IT Operations
Top Stories
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Tip
14 Aug 2026
Prompts vs. loops: Why prompt engineering won't build your AI workforce
Execution loops move enterprise AI beyond prompt engineering, enabling agents to plan, act, verify results, recover from failures and deliver outcomes. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Aug 2026
5 reasons hardened images are seeing a resurgence
Hardened container images reduce software supply chain risk by minimizing vulnerabilities, improving compliance, reducing toil and boosting performance. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Apr 2019
Strategies for managing multi-hypervisor environments
Efficient multi-hypervisor management often comes down to where you place your workloads in terms of compatibility and security and how accessible your management tools are. Continue Reading
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News
25 Apr 2019
Experian credits incident management tool for IT efficiency
When Experian deployed xMatters, the IT landscape was very different. But the incident management tool's adaptability kept it useful through shifts in tech trends. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Apr 2019
How will Microsoft role-based certifications affect admins?
IT administrators should already know that the only constant for Microsoft products is change. Certifications are the next thing to get an overhaul. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Apr 2019
Choose between 5 hosted hypervisors based on features, use cases
Hypervisors such as VMware Workstation, VMware Fusion, VMware Horizon 7, Oracle VM VirtualBox and Parallels Desktop provide value to small data centers in different ways. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Apr 2019
Compare the top 5 bare-metal hypervisors
Hypervisors such as VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V, Citrix Hypervisor, RHV and Oracle VM Server for x86 provide value to enterprise-level data centers in different ways. Continue Reading
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Feature
24 Apr 2019
How to properly prep a container infrastructure
To deploy containers in production, an organization must put in place the appropriate infrastructure. Here are the specific steps to take to begin that process. Continue Reading
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News
23 Apr 2019
Rancher's Kubernetes updates boost security, UI performance
Enterprise IT pros expect changes to Rancher's Kubernetes management tools to bolster security configuration and UI performance. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Apr 2019
Potential PowerShell telemetry raises security concerns
When admins discovered the PowerShell team proposal for additional telemetry, some bristled; however, the data collection could mean a better management language for IT pros. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Apr 2019
Adjust IT operations roles and responsibilities for cloud
More organizations migrate to the cloud with each passing day. Learn how embracing soft skills can smooth the transition of dedicated ops staff to cloud industry roles. Continue Reading
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Feature
22 Apr 2019
Kubernetes underpins Docker container technology dominance
Given the ever-evolving nature of enterprise technology, some IT predictions just never come to be. Let's see how one particular forecast for Docker containers held up. Continue Reading
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Guide
19 Apr 2019
Latest Microsoft SDDC updates improve security, performance
Microsoft enhanced Windows Server 2019 software-defined networking and other virtualization facets of its latest server OS to improve security and increase workload performance. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Apr 2019
Virtualization cost-savings methods for IT administrators
The biggest costs in any virtualization environment tend to be licenses, hardware acquisition, support and maintenance, so that's where you should look for ways to reduce expenses. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Apr 2019
4 types of virtualization IT admins should know
Server virtualization is a fact of life for most IT admins, but there are other types of virtualization -- network, storage, desktop and application -- that IT pros should know. Continue Reading
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Quiz
19 Apr 2019
Test your Kubernetes terminology expertise with this quiz
Can you ace this quiz on Kubernetes architecture and component terminology? Assess your knowledge of these terms and whether you need to hit the books -- or online documentation. Continue Reading
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News
18 Apr 2019
CloudBees' acquisition of Electric Cloud broadens focus
CloudBees folds in Electric Cloud and pledges to broaden its focus beyond Jenkins, while customers wait and see how that might impact long-term roadmap plans. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
18 Apr 2019
Use Elasticsearch shard allocation to distribute workload demand
Learn how to use Elasticsearch shards to distribute data storage and retrieval across physical resources, as workload demands grow. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
18 Apr 2019
Manage Elasticsearch documents with indices and shards
Before they can put the search capabilities of Elasticsearch to use for their organization, admins need to properly organize and manage documents via indices, shards, replicas and mapping. Continue Reading
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Answer
17 Apr 2019
What service does the Microsoft WSSD program provide?
