Tips

Tips

• QEMU 5.0 continues a legacy of emulation

  Admins looking for an alternative tool for emulating hardware should consider QEMU, which supports x86, PowerPC, ARM and SPARC architectures.  Continue Reading

• How to approach a GCP-to-AWS migration

  Before you move your GCP workloads to AWS, you need a clear cloud migration plan in place and a framework to understand the challenges and additional costs.  Continue Reading

• How to start DevOps: A step-by-step guide

  DevOps can be a grand departure from an IT organization's status quo. Follow these seven basic steps for a phased transition that staff will champion.  Continue Reading

• Learn what to test in a mobile application

  A lot goes into making sure an end user can interact with a mobile app seamlessly. Here are five ways to make sure a mobile app functions properly, without code or device challenges.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft 365 E3 vs. Office 365 E3: What admins need to know

  The rumors of Office 365's death have been greatly exaggerated. Microsoft still offers an Office 365 E3 plan, but how does it stack up to the Microsoft 365 E3 plan?  Continue Reading

• Global company weighs 5G for manufacturing, IoT analytics

  Global manufacturer Sanmina is studying the benefits of deploying 5G on its manufacturing floor to improve the speed of IoT and analytics data exchanges to the cloud.  Continue Reading

• Manage containerized microservices with a service registry

  It's easier than ever to spin up a containerized app, but that ease has created a problem: How to keep track of containerized microservices. Turn to service registries and orchestrators.  Continue Reading

• 7 steps to retiring storage hardware safely and efficiently

  Organizations put a lot of thought into the storage equipment they purchase. The decision to retire that same hardware should get just as much consideration.  Continue Reading

• A look at the main differences of Bourne shell vs. Bash

  Shells help admins run commands from the keyboard to the OS. Though Bourne shell and Bash are similar, there are differences in layout and code compatibility.  Continue Reading

• Clearing up the Nano Server vs. Server Core confusion

  The debut of Windows Server 2016 contained a lighter server OS deployment to replace Server Core, but then Microsoft made a drastic change that still has some admins puzzled.  Continue Reading

• An overview of Xen Cloud Platform components, features

  Xen's open source product, XCP, enables admins to perform various virtualization operations, such as live migrations and VM lifecycle management.  Continue Reading

• Learn how to perform TDD with a simple example

  Fizz, buzz -- no, it isn't cocktail hour, although we don't mind if you pour one. It's time to learn test-driven development with a simple example.  Continue Reading

• 6 tools to know for private cloud monitoring and reporting

  Cloud reporting helps admins address capacity issues and reduce outages. Effective tools should include role-based dashboards and track virtual and physical hardware.  Continue Reading

• Apache, Spring and Mule: Explore 3 top integration frameworks

  A good integration framework should underpin every application strategy. Apache Camel, Spring Integration and Mule ESB can simplify integration at scale. We deconstruct them here.  Continue Reading

• VMware product overview: Virtualization and end-user computing

  Confused by VMware's extensive product line? This guide examines VMware products and features to help admins identify whether VMware suits their workloads.  Continue Reading

• Tips for a smooth DevSecOps transformation

  DevSecOps is a natural progression of DevOps and spreads security responsibilities to other IT teams. Where to begin? Here are core concepts, helpful tools and ways to learn more.  Continue Reading

• Archive as a service: What you need to know

  Archive-as-a-service offerings could help simplify what can be a complicated process. Make sure you do the proper research and vetting before undertaking the cloud-based platform.  Continue Reading

• Top 6 complexity challenges of operating a cloud at scale

  It's not unusual for enterprises to scale their applications to meet demand, but they need to be aware of the associated cloud complexity issues. Look out for these six common problems.  Continue Reading

• Software accessibility testing: Standards, strategy and tools

  Assistive technology ensures that all customers can access software easily. Don't overlook this important element of software quality. Here's how to test software accessibility.  Continue Reading

• What's involved in VPN maintenance and management?

