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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News
09 Sep 2019
ServiceNow adds mobile app to 'New York' Now Platform
ServiceNow released the latest version of its Now Platform that features a mobile application giving remote users access to the core capabilities of the platform. Continue Reading
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Opinion
09 Sep 2019
ITIL 4 framework brings long-awaited flexibility to ITSM
After eight long years, the ITIL 4 framework finally saw the light of day in 2019 -- but what can enterprises expect to gain from the latest version, and those to come? Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Sep 2019
Are you ready for the Exchange 2010 end of life?
Whether you want to stay on premises with a newer version of Exchange Server or lift that workload into Microsoft's cloud version, there are pros and cons to weigh on each end. Continue Reading
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News
06 Sep 2019
Feature flags emerge as enterprise DevOps must-have
CloudBees and Atlassian have feature flags on their near-term product roadmaps, as enterprise DevOps shops seek to lower the risk of continuous code deployment to production. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Sep 2019
Get to know Hyper-V 2019 new features and functionality
Window Server 2019 showed fewer new features than first expected, but Hyper-V admins can benefit from improved support for shielded VMs and the new Admin Center feature. Continue Reading
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Answer
06 Sep 2019
Embedded hypervisor use cases and benefits explained
An embedded hypervisor offers several benefits, such as VM security, system reliability and improved hardware use, and is ideal for admins looking to simplify their environments. Continue Reading
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News
05 Sep 2019
Atlassian cloud woos enterprises with SLA, security boost
Large enterprise users of Atlassian's on-premises software say the vendor's cloud tools have piqued their interest with updates to security and support. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
05 Sep 2019
Learn to set up and use PowerShell SSH remoting
Remoting over SSH in PowerShell Core has some advantages over the traditional Windows PowerShell remoting method, but it will require a fair amount of manual configuration work. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Sep 2019
Consider the when, why and how of a Mesos-to-Kubernetes migration
Before choosing to migrate to Kubernetes, Mesos users should carefully prepare for the complexity of the move -- and first consider using the two technologies side by side. Continue Reading
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Definition
05 Sep 2019
Internet Information Services (IIS)
Internet Information Services (IIS) is a flexible, general-purpose web server from Microsoft that runs on Windows systems to serve requested HTML pages or files. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Sep 2019
GPU repurposing helps improve infrastructure cost efficiency
A GPU's cost efficiency decreases when left idle. But, by putting GPUs to work for virtual desktop infrastructure sessions, admins can reduce costs and ensure improved performance. Continue Reading
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Answer
03 Sep 2019
Considerations for embedded hypervisor implementation
Before incorporating an embedded hypervisor, admins must consider storage, memory, system performance and scheduling to help prevent latency issues. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Sep 2019
Embrace an app-centric approach to monitoring in the cloud
Cloud computing minimizes the need for IT teams to worry about infrastructure hardware -- which means their monitoring strategies can, and should, hone in on apps and the user experience. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Aug 2019
VMware Workstation vs. VirtualBox: Which is the better hypervisor?
The Type 2 hypervisor debate between VMware Workstation and Oracle VirtualBox has gotten tougher as the latter has caught up. Examine their advantages to see which fits your needs. Continue Reading
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News
30 Aug 2019
IT pros look to VMware's GPU acceleration projects to kick-start AI
The virtualization giant's recent acquisition of Bitfusion and its close partnership with Nvidia bring GPU virtualization to vSphere. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Aug 2019
Maintain CMDB data integrity for automated disaster recovery
For successful disaster recovery, IT admins must keep CMDB data precise. Learn best practices to promote data accuracy for an automated failover and DR plan. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
29 Aug 2019
How to automate patch management in Windows
Automating Windows updates with PowerShell will ease some of the labor associated with the routine patch deployment process. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Aug 2019
How Windows Admin Center stacks up to other management tools
Microsoft is putting a lot of resources into this relatively new tool to manage Windows systems, but is it ready for prime time when compared with more seasoned offerings? Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Aug 2019
Sizing up the Office 365 protection options
Get serious about protecting your organization from ransomware and phishing attacks by taking a closer look at the leading Office 365 security offerings. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Aug 2019
Explore container deployment benefits and core components
