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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Feature
30 Jan 2020
Windows Server 2008 end of life means it's time to move
Your organization has a few options to migrate from unsupported Windows Server 2008/2008 R2 systems to avoid becoming another cyberattack statistic. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
30 Jan 2020
Best practices for Hyper-V template creation
Admins can streamline template creation through Hyper-V SCVMM with a few best practices, such as evaluating whether a VM is the right fit for template creation. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Jan 2020
Build a DevOps feedback loop with these CI/CD tools
From Azure DevOps to Jenkins, DevOps teams can choose from a number of CI/CD tools to enable and maintain a continuous loop of feedback. Continue Reading
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News
29 Jan 2020
'Limited' number of VMware layoffs confirmed in 'rebalancing'
VMware says the layoffs will allow the company to better focus on helping corporate users figure out their multi-cloud strategies and affected workers may be reassigned. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Jan 2020
3 ways to react to an IT system failure avalanche
In complex IT infrastructures, a system or resource failure can spur follow-up issues. Compare three approaches to prevent these dreaded domino effects and reach the root of the problem. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Jan 2020
Edge virtualization manages the data deluge, but can be complex
Virtualizing at the edge introduces device management benefits to admins, but they must ensure edge computing is worth the time and effort. Continue Reading
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Answer
28 Jan 2020
What are some features in Microsoft Defender ATP?
The threat protection platform, which underwent a recent name change, comes with some tailored features for Windows Server 2019 to stop attacks and reduce configuration issues. Continue Reading
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News
28 Jan 2020
Cisco folds AppDynamics AIOps into its infrastructure tools
Cisco shops might welcome new integrations between AppDynamics AIOps tools and Cisco Intersight management software, but whether they will draw in other users is uncertain. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Jan 2020
Using Azure AD conditional access for tighter security
The cloud-based identity and access management service does not come with certain defensive features turned on by default, which administrators should rectify. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Jan 2020
Ensure Kubernetes high availability with master node planning
Kubernetes ensures high availability in its worker nodes, but for a mission-critical workload, IT teams should take these extra steps for redundancy in the master node components. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Jan 2020
PowerShell 7 features admins should examine
The next version of the administrative tool introduces several features, including a new cmdlet to assist with troubleshooting errors. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Jan 2020
Increase data center efficiency with the NSX-T load balancer
When creating a load balancer, the NSX-T Data Center software is a likely contender, but you must have the necessary NSX-T components, such as tier 0 and tier 1 routers, before beginning. Continue Reading
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Feature
24 Jan 2020
IT incident management best practices to minimize disruptions
IT issues can come out of nowhere, but an incident response plan can guide teams through troubled times. Follow these best practices to optimize each part of the plan. Continue Reading
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Video
23 Jan 2020
How to install the Windows Server 2019 VPN
A VPN prevents unauthorized users from gaining access to critical resources in your organization. This tutorial covers the deployment on Windows Server 2019. Continue Reading
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Feature
22 Jan 2020
ICYMI: Kubernetes ecosystem updates IT teams should know
Need to catch up on some recent developments within the Kubernetes vendor and tool ecosystem? This roundup of articles can help. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Jan 2020
Overcome these challenges to detect anomalies in IT monitoring
Faster and more accurate anomaly detection is a major benefit of machine learning in IT systems monitoring -- but it's not something that enterprises can achieve overnight. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Jan 2020
Explore native and third-party VM automation tools' features
VMware and Microsoft offer native tools that provide VM automation capabilities, but admins should also look at third-party vendors, such as Chef, Puppet and SolarWinds. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Jan 2020
Kubernetes taints and tolerations optimize pod-to-node mapping
In complex Kubernetes environments, admins must navigate pod-to-node mapping carefully. Try using taints and tolerations -- but be sure to closely oversee the process. Continue Reading
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News
21 Jan 2020
PE firm merges XebiaLabs, CollabNet for new DevOps toolchain
XebiaLabs will join with CollabNet VersionOne to form a new DevOps platform vendor that will compete with Atlassian, GitHub, GitLab and CloudBees. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Jan 2020
Use multiple Dockerfiles for complex application configuration
Dockerfiles can help with application configurations, but there are some questions you must consider, such as how many Dockerfiles each application requires. Continue Reading
