IT Operations
Top Stories
-
Video
28 Sep 2026
IT Ops Query: Architect proposes stronger "cages" for agentic AI governance
Architect Jim Ford proposes external controls and new industry standards to govern and certify agentic IA systems rather than relying on models to govern themselves. Continue Reading
-
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
-
Photo Story
22 Feb 2018
Data center and cloud computing products that make an impact
The Modern Infrastructure Impact Awards recognize the best IT infrastructure and cloud computing products in seven categories, from cloud to DevOps to converged infrastructure. Continue Reading
-
Tip
21 Feb 2018
Nutanix Acropolis hypervisor components and capabilities
Nutanix hypervisor components, including controller VMs, and Prism, its management control plane, help simplify management. Learn more about how these components work together. Continue Reading
-
News
21 Feb 2018
Chef InSpec widens the compliance-as-code possibilities with v2.0
Chef InSpec 2.0 adds infrastructure tests for compliance policy enforcement, and the tool's expansion into more areas of the DevOps workflow won't stop there. Continue Reading
-
Tip
20 Feb 2018
SaaS support challenges IT ops admins to shift gears
SaaS means no more app support, right? In practice, IT ops teams enter a new realm of upgrade management and capacity planning when their user base migrates to a SaaS offering. Continue Reading
-
Opinion
20 Feb 2018
Could the DevOps process work better under a different name?
Intent-based DevOps is a small name change designed to bring development and deployment back to basics. Two industry experts offer their interpretations and suggestions. Continue Reading
- 20 Feb 2018
- 20 Feb 2018
-
Tip
20 Feb 2018
Five system administrator skills Windows admins should hone
IT workers need to learn how to ride the wave of innovation and master these five technologies related to Windows Server that can ease their workload and help the business. Continue Reading
-
Tip
19 Feb 2018
Learn Ruby language skills with these online resources
Systems administrators spend more time programming than ever before. To excel in your current role or find a new, DevOps-heavy one, invest the time to learn a new language. Continue Reading
-
Tip
19 Feb 2018
Be ready if Microsoft Exchange updates go wrong
Everyone wants a smooth patching process, but things can fall apart despite everyone's best efforts. Develop a solid recovery plan and test it before trouble strikes. Continue Reading
-
Opinion
16 Feb 2018
Why not every DevOps strategy is worthy of your attention
DevOps advice is plentiful today. Some, like Cameron McKenzie, would say it is too plentiful. Here's his advice for weeding out the unworkable from the sensible. Continue Reading
-
News
16 Feb 2018
Enterprises identify 10 essential DevOps tools
Products branded with DevOps are everywhere, and the list of options grows every day, but the best DevOps tools are already well-known among enterprise IT pros. Continue Reading
-
Tip
15 Feb 2018
Hype for future of container development gets dose of reality
Realistic timelines have replaced the big promises of container disruption. Virtualization administrators should expect security and microservices features as the market matures. Continue Reading
-
Tip
15 Feb 2018
Meet these SCVMM 2016 requirements before upgrading
Before upgrading to SCVMM 2016, ensure that you meet its hardware requirements, including SCVMM 2012 R2 and Update Rollup 9 or later, and have a supported version of SQL Server. Continue Reading
-
News
14 Feb 2018
VMware NSX integration push ramps up to reinforce IT ties
With tighter integration between its NSX and its cloud and virtualization offerings, VMware aims to reinforce its networking chops with enterprise IT. Continue Reading
-
Tip
14 Feb 2018
Cloud ops doesn't solve your problems, it creates new ones
There are many reasons to consider a cloud migration, but if you expect to cut costs or dramatically ease management, you'll be disappointed. Continue Reading
-
Tip
14 Feb 2018
Preserve Hyper-V security from Meltdown and Spectre vulnerabilities
Protect Hyper-V VMs from Meltdown and Spectre security vulnerabilities, and install patches from Microsoft. Watch out for future revisions, performance impacts and recalls. Continue Reading
-
Tip
14 Feb 2018
Options for server management tools expand to meet IT needs
Not only do admins have to contend with a mix of server OSes, there are diverse scenarios to complicate their management. Learn about the tools worth exploring for administration. Continue Reading
-
News
13 Feb 2018