  Before an organization's VPN is up and running, IT teams must address four important aspects of VPN maintenance and management to keep abreast of transforming security concerns.  Continue Reading

• The basics of software coupling metrics and concepts

  To move toward a distributed, modular architecture, development teams need to carefully investigate software coupling concepts and learn how to measure dependency complexity.  Continue Reading

• When -- and when not -- to use cloud native security tools

  Security tools from cloud vendors are convenient, but that doesn't mean they are always the right choice. Learn how to decide when you should opt to use third-party security tools.  Continue Reading

• Ways to use feature flags in DevOps

  What's in a name? Whether you call them feature flags or toggles, this approach benefits enterprise IT all the same. Learn the basics and see how to apply them to DevOps.  Continue Reading

• Discover the main differences between COTS vs. GOTS

  When admins compare government versus commercial software options, they must consider cost, use cases and available support as part of the selection process.  Continue Reading

• 3 dramatic ways to increase developer productivity

  Developers work best when distractions are at a minimum, yet most organizations simply aren't doing their part to reduce them. Be brave and try these three aggressive methods.  Continue Reading

• How and when to establish enterprise 5G partnerships

  Enterprises that buy 5G public services, procure network slices or build their own private 5G networks need to establish the right partnerships for mobile services, equipment and software.  Continue Reading

• 4 alternatives to end-to-end testing microservices

  Microservices architectures deserve better than end-to-end testing. See how methods like contract testing, subsystem testing and more can fill the end-to-end test void.  Continue Reading

• How to deal with the challenges of cloud storage vs. SAN

  Whether you're managing cloud storage or a local SAN, both have issues. Compare 13 areas where SAN and cloud storage challenges can arise and find out how to deal with them.  Continue Reading

• 6 steps for effective real-time monitoring across hybrid IT

  Infrastructure monitoring can span multiple stakeholders, data center sites and metrics. Use the five W's to establish a comprehensive monitoring strategy.  Continue Reading

• A lesson on how to test microservices locally

  Microservices are small pieces of a big picture, so they're difficult to test in isolation. Use these tips to run unit and integration tests locally on microservices.  Continue Reading

• Home SD-WAN will redefine next-generation WAN

  The need for home-office SD-WAN won't end when the pandemic does. Learn how best to provide this essential tech to your organization's at-home employees.  Continue Reading

• Explore cloud computing's effect on application development

  AWS and cloud computing changed the way organizations build and run applications. Explore why that happened and see what to expect in the future as more businesses jump on board.  Continue Reading

• SAN management best practices for optimizing performance

  SANs consolidate resources and provide a high-speed network for storage traffic, but that doesn't mean you're off the hook when it comes to performance management.  Continue Reading

• How to manage technical debt in IT organizations

  "Debt" is a scary word even without "technical" before it. We can't help you with dollars and cents, but we can share what IT technical debt is and how to create a debt reduction plan.  Continue Reading

• MVC vs. MVVM: 2 architecture patterns for modularity

  Both the MVC and MVVM design patterns separate front-end and back-end application components, but each one has unique methods of interface manipulation and abstraction.  Continue Reading

• How to approach IT logging in the cloud vs. on premises

  IT organizations must monitor cloud infrastructure and apps with a process that's different than they're used to for on-premises environments. Learn how to do cloud logging here.  Continue Reading

• Learn the benefits of microservices orchestration

  Orchestration plays a vital role in a microservices architecture, especially when it comes to communication, workload management and architecture readability.  Continue Reading

• VMware vSAN vs. SAN: What are the differences?

