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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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
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Feature
13 Nov 2019
Compare 3 distinct types of Kubernetes platforms
There are three types of Kubernetes deployment options, each with its own benefits and challenges. Use this in-depth comparison to choose the best fit for your organization. Continue Reading
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Conference Coverage
13 Nov 2019
Microsoft Ignite 2019 conference coverage
Expect Microsoft to continue its cloud push at its annual conference for IT pros to get more organizations moving to Azure and its Office 365 collaboration platform. Continue Reading
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News
12 Nov 2019
Aqua Security buys CloudSploit, expands into cloud security
Amid consolidation and chaos in the cloud security market, Aqua snaps up CloudSploit and sets the stage for increased competition with traditional IT security vendors. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Nov 2019
A GitOps workflow won't benefit every IT organization
A move to GitOps is a major transition for an IT team and offers a wealth of perks, but it also carries significant challenges and a steep learning curve. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Nov 2019
5 steps to evaluate and perform a service mesh implementation
Service mesh adoption is a long process that starts with careful evaluation of the technology and its deployment models. And that requires the involvement of both IT ops and dev teams. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Nov 2019
Import and export Hyper-V VMs with Hyper-V Manager and PowerShell
When migrating VMs, admins can use Hyper-V Manager's export and import capabilities for small sets of VMs or PowerShell for larger migrations from one host to another. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Nov 2019
Types of Hyper-V scheduler for simultaneous multithreading in VMs
Hyper-V's classic and core schedulers both enable use of simultaneous multithreading in VMs, but the core scheduler prevents VMs from ever reserving an entire CPU core. Continue Reading
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News
08 Nov 2019
Microservices security calls for zero-trust, data classification
Sanity in a zero-trust world for microservices security calls for IT teams to prioritize the assets they must protect, and that starts with data classification. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Nov 2019
Capitalize on the advantages of open source software in IT
Open source tools, including those for IT management, might be free, but there are broader pros and cons that might tip the scales for some enterprise buyers. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Nov 2019
3 Kubernetes platforms for your application needs
Admins must consider their application needs when choosing a container strategy and decide between a full PaaS offering built on containers or a fully compliant Kubernetes service. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Nov 2019
Understand how to orchestrate Windows containers with Kubernetes
Before you orchestrate your Windows containers with Kubernetes, you must install Windows Server 1809 or later and meet several other requirements. Continue Reading
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Answer
05 Nov 2019
What are the Azure Stack HCI hardware and support costs?
Organizations can cap their hyper-converged infrastructure costs when they deploy the Azure Stack HCI platform, but once they plug into the cloud, it's a different story. Continue Reading
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Opinion
05 Nov 2019
The true private cloud debate: Do labels matter?
The debate around authentic private clouds continues as more organizations adopt the model, but labels might not matter in the end. Continue Reading
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News
04 Nov 2019
JASK buy may boost security analytics in Sumo Logic SIEM
Sumo Logic has acquired JASK, an automated SOC that will be most useful for security analytics and alert reduction features within Sumo Logic's SIEM. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Nov 2019
When to use Jenkins vs. Jenkins X for pipeline automation
Three primary factors -- flexibility, Kubernetes adoption and the need for a GUI -- should shape an organization's decision between Jenkins and Jenkins X as a pipeline automation tool. Continue Reading
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Feature
04 Nov 2019
Adopt an SDDC architecture with caution and proper planning
Software-defined components such as networking and storage help achieve data center flexibility, but organizations might come across product and security issues. Continue Reading
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News
01 Nov 2019
New Relic catches up in serverless monitoring with IOpipe
IOpipe's IP and expertise will help New Relic catch up with the latest serverless monitoring trends, such as AWS Lambda Layers support and event-driven frameworks. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
31 Oct 2019
How to manage Server Core with PowerShell
New PowerShell users will need to overcome a learning curve to work with Server Core, but the tool has some built-in aids to help you progress. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Oct 2019
Conduct an incident post-mortem for ongoing DevOps improvement
A thorough and effective post-mortem process can strengthen a DevOps organization -- but first, teams must be ready to dig deep and leave blame behind. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Oct 2019
