IT Operations
Top Stories
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Feature
03 Sep 2026
How businesses can future-proof IT infrastructure with AI
AI can help CIOs future-proof IT by monitoring systems, predicting needs, improving performance, strengthening security and accelerating infrastructure modernization. Continue Reading
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News
02 Sep 2026
Enterprises make strides with private AI on-premises
Discussions at VMware Explore show that private AI usage is growing as smaller models gain power, but the tug-of-war with public cloud isn't necessarily a zero-sum game. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Nov 2020
Explore the benefits of Azure AD vs. on-prem AD
A move to Office 365 doesn't require cutting the cord from on-premises Active Directory, but it is an option. Here's what you need to know when comparing Azure AD vs. on-prem AD. Continue Reading
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Definition
16 Nov 2020
Microsoft Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)
Microsoft Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is a series of Microsoft components that allow native Linux 64-bit Executable and Linkable Format (ELF64) binaries to run on the Windows kernel in the Windows 10 operating system (OS). Continue Reading
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Guest Post
16 Nov 2020
How to use Slack and Fluentd to demonstrate social output
Phil Wilkins provides step-by-step instructions on how DevOps teams can enable Slack to capture log events from the open source data collection tool Fluentd. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Nov 2020
Use virtual clusters to avoid container sprawl
Virtual clusters enable admins to deploy, track and manage containers across various systems to ensure performance, security and governance, and low costs. Continue Reading
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Answer
12 Nov 2020
What are the cost considerations when buying AIOps tools?
AIOps tools can reduce overhead for IT staff, but first, enterprises must decide how they will use the tool to know which features to budget for. Continue Reading
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News
11 Nov 2020
Windows zero-day shut down on November Patch Tuesday
In addition to fixing the exploited Windows flaw, Microsoft rolls out a new look to the Security Update Guide that draws some criticism. Continue Reading
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News
10 Nov 2020
Atlassian ITSM challenges ServiceNow with DevOps focus
Cloud customers of Atlassian's Jira Service Management will get some Opsgenie incident management features included at no cost, as the vendor plans its ITSM expansion. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Nov 2020
Automate these DevOps tasks for maximum productivity
DevOps is hard work, but only upfront. The goal -- once teams build a pipeline and set up automation -- is to stand aside and watch the builds flow through. Continue Reading
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Feature
09 Nov 2020
Infrastructure as code benefits and DevOps use cases
Code flexibility, automation and security top the list of reasons to use IaC for DevOps use cases. But without careful management, they can quickly present problems. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Nov 2020
Bolster remote IT management with these security tips
The remote management of IT systems has become essential -- but admins need to uphold that responsibility in a way that doesn't compromise security. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Nov 2020
Remote possibilities: Out-of-band management admin options
COVID-19 puts added strain on administrators who need to compensate for lack of personnel in data centers, which leads to the need for a remote access strategy. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Nov 2020
Write a software deployment plan under these guidelines
A successful and comprehensive software deployment plan includes many moving pieces. But don't panic -- here are the key aspects to consider. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Oct 2020
Tips for attending virtual IT conferences like a pro
The coronavirus pushed all physical gathering events into the digital realm for public safety. But this completely disrupts our prep patterns. Here are some tips to help. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Oct 2020
Using the Office 365 Recommended Configuration Analyzer
Learn how this free PowerShell-based utility digs into your Office 365 security setup and offers guidance for administrators looking to stop the latest online threats. Continue Reading
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Answer
30 Oct 2020
How do I audit a Kubernetes environment?