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News
17 Jan 2020
AIOps exec bets on incident response market shakeup
Resolve Systems, under a newly appointed CEO, will soon roll out a new product based on its FixStream acquisition that combines AIOps and IT automation. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
17 Jan 2020
Walk through common use cases for built-in Terraform functions
Follow along with this Terraform tutorial to learn and apply various types of built-in functions -- including Numeric, String, and Date and Time -- within the IaC tool. Continue Reading
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News
16 Jan 2020
Battle lines over Windows Server 2008 migration drawn
Microsoft and AWS stepped up their ongoing battle promoting a variety of Windows Server 2008 migration tools in hopes of luring users over to their respective ecosystems. Continue Reading
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News
16 Jan 2020
SaltStack infrastructure-as-code tools seek cloud-native niche
SaltStack, like other infrastructure-as-code tools, must reinvent itself as cloud-native IT automation approaches such as containers, serverless and Kubernetes Operators grow. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Jan 2020
PowerShell 7 features set to address some, not all, functionality gaps
While PowerShell 7 is set to unify the cross-platform and traditional Windows versions of the tool, it might not check all the boxes in terms of features IT admins want to see. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Jan 2020
Gain deeper IT insight with machine learning for log analysis
As the log analysis tool market evolves, machine learning plays an increasing role in helping IT teams discover significant anomalies and outliers in their data. Continue Reading
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News
15 Jan 2020
January Patch Tuesday fixes cryptography bug found by NSA
The U.S. National Security Agency shared information with Microsoft about a significant spoofing vulnerability in Windows that enterprises should make a patching priority. Continue Reading
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News
14 Jan 2020
Kubernetes security gets an assist with bug bounty program
The Kubernetes Security Product Group will outsource bug triage to HackerOne under a new bug bounty program that will offer rewards for bug reports up to $10,000. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
14 Jan 2020
How to set up Windows Server 2019 virtual network encryption
Microsoft tightens the security on its virtualization platform, even if a breach occurs, to prevent intruders from eavesdropping on traffic between VMs. Continue Reading
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News
13 Jan 2020
SecOps and IT ops merge revs IT monitoring platform rivalry
Enterprises want consolidated monitoring platforms for SecOps and IT ops data. Here's how Sumo Logic plans to compete in that market in 2020 with IP from its JASK acquisition. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Jan 2020
Evaluate if serverless cost benefits are worth the upfront price
Before an IT shop adopts serverless, it must fully grasp how the technology operates, and prepare for the upfront -- and potentially costly -- app refactoring efforts it requires. Continue Reading
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News
07 Jan 2020
Alaska Airlines plans to switch IT onto autopilot with AIOps
Alaska Airlines' e-commerce division will chart a course for hands-off IT ops and a sharper focus on strategic SRE duties through AIOps tools. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Jan 2020
How and why to set up an automation CoE for DevOps
As DevOps automation efforts spread across IT and the business, use a center of excellence to establish standards, secure executive sponsorship and organize staff trainings. Continue Reading
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Opinion
02 Jan 2020
AIOps meaning to expand throughout DevOps chain
AIOps means artificial intelligence to aid in IT operations. But it could mean much more than that, bringing in development, business, security and other application stakeholders. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Dec 2019
On-premises server monitoring tools meet business needs, budget
Compare these eight on-premises network, server and application monitoring tools to determine which best fits your organization's specific use cases, business needs and budget. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Dec 2019
Red Hat Virtualization 4.3 updates to Cockpit are minor, but beneficial
Cockpit hasn't seen many changes with the latest RHV 4.3 update, but it still provides beneficial capabilities, such as the ability create a VM from a template or migrate a VM to a different host. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Dec 2019
Using the Windows Admin Center Azure services feature
Microsoft wants you to add more of its Azure cloud services to your data center by using its new administrative tool to streamline the setup process. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Dec 2019
Virtualization automation challenges underscore AI usefulness
Automation helps reduce the complexity of virtual systems, but admins might find that adoption challenges and temporary resolutions underscore its usefulness. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Dec 2019
How to navigate a ransomware recovery process
If you find your systems locked up from a ransomware attack, what should you prioritize? Before you start your recovery, follow this plan to avoid additional trouble. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Dec 2019
Top 10 virtualization strategies of 2019