Edge virtualization tools make strides in the edge market
Vendors are cashing in on edge computing popularity, and organizations are faced with an influx of new virtualization tools that help manage the computing paradigm. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Oct 2019
Try out the Graphite monitoring tool for time-series data
Combined with third-party tools, Graphite provides a number of benefits for IT performance monitoring. Explore its core components -- including Carbon and Whisper -- and basic guidelines for installation. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Oct 2019
Consider these Office 365 alternatives to public folders
Public folders in Exchange still exist, but they're considered legacy features that haven't kept up with the times. See what Office 365 alternatives might be a better fit. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Oct 2019
Explore SCVMM features for VM deployment and management
SCVMM can help admins better manage their virtualization stacks by providing VM networking diagrams and templates, but there are certain requirements admins must meet before use. Continue Reading
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News
28 Oct 2019
DevOps security shifts left, but miles to go to pass hackers
DevSecOps has gone mainstream as companies bake security automation into app development, but experts say the toughest cybersecurity challenges remain unsolved. Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Oct 2019
Convert a VM to a Docker image for speed and convenience
In this excerpt from Chapter 3 of 'Docker in Practice, Second Edition,' authors Ian Miell and Aidan Hobson Sayers discuss how and why to use Docker as a lightweight VM. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Oct 2019
Prevent man-in-the-middle attacks on apps, CI/CD toolchains
Man-in-the-middle attacks pose a serious threat to both CI/CD tools and the apps those tools support. Learn how these attacks typically occur -- and how to stop them -- to do DevOps securely. Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Oct 2019
Enterprise IT weighs pros and cons of multi-cloud management
IT ops pros are getting used to multi-cloud management, especially for disaster recovery, but moving from cloud to cloud via container portability is still rare. Continue Reading
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News
24 Oct 2019
Elastic SIEM spring release will complete Endgame tie-in
Endgame agents can now send endpoint security data to the Elastic SIEM, but UI and data schema integration -- and the ability to take action on endpoints -- will come next year. Continue Reading
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Feature
24 Oct 2019
The history of virtualization and its mark on data center management
Virtualization was a huge leap in data center technology with software such as hypervisors and virtual switches that expanded organizations' capabilities and redefined IT. Continue Reading
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Feature
24 Oct 2019
Acquire best practices with this system administration handbook
Often, books published about IT are obsolete the moment they hit the shelves: modern technology moves too fast for physical publishing. However, this particular volume aims for longevity. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Oct 2019
Perform these steps to monitor Windows Server with Nagios Core
Nagios is no newbie to the server monitoring world, but setting it up for Windows takes a few extra steps. Learn how Nagios Core, originally meant for Linux, can monitor Windows servers. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Oct 2019
Cloud adoption a catalyst for IT modernization in many orgs
Sloppy and insecure IT procedures that had been overlooked before the cloud arrived must evolve with the times to prevent data exposure and system breaches. Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Oct 2019
Security automation charges IT ops to build the 'paved road'
As IT ops pros evolve into SREs, they play a key role in security automation and create secure paths to production deployment for application developers. Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Oct 2019
Kubernetes use cases extend beyond container orchestration
Enterprises use Kubernetes for much more than they did when Google released the platform in 2015. Discover how Kubernetes' uses have grown, and where it might be heading. Continue Reading
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News
18 Oct 2019
Red Hat OpenShift Tekton pipelines reflect strategic platform focus
OpenShift and its competitors now offer enterprises soup-to-nuts DevOps platforms, rather than simple Kubernetes management tools, that are based on different points of strategic lock-in. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Oct 2019
Gene Kim explores DevOps transformation in 'The Unicorn Project'
This chapter excerpt from Gene Kim's 'The Unicorn Project' touches on one of the book's core themes: Roadblocks occur when developers, ops and business leaders are misaligned. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Oct 2019
Grasp Docker networking basics with these commands and tips
For a containerization novice, networking poses one of the biggest challenges. Use this breakdown of essential Docker networking commands and concepts, including host and bridge setups, to reduce complexity. Continue Reading
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Answer
16 Oct 2019
What are the Azure Stack HCI deployment, management options?
