IT Operations
Top Stories
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Tip
14 Aug 2026
Prompts vs. loops: Why prompt engineering won't build your AI workforce
Execution loops move enterprise AI beyond prompt engineering, enabling agents to plan, act, verify results, recover from failures and deliver outcomes. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Aug 2026
5 reasons hardened images are seeing a resurgence
Hardened container images reduce software supply chain risk by minimizing vulnerabilities, improving compliance, reducing toil and boosting performance. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 May 2022
Microsoft modern authentication deadline looms over Exchange
Support for basic authentication will end this year, giving administrators who haven't switched to a newer authentication method little time to prepare for a smooth transition. Continue Reading
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News
09 May 2022
Upstream Istio service mesh hones IT ops user experience
The Istio service mesh community has revealed further plans to simplify the project's notoriously difficult 'Day 2' management, which can't all be addressed by downstream vendors. Continue Reading
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Feature
09 May 2022
Future of containers faces tools surplus, skills shortage
Container adoption seems inevitable, but it's not going to be smooth sailing. Experts weigh in on the state of container management -- and where it needs to go. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 May 2022
Why admins should learn how to use Azure Logic Apps
In an increasingly cloudy IT world, the iPaaS offering from Microsoft can bridge management gaps with automated workflows that require little technical expertise. Continue Reading
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News
03 May 2022
Atlassian cloud outage postmortem seeks to build back trust
A detailed post-incident analysis of Atlassian's cloud outage last month is prompting both the vendor and its customers to revise and expand their resiliency plans. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Apr 2022
Guide to Windows Server Hybrid Administrator certification
The new accreditation takes a more focused approach with exams that require knowledge of deploying traditional infrastructure components and their Microsoft Azure equivalent. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Apr 2022
How to compare Docker images with container-diff
You could pay for a vendor to analyze container images for you, or you could use container-diff for free. Compare container images before deployment to avoid unfortunate mishaps. Continue Reading
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Definition
29 Apr 2022
SharePoint Online
Microsoft SharePoint Online is a collection of cloud- and web-based technologies that make it easy for organizations to store, share and manage digital information. Continue Reading
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News
28 Apr 2022
Software supply chain security risks surround Kubernetes
Securing Kubernetes is complex enough, but its associations with the wider open source ecosystem and automated deployments add supply chain security concerns to the equation. Continue Reading
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News
28 Apr 2022
Kubernetes security targeted by perfect storm of threats
As Kubernetes prepares to phase out Docker upstream, attackers shift their focus to the container orchestration platform, where complexity creates its own vulnerabilities. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
28 Apr 2022
Avoid clock skew issues with external time source setup
Configure Active Directory domain controllers to use an external NTP server to avoid Kerberos authorization issues and other problems in your Windows environment. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Apr 2022
Windows Server 2022 security hardening guide for admins
Emerging threats continue to target the Windows ecosystem, but there are multiple methods to make it tougher to be the victim of a malicious hack attempt. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Apr 2022
Don't force your IT applications into edge computing
Edge computing's primary concern is latency -- and most applications introduce too much. Consider the edge as a companion environment, not an approaching transformation. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Apr 2022
How to build a virtual router with VMware Workstation
Virtual networks in testing and development setups require virtual routers. In this step-by-step tutorial, use VMware and Windows tools to set up a virtual router. Continue Reading
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News
25 Apr 2022
IT pros hail Google's Istio service mesh donation to CNCF
Google's decision to donate Istio service mesh to the CNCF isn't a shocking one, but proponents of the project said it could broaden its adoption in a competitive market. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Apr 2022
How to create a DevOps self-service portal
Remote DevOps teams need the tools to build and deploy applications independently -- that's where self-service portals come in. Discover the benefits and how to build one. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Apr 2022
Basic virsh network commands to know
It's helpful to know how to use virsh commands to manage VMs and virtual networks; some cloud providers don't support Ansible or VirtualBox. Get started with a few commands. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Apr 2022
Do DevOps and the Theory of Constraints still relate?