As virtualization technology continues to advance, admins must use different strategies to manage their complex data centers, such as vCenter maps, hybrid cloud and more. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Dec 2019
Four must-haves in Kubernetes security best practices
When it comes to Kubernetes security, IT teams must look beyond their containerized workloads, and consider code and cloud infrastructure as well. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Dec 2019
Kubernetes networking explained: Start with these building blocks
To understand Kubernetes networking, admins must first master the core components of the container orchestration platform. Then, they need to map deployments to the right virtual networking model. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Dec 2019
PowerShell tutorials capture attention of admins in 2019
Interest in automation continues to trend upward for administrators of Windows systems, particularly when it involves PowerShell. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Dec 2019
Containers, automation and AI shape 2020 IT trends
In 2019, Kubernetes took Docker's crown and DevOps matured. As IT operations teams ring in the New Year, they should keep an eye on these 2020 IT predictions. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
20 Dec 2019
Using wsusscn2.cab to find missing Windows updates
Avoid unnecessary security headaches by using the Windows Update offline scan file and PowerShell to ensure your systems have all their Microsoft patches. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Dec 2019
Review top container deployment and management tips from 2019
Check out our top advice for container technology throughout 2019 -- and use it to shape your 2020 plans. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Dec 2019
Optimize application deployments with this expert advice from 2019
As the year comes to a close, review SearchITOperations' most popular tips on app deployment and support, covering topics such as DevOps automation, SLAs and tool tutorials. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Dec 2019
Enable automated failover with a highly available CMDB
A resilient CMDB helps drive automated failover processes. Explore several approaches to prepare your configuration management database for DR scenarios. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
18 Dec 2019
Use this Kubernetes and Helm tutorial to simplify app deployments
Helm charts are a helpful tool to deploy applications onto Kubernetes clusters. Follow this tutorial, which also features Windows and Chocolatey, to get started with the package manager. Continue Reading
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News
18 Dec 2019
Ex-PayPal pros shun AI with SecOps IT automation firm
Machine learning and AI are all the rage in IT automation tools -- except for the one produced by a new startup founded by two former PayPal cybersecurity engineers. Continue Reading
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News
18 Dec 2019
New Kubernetes security tools abound as container deployments grow
As Kubernetes use expands in production, enterprises have a number of IT security tools to choose from for centralized, policy-based control over container clusters. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Dec 2019
Are containers on Windows the right choice for you?
Containers have grown in popularity, but there are some considerations to weigh before you decide to migrate Server 2008 workloads to this technology. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Dec 2019
Private cloud security risks and how to prevent them
Admins that rely on private clouds should not be drawn into a false sense of security. Outdated VM images, rogue admins and possible data loss are real security risks for private clouds. Continue Reading
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News
17 Dec 2019
Verizon, Walmart embrace DevOps dojo for IT training
Some IT training experts say 'Dojo is a no-go,' but companies such as Verizon and Walmart say the DevOps dojo approach has been well worth it for them. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
17 Dec 2019
Get back on the mend with Active Directory recovery methods
Administrators should have a few of these data protection techniques up their sleeves to keep Active Directory from a total breakdown. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Dec 2019
Compare Red Hat OpenShift vs. Cloud Foundry in a Kubernetes faceoff
Looking for a container ecosystem platform? OpenShift and Cloud Foundry have similar roots as PaaS platforms, but this comparison identifies a clear winner for most organizations. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Dec 2019
Ramp up carefully during AIOps implementation
Sound IT automation and data management practices -- along with a healthy dose of patience -- are prerequisites for a smooth AIOps implementation. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Dec 2019
Deploy and configure a basic setup of Linux's LXD hypervisor
Admins looking to use Linux's hypervisor dedicated to container technology can use several commands to deploy and configure a basic setup of the hypervisor. Continue Reading
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Video
13 Dec 2019
How to install and test Windows Server 2019 IIS
The installation process for the Windows Server 2019 IIS role is fairly straightforward. This tutorial explains how to stand up the web server and check its ports and bindings. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Dec 2019
5 tips to help IT administrators use AIOps tools effectively
AIOps tools can simplify virtual system management, but you should consider a few things prior to adoption: business processes, employee skills, volume of data and AIOps complexity. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Dec 2019
Put infrastructure automation at the heart of modern IT ops