IT teams should audit their Kubernetes configuration files to uncover -- and address -- coding mishaps and vulnerabilities. Fortunately, third-party and native Kubernetes tools automate the process. Continue Reading
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News
29 Oct 2020
Observability blitz intensifies with Grafana, AppDynamics
Grafana and AppDynamics are the latest monitoring vendors to try to capitalize on the hype around observability, as users face more complex choices than ever in this market. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Oct 2020
3 DevOps antipatterns to avoid at all costs
A DevOps initiative is not a single task, but an evolution of an organization's technology, processes and culture -- and without a collaborative mindset, it will likely fail. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
28 Oct 2020
Use Docker and Alpine Linux to build lightweight containers
Alpine Linux won't always be the right OS choice for IT teams, but it's an option worth consideration when lightweight container images are the goal. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Oct 2020
Mini PCs for business offer improved performance, reduced costs
Mini PCs are a low-cost hardware alternative to servers that enable organizations to maintain maximum data center features and capabilities in remote office locations. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Oct 2020
KubeCon 2020 preview: Session guide for fine-tuning Kubernetes
Hosted as a low-cost virtual event, KubeCon + CloudNativeCon North America 2020 offers a broad array of technical sessions that can help you scale and improve Kubernetes deployments. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Oct 2020
KubeCon 2020 preview: Session guide for Kubernetes professionals
The virtual format of KubeCon 2020 means Kubernetes adopters can learn from their peers and take in expert presentations on Kubernetes and related technologies. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Oct 2020
KubeCon 2020 preview: Session guide for Kubernetes beginners
Want expert advice to kick off a container and Kubernetes implementation at your company? Many of the sessions at KubeCon North America are made for you. Continue Reading
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News
27 Oct 2020
HashiCorp Nomad 1.0 expands monitoring polish, autoscaling
HashiCorp Nomad has been used in production before its 1.0 release, but its rapid development this year makes it applicable to a wider variety of uses. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
27 Oct 2020
Build a Power Automate flow using the Graph API
Administrators of Office 365 or Azure platforms can benefit from using newer Microsoft software technologies to handle many jobs, such as automating tasks and generating reports. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Oct 2020
How to work with Azure DNS zones
Microsoft's hosting service for DNS domains is an option for organizations with a heavy Azure investment that want the benefits associated with a cloud service. Continue Reading
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Definition
23 Oct 2020
Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) certification
Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) certification is the name of a suite of entry-level certifications offered by Microsoft that signify fundamental technology knowledge in those who earn it. Continue Reading
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News
23 Oct 2020
HashiCorp Consul Terraform Sync creates coveted connection
HashiCorp Consul and Terraform can now sync for network infrastructure automation, a sought-after connection some users had previously tried to cobble together themselves. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Oct 2020
Manage Kubernetes pods and nodes with these native features
In Kubernetes, pod management requires familiarity with the platform's native features. From Services and Jobs to taints and tolerations, learn how they help direct deployments. Continue Reading
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Definition
23 Oct 2020
Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM)
Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) is a Windows product that enables the management, deployment and security of devices and applications across an enterprise. Continue Reading
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News
22 Oct 2020
Splunk Observability integrates acquisitions, boosts AIOps
Splunk opened the product update floodgates this week with a new Observability Suite that integrates recent acquisitions, enhanced AIOps and the purchase of two more companies. Continue Reading
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News
20 Oct 2020
Atlassian cloud shift quickens with Data Center price hikes
Atlassian's on-premises customer base has expressed alarm at the company's plans to discontinue Server licenses and make major Data Center price increases. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Oct 2020
Infrastructure as code examples for DevOps, cloud deployments
Administrators can use infrastructure as code to consistently manage a distributed set of resources. Follow these four examples to get started, and explore common IaC tool choices. Continue Reading
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News
15 Oct 2020
HashiCorp wades into continuous delivery with Waypoint
HashiCorp launched another new open source project this week, this time a continuous delivery utility called Waypoint, which IT pros hope will simplify DevOps deployments. Continue Reading
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News
15 Oct 2020
Red Hat bolsters Ansible-Kubernetes bond via OpenShift ACM
Red Hat previewed new ties between its Ansible Automation Platform and OpenShift Kubernetes within its Advanced Cluster Management tool, as container platform competition intensifies. Continue Reading
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News
14 Oct 2020
HashiCorp launches Boundary for cloud security
HashiCorp revealed its first new open source project in five years this week: a cloud security framework for access control called Boundary. Continue Reading
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News
14 Oct 2020
Critical TCP/IP bug gets fixed for October Patch Tuesday