While the Windows Admin Center is one way to manage the Azure Stack HCI platform, you can also use traditional, battle-tested tools. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Oct 2019
Windows container monitoring tools prevent resource contention
Monitoring tools for Windows containers enable admins to keep track of CPU, memory, storage and networking performance metrics and troubleshoot any issues that arise. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Oct 2019
Kubernetes networking face-off: VMware NSX-T vs. Nokia's Nuage
VMware NSX-T and Nokia's Nuage Networks both provide Kubernetes networking functionality -- but they have important differences and resonate with distinct user bases. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Oct 2019
Get to know Oracle Linux Virtualization Manager
Oracle released Linux Virtualization Manager, a platform that lets admins configure, manage and monitor their virtual server environments. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Oct 2019
What's new with the Exchange hybrid configuration wizard?
The Exchange configuration wizard continues to evolve into a refined utility with enhanced capabilities that administrators should explore when considering a hybrid deployment. Continue Reading
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News
11 Oct 2019
Ticketmaster unifies DevOps monitoring with Confluent Kafka
Ticketmaster troubleshoots and secures distributed applications using Kafka stream processing as a central hub for data collection. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Oct 2019
Optimize Docker images on Windows for better system performance
Multiple layers in a Windows Docker image can cause resource contention. Optimization requires you to limit the number of layers that you use and minimize each layer's size. Continue Reading
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News
10 Oct 2019
Kubernetes on Windows nodes hits GA in Rancher, Amazon EKS
Windows host support in Kubernetes reached a milestone with general availability from container management vendors, which makes containers more accessible for legacy apps. Continue Reading
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Answer
10 Oct 2019
Do you know the difference in the Microsoft HCI programs?
Hyper-converged infrastructure that runs on Windows Server is not a new concept, but Microsoft's Azure Stack HCI program has one big difference from earlier HCI incarnations. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Oct 2019
Match cloud application monitoring to integration needs
An enterprise's cloud migration includes several elements: a new security process, budget redistribution and a monitoring system that integrates cloud and on-premises apps. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Oct 2019
Top Office 365 MFA considerations for administrators
A complex password only goes so far to stop a breach. Implementing multifactor authorization can help, but make sure the product you select fits your current and future needs. Continue Reading
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News
09 Oct 2019
October Patch Tuesday resolves 59 vulnerabilities
Microsoft attempts to stamp out printing issues that originated from a faulty out-of-band patch for an Internet Explorer zero-day. Continue Reading
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Feature
09 Oct 2019
Three keys to successful DevOps automation
An effective CI pipeline starts with build automation. But there are other steps needed to produce results. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
09 Oct 2019
How to create PowerShell modules with a Plaster template
Follow along this tutorial to create templates in Plaster, an open source tool, and accelerate the development of PowerShell modules. Continue Reading
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News
08 Oct 2019
Google sparks open source unrest over Knative, Istio
Google is keeping its Knative and Istio projects close to the vest, which could limit their reach long term, early adopters say. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Oct 2019
Obtain, deploy and manage Oracle VM templates
Oracle VM templates, which come with a guest OS, application software and preset configurations, help admins streamline VM deployment, and they can set them up in just a few steps. Continue Reading
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News
07 Oct 2019
Docker Desktop asset, fiscal stress prompt acquisition buzz
Docker has tried to differentiate itself as a Kubernetes competitor, but amid reports of financial headwinds, it should return to its roots in the developer desktop, analysts say. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Oct 2019
Prepare for Windows Server 2008 end of life
Admins must prepare their workloads for the Windows Server 2008 and 2008 R2 end of support. Otherwise, they risk the possibility of significant security breaches. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Oct 2019
How does time-series analysis work in IT environments?
IT monitoring metrics are crucial for enterprises to gauge performance and plan for future events. But admins should understand the tradeoffs between a time-series and point-in-time analysis. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Oct 2019
Heed these cloud security considerations for SaaS, PaaS
A move to the cloud lessens IT's workload responsibility, but SaaS and PaaS models each require a targeted cloud security strategy to protect applications. Continue Reading
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Answer
03 Oct 2019
What are the Azure Stack HCI features?