CPU bugs add to IT stress as February Patch Tuesday drops
Administrators who rushed out fixes in January for the Meltdown and Spectre flaws then had to unwind some of those corrections after additional problems occurred. Continue Reading
-
Tip
13 Feb 2018
Small business virtualization grows in mature market
Virtualization isn't only for large enterprises anymore. New technology at cheaper prices has made SMB virtualization practical, while increased competition has made it necessary. Continue Reading
-
Answer
13 Feb 2018
Live-migrate Hyper-V VMs in and outside a failover cluster
PowerShell commands save time and enable admins to migrate multiple VMs outside a Hyper-V failover cluster from one host to another, as well as VMs inside the cluster between nodes. Continue Reading
-
Feature
12 Feb 2018
Container adoption stats reveal a ramp up in production
There's a 50/50 chance your IT organization will provision and support container-based applications by 2020. See how organizations approach container deployment, including how much they need to spend. Continue Reading
-
Tip
12 Feb 2018
Customize a Hyper-V network adapter for security, performance
Look beyond basic network adapter settings in Hyper-V to enable features like IPsec task offloading, DHCP guard, protected networks, port mirroring and NIC teaming, among others. Continue Reading
-
Opinion
12 Feb 2018
Salary snapshot: It's a very good time to be a DevOps pro
In 2017, the number of job postings for DevOps jumped 15% over the previous year, and salaries increased, too. Do you have today's most in-demand skills? Continue Reading
-
Tip
09 Feb 2018
Automation and orchestration elevate scripts from helpful to essential
Did you automate a server update, only to realize another script for configuration compliance has to run first? Orchestration tidies up the messy piles of automation that grow out of IT scripting. Continue Reading
-
Answer
09 Feb 2018
How do I build data protection policies in SCDPM 2016?
One size does not fit all when administrators develop a protection policy for specific applications. Learn about the configuration options in System Center DPM 2016. Continue Reading
-
Opinion
09 Feb 2018
Forget grassroots: Why the CIO must be today's DevOps leader
DevOps from the ground up sounds like a great idea. Too bad it won't work, at least in an enterprise. David Savage explains why the CIO must lead the DevOps journey. Continue Reading
-
Tip
08 Feb 2018
New Office 365 administrators grapple with challenges
More enterprises mulling the move to Office 365 should factor in the adjustments necessary to get the IT department up to speed to manage the platform properly. Continue Reading
-
Answer
08 Feb 2018
Follow these VM network configuration best practices
Set up and operate a VM network using proven strategies to ensure security and performance. With a little planning, virtualization admins can avoid potential issues down the road. Continue Reading
-
Guide
07 Feb 2018
Explore Ansible for DevOps configuration management
The configuration management tool is adept at managing workloads across different infrastructure environments. This Ansible overview preps admins to automate apps and infrastructure. Continue Reading
-
Answer
07 Feb 2018
Network security features available in a virtual switch
Virtual switch security is achieved through a number of features. Virtualization admins can create and enforce policies, lock down MAC addresses and block forged traffic from VMs. Continue Reading
-
Answer
06 Feb 2018
NIC teaming software enables load balancing and failover
Load balancing and failover capabilities help optimize performance and achieve resiliency in your virtual infrastructure. Learn how NIC teaming provides both functionalities. Continue Reading
-
Tip
05 Feb 2018
Three ChatOps examples demonstrate DevOps efficiency
IT collaboration tools are taking center stage in DevOps shops, where they create an environment of connection -- to applications, to peer knowledge and to automation tools. Continue Reading
-
Tutorial
05 Feb 2018
Create a self-signed certificate to control PowerShell scripts
Signing code ensures that every change is official and approved. This helps to prevent errors and security breaches. Write a PowerShell self-signed certificate for code testing. Continue Reading
-
Answer
05 Feb 2018
Navigate different network ports, from physical to virtual
Physical network ports, virtual network ports, uplink ports and group ports all have different functions in virtual infrastructures. Learn more with this in-depth breakdown. Continue Reading
-
Answer
02 Feb 2018
What are some considerations for a public folders migration?