The number of security updates from Microsoft dips below the average of the previous several months, but a TCP/IP bug looms large for administrators. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Oct 2020
How to evaluate VDI hardware requirements
VDI has specific hardware needs that servers hosting other virtualized workloads may not meet. Learn how to gauge VDI hardware requirements for servers, storage and more. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Oct 2020
Compare runbooks vs. playbooks for IT process documentation
Despite some contextual differences, runbooks and playbooks serve a similar purpose in the enterprise: to document critical processes. Continue Reading
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News
09 Oct 2020
Service mesh upstarts challenge Istio, Linkerd
Istio seemed destined for Kubernetes-like dominance in the service mesh market, but recent open source governance drama created an opening for competition from networking vendors. Continue Reading
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News
08 Oct 2020
Sumo Logic ships tools for AWS, Kubernetes observability
Sumo Logic has rolled out AWS and Kubernetes observability tools with automated root cause analysis. Users say they offer easy setup at an affordable price. Continue Reading
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News
07 Oct 2020
Oracle launches Cloud Observability and Management Platform
Oracle's new Cloud Observability and Management Platform seeks to appeal to customers with complex multi-cloud and on-premises environments. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Oct 2020
QEMU 5.0 continues a legacy of emulation
Admins looking for an alternative tool for emulating hardware should consider QEMU, which supports x86, PowerPC, ARM and SPARC architectures. Continue Reading
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News
06 Oct 2020
Rancher Kubernetes bolsters security, multi-cloud management
Rancher Kubernetes stays ahead of competitors in multi-cloud management with version 2.5, but will its innovation and SUSE's backing be enough to fend off Red Hat and VMware? Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Oct 2020
How to start DevOps: A step-by-step guide
DevOps can be a grand departure from an IT organization's status quo. Follow these seven basic steps for a phased transition that staff will champion. Continue Reading
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News
02 Oct 2020
Exchange Server vNext will have subscription requirement
The news from Microsoft from this year's Ignite show for Exchange administrators was: You can keep your on-premises email platform, but you'll have to pay for it like Office 365. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
02 Oct 2020
Build and deploy a microservice with Kubernetes
Ready to run microservices in production? Follow along to create a containerized microservice and deploy it on Kubernetes in this step-by-step tutorial. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Sep 2020
Microsoft 365 E3 vs. Office 365 E3: What admins need to know
The rumors of Office 365's death have been greatly exaggerated. Microsoft still offers an Office 365 E3 plan, but how does it stack up to the Microsoft 365 E3 plan? Continue Reading
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News
30 Sep 2020
VMware Tanzu Kubernetes strategy hits integration milestone
VMware follows competitors in shipping a fully integrated Kubernetes infrastructure package, but vSphere tie-ins and a strong AWS partnership will bolster its enterprise appeal. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Sep 2020
Manage containerized microservices with a service registry
It's easier than ever to spin up a containerized app, but that ease has created a problem: How to keep track of containerized microservices. Turn to service registries and orchestrators. Continue Reading
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News
30 Sep 2020
VMware, Nvidia team up to extend IT infrastructure for AI
VMware and Nvidia signed a partnership to create a new architecture for hybrid clouds and to democratize AI by making it available more broadly across enterprises. Continue Reading
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News
29 Sep 2020
VMware buys SaltStack for security, configuration management
The acquisition of SaltStack will help VMware build event-driven security automation and configuration management into vRealize Automation, as open source Salt gains VMware's backing. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Sep 2020
Clearing up the Nano Server vs. Server Core confusion
The debut of Windows Server 2016 contained a lighter server OS deployment to replace Server Core, but then Microsoft made a drastic change that still has some admins puzzled. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Sep 2020
An overview of Xen Cloud Platform components, features
Xen's open source product, XCP, enables admins to perform various virtualization operations, such as live migrations and VM lifecycle management. Continue Reading
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News
24 Sep 2020
Jenkins CI/CD roadmap plots a path toward GitOps
Open source Jenkins now has a public roadmap, which shows plans to address user experience issues, at a time when enterprise IT pros favor 'everything as code' to foster GitOps. Continue Reading
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Feature
24 Sep 2020
3 key ways DevOps benefits a business
DevOps adoption can strain an organization. Is it worth the effort? Here's what a business should expect to gain when implementing DevOps and continuous delivery. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Sep 2020
Tips for a smooth DevSecOps transformation
DevSecOps is a natural progression of DevOps and spreads security responsibilities to other IT teams. Where to begin? Here are core concepts, helpful tools and ways to learn more. Continue Reading
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News
22 Sep 2020
CloudBees revises software delivery management plan, pricing
CloudBees has pledged to roll out software delivery management modules by the end of the year and answered calls to adjust CloudBees CD pricing. Continue Reading
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Answer
22 Sep 2020
Windows file systems showdown: FAT16, FAT32, NTFS and ReFS
