IT Operations
Top Stories
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Feature
24 Sep 2026
Capability risks rise with layoffs: What CIOs should know
Layoffs can lead to significant capability risk -- the loss of expertise and tacit knowledge. These hidden costs affect productivity, innovation and long-term efficiency. Continue Reading
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News
24 Sep 2026
Groundcover acquisition automates Kubernetes provisioning
Groundcover brings the contextual data, and Wand brings autonomous Kubernetes infrastructure setup. Continue Reading
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Definition
08 Jan 2019
read-only
Read-only is a file attribute which only allows a user to view a file, restricting any writing to the file. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Jan 2019
AIOps tools supplement -- not supplant -- DevOps pipelines
While the line between DevOps and AIOps often seems blurred, the two disciplines aren't synonymous. Instead, they present some key differences in terms of required skill sets and tools. Continue Reading
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Feature
04 Jan 2019
Explore the new year's emerging IT trends
Small data centers, intelligent IT management tools -- digital diversity? Catch up on the 10 trends driving IT operations forward in 2019, and how they'll shape your organization. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Jan 2019
How to improve help desk support via knowledge management
Your organization's help desk support system could be more efficient. Find out how knowledge management and natural language processing solve hidden IT woes. Continue Reading
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News
02 Jan 2019
DevOps security model hits organizational snags
DevOps security tools are on the market, and IT pros are acutely aware of the need to update their practices. But alignment with business teams hasn't gotten any easier. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Dec 2018
Major acquisitions, Kubernetes evolution top IT news in 2018
In the second half of 2018, IT industry vendors and their users worked to tame Kubernetes and containers, and inject open source innovation into tried-and-true enterprise IT. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Dec 2018
10 tips to approach IT operations processes with confidence
Stuck in the NOC over the holidays? To pass the time, improve your ability to plan projects and quash production infrastructure incidents with confidence. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Dec 2018
Bookmark 10 popular tips on containers and Kubernetes
Should we go with an open source or commercial option? What about DevOps? These 10 essential tips explain how containers fit into complex modern IT environments. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Dec 2018
Top 10 IT tutorials of 2018 for professional development in 2019
Most IT admins take control of their education via home labs and tutorials. Refresh skills in PowerShell or Python -- or learn new ones like Kubernetes -- with these popular walkthroughs. Continue Reading
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Definition
24 Dec 2018
System Insights
System Insights is a feature that debuted in Windows Server 2019 that processes data and uses predictive analytics to warn administrators of potential issues with Windows Server deployments. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Dec 2018
Estimate the cost of open source software in 5 practical areas
Open source tools and technologies are free for the taking, as long as enterprise IT organizations correctly calculate the cost of implementation, support, contribution and more. Continue Reading
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Opinion
20 Dec 2018
IT organizations anticipate DevOps evolution in 2019
DevOps shifts around like ice cubes skate across water: quickly and always toward its outer limits. Kurt Marko explores some areas where DevOps will go in 2019. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Dec 2018
Troubleshoot Host Guardian Service with guarded fabric diagnostics
Take advantage of the built-in guarded fabric diagnostic tool to discover and resolve common issues that can afflict Host Guardian Service and guarded fabric deployments. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Dec 2018
Hyper-V Integration Services and VMware Tools improve OSes
Hyper-V Integration Services and VMware Tools are similar utilities with a few small differences. One is that Hyper-V Integration Services supports fewer guests than VMware Tools. Continue Reading
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Infographic
18 Dec 2018
IT automation tops list of best uses of AI, survey shows
Early adopters of AI say they see promise in the technology, and most plan to boost their AI investment. Still, they have concerns about security risks and data availability. Continue Reading
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Answer
18 Dec 2018
How does Azure Update Management handle patching?
