Tips

Tips

• Is it time to consider a cloud exit strategy?

  Cloud repatriation -- or a cloud exit, as it is sometimes called -- is probably not a good choice in most situations. Sometimes, however, it's exactly the right thing to do.  Continue Reading

• A brief history of VMware, containers and its competitors

  VMware has long been synonymous with virtualization. However, with the rise of containers, the vendor has pivoted strategies to compete with the likes of Red Hat and Docker.  Continue Reading

• What to include in a network services agreement

  Network teams that create MSP contracts for their managed network services should cover delivery lead times, network performance, adds and changes, network uptime and escalation.  Continue Reading

• A few fundamental microservices team structure strategies

  A microservices architecture can be quite a culture shock to unprepared enterprises. Here's how you can prepare your team to make microservices part of development processes.  Continue Reading

• 4 common cloud migration challenges and how to avoid them

  Ready to move to the cloud? Review these common mistakes users tend to make when moving data, and avoid them during your cloud migration.  Continue Reading

• Pick user-centric software performance testing metrics

  Unlike other types of tests, performance tests gauge how well an application works -- not whether it fails. Testers must pay close attention to these metrics to keep end users happy.  Continue Reading

• Modernize ops practices to manage hybrid IT infrastructure

  Hybrid IT management requires ops teams to rethink everything from networking to the way they oversee system configurations. Third-party tools, including those for IaC, can help.  Continue Reading

• Make the case for a technology refresh strategy

  A good portion of IT budgets are spent maintaining aging hardware. Energy efficiency, failure rates and potential downtime costs are all ways to justify regular hardware updates.  Continue Reading

• 5 tips to optimize your hybrid cloud management

  Hybrid can be an appealing -- yet daunting -- cloud architecture for IT teams looking for flexibility. Review these five best practices to ensure you maximize the benefits without compromising your workloads.  Continue Reading

• Get a handle on AWS costs with these tips and tools

  It's normal for your AWS bill to fluctuate, but don't let it spike for the wrong reasons. Take these steps to avoid unnecessary charges and keep your cloud costs in check.  Continue Reading

• How SD-WAN changes the network security perimeter

  The advent of SD-WAN has changed the network security model by pushing more security and control to the edge -- and businesses need to adjust to this new reality.  Continue Reading

• Top 5 storage area network applications for the enterprise

  Find out why a SAN makes sense for enterprise applications such as databases, server virtualization, business applications, VDI, and development and testing.  Continue Reading

• Build a DevOps feedback loop with these CI/CD tools

  From Azure DevOps to Jenkins, DevOps teams can choose from a number of CI/CD tools to enable and maintain a continuous loop of feedback.  Continue Reading

• 3 ways to react to an IT system failure avalanche

  In complex IT infrastructures, a system or resource failure can spur follow-up issues. Compare three approaches to prevent these dreaded domino effects and reach the root of the problem.  Continue Reading

• Top 4 cloud block storage challenges to beware of

  Block storage comes with challenges, including high data egress costs, confused billing, inconsistent performance and availability issues. Find out how to cope with the top four.  Continue Reading

• How to write a good software bug report

  When it comes to defect reporting, the more detail, the better. Here's how to produce defect reports that get bugs fixed fast.  Continue Reading

• 3 ways to improve WAN performance with SD-WAN

  SD-WAN can improve WAN performance in three ways: It adds a secondary transport for network traffic, while also taking advantage of broadband Ethernet and application acceleration.  Continue Reading

• Using Azure AD conditional access for tighter security

  The cloud-based identity and access management service does not come with certain defensive features turned on by default, which administrators should rectify.  Continue Reading

• A guide to data center maintenance outsourcing

  Data centers have a lot of moving mechanical parts to maintain. It's beneficial to leave electrical and fire system upkeep to the professionals instead of doing it all in-house.  Continue Reading

• Ensure Kubernetes high availability with master node planning

  Kubernetes ensures high availability in its worker nodes, but for a mission-critical workload, IT teams should take these extra steps for redundancy in the master node components.  Continue Reading

• PowerShell 7 features admins should examine

  The next version of the administrative tool introduces several features, including a new cmdlet to assist with troubleshooting errors.  Continue Reading

• Increase data center efficiency with the NSX-T load balancer

  When creating a load balancer, the NSX-T Data Center software is a likely contender, but you must have the necessary NSX-T components, such as tier 0 and tier 1 routers, before beginning.  Continue Reading

• Pros and cons of monolithic vs. microservices architecture

  Developers interested in shifting to microservices should seriously consider whether a monolithic approach may be the smarter choice. Here are the key factors to consider.  Continue Reading

• How to patch your open source software vulnerabilities

  No matter how big your software vulnerabilities backlog has grown, here's how you can tackle it, and get on the path to continuous security monitoring.  Continue Reading

• Reduce cloud latency for remote employees and offices

  Latency remains an issue for cloud users with remote facilities. See how SD-WAN and satellites can improve network performance for enterprises with distributed workers and offices.  Continue Reading

• Top data center skills admins can use in 2020

  The 2019 tech job sector saw consistent growth and job availability. In 2020, admins should develop expertise on cloud architectures, edge computing deployments and automation.  Continue Reading

• Use multi-cloud software-defined storage to prevent storage silos

  Looking for a way to keep data moving freely and efficiently among cloud platforms? Check out how software-defined storage in a multi-cloud environment works.  Continue Reading