IT automation, DevOps at scale and hybrid infrastructure management are three critical -- and interconnected -- IT operations initiatives for 2020. Continue Reading
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News
13 Dec 2019
Geek gifts 2019: Think Opex, not Capex with subscriptions
Why manage buying your own gifts for geeks, when there are so many subscription gift box services that will do that kind of undifferentiated heavy lifting for you? Continue Reading
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Feature
12 Dec 2019
Virtualization challenges that negatively affect your systems
Virtualization provides lower costs and improved productivity, but these benefits can be offset by certain challenges, such as unresponsive VMs and VM network latency. Continue Reading
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News
12 Dec 2019
Dynatrace monitoring faces market ambivalence in NoOps push
Dynatrace is gung-ho about NoOps with training services and an open source tool for CI/CD automation, but may face skepticism from a wary enterprise IT audience. Continue Reading
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Opinion
11 Dec 2019
Emphasize app modernization in 2020 IT budget plans
IT budgeting can be stressful and complicated, but it doesn't have to be. Communicate with business leaders and users to identify -- and capitalize on -- the right opportunities. Continue Reading
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News
11 Dec 2019
December Patch Tuesday resolves Windows zero-day
Microsoft delivers the final batch of security fixes for the year with a Windows zero-day vulnerability getting top billing for administrators. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Dec 2019
IT security best practices for DevOps, cloud and more
Technology is in constant motion, making it difficult for enterprise IT shops to maintain steadfast security. Explore ways to protect DevOps, microservices and cloud environments. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Dec 2019
Get to know the Kaspersky Light Agent app for virtual systems
Kaspersky's Security for Virtualization Light Agent application provides multilayered protection for virtual servers and VDIs as well as their VMs and OSes across multiple hosts. Continue Reading
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Video
09 Dec 2019
A Jenkins video tutorial to set up a build job
Jenkins can help IT operations admins perform a number of IT automation tasks -- but first, they have to be familiar with the tool. Learn how to create a Jenkins project, or job, with this video. Continue Reading
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News
06 Dec 2019
10 DevOps tools vendors to watch in 2020
A vast market for DevOps tools includes every major IT vendor and many up-and-comers. A panel of industry experts say these 10 are most likely to shift the market in 2020. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Dec 2019
How to deploy graphics devices using Hyper-V DDA
Admins can map a VM to a GPU with Hyper-V, but they must first complete a few steps, such as prepare the VM and dismount the PCIe device from the host partition. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Dec 2019
Rising use of Kubernetes in production brings new IT demands
Kubernetes as an enterprise IT service is still in its infancy, but the market has reached a turning point from developer-maintained to IT-provided Kubernetes deployments. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Dec 2019
Learn to integrate VMs and containers in your data center
The VMs vs. containers debate is popular among admins, but integrations of the two technologies have begun to emerge with the help of tools such as Kata Containers and Virtlet. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Dec 2019
How to manage Exchange hybrid mail flow rules
Duplicating your existing transport rule collection won't work when you move to an Exchange hybrid deployment. Learn how to set up a proper mail flow with these tips. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Dec 2019
How a rules engine can drive -- or derail -- an IT automation strategy
To benefit fully from a rules engine -- and minimize the risk of chaos -- IT organizations need to carefully define system metrics and be diligent about documentation. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Dec 2019
Dockerfile commands for containerizing applications
Admins can use Dockerfiles to containerize their applications and ease deployment. They can implement several commands to help them do so successfully. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Dec 2019
How to repair Windows Server using Windows SFC and DISM
Administrators can diagnose and treat a buggy server operating system by using the Windows SFC and DISM utilities for image analysis and repairs. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Nov 2019
Decipher real-world AIOps use cases from the hype
There are many AIOps use cases that apply to enterprise IT, but make sure you are familiar with what exactly the technology can -- and can't -- do before adoption. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Nov 2019
Microsoft's history and future strategy beyond 2020
Microsoft's history over the past 20 years is marked by the pivot from closed software models to support for open source and cloud. Quantum computing will shape the next decades. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Nov 2019
How to achieve continuous feedback in DevOps pipelines
Continuous feedback is critical to optimize DevOps processes. While tools can enable feedback loops, DevOps teams still must reduce unnecessary noise and continually measure success. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
27 Nov 2019
Learn PowerShell scripting using the PSKoans module