Microsoft built Azure Update Management for administrators who require a centralized tool to automate patches for systems both on premises and in the cloud. Continue Reading
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Feature
18 Dec 2018
Establish a configuration management strategy to guide transition
Humans are notoriously averse to change in routine -- even when it makes their jobs easier. Encourage innovation and be flexible: Strategy is a journey, not a destination. Continue Reading
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- 18 Dec 2018
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Opinion
18 Dec 2018
Without DevOps metrics, forget about DevOps glory
DevOps doesn't provide easy comparison points to quantify improvements. So how do you know if you're on the path to success or just spinning your wheels? Continue Reading
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News
18 Dec 2018
IT industry trends home in on containers, AIOps and CI/CD
IT ops pros should be on the lookout for enterprise-wide production container deployments, real-world AIOps usage and new approaches to CI/CD in 2019. Continue Reading
- E-Zine 18 Dec 2018
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Answer
18 Dec 2018
Manage SCVMM logical networks with PowerShell
Use System Center Virtual Machine Manager and PowerShell to make logical network management easy. Execute a script to display network virtualization information in a simple chart. Continue Reading
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Opinion
17 Dec 2018
Expect more container evolution, growth in 2019
Containerization shows no sign of winding down. With technologies, product options and providers focused on technological improvement, container ecosystems will develop rapidly in the coming year. Continue Reading
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Opinion
17 Dec 2018
AI for IT operations means smarter, safer deployments
Anticipate developments in AIOps and IT automation in 2019, particularly in major spaces such as IT security. Help your organization look forward and adopt smarter automation. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Dec 2018
Discover the top Windows Server and PowerShell tutorials of 2018
Administrators can level up their management game with these Windows Server tips and PowerShell tutorials that got the most attention on the SearchWindowsServer site in 2018. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Dec 2018
5 skills every Hyper-V administrator needs to succeed
Windows Server skills aren't complete without these five Hyper-V skills, which range from failover clustering to storage, and remain essential for virtualization administration. Continue Reading
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News
14 Dec 2018
Istio service mesh tradeoffs prompt caution among IT pros
Istio can boost the security and observability of Kubernetes environments, but some IT pros question whether the perks are worth a steep learning curve. Continue Reading
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News
14 Dec 2018
Knative project stokes interest in event-driven IT ops
The Knative project is nascent, but Kubernetes users said they believe it could facilitate the next generation of IT infrastructure management. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
13 Dec 2018
Working with PowerShell module downloads from the gallery
Learn how to get the most out of the PowerShell Gallery with some distinctions for administrators who use Windows PowerShell or PowerShell Core. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Dec 2018
Review the top 9 virtualization techniques of the year
IT administrators always have room to improve their virtualization skills. Read our top articles of the year to perfect PowerShell management, Hyper-V customization and more. Continue Reading
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News
13 Dec 2018
Enterprise SREs guide devs through Kubernetes in production
Behind most enterprise developers that own and operate the services they create stands a platform engineering team that's teed up Kubernetes in its most manageable form. Continue Reading
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News
13 Dec 2018
Kubernetes 1.13 stabilizes storage, but Windows GA delayed
IT pros with Kubernetes in production welcomed stable releases of cluster install and container storage utilities in version 1.13, but they'll have to wait for some key features. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Dec 2018
Manage large volumes of VM data with these storage tactics
Admins can effectively virtualize large servers with storage tiering and disk allocation, but they must be wary of potential IOPS and redundancy issues. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
12 Dec 2018
Manage Salt minions in large environments in symphony
IT organizations must create, enforce and update configurations in a standardized manner. Learn how to direct Salt minions to install software without repetitive manual work. Continue Reading
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News
11 Dec 2018
December Microsoft security patches bring a light end to 2018
Microsoft resolved a zero-day and a public disclosure this December patch Tuesday, while experts revisit 2018 in patching and what needs improvement. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Dec 2018
Windows Admin Center lures IT pros with Azure integration
If System Center is overkill for your needs and the older tools aren't up to task, then the Windows Admin Center just might be the tool to manage your data center. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Dec 2018
Use Puppet for Windows ops automation with dsc_lite
With DSC and dsc_lite, as well as a native option, users operate in Puppet within the familiarity of PowerShell settings. Here's how each approach works. Continue Reading
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News
11 Dec 2018
Kubernetes security issues raise concerns for enterprise shops
As Kubernetes enters the enterprise mainstream, it has early adopters abuzz about security issues in the platform and the containers it orchestrates. Continue Reading
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Opinion
10 Dec 2018
Key IT skills to make you current and capable in an ops role
With the rapid pace of IT, it's easy to lose your edge -- even for technologically curious ops professionals. Master a balance of the best IT and people skills to get ahead in modern operations. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Dec 2018
