IT Operations
Top Stories
-
Feature
03 Sep 2026
How businesses can future-proof IT infrastructure with AI
AI can help CIOs future-proof IT by monitoring systems, predicting needs, improving performance, strengthening security and accelerating infrastructure modernization. Continue Reading
-
News
02 Sep 2026
Enterprises make strides with private AI on-premises
Discussions at VMware Explore show that private AI usage is growing as smaller models gain power, but the tug-of-war with public cloud isn't necessarily a zero-sum game. Continue Reading
-
Tip
24 Oct 2011
Migrating a Linux file system to a Windows file system (or vice versa)
In-place file system conversions are not only difficult – they're also downright dangerous. If you need to migrate data, you've got other options. Continue Reading
-
Tip
03 Oct 2011
Weighing the pros and cons of the Trusted Computing Platform
When used as designed, trusted computing can provide a high level of security, but limitations and potential for abuse prohibits its usefulness. Continue Reading
-
Tip
28 Sep 2011
Exchange 2010 auditing tools to track admin, end-user behavior
Compliance rules make tracking admin and email users a necessary evil. Thankfully, audit logging tools in Exchange 2010 can help. Continue Reading
-
Tip
01 Sep 2011
Using RamMap and VMMap Tools to Troubleshoot Windows Memory Issues
Even a veteran system admin can be challenged when investigating Windows memory issues. The free RamMap and VMMap tools remove much of the guesswork. Continue Reading
-
Tip
23 Aug 2011
Best practices for securing Exchange ActiveSync
Sure, ActiveSync is easy to set up and administer, but how comfortable are you with its security? These best practices will go a long way toward protecting your CAS. Continue Reading
-
Tip
06 Jul 2011
Scripting: VMware PowerCLI vs. Microsoft PowerShell
VMware's PowerCLI sits atop Microsoft's PowerShell, but does it make scripting on a virtualization platform better? Continue Reading
-
Tip
07 Jun 2011
Troubleshoot Windows boot problems with Xbootmgr
By working with the Xperf tool, Xbootmgr helps admins pinpoint the real cause of slow boot issues in Windows Server. Continue Reading
-
Answer
02 Jun 2011
Why mssphtb.dll was disabled in Outlook 2010
Exchange admins wonder why Microsoft disabled the mssphtb.dll utility in Outlook 2010. Our expert clears the air on this misunderstood search component. Continue Reading
-
Tip
03 May 2011
Repadmin diagnoses Active Directory replication issues in Windows
Repadmin troubleshoots Active Directory replication issues, but it also includes some commands that Windows administrators might not recognize. Continue Reading
-
Feature
23 Mar 2011
The SharePoint content repository: It's just a database
SharePoint's lifeline is the content repository, where all the content is housed. Learn how the database works as well as its challenges. Continue Reading
-
Tip
22 Feb 2011
A closer look at the Ntdsutil command-line tools for Active Directory
Dig into the slew of Ntdsutil commands in Windows Server 2008 and R2 that provide admins with improved Active Directory management. Continue Reading
-
Tip
11 Jan 2011
Top three Windows server crashes (and how to avoid them)
Why wait until a server crashes to start the troubleshooting process? Admins can squash potential outages ahead of time by zeroing on the most likely culprits. Continue Reading
-
Tip
10 Jan 2011
How to use WMI with Windows PowerShell scripts
With PowerShell, admins can harness the power of WMI to find all sorts of system and network information. The best part? It’s probably a lot easier than you think. Continue Reading
-
Tip
09 Dec 2010
How vulnerable is Microsoft IIS 7.5 to attacks?