A do-it-yourself approach with hyper-converged infrastructure can lead to trouble when software-defined features just won't work. See how the WSSD program can prevent issues. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Apr 2019
Manage Windows containers and Hyper-V containers with these tools
You can use a number of tools for Windows and Hyper-V container management, including Docker and PowerShell, depending on your experience and skill set. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Apr 2019
4 Windows Server 2019 storage features to ease management
Microsoft includes storage features in Windows Server 2019 to ease migration and create highly available and scalable software-defined storage in data centers. Continue Reading
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Infographic
16 Apr 2019
Enterprise DevOps growth evident in CI/CD, container data
CI/CD tool sets combine with containerization development to create fertile ground for IT organizations to grow into DevOps practices. Continue Reading
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Answer
15 Apr 2019
How do I avoid Exchange security certificate issues?
Exchange SSL certificates keep communications secure, so it's important avoid the bargain bin when shopping for them. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Apr 2019
Evaluate key service mesh benefits and architecture limitations
Service mesh technologies can provide request routing, authentication and even health checks. IT organizations that handle container and microservices deployments should plan to maximize the benefits of service mesh, and address implementation concerns, before going all-in. Continue Reading
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News
12 Apr 2019
Opsgenie integrations expand under Atlassian
Opsgenie's induction into the Atlassian fold reflects a trend of incident management tools' absorption into broader DevOps platforms, but not every user prefers a one-stop shop. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
11 Apr 2019
Automate Windows configurations with Boxstarter and Chocolatey
Follow this Boxstarter tutorial to install the open source tool, and use it alongside PowerShell, Chocolatey and GitHub gists for streamlined and repeatable Windows configurations. Continue Reading
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News
10 Apr 2019
Cloud Foundry PaaS undergoes seismic shifts as IT evolves
Cloud Foundry undergoes drastic changes as infrastructure automation technology develops, to the point where some industry experts see more erosion than evolution. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Apr 2019
AWS Firecracker microVMs provide isolation and agility
Firecracker aims to bridge the gap between VMs and containers with microVMs, which are secure, lightweight instance types for stateless workloads. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Apr 2019
How to upgrade Windows Server 2008 before support ends
With the end of Windows Server 2008 support drawing closer, administrators must navigate multiple obstacles, from locating old software to ensuring hardware compatibility. Continue Reading
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News
09 Apr 2019
April Patch Tuesday closes 2 zero-day exploits
In addition to Microsoft's fixes, administrators should patch holes in several Adobe products to keep attackers from creating havoc in their systems. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Apr 2019
Build up a DevSecOps pipeline for fast and safe code delivery
It's all well and good to automate the software build process, but without proper security practices in place, the DevOps pipeline can lead developers to deploy compromised code. Continue Reading
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News
08 Apr 2019
Users forge ahead with Cloud Foundry-Kubernetes integration
Complementary roles for Cloud Foundry and Kubernetes are clear to IT pros, and the community plans to knit the two more closely together with the Eirini project. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Apr 2019
AI in ITSM reshapes operations practices and tasks
AI capabilities are merging within ITSM practices to augment IT's performance and enhance the user experience. Read on to learn more about AI uses for ITSM, and how to approach them. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Apr 2019
How to automate with PowerShell in Windows Server 2019
Microsoft developed many tools to simplify tasks in Windows Server 2019, but PowerShell skills still remain a staple of an administrator's tool set. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Apr 2019
Implement these 5 ALM best practices from dev to deployment
Enterprise applications are anything but simple. To wrangle the software, resources and code of these critical apps, be smart with IT tooling, management and other aspects of support. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Apr 2019
Xen vs. KVM in 2019 is a no brainer
Xen might have lost the hypervisor war against KVM, but that doesn't mean it's dead. Niche use cases such as the automotive industry are keeping the open source project alive. Continue Reading
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Answer
03 Apr 2019
Evaluate these hyper-converged infrastructure features
There are six things you should consider when reviewing HCI platform features and functionality: optimizations, storage, hypervisors, management, expandability and integrations. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Apr 2019
How DevOps teams use a CMS for documentation, collaboration
DevOps teams should choose a CMS that enables continuous, integrated content management, and select tools for internal document sharing that build an easily searched and categorized knowledge base. Continue Reading
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News
02 Apr 2019
Chef licensing changes prompt debate among IT pros
IT pros who use Chef automation software have mixed reactions to the company's plan to revamp its software licensing strategy. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
01 Apr 2019
How to uninstall Exchange 2013 after a cutover migration
Don't throw a retirement party for that Exchange 2013 server and pull the plug prematurely without going through this checklist to avoid any issues. Continue Reading
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Guide