An Azure Stack HCI system relies on Windows Server 2019 to deliver the software-defined compute, storage and networking technologies that integrate with the OEM hardware. Continue Reading
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News
02 Oct 2019
Chef outage fuels technology ethics debate
Software companies have been embroiled in high-profile ethical controversies in the past two years, driving industry debate about just how extensively politics should influence tech. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Sep 2019
How to plan for an Azure cloud migration
A Windows Server migration into the Microsoft cloud comes with several administrative benefits, but it also means there are new management aspects to worry about. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Sep 2019
Compare 10 leading container management systems
Ready to select a vendor or open source tool to build and manage your container-based infrastructure? This roundup lays out the benefits and complexities of the many options. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Sep 2019
6 tips to drive infrastructure-as-code best practices
Evaluating an infrastructure-as-code setup? Use these six tips to grasp IaC benefits, challenges, tool considerations and more before you make the move. Continue Reading
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Answer
30 Sep 2019
Perform a Windows event log search with PowerShell
Event log monitoring is vital to an IT environment's health and success, but finding a specific event in the flood is challenging. PowerShell enables admins to simplify this task. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Sep 2019
Use centralized encryption methods in large-scale IT environments
Whether data is stored in a VM or in the cloud, centralized encryption key management is critical to prevent theft and protect data from unwanted eyes. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Sep 2019
The future of PowerShell begins to sharpen in focus
PowerShell's promise as a cross-platform management tool has come a long way, but much work still needs to be done for both Linux and Windows admins to pick up adoption. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
27 Sep 2019
How to work with the WSUS PowerShell module
The PoshWSUS module automates the process to synchronize and approve Windows updates. You can also use it to perform essential maintenance on the WSUS server. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
27 Sep 2019
Implement automated employee onboarding with PowerShell
Your time is precious and you shouldn't waste it by clicking through menus to set up a new user. Look at these code examples to put together your own provisioning script. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Sep 2019
Get to know VM networking basics
Admins can create a network between isolated VMs with the help of several features and products, such as network interface cards and virtual LANs. Continue Reading
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News
26 Sep 2019
Turbonomic adds features to Application Resource Management
The new features include continuous service optimization in Kubernetes and accurate container planning to ensure that applications have sufficient resources to perform. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Sep 2019
How to rebuild the SYSVOL tree using DFSR
Active Directory is the key component in many organizations to keep tabs on access and identity. If the SYSVOL directory disappears, these steps can get the system fixed. Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Sep 2019
Assess container hosting, management options based on these criteria
A company's plans to maintain traditional data centers, move to the public cloud or adopt microservices all play a major role in its container hosting and management decisions. Continue Reading
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News
25 Sep 2019
Ansible Tower revamp adds analytics, security automation
Ansible Tower and Ansible Engine are now one product, Ansible Automation Platform, which also includes automation analytics, security automation integrations and certified content. Continue Reading
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News
24 Sep 2019
BizDevOps, DevOps feedback loops guide IT transformation
BizDevOps has been the priority for Dynatrace customer American Fidelity the last four years, guiding the company's IT priorities amid ever-increasing technical complexity. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Sep 2019
Apply staging environment best practices to an app lifecycle
From the public cloud to blue/green deployment, there are a myriad of ways that IT teams can make the most of their staging environments -- and use resources they already have. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Sep 2019
Know your Office 365 backup options -- just in case
A move to Exchange Online in the Office 365 platform removes some administrative obligations but does require more work to set up proper email protections. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Sep 2019
How to craft a future-proof enterprise container strategy
There are many ways to plan an IT container management strategy. Follow these steps to map out an enterprise's needs for container software and tools. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Sep 2019
Server virtualization in DevOps continues to offer advantages
Virtualization's role in DevOps technologies continues to persevere by providing strong isolation, flexible OS options and an assortment of sophisticated tooling. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Sep 2019
Add shadow IT applications to the official DevOps toolchain
Sometimes developers and other IT team members install unapproved apps to fill a gap in the DevOps toolchain. These shadow apps are risky -- but give them a chance. Continue Reading