While version 7.5 is more secure out of the box than past IIS releases, it doesn't guarantee 100% protection. Continue Reading
-
Tip
09 Dec 2010
Using OpenNMS and SNMP for open source systems management
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) can allow a deeper look into system information gathered from OpenNMS. This tip walks through network monitoring with OpenNMS and SNMP. Continue Reading
-
Tip
18 Nov 2010
Tracking system resources with free WinObj utility from Sysinternals
Mark Russinovich and company did Microsoft one better with the WinObj tool for tracking Windows system resources, though there’s still room for improvement. Continue Reading
-
Tip
08 Nov 2010
Using Nagios plugins for configuration and system testing
Using Nagios plugins can be vital in performing specific system tests and configuration. In this tip, you'll learn about using default and custom plugins in Nagios. Continue Reading
-
Tip
03 Nov 2010
Hyper-V Dynamic Memory vs. VMware memory overcommit
Memory allocation can be a guessing game in virtualized environments. Hyper-V Dynamic Memory and VMware memory overcommit tackle the problem in different ways. Continue Reading
-
Tip
29 Sep 2010
Remote server monitoring with Nagios
After the network monitoring tool Nagios is fully configured, learn the next step in setting it up for remote server monitoring. Continue Reading
-
Tip
28 Sep 2010
Auditing AD administrators with Windows 2008 R2's Event Viewer
When it comes to admin rights, knowing who you can trust is not always easy. But while auditing limitations won’t do you any favors, new features in R2’s Event Viewer can help. Continue Reading
-
Feature
16 Sep 2010
Ten cool iPhone apps for Windows admins
Are you an admin on the go? Check out some of the best iPhone apps available for Windows server and network management. Continue Reading
-
Tip
06 Aug 2010
Sysinternals RAMMap utility sheds new light on Windows memory usage
RAMMap, one of the latest offerings from Sysinternals, provides an in-depth overview of server memory usage that can't be matched by native Windows programs. Continue Reading
-
Tip
06 Jul 2010
Alternative PowerShell commands for Active Directory management
While Microsoft has added many new cmdlets for PowerShell 2.0, admins can also use additional options from Quest Software and other outlets when working with Active Directory. Continue Reading
-
Tip
16 Jun 2010
Selecting benchmarking tools for specific needs
Narrowing down the best benchmarking tool requires testing and a careful evaluation of needs, including system compatibility, level of technical depth and scalability. Continue Reading
-
Tip
03 Jun 2010
Improve application performance with multithreaded applications
Multi-core CPUs fuel a server's operating system performance and virtualization technologies. Can multithreaded applications and multi-core CPUs fuel application performance as well? Continue Reading
-
Tip
29 Apr 2010
Architecting application failover in your data center
Attempting application failover by re-coding your apps may not be the right choice for every data center, as several factors, including virtualization and coding languages, affect which method you should use. This tip offers advice for finding the application failover option that best suits your IT infrastructure. Continue Reading
-
Tip
30 Mar 2010
Using Group Policy preferences for immediate and scheduled tasks
The scheduling tools in Group Policy preferences let you run a command across an entire infrastructure quickly and easily. Continue Reading
-
Tip
18 Mar 2010
Why is Microsoft Outlook blocking attachments?
Microsoft Outlook blocks email attachments to protect the Exchange Server organization from malware and viruses. This can be frustrating if it blocks safe attachments. Here are two workarounds you can use to make sure users can open safe attachments without opening the system up to threats. Continue Reading
-
Tip
05 Mar 2010
Standalone versus domain-based namespaces in Windows DFS
When setting up namespaces in Windows DFS, be aware that the popular choice may not be the best fit for your environment. Continue Reading
-
Tip
03 Mar 2010
Active Directory Web Services brings new power to R2
Admins running Windows 2008 R2 might be interested in Active Directory Web Services, a new interface for accessing Active Directory and AD Lightweight Directory Services. Continue Reading
-
Feature
15 Feb 2010
Recovering an Active Directory root domain in a multiple domain forest
Imagine your entire forest root domain failed. What would you do? This case study explores the steps taken in such a situation. Continue Reading
-
Answer
08 Feb 2010
Defining the relationship between Outlook, AD and Exchange Server
Find out how Outlook, AD and Exchange are connected and the roles each play for users. Continue Reading
-
Tutorial
05 Jan 2010
Set-ExchangeServer cmdlet can ease domain controller workloads