01 Apr 2019
Bookmark this expansive guide to DevOps for Windows
Native Windows DevOps tools and Azure DevOps services enable Microsoft shops to keep pace with Linux setups. Continue Reading
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News
01 Apr 2019
Google SREs test the limits of infrastructure automation
Google SRE veterans spoke publicly about infrastructure automation work, its future and its limitations. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Mar 2019
Windows Server cluster sets add more protection to workloads
Microsoft stepped up its high availability game with its cluster sets technology in Windows Server 2019 to give on-premises workloads more cloudlike resiliency. Continue Reading
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Answer
29 Mar 2019
How hyper-converged infrastructure benefits virtual workloads
Realize the many advantages that HCI offers, such as streamlined virtual resource management and enhanced security and compliance practices. Continue Reading
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Answer
29 Mar 2019
Hyper-converged infrastructure explained
HCI breaks down traditional IT silos by bundling compute, storage, networking and virtualization, which helps to streamline resource provisioning and management. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Mar 2019
Server 2008 R2 end of life hitting home for many in IT
As Microsoft support for Server 2008 R2 nears its sunset, a raft of complications make it difficult for many in IT to get on board with the Azure platform. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Mar 2019
Prepare for Industry 4.0 challenges on storage, networks
With Industry 4.0 poised to grow across industries, enterprise IT organizations must ask what it will take to support this revolution. Learn how to manage the data-led transformation. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Mar 2019
Got infrastructure needs? These PowerShell tutorials can help
From streamlining remote sessions to setting up an SSL certificate, these PowerShell tutorials show IT admins how to get more done with the management tool. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Mar 2019
Don't count out IBM virtualization on the Z platform
A mainframe can house hundreds of thousands of VMs and a wide range of workloads. Also, IBM Z provides virtualization management via Dynamic Partition Manager and Wave for z/VM. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Mar 2019
Prepare for ITIL framework updates in version 4
The much-anticipated release of ITIL v4 not only changes the framework's certification structure, but emphasizes many modern software development and IT service delivery practices. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Mar 2019
Evaluate the COBIT framework 2019 update
ITSM frameworks must adapt as IT changes swiftly or risk stagnation. COBIT ended its six-year silence with its 2019 update. Get an overview of the new information and how to use COBIT. Continue Reading
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News
27 Mar 2019
Monitoring distributed systems means first, do no harm
SRE veterans who work with large, complex, latency-sensitive infrastructures say some monitoring tools can hurt the systems they're meant to help. Continue Reading
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News
26 Mar 2019
Site reliability engineer shift creates IT ops dilemma
Aspiring SREs find it hard to move away from tactical tasks to focus on strategic projects. Veteran SREs say the path to less toil begins with prioritization and automation. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Mar 2019
Understand Azure Update Management basics
Microsoft provides a variety of tools that IT administrators can use to simplify update deployment, including Azure Update Management. Find out if the service will work with your systems. Continue Reading
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News
25 Mar 2019
Kubernetes for Windows hits GA, with limitations
Kubernetes support for Windows nodes was declared stable in Kubernetes 1.14, but extensive fine print remains. Continue Reading
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News
25 Mar 2019
SRE software refines DevOps incident response for enterprise
SRE workflows often emerge organically within enterprise IT teams, but software tools add measurability and automation for incident response and review in one DevOps shop. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Mar 2019
Build Terraform modules to make IT components into code
Modules enable reusability of infrastructure-as-code deployments with Terraform. Follow this example, which also features AWS for the hosting environment, to learn module structure. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Mar 2019
Start using Terraform variables for IT resource deployment flexibility
Infrastructure-as-code adopters should try Terraform input and output variables as a more flexible way to define and save values for deployment configurations. Continue Reading
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News
22 Mar 2019
Kubernetes management for 'Minecraft' has enterprise IT traits
What do 'Minecraft' servers and enterprise databases have in common? In the realm of Kubernetes management, more than you might think. Continue Reading
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Feature
22 Mar 2019
Improve help desk management for smooth IT operations
A streamlined help desk benefits both IT ops teams and end users. Learn how to improve your organization's help desk with these expert tips on templates, automation and AI. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Mar 2019
5 Windows network drivers supported by containers
NAT is the default network for container applications, but there are four other available drivers. Each container network driver poses some limitations and must be used carefully. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Mar 2019
Multi-hypervisor environments provide cost savings, flexibility
Adopting multiple hypervisors might make more sense than going with a single vendor, depending on cost, the types of workloads you run, and your performance and reliability needs. Continue Reading
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Quiz
21 Mar 2019
Can you accurately measure SLA expectations and results?