Want to get started with PowerShell automation to manage your Windows systems? Try the PSKoans module to learn as you go through its exercises to build your scripting skills. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Nov 2019
Say 'yes' to NoOps with the right technology and team structure
Before embracing a NoOps model, be sure IT team members have a clear understanding of how the methodology changes the technologies they'll work with, along with their day-to-day roles. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Nov 2019
URL filtering brings additional Office 365 protection
Ransomware attacks evolve to evade Office 365's integrated protection systems. A third-party security tool can help shore up your defenses. Continue Reading
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Video
26 Nov 2019
Kubernetes explained in 5 minutes
Kubernetes brings order to enterprise container deployments -- but it's a complex technology to learn. Use this video to grasp core Kubernetes concepts in under 10 minutes. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Nov 2019
Prevent help desk escalation with runbook documentation
IT operations teams are often stuck in a process loop to solve issues. Learn how tools, such as runbooks and libraries, break the cycle and help avoid problem escalation. Continue Reading
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News
22 Nov 2019
Kubernetes release gets little fanfare as IT looks toward GitOps
Kubernetes is considered stable enough to be boring. The latest beta release was barely mentioned at KubeCon, where IT pros focused on advanced uses such as GitOps and other cloud-native projects. Continue Reading
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News
21 Nov 2019
Linkerd vs. Istio battle heats up as service mesh gains steam
Service mesh has gone from a relatively unknown entity to a mainstream topic in 2019, but it's too early to declare a TKO in the Linkerd vs. Istio prizefight. Continue Reading
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News
21 Nov 2019
Kubernetes Helm Tiller is dead, and IT pros rejoice
The latest version of the Kubernetes Helm package manager promises better security and stability in version 3, which removes the Tiller server component from Helm's architecture. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Nov 2019
Windows Server 2008 end of life: Is Azure the right path?
Time is almost up for support for your Windows Server 2008/2008 R2 workloads. Microsoft would like you to migrate those VMs to Azure, but is that the best choice? Continue Reading
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News
20 Nov 2019
Kubernetes security opens a new frontier: Multi-tenancy
Enterprises have grown used to managing Kubernetes in production for some of their workloads, but broadening those deployments can bring multi-tenant security challenges. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
20 Nov 2019
Build a Graphite dashboard for data analysis, visualization
Data visualization is a powerful capability for IT admins and business managers alike. In this tutorial, learn how to create charts and dashboards in Graphite, an open source monitoring tool. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Nov 2019
Decide between SAN vs. hyper-converged for your virtual storage
Shared storage provides admins with virtual storage benefits such as storage migration, high availability and redundancy. But the right storage option depends on cost and performance. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Nov 2019
Tips for ransomware protection on Windows systems
No one product can prevent every ransomware attack, but there are several defensive practices Windows administrators can take to stop an encryption infection from ruining their day. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Nov 2019
Design your systems with virtualization architecture in mind
Virtualized systems require several architectural components, such as virtual servers, hypervisors and OSes. Admins should get to know these components for a successful system design. Continue Reading
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Opinion
18 Nov 2019
Why it's time to rethink the DevOps vs. ITIL debate
As organizations look to more closely align their business and IT goals, they should combine DevOps and ITIL practices, rather than commit exclusively to one methodology over the other. Continue Reading
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News
15 Nov 2019
D2iQ latest to seek Kubernetes management niche
D2iQ's CTO says it will use its enterprise experience with Apache Mesos container orchestration and big data apps such as Kafka to compete in a crowded market for Kubernetes management. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
14 Nov 2019
Azure Bastion brings convenience, security to VM management
This cloud service gets around the problem associated with jump servers and cloaks the identity of your VMs to avoid potential security issues. Continue Reading
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News
13 Nov 2019
Microsoft closes IE zero-day on November Patch Tuesday
Security updates for the month also include corrections for bugs in the Hyper-V virtualization platform, Excel for Mac systems and Exchange Server. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Nov 2019
How to lock down rising Office 365 costs
Avoid springing a money leak in your Office 365 tenant by keeping closer tabs on several areas and following more frugal practices. Continue Reading
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News
13 Nov 2019
Docker Enterprise spun off to Mirantis, company restructures
In an unexpected move, Docker sells off its Docker Enterprise business -- including customer support -- to Mirantis and refocuses on Docker Hub and Docker Desktop. Continue Reading