The Theory of Constraints still holds weight in the IT industry decades later, but the adoption of DevOps slims down some of its relevancy. Here's how. Continue Reading
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Opinion
19 Apr 2022
Atlassian Team '22 wrap-up: Connect dev, ops and service
The Atlassian Team '22 conference focused in on new tools like Compass, Atlas and Analytics, with an optimistic eye to the future. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Apr 2022
The data team-IT operations divide delays data delivery
Extended delays in the data delivery process aren't just inconvenient; they're a hindrance to business success that data teams and IT operations must solve together. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Apr 2022
The future of OpenTelemetry for observability
To collect and analyze telemetry data from cloud-native apps, many organizations use OpenTelemetry for system observability. Discover its benefits and primary components. Continue Reading
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Feature
18 Apr 2022
How to choose the best CPU for virtualization
Selecting the right CPU for virtual infrastructures depends on many factors, including feature sets and hardware specs. Proper configuration of processor resources is also crucial. Continue Reading
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Definition
18 Apr 2022
built-in administrator account
In the Windows operating system, the built-in administrator account -- the first account created when the OS was installed -- has the highest permissions of any profile on the computer system. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Apr 2022
Use Jenkins for deployment, support and provisioning in ops
IT organizations that keep Jenkins on the development side of the house miss out on the orchestrated workflow capabilities it brings to operations tasks. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
14 Apr 2022
Get started with Azure AD entitlement management automation
Identity governance tasks in Azure Active Directory can be overwhelming, but understanding how to use Microsoft Graph and PowerShell to work with these settings will help. Continue Reading
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Definition
14 Apr 2022
Microsoft Identity Manager
Microsoft Identity Manager -- also called Microsoft Identity Manager 2016 or MIM -- is an on-premises tool that enables organizations to manage access, users, policies and credentials. Continue Reading
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News
13 Apr 2022
IT pros lambaste Atlassian communication amid cloud outage
IT pros including affected Atlassian customers and prospective cloud users were critical of Atlassian's communications both publicly and privately during its ongoing SaaS outage. Continue Reading
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News
12 Apr 2022
Microsoft plugs Windows zero-day on April Patch Tuesday
Microsoft issues corrections for 117 unique vulnerabilities this month with a significant number of security updates resolving printer spooler and DNS server problems. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Apr 2022
Use these PowerShell add-ons to supercharge your experience
These PowerShell new features and modules introduce several customization and functionality features to the popular automation tool to ease coding tasks for administrators. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Apr 2022
How to use abstracted repositories in dependency injection
Dependencies in software design can complicate matters. Dependency injection helps simplify it -- but it's not without its faults. Here's what you need to know. Continue Reading
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News
12 Apr 2022
Atlassian cloud outage could take weeks to resolve
As Atlassian's cloud outage neared the one-week mark, the company informed affected customers that it could take up to another two weeks to fully recover. Continue Reading
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Definition
12 Apr 2022
Microsoft Windows Update
Microsoft Windows Update is a security service for Windows users that, once activated, automatically searches for and installs updates. Continue Reading
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News
11 Apr 2022
Perforce acquires Puppet for infrastructure as code
Puppet execs had previously targeted an IPO for the company but opted for 'Plan B' in the deal, which primarily focuses on its infrastructure-as-code and compliance tools. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
08 Apr 2022
How to secure Kubernetes clusters in 7 steps
Kubernetes security is critical for an enterprise's welfare. To protect Kubernetes clusters, create a plan to implement security protocols and control access. Continue Reading
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News
07 Apr 2022
Atlassian product expansion raises fresh integration questions
Atlassian added analytics and new Atlas and Compass apps to orchestrate work among distributed teams, but some customers still seek deeper integrations between its cloud tools. Continue Reading
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Feature
07 Apr 2022
DevOps administrator: The role and responsibilities
To really understand a job, it's best to hear from those who have held it. Learn about what it means to work in a DevOps role from these practitioners. Continue Reading
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News
05 Apr 2022
New Relic adds SRE features, preps security offering
A New Relic observability update this week reflects the crucial role of SREs in microservices architecture, and there are plans to align with the firm's DevSecOps ambitions. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Apr 2022
Manage resource use with VMware Horizon application pools
Load balancing is challenging in any environment, but with virtual desktops, uniformity of user experience is high priority. Use VMware Horizon to distribute vital resources. Continue Reading
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News
04 Apr 2022
Can 'shift left' in DevOps pipelines go too far?