Realistic SLA expectations rely on accurately defined criteria, properly set. Test your knowledge of SLA measurements and learn to tailor contracts that avoid costly consequences with this quiz. Continue Reading
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Answer
21 Mar 2019
What are some potential Windows Server cluster set snags?
Windows Server 2019 cluster sets bring some Azure-like capabilities into the data center, but new features also bring new challenges for administrators. Continue Reading
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News
21 Mar 2019
IT security monitoring at golf club lets IT ops play through
ClubCorp took stock of its IT security strategy last year, which led to freedom from grunt work and renewed focus for the IT ops team. Continue Reading
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Answer
21 Mar 2019
What are some Microsoft SDDC integration challenges?
Microsoft added a number of new software-defined features in Windows Server 2019, but deploying a fully virtualized data center remains a challenge for several reasons. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Mar 2019
Bare-metal vs. VM container deployment considerations
Consider your performance requirements, portability needs and what level of isolation and security you want when deploying containers in your environment. Continue Reading
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Answer
19 Mar 2019
How is the Microsoft SDDC concept becoming a reality?
The promise of a software-defined infrastructure and its ability to pool resources require the right administrative tool to keep the virtualized fabric from fraying. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Mar 2019
4 branch office server management best practices
Setting up a ROBO server involves specific hardware and software configuration considerations, such as ensuring redundancy and connectivity for remote management. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Mar 2019
Evaluate on-premises vs. SaaS tools for IT systems management
While there are a lot of factors for enterprises to consider when choosing an IT management tool, the on-premises vs. SaaS decision can be a particularly tricky one. Continue Reading
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News
15 Mar 2019
DevSecOps shift begins, but remains a work in progress
DevOps security has shifted left, but IT pros disagree on just how far into application design and away from infrastructure security practices will go. Continue Reading
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News
15 Mar 2019
DevOps security tools 'shift left' into CI/CD pipelines
DevOps security remains a work in progress, but many enterprise IT shops already plug collaboration points for IT security and operations pros directly into the app development pipeline. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Mar 2019
Learn how to use Salt orchestration with an example
Admins can use orchestration features in Salt to centrally control a group of minions and machines. Follow this example, which features Orchestrate Runner, to get started. Continue Reading
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Answer
15 Mar 2019
How do you build Windows Server 2019 cluster sets?
Microsoft debuted cluster sets in its Windows Server 2019 release. Here's a rundown on how to deploy this high availability feature in your organization. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Mar 2019
Use PowerShell Docker to manage Windows container components
Take advantage of the PowerShell for Docker module to easily create and manage Windows containers in your environment with this step-by-step installation guide. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Mar 2019
Market evolves to address container security issues
Container use is gaining traction in virtual environments, but containers present unique security challenges that vendors and organizations must overcome. Continue Reading
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News
13 Mar 2019
F5-Nginx deal reflects mainstream trend toward microservices
F5 snaps up Nginx for cloud-native app support, and analysts predict a microservices gold rush as modern application architectures catch on in enterprise IT shops. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Mar 2019
Container management tools must overcome limitations
As container adoption surges, the management tools organizations need to support these deployments at scale are still in their infancy. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Mar 2019
Understanding the three main goals of PowerShell Core 6
The book 'Learn PowerShell Core 6.0' offers a closer look into the history of PowerShell and its evolution into the PowerShell Core open source project. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Mar 2019
Assess the micro VM market with AWS Firecracker
Consider the benefits of AWS Firecracker as it compares to other micro VMs and system containers, but be wary of its limitations before installing this virtualization technology. Continue Reading
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News
12 Mar 2019
March Patch Tuesday shuts down two zero-day exploits
In addition to the March Patch Tuesday updates, Microsoft's attempts at improving performance following Spectre variant 2 patches backfire for some users on Windows 10. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Mar 2019
Lessons learned during a migration to Exchange Online
There are a number of perks for administrators who move to Exchange Online, but there are spots of frustration that will require a few workarounds to ease the transition process. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Mar 2019
Get familiar with these SLA maintenance tips
The basics of SLA management come at the intersection of business goals and the reality of possibility. IT teams must learn how to strike a balance between specific and conditional promises. Continue Reading
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News
08 Mar 2019
Release automation tools link legacy, modern app management
Release automation tools will evolve in 2019 to embrace advanced application development and infrastructure automation techniques. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Mar 2019
GitOps provides an answer for complicated IT deployments
Version control isn't a new concept in IT, but ops pros are applying it to distributed environments for declarative configuration management. Continue Reading
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Answer
07 Mar 2019
What Windows Server 2019 SDN features should I know about?