Exchange Server can distribute workloads evenly among domain controllers, but external factors can cause them to become overworked . Executing Exchange Management Shell's Set-ExchangeServer command can help lessen domain controller workloads. Continue Reading
-
Tip
14 Dec 2009
Fixing lingering object problems in complex Active Directory forests
Lingering objects can provide an inconsistent view of the Active Directory and confuse administrators. Learn how to find and remove them in complex forests. Continue Reading
-
Tip
28 Oct 2009
Perfmon made easy with PAL utility
Performance Monitor in Windows is a great troubleshooting tool, but analyzing logs can be tedious. Learn to use the free PAL utility to take the time out of troubleshooting. Continue Reading
-
Tip
08 Oct 2009
Host and guest virtual machine: Definitions
We explain the two components of a virtual machine -- the host and the guest -- in this installment of virtualization explained series. Continue Reading
-
Tip
07 Oct 2009
Check server specs before upgrading your operating system
Operating system upgrades can be tricky with the number of variables involved. Users need to research server hardware specifications and OS requirements before upgrading. Continue Reading
-
Answer
12 Aug 2009
Microsoft Outlook error message: 'Mailbox Size Limit exceeded'
An Exchange administrator keeps receiving an error message stating 'Mailbox Size Limit exceeded.' See what to check before taking action. Continue Reading
-
Tip
11 Aug 2009
Top five keys to success for a new CMDB project
Configuration management database (CMDB) projects require a steady hand and a lot of help from IT staff. Here are some tips to help you ensure CMDB success. Continue Reading
-
Tip
03 Aug 2009
How SQL Server recovery models impact your SharePoint databases
SharePoint administrators can minimize data loss by selecting the appropriate SQL Server recovery model. But which model is right for your enterprise? Continue Reading
-
Tip
21 Jul 2009
Debugging Windows client logon delays: Narrowing the scope
There are several potential causes of slow client logons. The question is, once you find the source, how do you fix it? Continue Reading
-
Feature
10 Jul 2009
Forcing the removal of a Windows Server 2008 domain controller
Need solutions for Microsoft Active Directory 2008? This excerpt from "Active Directory Domain Services 2008 How-To" explains how to force the removal of a Windows Server 2008 Domain Controller and how to perform a metadata cleanup. Continue Reading
-
Answer
15 Jun 2009
Sending poll questions through Exchange to non-Outlook users
Learn if you can send out polling questions through Exchange Server to recipients who don't use Microsoft Outlook. Continue Reading
-
Tutorial
10 Jun 2009
Exchange Performance Monitor tracks domain controller communication
Using Performance Monitor counters is an effective way to keep an eye on Exchange Server health. Learn which Performance Monitor counters you should watch to ensure that your Exchange Servers are communicating effectively with your domain controllers. Continue Reading
-
Tutorial
28 Apr 2009
Windows Distributed File System (DFS) Tutorial
This short guide breaks down Microsoft's Distributed File System, with tips, articles and how-tos on topics ranging from DFS Namespace and DFS Replication to migration, we've got all the resources Windows admins need. Continue Reading
-
Feature
27 Mar 2009
Windows Distributed File System (DFS) Namespace primer
This excerpt from "The Complete Guide to Windows Server 2008" goes over the basics of Distributed File System Namespace (DFSN). Learn the applications, components and mechanics of DFSN, as well as what's new with Windows Server 2008. Continue Reading
-
Feature
24 Feb 2009
Quest Authentication Services
Quest Authentication Services allows organizations to extend Active Directory (AD) to Unix, Linux and Mac platforms and enterprise applications. It enables the unification of identities and directories for simplified identity and access management. Continue Reading
-
Tip
11 Feb 2009
Group Policy Object modeling simplifies network security
Group Policy modeling is a great security tool for troubleshooting Group Policy settings and testing GPOs before they are applied with Windows Server 2008. Continue Reading
-
Tip
05 Feb 2009
How to revoke and delete Active Directory user certificates
In this Ask the Expert Q&A, our identity and access management expert examines how to set up Active Directory autoenrollment feature to revoke and delete user certificates on the Certificate Authority (CA) automatically. Continue Reading
-
Tip
04 Feb 2009
Using HP Systems Insight Manager (SIM) 5.2 for systems management and monitoring
Hewlett-Packard (HP) Co.'s Systems Insight Manager (SIM) 5.2 offers systems management and monitoring for HP servers or WMI-, SNMP- or WBEM-enabled systems. SIM works with HP's Integrated Lights-Out (iLO) management modules to detect hardware problems and can monitor system information such as processor and memory utilization, network bandwidth, and more. Continue Reading