As container adoption grows, the ecosystem of tools surrounding the technology expands as well. Explore the benefits of container systems for enterprise app deployments. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Aug 2019
Explore Docker vs. LXC through the lens of a three-tier app
Containers are not small virtual machines, and they're not all the same under the hood. To make smart deployment choices, understand the nuanced differences between container types. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Aug 2019
Defeat app killers and monster VM performance issues with ease
VM troubles got you down? Never fear: Some solutions to VM performance problems are as easy as looking in the right places and asking the right questions Continue Reading
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News
28 Aug 2019
Knative serverless Kubernetes bypasses FaaS to revive PaaS
Knative's emerging claim to fame is that it can turn Kubernetes into a next-gen platform as a service with both a Heroku-like developer experience and deep infrastructure control. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Aug 2019
Exchange troubleshooting tools help unclog email issues
When problems with email occur, they can stem from an improper configuration of the Exchange Server system. Here's how to unravel some common messaging platform problems. Continue Reading
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News
27 Aug 2019
Project Pacific outshines vSphere 6.7 U3, Platinum updates
VMworld's 'What's new in vSphere?' session at VMworld is a perennial attendee favorite, but the updates were overshadowed by the hubbub around Project Pacific. Continue Reading
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News
27 Aug 2019
IT training programs stall amid search for best practices
Without a standard set of best practices to refer to for IT training programs, or any industry consensus on the best general approach to training, large enterprises have begun to trail smaller, more nimble counterparts in the efficiency of their software releases. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Aug 2019
How to handle service downtime in the cloud age
You know what happens when you assume. Don't set and forget those critical IT infrastructure services in the cloud without putting together a contingency plan. Continue Reading
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News
27 Aug 2019
VMware plans to overhaul vSphere for Kubernetes
VMware may be late to the Kubernetes party, but its plan to roll native support into vSphere could be a game changer. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Aug 2019
Simplify SaaS integration with an IT service aggregator
SaaS management can cause as many headaches as SaaS apps prevent. Poor integrations between disparate tools can create bottlenecks and failures, but aggregators can help. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
26 Aug 2019
Using the Sysinternals Sysmon tool to check DNS queries
A recent update to the Sysinternals Sysmon utility adds DNS query logging to give deeper insights into the connections made by your Windows machines. Continue Reading
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News
23 Aug 2019
SolarWinds Discovery offers low-cost way to manage IT assets
SolarWinds expands its IT service management offerings with a software service that lets IT teams locate, map and manage their software and hardware assets. Continue Reading
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News
22 Aug 2019
Istio service mesh hits OpenShift GA, but upgrades are slow
Istio service mesh, Kiali and Jaeger are generally available for Red Hat OpenShift 4, but it will be some time before users are ready for the latest version of the platform. Continue Reading
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News
22 Aug 2019
Splunk pricing worries some users amid SignalFx monitoring buy
Splunk wants to collect more data via SignalFx, but some users wonder how much it will cost to keep up with the proliferation of logs and metrics in the age of cloud monitoring. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
22 Aug 2019
Follow this Terraform and AWS tutorial to create a VPC
As an infrastructure-as-code tool, Terraform simplifies and streamlines resource deployments. Follow along with this example, which features Amazon VPCs, to get started. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
21 Aug 2019
Pester tests help pinpoint infrastructure issues
The Pester testing framework gives IT pros a way to develop sophisticated and consistent testing routines that monitoring tools just can't duplicate. Continue Reading
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Video
21 Aug 2019
Explore the basics of Kubernetes cluster networking
IT admins who need a crash course in basic Kubernetes networking concepts can follow along with this four-minute video. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Aug 2019
Don't buy a GPU for machine learning unless you have the workload
Virtual GPUs and machine learning might seem like a perfect match, but specialized chips might not be worth the investment if your workloads won't use the cards' full capacity. Continue Reading
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Quiz
20 Aug 2019
Test your knowledge of CNCF projects and tools
From Kubernetes to Envoy, the Cloud Native Computing Foundation has ushered in many leading open source technologies for the IT enterprise. So, how well do you know them? Continue Reading
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Answer
19 Aug 2019
What is an embedded hypervisor and what value does it provide?
