockchain technology spotlights mainframes
IBM's blockchain offerings aim to ease enterprise IT concerns by combining Z system mainframe hardware with industry-specific open source applications. Continue Reading
-
News
10 Apr 2018
IBM trots out 'skinny mainframe' to widen big iron appeal
IBM hopes to attract born-in-the-cloud startups that never considered buying a full-blown z14 mainframe, with its little brother, the 'skinny mainframe.' Continue Reading
-
Answer
10 Apr 2018
Do I need an information systems management degree?
IS management degrees are table stakes for many IT job seekers. Hands-on experience and specific certifications make applicants more desirable. Continue Reading
-
Tip
10 Apr 2018
Business needs define your hyper-convergence technology choices
Base your HCI products of choice around the workloads you run, the architecture they run on and any present or future cloud plans you have for them. Continue Reading
-
Tip
09 Apr 2018
How software-defined networking layers work with HCI
The network function of a hyper-converged infrastructure has been the most difficult to virtualize, but adopting an SDN approach can make it easier for your organization. Continue Reading
-
Tip
06 Apr 2018
Pin down these hardware service contract details
A server warranty won't do much good when every second of downtime counts. Here's how to hammer out a support agreement that addresses the particular needs of your company. Continue Reading
-
Answer
03 Apr 2018
How does storage acceleration work in a VMware environment?
Storage acceleration helps improve array performance by offloading storage operations from the server to the ESXi host, and it uses fewer processor and memory resources. Continue Reading
-
News
02 Apr 2018
Nutanix HCI, Nakivo backup go straight into Compton schools
The Compton, Calif., school district reduces its data center server and storage footprint with Nutanix hyper-convergence and simplifies data backup with Nakivo software. Continue Reading
-
News
30 Mar 2018
Ireland's data centers are strategic connection hubs for Interxion
Interxion's Dublin-based data center business continues to grow as an increasing number of American and European companies see Ireland as a strategic connection hub. Continue Reading
-
Feature
29 Mar 2018
Make the most of the hyper-converged cloud
Hyper-converged infrastructures are similar to public cloud platforms in the way they use virtualization of resources. That makes them obvious partners in an IT architecture. Continue Reading
-
Opinion
29 Mar 2018
Organizations don't have to pick private or public cloud
Organizations don't necessarily have to decide between using a public or private cloud. For some companies, the answer is both. For others, it's neither. Continue Reading
-
Quiz
28 Mar 2018
Take the open source hyper-converged knowledge challenge
If you are considering an open source HCI implementation, this quiz can help you further refine your knowledge and better prepare you for the final decision. Continue Reading
-
Answer
27 Mar 2018
Are hyper-converged infrastructure appliances my only HCI option?
Preconfigured hyper-converged appliances aren't your only option anymore. Software-only and build-your-own hyper-converged infrastructure have unique pros and cons. Continue Reading
-
Feature
27 Mar 2018
SD-WAN benefits emerge as public cloud adoption climbs
Public cloud computing is driving more interest in the SD-WAN market as IT departments look to streamline management of network traffic leaving the data center. Continue Reading
-
Feature
27 Mar 2018
Hyper-converged computing and VDI fit together well ... mostly
The flexibility and ease of use of hyper-convergence fit the needs of VDI, but you should also consider other benefits and drawbacks of HCI in a VDI platform. Continue Reading
-
Feature
26 Mar 2018
The hyper-converged network becoming more common in HCI