More and more functionality, from security to cost management, is now packed into DevOps pipelines -- but if done improperly, "shift left" can create more problems than it solves. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Apr 2022
Compare KubeVirt vs. Virtlet for container, VM management
KubeVirt and Virtlet unite VM and container management into one stack, but KubeVirt has more flexibility to tune VMs, whereas Virtlet boasts better integration with Kubernetes. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Apr 2022
Follow this 10-point virtualization security checklist
Failover clustering, encryption and prompt patching practices can help admins shore up their VMs in the face of online security threats from sources such as malware and bad actors. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Mar 2022
Microsoft cloud certifications Windows admins should pursue
The surge in remote work means admins with skills with Microsoft's cloud technologies are in demand. You can prove your proficiency by acquiring these Microsoft certifications. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Mar 2022
Prepare for these common SRE interview questions
To ace that job interview, aspiring SREs should prepare to discuss everything from programming languages to network troubleshooting at varying levels of detail. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
31 Mar 2022
How to use Pulumi Automation API, with examples
In this tutorial, integrate Pulumi's Automation API into existing projects -- and remove the need for CLI to perform infrastructure lifecycle changes in a CI/CD pipeline. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Mar 2022
Improving open source software governance stature
Open source governance is a vital part of a software project's maturity. Embrace these tools and tips to monitor open source security, use permissions and code quality. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Mar 2022
Deploy an information barrier policy for Microsoft Teams
Mistakes happen, but can be costly when they involve compliance. Office 365 information barriers can prevent inadvertent sharing to protect the organization's sensitive data. Continue Reading
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News
25 Mar 2022
Observability maturity favors data clarity over quantity
Experienced SREs share lessons learned about making effective use of copious amounts of observability data, from pre-collection priorities to data visualization. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Mar 2022
How to work with an SCCM technical preview lab
System Center Configuration Manager technical previews give Microsoft customers a way to test and provide feedback to the company for its device management product. Continue Reading
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News
23 Mar 2022
NPM 'protestware' raises questions on open source security
The deliberate sabotage of an NPM package to protest war in Ukraine worsens the already complex threat of software supply chain attacks, open source and security experts said. Continue Reading
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News
21 Mar 2022
SREs provision their role in DevSecOps
Whether it's creating automated tools for OS certification or exploring eBPF as a way to safeguard supply chain security in production, cybersecurity is a growing part of SRE jobs. Continue Reading
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Definition
21 Mar 2022
Microsoft Windows Server 2016
Microsoft Windows Server 2016 is Microsoft's server operating system (OS). Continue Reading
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Feature
18 Mar 2022
6 DevOps soft skills and how they drive success
DevOps is built on collaboration and communication -- and soft skills make that foundation strong. Discover six soft skills to help set you apart. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
17 Mar 2022
Use Kubernetes and Terraform together for cluster management
Kubernetes and Terraform provide many container cluster management benefits -- but combining the two makes them even stronger. In this tutorial, discover how to use them together. Continue Reading
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News
15 Mar 2022
Golang generics spark excitement, anxiety in watershed release
Golang generics support is a landmark event in the language's evolution that some say could expand enterprise usage, while others are nervous about potential complexity. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Mar 2022
VCP exam prep: Learn what help the VMware course provides
The VMware Certification Professional badge is for admins with network, storage and data center virtualization know-how. Get insight into course specifics and structure. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Mar 2022
Compare open source orchestration tools for DevOps
Orchestration is a vital piece of the modern IT ecosystem puzzle. Compare popular tools and learn how they fit together. Continue Reading
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News
14 Mar 2022
ServiceNow pricing bucks tradition for incident response
Lightstep Incident Response, a SaaS product, also opens new competitive fronts against PagerDuty, Splunk, Atlassian and other observability vendors. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Mar 2022
Is Kubernetes free as open source software?