Embedded systems and hypervisors go hand in hand. By understanding both, admins can maximize system benefits such as multiple OS support and legacy code compatibility. Continue Reading
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Guide
19 Aug 2019
How to create a successful DevOps organizational structure
To build a DevOps organizational structure for speed and quality, align various skill sets with shared goals -- a process that requires a revolution, or evolution, of the status quo. Continue Reading
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News
16 Aug 2019
IT pros contend with the future of continuous delivery
Continuous delivery tools are poised to add comprehensive breadth and analytical depth, but whether most enterprises can assimilate them is another matter. Continue Reading
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News
15 Aug 2019
Jenkins X gears up for SaaS version, GitOps standards
With key maturity milestones behind them, the maintainers of Jenkins X prepare a SaaS version, and plan to collaborate with Google's Tekton and Netflix's Spinnaker. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Aug 2019
Understand KubeVirt basics to help get you started
Getting to know KubeVirt prior to use is essential. Though it relies on core Kubernetes technology, running VMs alongside containers is something you might be unfamiliar with. Continue Reading
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News
14 Aug 2019
CloudBees CEO reveals plans for CI/CD tools, Google project
CloudBees CEO Sacha Labourey puts his roadmap cards on the table for the next generation of the company's CI/CD tools and an upcoming project to co-develop CI/CD for Anthos with Google. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Aug 2019
Obtain and deploy Hyper-V with Admin Center rather than VARs
Using Admin Center to deploy Hyper-V over VARs can offer admins flexibility and the ability to remotely manage servers, but the push toward cloud migration can be an issue. Continue Reading
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News
14 Aug 2019
August Patch Tuesday corrects new 'wormable' exploits
Administrators weighed down by news of the BlueKeep vulnerability will have to contend with a similar bug some are calling DejaBlue. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Aug 2019
IT training flaws compound DevOps skills shortage
Before investing in an online course to learn new IT skills, heed this warning from brain scientists: there is a big difference between knowing what to do and knowing how to do it. Continue Reading
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Feature
09 Aug 2019
5 IT video tutorials admins don't want to miss
The best way to ramp up with a new technology or IT practice is to see it in action. Use these five video tutorials to visually walk through GitOps workflows, CI/CD pipelines and more. Continue Reading
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News
08 Aug 2019
Mesosphere's Kubernetes pivot sets stage for IT vendor attrition
Mesosphere becomes D2iQ, and affirms that Kubernetes is eating the world. Is IT entering a golden age of interoperability, or on the verge of mass consolidation? Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Aug 2019
Cloud adoption questions every IT admin should ask
For all of a cloud service's benefits, there are limitations, such as restricted access to infrastructure, that cause IT teams to be leery of adoption. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
06 Aug 2019
Use this Mesos and Marathon tutorial to try resource abstraction
Marathon, the Mesos-based tool, eases large-scale container orchestration. Before you begin deployments, set up Zookeeper and Mesos with Marathon, and try a simple task. Continue Reading
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Answer
02 Aug 2019
Are there tools or platforms that support AWS Firecracker?
Although there are a handful of tools to help run Firecracker more easily, admins might find issues with the lack of major tool integration for the software. Continue Reading
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Answer
02 Aug 2019
Can I install Ansible for Windows system management?
Even though Ansible has its roots in open source software and Linux, is it possible to use the configuration management tool for Windows environments? Continue Reading
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News
31 Jul 2019
SaaS management tool eases merger transition for IT
When European car-sharing startup Drivy becomes Getaround this fall, a SaaS management tool will integrate the two companies' IT systems, an increasingly common need for businesses. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Jul 2019
Weigh infrastructure as code risks against the benefits
Infrastructure as code can transform the modern data center, but maintain a healthy dose of caution -- and thorough documentation and testing environments -- to prevent chaos. Continue Reading
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News
30 Jul 2019
GitOps path puts CI/CD ahead of infrastructure automation
Which comes first -- automated app deployment pipelines, or automated infrastructures on which to deploy? At GitOps shop Procore, the answer is emphatically the former. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Jul 2019
Check Office 365 usage reports for user adoption insights
Microsoft gives administrators access to many Office 365 reports to pinpoint ways to improve user adoption rates and tighten up potential security leaks. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Jul 2019
Compare Linkerd vs. Istio for service mesh technology
To decide between Istio and Linkerd for a service mesh platform, consider everything from performance and ease of use to support from major public cloud providers. Continue Reading
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News
26 Jul 2019
BizDevOps tools await enterprise maturity
PagerDuty, Splunk and other vendors have added BizDevOps features to their IT management tools, but if they build it, will enterprises come? Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Jul 2019
Check out this free chapter excerpt from ITIL 4 -- A Pocket Guide
In ITIL 4 -- A Pocket Guide, author Jan van Bon walks readers through the core updates to the ITSM framework, and how they apply to the modern enterprise IT landscape. Continue Reading
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News
25 Jul 2019
Kubernetes authentication project wrestles with migration problems
GKE users like the Workload Identity feature for Kubernetes authentication with GCP services, but similar improvements to core cluster security present a potential market-wide migration headache. Continue Reading
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Answer
25 Jul 2019
How do I obtain, deploy and update AWS Firecracker?