Contemplating a move to Exchange Online? Be sure you know what you're in for when shifting on-premises features, such as public folders, into Microsoft's cloud. Continue Reading
-
News
02 Feb 2018
Kubernetes hybrid cloud emerges from Google-Cisco partnership
A Kubernetes partnership from Cisco and Google widens IT pros' container orchestration options in hybrid cloud deployments, but its advantages depend on future software integrations. Continue Reading
-
Answer
02 Feb 2018
VM networking: Physical and virtual switches explained
In order for VMs to communicate, they must utilize VM networking technologies that enable them to emulate and access the existing physical network and provide additional features. Continue Reading
-
Tip
01 Feb 2018
Unikernels vs. containers: See the lightweight championship fight
The drive to minimize app hosting resources yielded unikernels and containers, the IT equivalent of a tiny house and apartment. Containing only the barest essentials, unikernels pose unique benefits and challenges. Continue Reading
-
News
01 Feb 2018
Kubernetes storage projects dominate CNCF docket
The Cloud Native Computing Foundation will host the Rook distributed container storage project -- the first move in a pivotal year for Kubernetes stateful app support. Continue Reading
-
Opinion
01 Feb 2018
Want a DevOps success story? Try employee net promoter score
The more likely an employee is to recommend an employer to a friend, the more likely the company is healthy and successful. Here's how to apply that practice to DevOps. Continue Reading
-
News
31 Jan 2018
CoreOS acquisition burnishes Red Hat containers profile
Most IT shops don't deploy containers in production, but more might be enticed by the addition of CoreOS tools to Red Hat's OpenShift. Continue Reading
-
Blog Post
31 Jan 2018
Laws to guide the IT career growth of a virtualization admin
Attendees at a Virtualization Technology User Group event learned about five laws for IT career growth that are particularly useful for the virtualization admin in a changing industry. Continue Reading
-
Tip
31 Jan 2018
Sharpen IT effectiveness to go from cost center to business nexus
IT departments must work to keep user experience positive to avoid a perception as a resource vacuum. If users can't manipulate the app effectively, what does uptime matter? Continue Reading
-
Definition
30 Jan 2018
Chef (software)
Chef is an open source systems management and cloud infrastructure automation platform. Continue Reading
-
News
30 Jan 2018
IT monitoring strategy, org discipline polish Nasdaq DevOps incident response
At Nasdaq, IT monitoring unified different teams' views of infrastructure, but cultural blocking and tackling are equally important to improve incident response. Continue Reading
-
Tip
26 Jan 2018
Expand KVM storage with virsh commands
With a few steps -- the creation of files, the addition of XML code and the execution of commands -- you can use the virsh command-line interface to add storage to existing VMs. Continue Reading
-
News
26 Jan 2018
ServiceNow Kingston troubleshoots IT tasks with AI, machine learning
ServiceNow delivers AI and machine learning capabilities to its core platform to eliminate time-consuming manual help desk tasks. Continue Reading
-
News
26 Jan 2018
OpenShift on OpenStack aims to ease VM, container management
In this Q&A, Red Hat's Brian Gracely discusses managing a virtual environment that has both VMs and containers and how OpenShift on OpenStack can help. Continue Reading
-
Opinion
25 Jan 2018
An IT automation strategy wilts under cloud's shadow
Organizations have been striving to keep abreast of IT automation trends, but with the ongoing cloud takeover, operations must consider new skill requirements instead. Continue Reading
-
Video
25 Jan 2018