-
Tutorial
13 Jan 2009
Enabling Unified Messaging mailboxes and users
When Unified Messaging is deployed in an Exchange 2007 environment, the Exchange Recipient Administrator can configure UM mailbox-enabled users and begin to allow email, voicemail and faxes to be delivered to their Inboxes. In this excerpt from "Microsoft Exchange Server 2007: The Complete Reference," get step-by-step instructions on how to enable these users and their mailboxes. Continue Reading
-
Tip
23 Dec 2008
A quick guide to Server Manager for Windows Server 2008
New to Windows Server 2008, the Server Manager feature can be a huge benefit to admins – once they figure out where to find everything. This article gives you a crash course on everything Server Manager has to offer. Continue Reading
-
Tip
02 Dec 2008
Creating a SharePoint site map using out-of-the-box features
Giving SharePoint site owners the power to manage their own part of the SharePoint site map frees up administrators to manage more critical areas of the SharePoint environment. Continue Reading
-
Tutorial
20 Oct 2008
Microsoft Group Policy Tutorial
This guide introduces you to Group Policy. From the basics of using GP to run your environment to the changes you can expect after migrating to Windows Vista, we've got all the tips, article and how-to's administrators need to know. Continue Reading
-
Answer
12 Sep 2008
Why can't I grant users permissions to an Exchange public folder?
Exchange Server public folder permissions can be complex. Get troubleshooting advice on delegating permissions to Exchange Server public folders here. Continue Reading
-
Tip
05 Sep 2008
Troubleshooting Active Directory database errors
While database errors in Active Directory can crop up occasionally, they are usually simple to fix. Check out these troubleshooting tips for when you think your AD database might be corrupted. Continue Reading
-
Tip
02 Sep 2008
Troubleshooting slow Outlook Web Access (OWA) performance
Do your Exchange mobile users struggle with slow Outlook Web Access (OWA) server performance? The initial cause may not be your OWA server, but instead a firewall or infrastructure issue. To pinpoint the root cause of slow OWA server performance, use the Performance Monitor. If there isn't one particular issue causing slow performance, the entire server may be unable to support a normal workload. Replacing the server or using network load balancing can fix this. Continue Reading
-
Feature
01 Sep 2008
Downloading and Installing Windows PowerShell
In this excerpt from "Essential PowerShell" you'll learn the steps and procedures for downloading and installing Windows PowerShell. You'll also go over the process of taking WPS for a test run in interactive mode and script mode. Continue Reading
-
Tip
05 Aug 2008
Branch office security: Pros and cons of read-only domain controllers
Windows administrators have long wondered whether or not to use domain controllers for authentication in remote branch offices. In this tip, learn about the pros and cons of domain controllers in Windows environments and how read-only domain controllers can improve security in your organization. Continue Reading
-
Tip
24 Jun 2008
How to access SharePoint sites through Microsoft Outlook
If you have both Microsoft Exchange Server and SharePoint, you can easily access SharePoint sites directly from Microsoft Outlook. Here's how. Continue Reading
-
Feature
09 Jun 2008
Database grooming for System Center Operations Manager 2007
This excerpt from "System Center Operations Manager 2007 Unleashed" takes you through the process of grooming your operational, data warehouse and ACS databases in SCOM 2007 Continue Reading
-
Tip
28 May 2008
Use the Exchange Management Shell Set command to block senders
Want to create a list of blocked mail senders and recipients in Exchange Server 2007? Use the Exchange Management Shell's Set verb to write this script. Continue Reading
-
Tutorial
21 May 2008
How to test Exchange Management Shell commands
Understand how to use the Exchange Management Shell parameters WhatIf and ValidateOnly in Exchange 2007 to preview and test EMS commands before executing them. Continue Reading
-
Tip
09 May 2008
Determining the cause of Windows server hang
Using the Windows Kernel Debugger (Windbg), learn to fix Windows server hang by analyzing a forced crash dump to determine the cause of the hung server. Continue Reading
-
Tip
29 Apr 2008
Tracking a deleted Active Directory object's replication status
Learn how to track a deleted Active Directory object's replication status and how to determine if the object has been replicated throughout the DC forest. Continue Reading
-
Tip
15 Apr 2008
How to build redundancy in Active Directory replication
Building redundancy in Active Directory replication is one way an administrator can ensure AD replication continues even if critical domain controllers fail. Continue Reading
-
Tip
04 Apr 2008
Why do Windows servers hang?