Kubernetes is available open source, but also from IT vendors. A complex tool, it enables container orchestration at scale. Which version will pay off for enterprise adopters? Continue Reading
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Definition
14 Mar 2022
Windows
Windows is Microsoft's flagship operating system (OS), the de facto standard for home and business computers. Continue Reading
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Opinion
14 Mar 2022
Need a replacement? Try these 5 Docker alternatives
Docker might be the authoritative choice for containers, but with the way the market is changing, it might not always be. Here are five other options that have merit. Continue Reading
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News
09 Mar 2022
DevOps teams seek service mesh help from network platform
Service mesh users including T-Mobile and Constant Contact have deployed Solo.io's application networking platform to cope with overwhelming operational complexity. Continue Reading
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News
09 Mar 2022
Red Hat cloud leader defects to service mesh upstart
Brian Gracely, now vice president of product strategy at Solo.io after six years at Red Hat, sees service mesh platforms beginning to edge Kubernetes out of the industry spotlight. Continue Reading
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News
09 Mar 2022
Critical Exchange Server bug fixed for March Patch Tuesday
The vulnerability on the on-premises mail server system is one of just three critical flaws from a total of 71 bugs corrected in Microsoft products this month. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Mar 2022
Fixing a critical bug in IT takes coordination and patience
Critical bugs are unavoidable, but IT staff can take measured steps to ease the process. The best approach combines respect for the IT staff and systems with the issue's severity. Continue Reading
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Definition
08 Mar 2022
Windows Server Failover Clustering (WSFC)
Windows Server Failover Clustering (WSFC) enables several computers to host a service, and if one has a fault, the remaining computers automatically take over the hosting of the service. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
04 Mar 2022
How to use Git to save PowerShell scripts
Git eases scripting by pushing developers into better habits -- especially around change documentation. Get familiar with the technology and how to use it with PowerShell. Continue Reading
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Feature
04 Mar 2022
Virtualization trends in 2022 highlight flexibility, app delivery
Organizations require virtualization systems that not only support different types of applications but also simplify IT administration, forcing vendors to adapt accordingly. Continue Reading
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News
03 Mar 2022
New Splunk CEO inherits a company in transition
Splunk is at a crossroads as a new chief executive takes over and the vendor navigates the classic Innovator's Dilemma. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
01 Mar 2022
Learn to adjust the AdminCount attribute in protected accounts
It's critical to know how to change the settings for protected accounts and groups in Active Directory to avoid serious problems. PowerShell can make quick edits to keep order. Continue Reading
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Definition
01 Mar 2022
Exchange Management Console (EMC)
The Exchange Management Console (EMC), introduced by Microsoft in 2007, is an administrative tool with a graphical user interface (GUI) that's used to manage the components and resources of Microsoft Exchange Server. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Feb 2022
Virtual network load balancing tools and tips
There are many virtual load balancer options for IT teams to choose from, and each offers something a little different. Compare four of these tools here. Continue Reading
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Definition
25 Feb 2022
canonical name (CNAME)
A canonical name (CNAME) is a type of Domain Name System (DNS) database record that indicates that a domain name is the nickname or alias for another domain name. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Feb 2022
Deploy microservices with serverless functions
Microservices enable IT teams to create flexible, uniform systems -- but what happens when IT teams use serverless functions for microservices? Discover the benefits and drawbacks. Continue Reading
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Definition
17 Feb 2022
Agile operations (AgileOps)
Agile operations, or AgileOps, is a digital business operating model that builds on Agile methodologies and DevOps techniques to help organizations adapt to change quickly and efficiently. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
17 Feb 2022
Build your knowledge of Azure AD conditional access policies
The rapid pace of change in the modern workplace requires new methods to control who has access to what. This Azure Active Directory feature can help IT meet those security goals. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Feb 2022
What it means to do 'everything as code' in IT operations
If the concept of 'everything as code' sounds overwhelming, don't worry. Learn what it means, how to get started and ways you might already be using it. Continue Reading
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Definition
16 Feb 2022
virtual appliance
Considered a software equivalent of a hardware device, a virtual appliance (VA) is a preconfigured software solution. Continue Reading
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News
15 Feb 2022
F5 distributed cloud security services strike a trendy chord
As talk of multi-cloud management gives way to distributed cloud, which also ties in edge computing, F5 bundles application security services to expand its appeal to enterprises. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Feb 2022
DataOps vs. MLOps: Streamline your data operations