Virtualizing the network in a hyper-converged system has been the toughest part, but there are products on the market that achieve some of that function. Continue Reading
-
Tip
22 Mar 2018
Converged secondary storage for data protection carries risk
Using converged infrastructure for the secondary storage in your data protection plan can be valuable, but you need to weigh the benefits and drawbacks before choosing that path. Continue Reading
-
News
21 Mar 2018
Pivot3 vSTAC HCI helps Charleston airport IT fly
The Charleston airport IT team expanded its Pivot3 implementation from video surveillance to its main infrastructure stack after deciding hyper-convergence was the way to go. Continue Reading
-
Tip
19 Mar 2018
Ten hyper-converged infrastructure architecture buying mistakes
Buying hyper-converged infrastructure systems can be less stressful if you learn about and avoid these 10 common mistakes that trip up some HCI buyers. Continue Reading
-
News
16 Mar 2018
IBM Cloud services to secure mainframes out to the edge
Big Blue will introduce IBM Cloud services that use blockchain, containers and its z14 mainframes to deliver improved security across cloud and on-premises environments. Continue Reading
-
Tip
15 Mar 2018
Match your hyper-converged hardware pick with your workload
Overall workload demands and growth projections, not just user applications, should be top of mind when you choose among the hardware options in hyper-converged appliances. Continue Reading
-
News
14 Mar 2018
Pivot3 Acuity X3 eyes big opportunities in smaller spaces
Pivot3 expands its Acuity hyper-converged line with X3 Series. The NVMe flash appliances help smaller departments consolidate mixed application workloads on a common system. Continue Reading
-
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
-
Tip
28 Feb 2018
Windows Server 2016 hyper-converged options are here
The latest edition of Windows Server from Microsoft includes options for implementing a hyper-converged infrastructure in a Microsoft-only IT operation. Continue Reading
-
News
22 Feb 2018
Nutanix HCI helps keep NFL's Chicago Bears in the game
The Chicago Bears' Nutanix hyper-converged clusters provide cloud-like access to coaching staples, like playbooks, schedules and scouting reports across the NFL team's facilities. Continue Reading
-
Tip
21 Feb 2018
Virtualization layer is HCI's secret sauce
Knowing how virtualization software turns separate hardware components into pools of shared resources will help you plan and manage an HCI implementation. Continue Reading
-
News
20 Feb 2018
IBM Power9 servers seek market inroads to AI, cloud
IBM follows up its first Power9 server with a raft of systems designed to appeal to a wider array of markets -- most notably, AI and cloud deployments. Continue Reading
-
Tip
16 Feb 2018
Match your hyper-converged infrastructure appliance to your apps
Planning a hyper-converged appliance purchase should start with determining which application it will run and which configuration options will meet apps' needs. Continue Reading
-
Tip
16 Feb 2018
Evaluate read-intensive and write-intensive SSD use cases
Consider write wear, performance and other factors when choosing between read-intensive, write-intensive and mixed-use solid-state drives. Continue Reading
-
Feature
13 Feb 2018
IT infrastructure planning key for converged, hyper-converged platforms
Whether you're planning to deploy CI or HCI, infrastructure planning is critical to the project's success. Without proper planning, you could end up with poor performance. Continue Reading
-
News
13 Feb 2018
With VxBlock 1000, Dell EMC AMPs up converged platform
Dell EMC VxBlock 1000 lets customers mix and match VMAX, Unity, XtremIO and Isilon arrays in a block with Cisco servers and networking. Will that reverse market share decline? Continue Reading
- 12 Feb 2018
-
Opinion
12 Feb 2018
What's the future of data storage technology and the IT pro?