Some older file formats continue to find life in the enterprise decades after they were developed for their versatility -- in certain situations. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Sep 2020
Ways to use feature flags in DevOps
What's in a name? Whether you call them feature flags or toggles, this approach benefits enterprise IT all the same. Learn the basics and see how to apply them to DevOps. Continue Reading
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News
18 Sep 2020
Kubernetes on Windows matures, but networking snags remain
Kubernetes on Windows is viable in production for some users via cloud providers' managed services, but IT pros need more networking and storage maturity for on-prem apps. Continue Reading
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News
17 Sep 2020
Mirantis rethinks Docker Swarm vs. Kubernetes
Docker Enterprise users say plans to allow Docker Swarm to run on a Kubernetes back end could provide both ease of use for developers and granular infrastructure control for ops. Continue Reading
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News
16 Sep 2020
Mirantis rejuvenates Docker Enterprise cloud tools, support
Docker Enterprise Container Cloud keeps pace with recent trends in Kubernetes management, such as multicluster and multi-cloud support but faces stiff competition. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Sep 2020
How to manage technical debt in IT organizations
"Debt" is a scary word even without "technical" before it. We can't help you with dollars and cents, but we can share what IT technical debt is and how to create a debt reduction plan. Continue Reading
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News
14 Sep 2020
DevSecOps strategy mimics cloud shared responsibility model
Real-world DevSecOps centralizes IT security around the CI/CD pipeline but defines separate roles that each IT constituency plays in securing apps and infrastructure. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Sep 2020
Evolving DevOps roles demand Kubernetes, CI/CD skills
The rapid rate of change in IT coupled with the newness of many DevOps practices and technologies creates barriers for those who seek a career in DevOps. These skills can open the door. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Sep 2020
How to approach IT logging in the cloud vs. on premises
IT organizations must monitor cloud infrastructure and apps with a process that's different than they're used to for on-premises environments. Learn how to do cloud logging here. Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Sep 2020
16 DevOps books to level up your skills
Is your organization and IT staff ready to tackle DevOps, from culture to strategies and toolchains? Start with these 16 books from learning DevOps basics to fine-tuning specific DevOps skills and practices. Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Sep 2020
Top 15 DevOps blogs to read and follow
The DevOps community is big, but here are some of the top DevOps blogs to read that cover everything from tips for beginners, the latest news and how-tos. Continue Reading
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News
09 Sep 2020
SharePoint gets multiple fixes for September Patch Tuesday
There were no zero-days or public disclosures from Microsoft this month, but patches for SharePoint and Exchange should get prompt attention. Continue Reading
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News
08 Sep 2020
Progress Software battles legacy rep amid Chef Software buy
Progress Software, a 40-year-old tech company, will mix Chef products into its portfolio of acquisitions, as both seek to keep up with rapid changes in IT automation. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Sep 2020
Get started with Docker Bench for Security
Common vulnerabilities in OSes and configuration files can plague Docker hosts. Learn how to set up Docker Bench for Security and use the open source tool to fortify hosts against threats. Continue Reading
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Feature
03 Sep 2020
Just what can AI in IT operations accomplish?
How should the 'AI' in 'AIOps' work? The idea is for it to identify and solve problems in ways similar to how the human mind would -- except faster and without prompting. Continue Reading
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News
03 Sep 2020
Kubernetes monitoring eases migration, security at scale
IT pros in high-scale environments have found that moving to Kubernetes-based infrastructure called for a fresh approach to monitoring for performance and security. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Sep 2020
Threat identification is IT ops' role in SecOps
IT operations teams can take steps to improve security as part of their daily tasks. Learn about the ways to identify threat incidents and reduce false positives. Continue Reading
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Video
31 Aug 2020
Try out an Ansible dry run in under 5 minutes
Learn how the dry run tests Ansible configurations without making any accidental changes to the IT environment. This tutorial covers the steps in less time than it takes to make coffee. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Aug 2020
Securing Active Directory also involves good backup practices
The 'Active Directory Administration Cookbook' covers what admins can do in advance to bring the identity and access management platform back online after an attack. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Aug 2020
5 open source software applications for virtualization
Open source software comes with many benefits, but admins must first determine whether each tool's use cases align with their workload needs. Continue Reading
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News
28 Aug 2020
How the DevOps model will build the new remote workforce
What IT pros expect from remote work post-COVID-19, and ways the DevOps model for collaboration and incident response can address its human and technical problems. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
26 Aug 2020
Kubernetes performance testing tutorial: Load test a cluster
Follow along step by step to run Kubernetes performance tests with Metrics Server and Horizontal Pod Autoscaler. This tutorial works for cloud-, data center- or locally hosted clusters. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Aug 2020
WVD vs. RDS vs. VDI: Which should you choose?