How many Ops combos can we get? What's DataOps? How is it different from MLOps? This article clarifies the differences and how to choose one over the other. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
14 Feb 2022
How to use PowerShell with the Azure REST API
With PowerShell automation coupled with the Azure REST API, it's easy to build a script to create, power on and remove virtual machines in Microsoft's cloud platform. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Feb 2022
Develop an interactive DevOps runbook
Runbooks are important for DevOps processes -- simple or complex -- but they can be a beast to write. Use this expansive guide for best practices and arrangement. Continue Reading
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News
11 Feb 2022
Observability data finds its way into BizDevOps
The digitize-or-die catalyst of the COVID-19 pandemic forced enterprises toward BizDevOps, and IT observability data has begun to inform cooperation with business users. Continue Reading
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News
10 Feb 2022
As DevSecOps tools coalesce, IT pros ponder role overlaps
Dynatrace is among a slew of DevSecOps vendors touting a one-stop shop for observability and security automation, but IT pros say it's unlikely to displace existing tools for now. Continue Reading
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News
10 Feb 2022
Dynatrace hands observability-as-code reins to DevOps
Dynatrace expanded observability-as-code tools to let developers and DevOps engineers determine how production services send feedback via a self-service interface. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
09 Feb 2022
How to install and deploy Quay on Red Hat OpenShift
Quay enables Red Hat OpenShift users to store and manage container images -- with added advantages. Follow this tutorial to install and deploy the container registry. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Feb 2022
Paid and free Office 365 administration tools to consider
Newcomers to Microsoft's cloud services can use the admin portal for most tasks, but you should investigate these options to reduce the work involved with tenant management. Continue Reading
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News
09 Feb 2022
After rough January, IT gets a mild February Patch Tuesday
With one public disclosure and not a critical vulnerability in sight, administrators will have time to recover from the roller coaster of patch problems from last month. Continue Reading
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Opinion
08 Feb 2022
Access free courses with the Microsoft ESI program
Do you qualify for the Microsoft ESI program? Here's more about it from someone who has taken advantage of it, and why you should consider it to upgrade your skill set. Continue Reading
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News
07 Feb 2022
CNCF hosts WebAssembly server-side projects
Once strictly a web browser utility, WebAssembly may soon be coming to a server near you and bringing with it a new level of computing abstraction to contend with. Continue Reading
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News
07 Feb 2022
WebAssembly tech infiltrates the cloud via edge computing
WebAssembly's first beachhead in its mission to break out beyond the web browser has been in edge computing, where it offers efficient support for bespoke serverless workloads. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Feb 2022
How to create a runbook template for uniform documentation
To avoid inconsistencies and disaster, implement a runbook template to strengthen your existing runbooks -- this includes detailed and clear steps for structure and organization. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Feb 2022
CI/CD tutorial: How to set up a pipeline
A CI/CD pipeline saves time and ensures software quality during development. Follow this tutorial to level up your project and reduce developer workload with automation. Continue Reading
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Definition
03 Feb 2022
Active Directory tree
An Active Directory (AD) tree is a collection of domains within a Microsoft Active Directory network. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Feb 2022
How to approach and instate automated IT documentation
Automation can improve workflows, even when it comes to documentation. However, the process isn't foolproof. Here's what you need to know to get started. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Feb 2022
Network security gets a boost in Windows Server 2022
Secured-core server is a major new security feature in Windows Server 2022, but Microsoft also introduced multiple ways to keep network connections protected in its new server OS. Continue Reading
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News
31 Jan 2022
Enterprise AIOps quietly gets real
Machine learning algorithms are being used to automate some aspects of enterprise IT operations, but the original goal of advanced self-healing systems is still a long way off. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Jan 2022
Manage your IT service contracts to save money
IT contracts amount to paperwork, which IT staff members tend to hate. But it's critical to manage service contracts to prevent runaway bills -- and unused features carrying a price tag. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Jan 2022
Compare the features in the Windows Server 2022 editions
Microsoft unveiled a Datacenter Azure edition to go with the traditional Standard and Datacenter editions. See what else is new with this server OS release in this breakdown. Continue Reading
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News
26 Jan 2022
Weaveworks Magalix buy points to GitOps beyond Kubernetes
The merger between the GitOps platform company and a policy-as-code startup amounts to a bet that declarative code is about to become the new standard for IT management. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Jan 2022
Apply policy-as-code best practices to reap benefits
A spinoff of infrastructure as code, policy as code applies its core principles to policy management and implementation. Here's why -- and the best way -- to adopt it. Continue Reading