Several enterprise data storage trends are all about getting rid of storage as an IT silo. That will have consequences for both the industry and IT pros who work in it. Continue Reading
-
Tip
09 Feb 2018
Build the right hyper-converged cloud for your apps
Picking the right hyper-converged hardware and software for your application workload requires understanding how the elements of HCI can best be combined for your needs. Continue Reading
-
News
08 Feb 2018
Dell HCI portfolio dismantled to improve chances in the CI market
Market pressures and manufacturing synergies drove Dell to integrate its HCI and CI products with its core business units, but opinions differ whether users will benefit. Continue Reading
-
Tip
07 Feb 2018
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
-
News
05 Feb 2018
Software-defined storage leaders talk 2018 trends in SDS, HCI
Software-defined storage, fueled by hyper-converged infrastructure and scale-out object/file storage, will grow in 2018, but terminology and product architectures may change. Continue Reading
-
Quiz
01 Feb 2018
Test your knowledge of VMware vSAN requirements and support
VMware vSAN is a powerful tool in the hyper-converged infrastructure space. Test your knowledge of its requirements in order to see what you need to be able to use it. Continue Reading
-
Tip
22 Jan 2018
Spectre, Meltdown vulnerabilities put SDS, HCI at risk
Spectre and Meltdown patches should be applied to hyper-converged and other software-defined storage products that run on hosts with user installed application processes. Continue Reading
-
Feature
17 Jan 2018
Hypervisor software and your hyper-converged infrastructure
The hypervisor layer in HCI is becoming an expected feature, but it is important to know what role it plays and how it can affect the rest of the components. Continue Reading
-
Tip
17 Jan 2018
Hyper-converged vs. converged labels don't apply to some products
Converged and hyper-converged infrastructure labels are becoming less clear as vendors such as NetApp and Datrium introduce products that allow for scaling components separately. Continue Reading
-
Tip
16 Jan 2018
How Red Hat assembled an open source hyper-converged platform
By combining Gluster Storage with its Red Hat Virtualization software, Red Hat has thrown its own cap into the software-only HCI ring with an open source offering. Continue Reading
-
Tip
16 Jan 2018
The role of HCI in the hyper-converged cloud
HCI and the cloud have virtualization at their cores, which makes the two platforms a good combination for organizations planning a hybrid cloud IT architecture. Continue Reading
-
Tip
15 Jan 2018
VMware security products create balance between front and back end
VMware security products, such as NSX and AppDefense, eliminate some of the problems associated with other security offerings to maintain performance levels and user experience. Continue Reading
-
Tip
10 Jan 2018
Hybrid cloud, SDDC products boost quarterly VMware revenue
According to VMware's Q3 2018 earnings report, the company received a nice boost from VMware Cloud on AWS, but NSX and vSAN remain the biggest contributors to VMware revenue. Continue Reading
-
Answer
10 Jan 2018
What Linux storage benchmarking tools are best?
Several tools and commands can come in handy to storage admins looking to benchmark I/O performance on Linux systems. But not all benchmarking tools are created equal. Continue Reading
-
Tip
09 Jan 2018
Three requirements for a hybrid cloud computing deployment
As the hybrid cloud computing approach gains steam, organizations will need to pay close attention to cross-cloud connectivity and management, plus microservices. Continue Reading
-
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
-
Tip
03 Jan 2018
PKS complements VMware's cloud-native application portfolio
Pivotal Container Service takes a DevOps-oriented approach to containers and improves VMware's cloud-native application strategy by adding Kubernetes support to vSphere. Continue Reading
-
Definition
20 Dec 2017
vSphere HA (VMware High Availability)
VMware vSphere HA (High Availability) is a utility included in VMware's vSphere software that can restart failed virtual machines (VMs) on alternative host servers to reduce application downtime. Continue Reading
-
Answer
19 Dec 2017
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
-
Tip
12 Dec 2017
Use SpoofGuard to defend against malicious activity in VMware NSX
SpoofGuard monitors network traffic to identify malicious activity and prevent phishing attacks. Before you enable SpoofGuard in NSX, there are a few things you should know. Continue Reading
-
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
-
Tip
25 Oct 2017
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
-
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
-
Tip
13 Oct 2017
Add a host to a VMware cluster by following these tips
Grouping physical hosts together on a cluster improves resource distribution and increases availability. It's easy to add a host to a cluster, but be sure to follow these rules. Continue Reading
-
Tip
11 Oct 2017
With Btrfs file system gone in RHEL 8, look at alternatives
In the XFS, Ext4, Btrfs and ZFS comparison, Linux users will say goodbye to Btrfs in RHEL 8. Learn more about your options and what can fill the gaps once development halts. Continue Reading
-
Tip
02 Oct 2017
How to choose a live kernel patching extension
Ksplice and kpatch offer similar live kernel patching services on a Linux system, but differences between function-level services and technical support showcase their differences. Continue Reading