Firecracker can assist admins with creating and operating micro VMs, but improper installation and updates can cause potential issues. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Jul 2019
Apply automation for streamlined IT asset management
Without accurate data, IT asset management processes fail. But, with automation and self-service capabilities, admins can efficiently track assets -- from onboarding to end of life. Continue Reading
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News
24 Jul 2019
Compliance-as-code tool hits DevSecOps sweet spot for MSP
There are almost as many tools to assist with DevSecOps as there are definitions for the term – how one managed service provider that serves federal agencies chose a compliance-as-code vendor. Continue Reading
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Answer
24 Jul 2019
What are micro VMs and how do they benefit data centers?
When used together, VMs and containers can provide key benefits to an admin's workload, such as isolation and security, without having to deal with typical disadvantages. Continue Reading
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Answer
24 Jul 2019
When to use a micro VM, container or full VM
Choosing among VMs, containers or micro VMs depends on workload isolation and security needs, and admins should understand the different use cases before making a decision. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
24 Jul 2019
Use PowerShell printer management for quicker setups
Don't fiddle with printer configurations and tiresome upkeep work from the GUI when you can automate a lot of the tediousness with PowerShell. Continue Reading
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News
23 Jul 2019
ManageEngine Analytics Plus upgrades with AI assistant Zia
With Zia, IT teams can ask questions via voice or text to quickly access data and insight. Available with ManageEngine Analytics Plus, the AI intends to increase productivity. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Jul 2019
How to plot out an Office 365 tenant-to-tenant migration
IT pros in organizations on Office 365 that undergo a merger or acquisition will have their work cut out for them to successfully execute a data migration plan between tenants. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Jul 2019
Construct a solid Active Directory password policy
Most user authentication still relies on a strong password to keep attackers at bay. Here's how to keep your guard up without adding to your administrative workload. Continue Reading
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News
19 Jul 2019
Kubernetes policy project takes enterprise IT by storm
A Kubernetes-friendly compliance as code project hosted by the CNCF has caught on among large enterprises in the first half of 2019, largely through word of mouth. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Jul 2019
Container deployment considerations for successful implementation
Containers can be useful for specific workloads but admins should consider certain factors, such as security and portability needs, before taking a containerized approach over VMs. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Jul 2019
5 Kubernetes adoption considerations you should think about
Understand the basics of Kubernetes, including how it works and its pros and cons, before deciding whether or not to adopt. Then, figure out how you plan to manage it. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Jul 2019
Combine Puppet and Chocolatey to drive Windows DevOps
Through the use of Puppet and Chocolatey side by side, Windows IT professionals can use Linux-like DevOps tools to automate the deployment and configuration of their systems. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Jul 2019
PKI authentication explained: The basics for IT administrators
Public key infrastructure is part and parcel of modern digital business, from secure communications to data transmission and beyond. Admins must understand PKI to optimize its benefits. Continue Reading
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Feature
18 Jul 2019
Effectively manage containers and improve workload performance
Containers are increasingly popular, so it's vital that admins understand the tools available and learn how to manage containers before deploying them in production environments. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Jul 2019
Essential virtualization certifications for IT professionals
As companies move beyond virtualization, the need for IT pros with fine-tuned expertise in cloud administration, ethical hacking, legacy infrastructure migration and automation rises. Continue Reading
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Feature
18 Jul 2019
Get creative with feature flags in IT operations
Feature flags give IT operations a range of possibility as broad as the imagination -- once you learn this dev-centric technique. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Jul 2019
When you create a DevOps workflow, avoid these missteps
How can DevOps help? And how can you apply it correctly? These are important questions to consider before you attempt to create a DevOps pipeline. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Jul 2019
Explore the Citrix guest UEFI boot feature for modern systems
A guest boot feature offered by Citrix provides admins with improved system performance, but they should be wary of its continued experimental status. Continue Reading
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News
17 Jul 2019
Container security improves overall enterprise IT posture
Enterprise IT pros worried about security when containers were first introduced, but as containers are put into production, they can actually present ways to tighten security practices. Continue Reading
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News
17 Jul 2019
AWS OpsCenter and Moogsoft AIOps integrate for IT productivity
By integrating AWS Systems Manager OpsCenter and Moogsoft AIOps platforms, the vendors hope to reduce alert noise, automate remediation and solve incidents faster. Continue Reading
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Answer
17 Jul 2019
What are Ansible roles and when and how should I use them?