  VMware vSAN differs from a traditional SAN in a few crucial ways, including pooled vs. isolated storage, access management and optimization for different types of environments.  Continue Reading

• How to approach Agile team organization

  Should an Agile team have an architect? Does cross-functional mean constantly changing? How do teams set velocity and quality? Get the answers to set up and lead Agile teams.  Continue Reading

• Tips to get colocation contract renewal right

  During your team's colocation contract renewal process, be sure to reevaluate power requirements, spending flexibility and one-time cross-connect fees to gain better services.  Continue Reading

• How to calculate project completion times

  Good project managers deliver on schedule, despite the challenges they encounter. Become a time and resource management pro and deliver on the expected completion date.  Continue Reading

• Get started with Docker Bench for Security

  Common vulnerabilities in OSes and configuration files can plague Docker hosts. Learn how to set up Docker Bench for Security and use the open source tool to fortify hosts against threats.  Continue Reading

• Troubleshoot SAN issues to improve performance

  Common SAN problems include compatibility issues, hardware failures and sluggish storage response times, but a few proven strategies can easily resolve these issues.  Continue Reading

• Why development team membership should change regularly

  Static development teams might be hurting your company. But too much reorganization can cause chaos. Here's how to strike a balance that keeps teams engaged and innovative.  Continue Reading

• Examine the cloud industry's response to GDPR and CCPA compliance

  Explore the cloud industry's response to the GDPR and CCPA requirements and learn what types of organizations these governance policies have affected so far.  Continue Reading

• Threat identification is IT ops' role in SecOps

  IT operations teams can take steps to improve security as part of their daily tasks. Learn about the ways to identify threat incidents and reduce false positives.  Continue Reading

• Best practices for better server lifecycle management deals

  A buyer's playbook with granular forecasts of server refresh, upgrade, maintenance and precedent discount details strengthens your negotiation position with your server supplier.  Continue Reading

• 5 open source software applications for virtualization

  Open source software comes with many benefits, but admins must first determine whether each tool's use cases align with their workload needs.  Continue Reading

• Common functional testing types explained, with examples

  Not sure what to check during an integration test, or whether to combine regression and user acceptance testing? Learn what these functional test types cover, and when to do them.  Continue Reading

• A primer on the clean architecture pattern and its principles

  Stability is a crucial aspect of application architecture. Learn how clean architecture can straighten out your dependencies and make an app that is built to last.  Continue Reading

• Guide to Google Anthos architecture and management

  Explore the essential concepts that make Google Anthos work, including environs and groupings. Learn how to set up this Kubernetes-powered hybrid and multi-cloud platform.  Continue Reading

• How Lean value stream mapping cuts delay, boosts efficiency

  You have a backlog, work in short sprints, and track metrics on test coverage and defect rates -- so why does it still take so long to move code to production? Try visualizing it.  Continue Reading

• Best practices to maintain VPN security

  Enterprises looking to maintain VPN security should focus on proper endpoint security and authentication, VPN server security and documentation for security policies.  Continue Reading

• Benefits of intent-based networking for modern networks

  Intent-based networking can benefit network teams working remotely with increased workloads due to COVID-19. Benefits include reduced human error and automated manual tasks.  Continue Reading

• WVD vs. RDS vs. VDI: Which should you choose?

  Application and desktop virtualization delivered by Windows Server continues to do the job, but is it time to give Microsoft's new cloud-based desktop service a look?  Continue Reading

• 4 ways to minimize test automation maintenance

  Test automation maintenance is inescapable. Here are four ways to reduce maintenance and ensure software testing is as effective as possible.  Continue Reading

• Cloud VDI storage: Nasuni vs. Panzura and other competitors

  Data storage for distributed VDIs can be a challenge. Find out how Nasuni, Panzura and other vendors are overcoming obstacles with new approaches to cloud virtual desktop systems.  Continue Reading

• VMware general support for vSphere 6 ended; know your options

  VMware ended general support for vSphere 6.0 in March 2020. If you still use this version of vSphere, you should know your options moving forward.  Continue Reading

• Actual sales tactics vendors use during server refresh lifecycle

  See specific examples of the strategies server vendors use in order to better prepare for sales pitches throughout the five stages of the server renewal and refresh lifecycle.  Continue Reading