Administrators in highly virtualized environments can tap into enhanced Windows Server 2019 SDN functionality to run Hyper-V VMs more efficiently. Continue Reading
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Answer
07 Mar 2019
What features make up Windows Server 2019 cluster sets?
Windows Server 2019 takes clustering to a new level with the cluster sets feature that wraps another layer of high availability around critical VMs. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Mar 2019
How to configure Windows container networking
The default network setting for Windows containers is Network Address Translation, but you can also set up a transparent Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol or non-DHCP network. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Mar 2019
Steps to safely build and manage a preproduction environment
A well-run testing lab is a true asset to developers. An uncontrolled one, on the other hand, is a massive liability that can cost dearly. Plan lab builds along these guidelines. Continue Reading
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News
05 Mar 2019
Container security tools turn heads with expansion to hosts
Vendors that sell container security tools now face off against traditional security tool providers, as both vie for the attention of IT pros who look to fortify their cloud-native infrastructure. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Mar 2019
How to measure IT performance, step by step
While IT performance measurement can be a tedious challenge, done correctly, this process provides essential analysis and assessments. Learn how to optimize these reviews. Continue Reading
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Photo Story
28 Feb 2019
Windows Server 2019 features admins should explore
This slideshow of Windows Server 2019 features highlights some of its key additions built to bring more flexibility and reliability to the enterprise. Continue Reading
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News
28 Feb 2019
Sensu architecture smoothes monitoring data workflow for NCR
Sensu Go's architecture and monitoring as code prompted NCR to switch away from Zabbix and pass on SolarWinds, as it sought to collect data from 80,000 restaurant customers. Continue Reading
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News
28 Feb 2019
Istio security drives Auto Trader UK move to GKE
The U.K.'s largest online automotive marketplace put Istio security features in place before it adopted containers and GKE, rather than the other way around. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Feb 2019
ICYMI: How IT monitoring systems take on modern challenges
Don't lose track of IT monitoring as you come to grips with containers and AI advantages. These articles gear up IT and cloud admins to refine processes and improve efficiency. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Feb 2019
Grasp these basic Salt configuration management concepts
Not sure how Salt conveys configuration instructions to systems? Wonder if your programming skills will carry over to the tool? Use these best practices and tips to assess Salt. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Feb 2019
Compare the pros and cons of container management tools
From the ever-popular to the obscure, evaluate different container management options based on the user interface, documentation, ease of use, available features and integrations. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Feb 2019
IT pros must adapt to Azure certification path changes
Microsoft reworked its Azure certifications recently and offers an upgrade path for IT pros with older credentials, but there is little time before the transition tests expire. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Feb 2019
Let an IT and application monitoring strategy drive tool choices
A monitoring tool that simply gets the job done isn't always the best option for IT ops teams. Use metrics and staff feedback to determine if it's time for a change. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Feb 2019
What container management software features are important?
Because containers are easy to spin up, the infrastructure can quickly get out of hand. A tool that simplifies container management can help, if it provides certain capabilities. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
26 Feb 2019
Set up users with key PowerShell Active Directory commands
User management in Active Directory doesn't have to fill you with click-induced anxiety. Try these PowerShell tips for a more efficient way to get this work done. Continue Reading