Office 365 labels help keep content under control
Labels in Office 365 take data governance tasks out of the users' hands through the automatic designation of policies to meet regulations or internal procedures. Continue Reading
-
Tip
24 Jan 2018
Learn YAML through a personal example
Some code languages take countless hours of formal training and practice. YAML strikes out in the opposite direction. To comprehend its hierarchical format, follow this coding example. Continue Reading
-
Tip
24 Jan 2018
Container orchestration tools ease distributed system complexity
Containers simplify some aspects of enterprise apps, but the deployment process is no walk in the park. Orchestration tools bring standardization and automation to complex hosting scenarios. Continue Reading
-
Guide
24 Jan 2018
How to choose the best hardware for virtualization
Selecting the best hardware for virtualization is the foundation of maintaining or designing a robust, reliable and scalable data center. Continue Reading
-
News
23 Jan 2018
AI apps demand DevOps infrastructure automation
Businesses look to AI apps to gain a competitive edge, but IT teams must make rapid application changes through a DevOps process and embrace infrastructure automation. Continue Reading
-
Feature
23 Jan 2018
Catch the IT automation technology wave
IT automation is taking over in operations as tasks get bigger and more complex, handling distributed systems. Stay current with these five big trends. Continue Reading
-
Feature
23 Jan 2018
Are DevOps responsibilities in production unfair to developers?
When Nike.com gave developers live production support responsibilities, the shakeup unearthed fundamental questions about app design and support processes. Continue Reading
-
Tip
23 Jan 2018
Bulk manage a Hyper-V server group with PowerShell
With only a few steps, you can use SCVMM to bring a Hyper-V server under management. This is limited, however, so use the SCVMM Command Shell to bulk manage Hyper-V servers. Continue Reading
-
Tip
22 Jan 2018
Curb stress from Exchange Server updates with these pointers
Some administrators let the memories of a bad patch linger and put off Exchange updates. Here are some tips to make this necessary chore less of a traumatic experience. Continue Reading
-
Tip
22 Jan 2018
Hyper-V cmdlets for daily operational tasks
With simple scripts, enable or disable VM Integration Services and Live Migration on Hyper-V hosts, reset VM replication stats, grant or revoke VM access, and optimize VHD files. Continue Reading
-
Definition
22 Jan 2018
SaltStack
SaltStack, often referred to as simply "Salt," is an open source configuration management and orchestration tool for automating repeated system administrative and code deployment tasks. Continue Reading
-
Tip
19 Jan 2018
Roll your own Windows patching tool with PowerShell
This tutorial based on PowerShell helps administrators build an automated routine that audits Windows machines, then applies missing patches to lighten this management task. Continue Reading
-
Tip
18 Jan 2018
Copy files from the host to a Hyper-V machine
There are many ways to copy files from the host to a Hyper-V machine, including Enhanced Session Mode and the Copy-VMFile PowerShell cmdlet. Follow these steps for each method. Continue Reading
-
News
18 Jan 2018
Jenkins pipeline as code example demonstrates DevOps coordination
Ellucian, which makes software for colleges and universities, offers a pipeline as code example that unifies the release process for multiple generations of apps and brings IT security into the DevOps fold. Continue Reading
-
Tip
17 Jan 2018
Ensure container monitoring and control via smart tooling
Don't try to stick with traditional monitoring tools when your organization matures to containers; they won't do enough. Seek out monitoring and management tools with targeted capabilities. Continue Reading