• A beginner's guide to hosted and bare-metal virtualization

  Choosing a virtualization approach isn't a matter of competition. Admins must consider their personal use cases to determine which hypervisor type suits their needs.  Continue Reading

• Adjust these 4 server BIOS settings to improve performance

  You can configure BIOS settings to get more productivity out of servers, but some high-performance settings could increase power consumption or put reliability at risk.  Continue Reading

• Single-socket servers offer cost, utilization benefits to admins

  Different server types bring advantages in processing speed, memory availability and overall cost. See what single- and dual-socket servers can add to your infrastructure.  Continue Reading

• How to build a successful IT service desk

  The IT service desk has a lot to manage. With a strong foundation and the right steps in place to handle issues, it can take on anything users throw at it.  Continue Reading

• Shore up defenses with help from Office 365 logs

  Logging on Microsoft's productivity platform used in conjunction with other tools can form an effective shield from malicious actors looking to find a way into your organization.  Continue Reading

• Orchestration vs. choreography in microservices architecture

  Orchestration and choreography are related, but they each have their own role to play. Get to know the basics of these service call approaches, including the use cases for each.  Continue Reading

• Understand the pros and cons of the IBM PowerVM

  IBM's enterprise virtualization product, PowerVM, offers a host of benefits, but it also comes with challenges that admins should familiarize themselves with prior to implementation.  Continue Reading

• 3 SD-WAN cloud connectivity options to explore

  Enterprises can connect their SD-WAN infrastructure to cloud providers' platforms using three methods: back-to-back access, private PoP connections and internet VPN.  Continue Reading

• Assess TestRail vs. Zephyr test management tools

  TestRail and Zephyr offer test management capabilities and integrate with tools that development teams rely on, like Jira. Check out features and user reviews for each product.  Continue Reading

• Collaboration is key to earning cloud computing cost savings

  Many organizations turn to the cloud for greater flexibility and dynamic scalability, but IT and financial teams must work together to address the complicated pricing scenarios.  Continue Reading

• 23 software development metrics to track today

  High-performance, engaging, secure apps don't happen by accident. Measure these KPIs to improve the software development process and software quality.  Continue Reading

• Third-party cloud services for ETL and application testing

  Don't default to your cloud provider's ETL and app testing services. Get to know third-party offerings and explore the advantages of using these tools in your cloud environments.  Continue Reading

• Styles, protocols and methods of microservices communication

  As application architectures grow in complexity, messaging must become a priority. Review the two types of microservices communication and the primary protocols involved.  Continue Reading

• How 5 stages of server lifecycle influence vendor sales tactics

  Learn about sales tactics that server suppliers like Dell EMC, HPE, Lenovo, IBM and Cisco use to try to win back market share from white box suppliers and how those affect you.  Continue Reading

• A quick primer on the ANSI/TIA-942 standard

  Industry standards help organizations minimize downtime and ensure operational quality. With ANSI/TIA-942, IT teams can certify their infrastructure for mission-critical sites.  Continue Reading

• Tips to increase ESXi host security

  Harden your ESXi hosts against potential threats with AD integration and advanced settings modifications to keep your data center safer.  Continue Reading

• Tools and techniques to master API management in production

  APIs are a cornerstone of modern application development. IT ops teams must monitor and manage APIs in production to resolve issues that hinder performance.  Continue Reading

• A developer guide to software localization

  Software has become as multilingual and multicultural as the world itself. Localizing your code can keep your company from a potentially disastrous cultural blunder.  Continue Reading

• HCI vs. cloud: The main differences

  A hyper-converged infrastructure can support cloud deployments, but they are not one in the same; the variances in infrastructure should be noted before potential adoption.  Continue Reading

• Incident communication best practices for happier users

  Proper communication around an IT outage or incident can prevent chaos. Use these techniques -- at home and abroad -- to keep users well-informed.  Continue Reading