Ways administrators can avoid IT burnout
The last thing an overextended admin needs is additional work, but there are certain practices that, once introduced, can curb tech burnout in the long run. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Dec 2018
AIOps use cases address complexity in virtual data centers
The ever-growing complexity of virtual infrastructures is making management a struggle, but an AIOps platform can enable admins to transform raw data into useful information. Continue Reading
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Feature
07 Dec 2018
Put your IT disaster recovery plan to the test
Operations teams need to make DR planning and preparation a priority every day of the year -- not just at test time. Here's how to keep apps and systems out of harm's way. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Dec 2018
Align KPIs for IT with corresponding business goals
It's easy for IT KPIs to take a back seat to those of the business or vice versa. Instead, explore these ways to maintain a working balance. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Dec 2018
Create an IT support process to take on any outage
Every IT incident must be met with a streamlined resolution procedure, all the way from critical to trivial. Ensure those plans are in place before it's do or die. Continue Reading
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Feature
05 Dec 2018
Prepare for VM-to-cloud workload migration
Migrating VMs to the cloud can be relatively straightforward if you lay the groundwork to meet workload and vendor requirements. Follow these steps to prepare for the migration. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Dec 2018
Meet Hyper-V cluster requirements to maintain high availability
Hyper-V high availability is important for failover, so check that Hyper-V clusters meet the proper requirements, which range from hardware management to network configuration. Continue Reading
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News
04 Dec 2018
Microsoft and Docker CNAB takes aim at distributed computing
Microsoft and Docker want to push container-like abstraction up the stack with the CNAB open source spec, which has piqued enterprise interest in its early stages. Continue Reading
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News
04 Dec 2018
Kubernetes security vulnerability reveals fractured market
Enterprises that pay for Kubernetes support will respond differently to this week's critical security vulnerability than lean DevOps teams that use upstream distributions. Continue Reading
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Definition
30 Nov 2018
Exchange Online
Exchange Online is the hosted version of Microsoft's Exchange Server messaging platform that organizations can obtain as a stand-alone service or via an Office 365 subscription. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Nov 2018
Improve microservices management in operations with 5 tips
Distributed applications are the future of IT, thanks to their scalability and flexibility, but growth means growing pains. Tackle microservices issues with this expert advice. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Nov 2018
Stay in control with these Active Directory basics
Administrators have an ever-increasing number of resources to handle and permissions to track, but they can cut this seemingly impossible task down to size with Active Directory. Continue Reading
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News
30 Nov 2018
Istio service mesh vies for lead in microservices market
Istio's integration into Google Cloud will give it momentum, but service mesh competition remains fierce, as HashiCorp Consul makes strong inroads with early adopters. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Nov 2018
Meet data center compliance standards in hybrid deployments
Data center compliance is a moving target that shifts with standards and technologies. Don't get sidetracked by the complexity -- prioritize performance while maintaining compliance. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Nov 2018
Simple-to-automate IT tasks: Stop doing these 3 things
There are certain tasks that no IT ops administrator should still do manually. No more excuses -- take these easy operations processes off your plate, and let scripts or tools take over. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Nov 2018
Unlock storage savings with Windows Server deduplication
Windows Server comes with a data deduplication feature to reduce the organization's storage crunch, but it's important to plan around some potential drawbacks. Continue Reading
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Answer
29 Nov 2018
What's the best way to achieve Hyper-V security for hosts?
Hyper-V security is complicated, but you can set the foundation of your security strategies by following a few best practices, such as simplification and encryption. Continue Reading
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Answer
29 Nov 2018
Hyper-V 2016 security comes down to VM considerations
Secure guest VMs and OSes to ensure Hyper-V security Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Nov 2018
As-a-service at your service: Cloud tools simplify DevOps automation
AWS offers the widest range of cloud-integrated DevOps tools. But Google Cloud has a strategy with more focus on integration, and Azure closely ties in with other Microsoft products. Continue Reading
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Answer
28 Nov 2018
Is read-only mode a viable approach to container hardening?
Can containers work in read-only mode, and how does this setup make a difference in security hardening? Continue Reading
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Answer
28 Nov 2018
Use shielded VMs, guarded fabric to enable Hyper-V encryption
Enable Hyper-V encryption using guarded fabric, the Host Guardian Service and shielded VM technologies. Host systems must be proven trustworthy before operating protected VMs. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Nov 2018
Resolve an Outlook outage when using Office 365
When administrators get reports about an Outlook outage, they must work quickly to identify the affected accounts, research the causes and know where to turn for support. Continue Reading
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Answer
27 Nov 2018
How does Linux Secure Boot affect Hyper-V 2016 VMs?