Application and desktop virtualization delivered by Windows Server continues to do the job, but is it time to give Microsoft's new cloud-based desktop service a look? Continue Reading
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Feature
24 Aug 2020
Overcome these 5 DevOps challenges
DevOps adoption isn't easy, but the results are worth it. Learn how to collaborate, cooperate and coordinate with better organization and DevOps tooling. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Aug 2020
A beginner's guide to hosted and bare-metal virtualization
Choosing a virtualization approach isn't a matter of competition. Admins must consider their personal use cases to determine which hypervisor type suits their needs. Continue Reading
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News
21 Aug 2020
Kubernetes security defaults prompt upstream dilemma
As Kubernetes matures, community maintainers weigh enterprise demand for secure upstream defaults against concerns about sprawl and customizability. Continue Reading
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News
21 Aug 2020
OpenTelemetry aids distributed tracing, Kubernetes monitoring
OpenTelemetry combines multiple CNCF observability projects, as well as multiple enterprise data collection mechanisms, simplifying Kubernetes monitoring. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Aug 2020
How to build a successful IT service desk
The IT service desk has a lot to manage. With a strong foundation and the right steps in place to handle issues, it can take on anything users throw at it. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Aug 2020
Shore up defenses with help from Office 365 logs
Logging on Microsoft's productivity platform used in conjunction with other tools can form an effective shield from malicious actors looking to find a way into your organization. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Aug 2020
Understand the pros and cons of the IBM PowerVM
IBM's enterprise virtualization product, PowerVM, offers a host of benefits, but it also comes with challenges that admins should familiarize themselves with prior to implementation. Continue Reading
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News
19 Aug 2020
GitOps gains momentum among Kubernetes deployment tools
The growing popularity of Kubernetes GitOps tools reflects increasing cloud-native maturity and complexity among enterprise shops such as American Express. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
19 Aug 2020
Use Pulumi and Azure DevOps to deploy infrastructure as code
Follow this tutorial for an overview of Pulumi, an IaC tool, within the Azure DevOps toolchain, and how to use them together to define, build, test and deploy infrastructure. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Aug 2020
5 leading data virtualization tools offer integration strategy
Learn which features and capabilities your organization should consider in order to select the data virtualization platform that will best fits its needs. Continue Reading
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News
14 Aug 2020
Slack integrations to form alternate UI for Atlassian tools
Atlassian plans to make Slack a full alternative interface for its software development and incident response tools, including single sign-on features. Continue Reading
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News
13 Aug 2020
Infrastructure-as-code upstart boosts Kubernetes deployment
Pulumi has expanded its integrations with Kubernetes deployment tools including OPA, Helm v3 and Kustomize, offering a central collaboration point for DevOps container management. Continue Reading
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Definition
13 Aug 2020
Microsoft Windows Azure Active Directory (Windows Azure AD)
Microsoft Windows Azure Active Directory (Windows Azure AD or Azure AD) is a cloud service that provides administrators with the ability to manage end-user identities and access privileges. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Aug 2020
Tools and techniques to master API management in production
APIs are a cornerstone of modern application development. IT ops teams must monitor and manage APIs in production to resolve issues that hinder performance. Continue Reading
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News
12 Aug 2020
Terraform Cloud adds enterprise support, usage-based pricing
Terraform Cloud's new Business tier is a sign of what's to come for both Terraform Enterprise and IT ops teams overwhelmed with tools to manage, industry analysts say. Continue Reading
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Feature
12 Aug 2020
Memory management techniques improve system performance
Prior to using memory management strategies, admins should familiarize themselves with approaches to ensure they implement techniques suited to their specific circumstances. Continue Reading
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News
12 Aug 2020
Microsoft plugs 2 zero-days on August Patch Tuesday
In addition to the actively exploited flaws, IT workers must contend with a domain controller exploit that could give an attacker administrative access. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Aug 2020
Incident communication best practices for happier users
Proper communication around an IT outage or incident can prevent chaos. Use these techniques -- at home and abroad -- to keep users well-informed. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
11 Aug 2020
Implement simple server monitoring with PowerShell
Administrators who build a server monitoring framework with PowerShell can develop their own customized checks for deeper insights into their environment. Continue Reading
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News
07 Aug 2020
Value stream management tames DevOps chaos at Eli Lilly
The pharma firm straightened out disorganized DevOps processes, which now include data management for COVID-19 clinical trials, with a Plutora value stream management tool. Continue Reading