-
Opinion
17 Jan 2018
It's tough to explain DevOps, that nebulous IT concept
DevOps is more about goals and aspirations than any set of practices or tools. Right? Or is it just about collaboration and culture? Either way, it's tough to define DevOps. Continue Reading
-
News
17 Jan 2018
Docker Enterprise Edition prospects mull vendor strategy
Uncertain about Docker's future business growth, some enterprise IT pros are on the fence about whether to invest in its container orchestration tools. Continue Reading
-
Tip
16 Jan 2018
Server Core management remains a challenge for some
Server Core, the minimal Windows Server deployment, removes some admins from their GUI comfort zone, but its benefits reduce some chores associated with the full server OS. Continue Reading
-
Tip
15 Jan 2018
Compliance Manager tool aims to ease security audit process
Administrators who wrestle with compliance tasks in Office 365 and Azure workloads might find some relief with Microsoft's dashboard platform, which automates part of the process. Continue Reading
-
Tip
15 Jan 2018
Use virt-install to install VMs from the command line
Learn the basics of virt-install, including standard use cases, executing it on CentOS 7, different command-line options and the creation of kickstart files. Continue Reading
-
News
12 Jan 2018
Container infrastructure a silver lining amid Intel CPU flaw fixes
Containers aren't immune to Meltdown and Spectre vulnerabilities, but they could lighten the operational burden of fixes for IT pros. Continue Reading
-
Opinion
12 Jan 2018
It's critical to create the correct DevOps team structure
With new-to-DevOps enthusiasm, some companies go too far when it comes to creating teams or dividing responsibilities. Chris Tozzi outlines the warning signs of too much DevOps. Continue Reading
-
Quiz
11 Jan 2018
Quiz yourself on Red Hat virtualization pricing and updates
The Red Hat Virtualization platform can be a powerful tool in your arsenal. Take this quiz on RHV pricing, updates and functionality to see if you know your stuff. Continue Reading
-
Opinion
10 Jan 2018
The ITIL 2018 update better catch up to modern IT
When ITIL last updated, DevOps was in its infancy. In the face of rapidly evolving IT practices and technologies, ITIL 2018 must be powerful and usable for diverse IT organizations. Continue Reading
-
Tip
10 Jan 2018
Address bulk VMM agent updates with PowerShell automation
The SCVMM agent upgrade process is a regular, but sometimes laborious, part of VM management. Use PowerShell to make light work of bulk updates through commands and loops. Continue Reading
-
Feature
10 Jan 2018
IT ops pros predict routes to DevOps efficiency in 2018
Operations admins have a lot on their plates already, and they'll pile on more in 2018. These IT pros and analysts share what's coming and how to handle it. Continue Reading
-
News
09 Jan 2018
Meltdown and Spectre vulnerabilities dominate January Patch Tuesday
Complications surrounding the fix for the Meltdown and Spectre microprocessor architecture flaws will make the patching process more difficult for administrators. Continue Reading
-
Tip
09 Jan 2018
Application support best practices involve all teams
There's more to app support than making sure the bits and bytes are in order; the user's experience is vital to uphold. Creating a smooth process takes more than just operations. Continue Reading
-
Opinion
09 Jan 2018
Master the seven key DevOps engineer skills for 2018
We all know DevOps is hard, but complex new technologies are going to make the development methodology even more challenging. Expert Bob Reselman outlines the skills you'll need. Continue Reading
-
Answer
08 Jan 2018
How does Data Protection Manager 2016 save and restore data?