Linux Secure Boot can help ensure you're booting trusted OSes, but navigating different distributions and digital signatures can be challenging without these considerations. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
21 Nov 2018
What does an IT person do? Answers from around the globe
The holiday season is fast approaching, when IT and DevOps professionals around the world answer a perennial question at the family dinner table: What does an IT person do? While you might only ... Continue Reading
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Opinion
21 Nov 2018
What's next for VMs vs. containers as isolation, performance evolve?
With advances from Docker, Kubernetes and other container technologies, an ecosystem is emerging that threatens the existence -- or at least importance -- of VMs in enterprise IT orgs. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
21 Nov 2018
Try this Chocolatey tutorial to pick up Vagrant provisioning for Windows
To install a Linux-based tool on a non-Linux machine, at least one intermediary tool is necessary. On Windows, use the Chocolatey package manager for a smooth process. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
20 Nov 2018
Gifts for geeks in 2018: analog edition
Gifts for geeks don't have to be digital. This year's suggestions feature a decidedly analog theme. Continue Reading
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News
20 Nov 2018
Kibana monitoring apps zoom in on Kubernetes infrastructure
A new set of time-series Kubernetes infrastructure monitoring and APM tools in version 6.5 of Elastic Stack take their place among many choices for IT pros. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Nov 2018
Why teams create DevOps platforms to match projects
Prebuilt platforms offer a wealth of capabilities without the hassle to integrate everything. But cherry-picking for exact needs yields tighter resource management. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Nov 2018
Hyper-convergence forms core of Windows Server 2019 features
The latest server OS release from Microsoft upgrades many of its software-defined features to make it easier to use a hybrid cloud model. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Nov 2018
Understanding what Azure AD federation really means
A company that adopts SaaS apps to get work done can ease the transition by implementing a single sign-on method. Learn how to set up this arrangement in a secure manner. Continue Reading
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News
16 Nov 2018
AWS Lambda monitoring goes mainstream with New Relic beta
New Relic users and prospects will investigate AWS Lambda monitoring features released in private beta, as serverless usage filters in to enterprise IT shops. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Nov 2018
Manage host, VM access with a Hyper-V administrators security group
Use Hyper-V roles to limit users to predefined levels of access. By creating security groups and managing them with PowerShell, you can implement role-based security at scale. Continue Reading
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News
15 Nov 2018
Container security tools push multi-cloud closer to reality
Container security tools, such as StackRox and Aqua Security, offer DevOps shops that want multi-cloud portability a centralized way to reduce the risk of complex infrastructures. Continue Reading
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Feature
15 Nov 2018
When a NoOps implementation is -- and when it isn't -- the right choice
NoOps skills and tools are highly useful regardless of the IT environment, but site reliability engineering brings operations admins into development when an organization can't afford to lose them. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
14 Nov 2018
Boost DevOps cred with script management in Git version control
DevOps teams use configuration management to automate patches and provisioning. They use version control to increase collaboration and change control. Learn how to combine the two. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Nov 2018
Generate a Hyper-V report to track clusters, nodes with PowerShell
It's difficult to navigate all the information related to Hyper-V nodes and clusters, so use PowerShell commands and scripts to generate reports and automate information retrieval. Continue Reading
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News
13 Nov 2018
Windows zero-day fix highlights November Patch Tuesday
In addition to the November Patch Tuesday updates, Microsoft offered assistance to combat a new side-channel attack and rereleased a Windows 10 update and Windows Server 2019. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Nov 2018
Use Active Directory for testing environments in DevOps shops
AD enables admins to create testing environments almost identical to production environments through duplicated trees, interconnected forests and authentication best practices. Continue Reading
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Answer
12 Nov 2018
Setting up Hyper-V replication requires preplanning
Hyper-V replication is easy to use, but there are a number of steps you should take during Hyper-V replication setup to ensure you stay abreast of potential failures and data loss. Continue Reading
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Opinion
12 Nov 2018
6 emerging technologies that belong in an IT operations plan
A penny saved is a penny earned. But when it comes to AI, specialized compute engines and these other key emerging IT operations areas, a penny saved today is a dollar wasted -- or worse -- in the future. Continue Reading
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News