• How GreenLake Central improves HPE's GreenLake program

  Learn about the features and benefits of HPE's GreenLake Central, an online portal that lets users manage and optimize their on-premises GreenLake systems.  Continue Reading

• 11 main benefits of hyper-converged infrastructure

  Benefits of hyper-converged infrastructure include simplified deployments and management, easy upgrades, scalability and flexibility, improved performance, agility and more.  Continue Reading

• Explore 10 popular open source development tools

  Whether you're writing, managing, building or deploying source code, there is an open source development tool to help do the job. Check out these quick tool intros to get you started.  Continue Reading

• 3 DDoS mitigation strategies for enterprise networks

  Enterprises can choose from three major approaches to mitigate DDoS attacks on their networks: Buy from an ISP, do it themselves or use a CDN service.  Continue Reading

• Use this Amazon Cognito review to assess authentication tools

  Amazon Cognito isn't as user-friendly as some competitors, but it does offer some unique advantages. Explore the pros, cons and alternatives for Cognito.  Continue Reading

• The case against data center consolidation

  Having one centralized data center can bring IT benefits. Use cases such as IoT, edge computing and cloud don't necessarily work with consolidated infrastructure.  Continue Reading

• Top 8 hyper-converged infrastructure use cases

  You might be aware of basic HCI use cases, such as server consolidation and virtual desktop infrastructure, but there are other areas where HCI can come in handy.  Continue Reading

• Examining hyper-converged infrastructure costs and savings

  There are several factors to consider when calculating HCI costs, including licensing, storage, networking and CPU types. In addition, costs might include support contracts.  Continue Reading

• User acceptance testing best practices for Agile teams

  Dig into the basics of user acceptance testing, including who handles the task, what should go into test criteria and other best practices.  Continue Reading

• 5 critical capabilities for multi-cloud data management

  Organizations face increasing challenges managing data across multiple clouds. Find out the features to look for in your multi-cloud data management products and services.  Continue Reading

• Techniques to troubleshoot Active Directory issues

  Active Directory runs several key operational duties, such as validating access to resources. Keep the system from breaking down with help from these diagnostic methods.  Continue Reading

• 10 of the best programming languages to learn in 2020

  Different jobs call for different programming languages, and the wrong choice could cause your project to fail. Add these tools to your must-learn list so you are prepared for any assignment.  Continue Reading

• 10 cloud computing myths debunked

  A range of public cloud misconceptions -- including those related to security and cost -- give enterprise adopters the wrong idea. Read on to dispel the myths and get the truth.  Continue Reading

• How Kubernetes enhances DevOps practices

  Kubernetes isn't necessary for DevOps, and you don't need a DevOps team to adopt Kubernetes container management. But, here are all the ways that these two are better together.  Continue Reading

• 4 tips to pick the right cloud database service

  Before you migrate your data to the cloud, evaluate your cloud database options. Use these guidelines to choose the right database offering for your enterprise.  Continue Reading

• The benefits of building a network automation lab

  Network teams can build network automation labs to create a safe environment to test and validate automation tasks before running them in production networks.  Continue Reading

• Decomposing a monolithic database for microservices

  When breaking up a monolith, it's critical to decompose your database alongside your new distributed services. We explore how to do this and avoid creating a distributed monolith.  Continue Reading

• Here's what you need to know about cloud observability

  What's the difference between monitoring and observability? Learn what observability means in the context of cloud and why it's important to the health of your application.  Continue Reading

• Office 365 Advanced eDiscovery goes beyond search basics

  Microsoft streamlines the efforts to find pertinent documents and other data with help from the artificial intelligence embedded in the platform's analytics technology.  Continue Reading

• How to select and set up SD-WAN and DIA

  When evaluating different options for SD-WAN and direct internet access, IT teams can't forget to consider application performance, network uptime and support for each option.  Continue Reading

• Navigate service discovery in a microservices architecture

  Microservices move rapidly, making streamlined service discovery a must. Learn more about the specific types of discovery approaches and how to determine a strategy.  Continue Reading