Troubleshooting a hung server begins by understanding why the problem occurs in the first place. Windows expert Bruce Mackenzie-Low takes a look at the big picture to explain some common causes of Windows server hang. Continue Reading
-
Tip
11 Mar 2008
How to create a cross-forest trust in Active Directory
Building a cross-forest trust in Active Directory allows a trust to be created between the root domain of two forests. Continue Reading
-
Tip
29 Feb 2008
Windows Server 2008: PowerShell basics and top commands
The Microsoft PowerShell team offers up the top commands and usage scenarios for the new command line shell and scripting language for Windows Server 2008 Continue Reading
-
Tip
06 Feb 2008
Optimizing NTFS file system performance
The hard disk can sometimes become a bottleneck in overall system performance. While not much can be done to overcome hardware-related limitations, admins can optimize the NTFS file system for better performance. Continue Reading
-
Tip
09 Jan 2008
How to set up Remote Desktop for Exchange Server administration
Learn how to use the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) to manage and troubleshoot Microsoft Exchange Server from a distance via a terminal service session. Continue Reading
-
Tip
03 Jan 2008
How to use RACI charts to define service desk roles and responsibilities
Using a management tool called RACI charting can help IT managers simplify the daunting task of clarifying the roles and responsibilities of the service desk. Continue Reading
-
Tip
19 Dec 2007
Best practices for using Outlook .PST files on portable USB drives
You can save Microsoft Outlook email data in a .PST file to a portable USB storage drive, but make sure you understand these best practices first. Continue Reading
-
Answer
06 Dec 2007
Troubleshoot Outlook Web Access (OWA) login error: 'Access denied'
Learn how to troubleshoot Outlook Web Access (OWA) login errors that prevent OWA users from accessing their email. Continue Reading
-
Answer
05 Dec 2007
Set Outlook calendar permissions for group to view private meetings
Learn how to grant Microsoft Outlook calendar permissions, including access to private Microsoft Outlook calendar meetings, to a select group of users. Continue Reading
-
Tip
27 Nov 2007
How the DC locator works in Active Directory
The DC locator depends heavily on DNS to not only locate a domain controller with the right role but also to locate one that will be efficient. Continue Reading
-
Answer
20 Nov 2007
Get Outlook meeting requests to show as 'tentative'
Find out how to set up Microsoft Outlook so that meeting requests will show up on attendees' calendars as tentative until they respond to the meeting request. Continue Reading
-
Tip
19 Nov 2007
When and how to use worker process recycling with IIS
Configuring Internet Information Services to automatically reset worker processes can solve a lot of Web application issues, but it should only be used in certain situations. Continue Reading
-
Tip
12 Nov 2007
How to manage and troubleshoot Microsoft Outlook rules
Find out how to manage multiple Microsoft Outlook rules using the Outlook Rules Wizard to prevent potential email message processing conflicts. Continue Reading
-
Tutorial
15 Oct 2007
How to install the Microsoft IIS Diagnostics Toolkit
In this excerpt from "Inside the IIS Diagnostic Toolkit," contributor Tim Fenner explains the ways Windows admins can install the Toolkit so they can use it to tackle IIS-related issues. Continue Reading
-
Tutorial
15 Oct 2007
How to use Debug Diagnostics to troubleshoot IIS issues
Learn how to use the IIS Diagnostic Toolkit's Debug Diagnostics utility to troubleshoot performance issues in any Win32 user-mode process. Continue Reading
-
Tutorial
15 Oct 2007
How to use Microsoft's IIS Diagnostics Toolkit
In this resource guide, contributor Tim Fenner offers an overview of the seven utilities in the IIS Diagnostics Toolkit and provides instructions on how to download and use them. Continue Reading
-
Answer
27 Sep 2007
OWA users can't open PDF attachments in Web browser
Some Outlook Web Access users can't open PDF attachments in the Web browser, but they can save them. Find out how to enable users to view PDF attachments. Continue Reading
-
Feature
25 Sep 2007
Exchange Server and Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS)