Data Protection Manager 2016 works with a wide range of enterprise applications, but administrators need to be aware that some backup types do not work with every program. Continue Reading
-
News
08 Jan 2018
Time-series monitoring tools give high-resolution view of IT
DevOps monitoring tools based on time-series databases create a steeper learning curve than traditional monitoring software, but arm IT pros with richer data for troubleshooting. Continue Reading
-
Opinion
08 Jan 2018
Error budget instills reckless IT project management mindset
Just how many errors is the IT operations team allowed to make? Trendy organizations are answering this question with a budget, but it possesses some admins to push the envelope. Continue Reading
-
Opinion
08 Jan 2018
The future of DevOps in 2018? More people, more integration
From DataOps to function as a service, DevOps adoption is going to mean acquiring some new skills in 2018. Contributor George Lawton asks the experts. Continue Reading
-
Feature
04 Jan 2018
Make the case to follow a container strategy at your company
Sorting through container management software can be overwhelming. Determine what your organization actually needs in terms of security and cloud capabilities before leaping in. Continue Reading
-
Tip
04 Jan 2018
Unleash application dependency mapping tools to combat outages
Create a detailed map of application dependencies from the CMDB and cloud resources and help prevent unexpected outages. Continue Reading
-
Opinion
04 Jan 2018
Be wary of DevOps evangelists preaching a culture change
There are many reasons to adopt DevOps, and there are many challenges involved in getting it right. But don't buy into the culture myth that many DevOps evangelists are selling. Continue Reading
-
Tip
03 Jan 2018
PowerShell commands for Hyper-V update bulk VM configuration
Admins who don't have access to SCVMM can make configuration changes to multiple Hyper-V VMs at once with a few PowerShell scripts and the ForEach loop approach. Continue Reading
-
Tip
02 Jan 2018
Embark upon ITSM asset management with systematic tagging
The journey to an organized data center begins with a single tag. Start using IT tags today to apply updates, control access and help automate management. Continue Reading
-
Opinion
02 Jan 2018
Want to understand DevOps? Look to open source's history
Studying the past in order to not repeat it is something that can be applied to DevOps, too. Expert Chris Tozzi outlines how to understand DevOps by studying open source. Continue Reading
-
Tip
02 Jan 2018
Evaluate ChatOps tools and bots for the right fit
ChatOps is still a niche in IT operations and DevOps shops, but organizations that have set it up love it. That means you should join the fun and give it a try. Here's what you need to know about ChatOps tools. Continue Reading
-
Definition
28 Dec 2017
Microsoft Windows Server OS (operating system)
Microsoft Windows Server OS (operating system) is a series of enterprise-class server operating systems designed to share services with multiple users and provide extensive administrative control of data storage, applications and corporate networks. Continue Reading
-
Tip
27 Dec 2017
Know when to implement serverless vs. containers
Containers save resources and reduce deploy times. So does serverless. Containers are a great host for microservices. So is serverless. But the deployment options are more different than they are alike. Continue Reading
-
Tip
21 Dec 2017
Set Office 365 group limits to avoid administrative hassles
With help from PowerShell, administrators can tailor Office 365 Groups to develop common-sense restrictions on the tools and other components in the collaboration service. Continue Reading
-
Tip
19 Dec 2017
A good IT orchestration system saves time for users and admins
Rather than fight with business workers about runaway IT resource consumption and complex demands on tight deadlines, let an orchestration platform control the process. Continue Reading
-
Tip
14 Dec 2017
Use virsh commands to manage KVM networking
Virsh commands enable you to manage network properties and can be used alongside brctl commands to help you create additional virtual bridges in your KVM environment. Continue Reading
-
Opinion
12 Dec 2017
Why you need to think carefully about DevOps certification training
A certificate can be a career blessing, but the wrong one can be a curse. Expert Bob Reselman explains how to make the right choices for DevOps and other areas. Continue Reading
-
Tip
08 Dec 2017
Monitor Active Directory replication via PowerShell
Most enterprises rely on Active Directory to control access to resources on the network. Here's how admins can use PowerShell to check the health of the replication process. Continue Reading
-
Tip
06 Dec 2017
Two Ansible playbook examples illustrate config management
Configuration management enables automation for many operations tasks. Ansible uses a simple structure and a dynamic language to enable admins to easily complete jobs, once they get the hang of a playbook. Continue Reading
-
Tip
05 Dec 2017
Centralize Ubuntu server management on Landscape
Canonical Landscape brings centralized server management to Ubuntu on physical and virtual machines, as well as cloud systems. See how it works, and explore features such as tagging. Continue Reading
-
Opinion
04 Dec 2017
Abstract thinkers have the most vital nontechnical DevOps skill
Take a close look at a Picasso, and explore how those abstract shapes form a complete picture. You'll be flexing an important DevOps skill: abstract thinking. Continue Reading