Roles are one of several functions in Ansible that simplify and streamline IT automation processes. Dig into this quick overview to learn the basics of roles and potential use cases. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Jul 2019
Avoid chaos with an IT crisis management playbook
A minor IT issue can quickly snowball into a major catastrophe without a carefully constructed crisis management plan, but just what details should an organization include? Continue Reading
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News
15 Jul 2019
Snow Software launches new tech management suite
The new intelligence suite has six main tools that help manage the challenges due to growing IT operations, from spending and productivity to monitoring risk. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Jul 2019
Look inside the Mesosphere DC/OS distributed operating system
IT organizations that run large, distributed workloads on clusters should examine the Mesosphere DC/OS approach, but be forewarned: It takes a lot of components to simplify ops. Continue Reading
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News
10 Jul 2019
Microsoft patches two Windows zero-days in July Patch Tuesday
Microsoft fixed two Windows zero-day flaws as part of the July 2019 Patch Tuesday release, which also saw the remediation of 75 other vulnerabilities across Microsoft products. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Jul 2019
Support Hyper-V security with these important protocols
A virtual environment's security can make the difference when it comes to malicious attacks, preventing unauthorized OS or firmware codes from running at boot time. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Jul 2019
VM automation strategies and benefits for sizable workloads
Before automating VMs, admins must consider several factors, such as workload size and cost efficiency. Otherwise, automated VMs can cause issues rather than yield benefits. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Jul 2019
Don't neglect your IT architect skills in public cloud projects
Public cloud infrastructure is beyond the veil for IT admins: unknown and untouchable. But depending on the deployment -- and the cloud -- admins still have architecture to manage. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Jul 2019
How to deal with the on-premises vs. cloud challenge
Some tools and applications aren't a good fit outside of the data center. Try these tactics to cope as more tools and application vendors start to migrate to the cloud. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Jul 2019
How to manage Windows with Puppet
Administrators can modernize their organization's management model for both Linux and Windows operating systems with Puppet, a code-based tool, and available community support. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
03 Jul 2019
Try these PowerShell networking commands to stay connected
Ping has its place, but PowerShell gives you a way to dive deeper into a networking issue when a server drops its connection or starts to drop packets. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Jul 2019
Use Puppet Bolt to simplify configuration management
Bolt, Puppet's cross-platform automation tool, is designed to minimize the learning curve for ops teams, but users still need to grasp its primary commands and elements. Continue Reading
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News
02 Jul 2019
Kubernetes security tool gives IT a leg up on DevSecOps
An emerging real estate firm tasked with DevSecOps sought an assist from startup Alcide, which bakes Kubernetes security best practices into its software. Continue Reading
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News
01 Jul 2019
Elastic SIEM woos enterprises with cost savings
Elastic SIEM gains interest from former Splunk users, with the promise of cost savings and the prospect of centralized security analytics and IT monitoring data repositories. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Jul 2019
5 DevSecOps interview questions employers are likely to ask
To land that DevSecOps dream job, prepare to answer questions not only about specific IT and security tools, but about DevOps team culture as a whole. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Jun 2019
An ITSM tool comparison for enterprises with an eye on AI
All AI-enabled ITSM tools aim to streamline and automate IT operations, but buyers must make the right selection to get the most out of these products. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Jun 2019
Exchange Online vs. Office 365: Which plan is a better fit?
A switch from Exchange Server to Exchange Online might make financial sense, but it might not fit the needs of your organization. Here are some common migration mistakes to avoid. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Jun 2019
How to copy files to Windows containers
Once you've deployed Windows containers in your production environment, you can start copying data and files to them using one of three methods, depending on file type and location. Continue Reading