Learn to install, configure and secure Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) for Exchange Server email communications with these tips, tools, and tutorials. Continue Reading
-
Tip
17 Sep 2007
Sysinternals TCPView monitors network connections on Windows systems
Learn how to use Sysinternals TCPView 2.51, the network monitoring tool from Mark Russinovich that keeps track of endpoint connections and processes on your Windows desktop and server systems. Continue Reading
-
Tutorial
06 Sep 2007
How to use SMTP queues to troubleshoot mail flow
Find out how you can use SMTP queues to diagnose and troubleshoot Exchange Server mail flow and email performance issues. Continue Reading
-
Tip
23 Aug 2007
How to create a network printer pool
You can avoid congestion on a network printer by creating a printer pool -- a group of printers attached to a common print queue, so multiple documents can be printed simultaneously. Here's how to create a printer pool in a Windows Server 2003 environment. Continue Reading
-
Answer
22 Aug 2007
How to retrieve email from an SMTP server using POP3
Follow these steps to retrieve email from an SMTP server using POP3 in Microsoft Outlook 2003. Continue Reading
-
Tip
07 Aug 2007
Microsoft Office's CiceroUIWndFrame component crashes Outlook
A Microsoft Office component called CiceroUIWndFrame can crash Microsoft Outlook. Find out how to fix the CiceroUIWndFrame issue with these steps. Continue Reading
-
Feature
06 Aug 2007
How to get process information with Windows PowerShell
In this column, Christa Anderson explains how to use Windows PowerShell's get-process cmdlet to retrieve information about the processes on your computer and how to kill the unnecessary ones. Continue Reading
-
Tip
01 Aug 2007
Can freezing a hard drive that's crashed restore it to life?
You may be able to bring a hard drive that has crashed or cannot mount back to life by leaving it in the freezer overnight. Not every hard drive having problems responds to this treatment, but in some cases it does seem to work. But why? Here's the technical truth behind this digital urban legend. Continue Reading
-
Tip
24 Jul 2007
Troubleshooting Microsoft Outlook toolbar problems
Microsoft Outlook toolbar buttons will stop working correctly if the OUTCMD.DAT file becomes corrupted. Find out why third-party add-ins are often the culprit and learn how to fix the problem. Continue Reading
-
News
17 Jul 2007
Cracking the TPM chip – is it possible?
The integrity of the TPM chip is vital to the future of computer security and the value of Windows Vista's BitLocker technology. Cracking it could turn the IT industry on its ear. Continue Reading
-
Tip
17 Jul 2007
How to properly authenticate a Linux client in a Windows domain
MVP Gary Olsen describes the step-by-step process of configuring a Red Hat Fedora client into a Windows Server 2003 domain. Continue Reading
-
Tip
12 Jul 2007
Guide to using chkdsk to detect file and folder corruption
Follow these steps for configuring Windows to periodically run the chkdsk tool against a volume in order to detect file and folder corruption. Continue Reading
-
Tutorial
05 Jul 2007
Active Directory Tutorial
This guide helps Active Directory administrators better understand the basics of the Active Directory infrastructure, including design strategies, DNS, replication and security. Continue Reading
-
Tutorial
05 Jul 2007
Active Directory Replication Guide
This guide provides tips and resources on Active Directory replication, including info on replication basics, topology design and troubleshooting replication issues. Continue Reading
-
Tutorial
27 Jun 2007
Step 3: Create an Edge Subscription
An Edge Transport server needs an Edge Subscription to access Active Directory data. Learn how to set one up and caveats you need to watch out for before deploying. Continue Reading
-
Feature
27 Jun 2007
Hacking for Dummies: Test your firewall rules
Before someone else hacks your firewall, test your firewall rules during the self-hacking process to test your network's security. Learn about the tools involved in this excerpt from Chapter 9, "Network Infrastructure," from, Hacking for Dummies, 2nd edition. Continue Reading
-
Tip
25 Jun 2007
Multi-core systems vs. multi-CPU systems
Can you get better performance from a dual-core system or a dual-processor system? This article evaluates the two configurations and determines that multi-core chips tend to be more efficient than multi-CPU systems. Continue Reading