09 Nov 2018
Docker on Windows Server helps legacy apps, with caveats
Windows-only Docker Enterprise Edition prospects struggle with Linux requirements and a shift to a container-first mindset as they plan to modernize legacy Microsoft applications. Continue Reading
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News
09 Nov 2018
Terraform orchestration matures as multi-cloud lingua franca
Terraform offers cloud-agnostic infrastructure as code to highly skilled DevOps pros, and its latest release looks to extend its appeal beyond early adopters. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Nov 2018
Hunt down zombie VMs to trim Windows Server licensing costs
Temporary workloads can cause organizations to buy more Windows Server licenses than they need, but admins can track down zombie servers to consolidate workloads and keep costs down. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
07 Nov 2018
Get started with your first Docker container build
Many admins have a purely theoretical understanding of containers -- despite the technology's seeming ubiquity. This tutorial offers container newbies the opportunity to get hands-on. Continue Reading
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News
07 Nov 2018
Kubernetes on VMware gains a lifeline with Heptio acquisition
VMware's Heptio buy brings it Kubernetes chops that will help it make a multi-cloud bid, but it will struggle to raise its profile in open source container management, industry watchers predict. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Nov 2018
Compliance automation prevents regulation audit snafus
Many IT organizations address compliance issues manually, even though Puppet, Fugue and other tools can enforce configurations that comply with regulations and even provide an audit trail. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Nov 2018
Hyper-V VM template creation made easy
Creating Hyper-V VM templates is a straightforward process, but there are a few things you should consider, such as template creation source and administrative password assignment. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
05 Nov 2018
How PowerShell Direct helps polish off those VMs
PowerShell Direct offers administrators a remoting option that does not rely on a network connection to manage Hyper-V VMs, but be sure you meet the requirements for its use. Continue Reading
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News
02 Nov 2018
HashiCorp Vault maturity prompts strategy speculation
HashiCorp is valued at $1.9 billion for its IT management software, such as Vault 1.0, and the IBM-Red Hat merger has set off speculation about the firm's future. Continue Reading
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Answer
02 Nov 2018
How do you find Hyper-V nodes with PowerShell?
Manage Hyper-V clusters more easily with PowerShell cmdlets and scripts that automate the retrieval and display of node information, including node statuses. Continue Reading
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News
01 Nov 2018
Grow rapidly into a continuous delivery pipeline
IT organizations that undertake continuous delivery and deployment initiatives must find strategies to enable that nonstop rush into production without any space for massive or prolonged user-facing problems. Continue Reading
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Opinion
31 Oct 2018
It's time to automate the help desk ticketing system
The help desk is no admin's favorite job -- and no user's favorite place. But with a little automation and AI, the help desk can become a more palatable experience for both parties. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Oct 2018
Use this Microsoft deployment tool for easier setups
It's not new, but the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit tends to be overlooked when administrators need a way to set up Windows in an automated fashion. See why MDT is worth using. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Oct 2018
Enable and disable Hyper-V secure boot with PowerShell
The manual process of enabling secure boot is time-consuming, so use PowerShell cmdlets and scripts to make it efficient to use secure boot in Hyper-V. Continue Reading
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News
30 Oct 2018
IBM Red Hat acquisition roils open source container management
IBM agreed to buy Red Hat with Kubernetes in mind for its multi-cloud management strategy, and it'll have far-reaching implications for the open source container management community, especially Cloud Foundry. Continue Reading
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Definition
30 Oct 2018
Monad Manifesto
The Monad Manifesto is a document written by Jeffrey Snover in 2002 that outlined his idea for a new Windows systems administration tool named Monad, which was changed to Windows PowerShell. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Oct 2018
Use Microsoft SCVMM to clone a VM
There are some requirements you must meet to clone VMs with SCVMM, but the steps to clone an existing VM -- whether it's running, paused or shutdown -- are fairly simple. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Oct 2018
Handy PowerShell ISE add-ons for server administrators
PowerShell ISE might be on the way out, but these extensions continue to sustain the development of management scripts for many Windows administrators. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Oct 2018
3 virtualization infrastructure design rules to shape your deployment
Admins can improve virtual infrastructure design by focusing their deployments on transparency and flexibility and critically evaluating emerging technologies. Continue Reading