• Overcome these challenges to detect anomalies in IT monitoring

  Faster and more accurate anomaly detection is a major benefit of machine learning in IT systems monitoring -- but it's not something that enterprises can achieve overnight.  Continue Reading

• Explore native and third-party VM automation tools' features

  VMware and Microsoft offer native tools that provide VM automation capabilities, but admins should also look at third-party vendors, such as Chef, Puppet and SolarWinds.  Continue Reading

• Kubernetes taints and tolerations optimize pod-to-node mapping

  In complex Kubernetes environments, admins must navigate pod-to-node mapping carefully. Try using taints and tolerations -- but be sure to closely oversee the process.  Continue Reading

• Network device discovery best practices -- other than ping sweeps

  Traditionally, ping sweeps are the go-to method for network device discovery. But, by creating a network script, you can discover networked devices more efficiently.  Continue Reading

• 5 tips to drive edge computing storage success

  Ready to boost your edge computing environment's storage? Find out some best practices to follow, including how to integrate with multi-cloud environments and NVMe-oF.  Continue Reading

• When to consider managed SD-WAN services for your business

  SD-WAN offers promising benefits, like the ability to use multiple ISP links, but managing those links can prove challenging. Managed SD-WAN services can help.  Continue Reading

• AWS multi-account management best practices with Control Tower

  With the help of AWS Control Tower, organizations who own and operate multiple cloud accounts can manage them all under one roof -- but not without challenges.  Continue Reading

• Multi-cloud storage, blockchain, NVMe garner reader attention

  The multi-cloud vs. hybrid cloud storage debate, blockchain storage struggles and NVMe misconceptions were our most-read tips in 2019. See where storage admins are focused for the year ahead.  Continue Reading

• Dive into functional testing and non-functional testing approaches

  Don't get trapped in a white or black box -- or the gray area in between. Here's why functional and non-functional app testing are complementary ways to ensure end user satisfaction.  Continue Reading

• Beat vendor lock-in with a cloud exit strategy

  Without a comprehensive cloud exit strategy, an organization might fall victim to vendor lock-in and find itself dependent on proprietary tools and services.  Continue Reading

• Use intrusive testing to push software to, and past, its limits

  Grab your sledgehammer and get to work with destructive software testing. Here's how to use these intrusive methods to identify points of failure before software reaches users.  Continue Reading

• Use multiple Dockerfiles for complex application configuration

  Dockerfiles can help with application configurations, but there are some questions you must consider, such as how many Dockerfiles each application requires.  Continue Reading

• Advantages of monolithic architecture that prove it isn't dead

  Don't rush to break up a monolith too quickly without considering what you might lose in the process. We examine why a monolithic architecture is sometimes the smarter choice.  Continue Reading

• Compare Paramiko, Netmiko and NAPALM network automation

  Python is a useful language, but it can't do everything. Explore some basic network automation scripts that use Python with three automation libraries: Paramiko, Netmiko and NAPALM.  Continue Reading

• NVMe-oF performance monitoring best practices that work

  Don't let your storage network infrastructure get in the way of delivering NVMe-oF's low-latency benefits. See how these best practices can fix problems before they occur.  Continue Reading

• The 6 IDE features to use for tool selection

  The best IDE for a project depends on the languages programmers use, how the platform integrates with code repositories and other tools, and many other factors.  Continue Reading

• PowerShell 7 features set to address some, not all, functionality gaps

  While PowerShell 7 is set to unify the cross-platform and traditional Windows versions of the tool, it might not check all the boxes in terms of features IT admins want to see.  Continue Reading

• Confidential computing promises secure cloud apps

  Adopt confidential computing to protect sensitive data in the cloud. Learn the basics about these technologies and evaluate offerings from AWS, Google, Microsoft and others.  Continue Reading

• An introduction to VMware vRealize Operations Cloud

  VMware is set to release a cloud-based management software as a service in 2020, which uses predictive analytics and AI features to optimize, plan and scale VMware-based hybrid clouds.  Continue Reading

• Gain deeper IT insight with machine learning for log analysis

  As the log analysis tool market evolves, machine learning plays an increasing role in helping IT teams discover significant anomalies and outliers in their data.  Continue Reading

• Prepare your data center for a hybrid cloud strategy

  On-premises assets and public cloud resources won't work together without a clear hybrid cloud strategy. Learn how to prepare your on-premises architecture for hybrid cloud.  Continue Reading

• How to survive in today's IT without DevOps and containers

  If you don't write software, you might not require DevOps or containers in your data center. You don't need to give into the pressure to adopt them.  Continue Reading

• Plan for simplicity when approaching HCI networking

  HCI networking isn't as easy as plugging cables in and hoping the HCI system works. IT teams need to strategize around capacity and resiliency to achieve true simplification.  Continue Reading

• Follow these 10 fundamental microservices design principles

  The right design principles enable microservices adopters to build an application from autonomous, cohesive components that can scale seamlessly. Here are 10 to follow.  Continue Reading

• Speed up AWS Lambda cold starts with these strategies

  Cold starts are a common and frustrating issue for AWS Lambda users. Learn why they happen and how to prewarm Lambda environments to minimize latency.  Continue Reading

• Understanding object storage vs. block storage for the cloud

  The use of block storage in the cloud is becoming more common. See how block and object storage differ, and when to use one versus the other when it comes to cloud storage.  Continue Reading

• How to improve API documentation with Swagger and OpenAPI

  Discover why developers should take advantage of Swagger tooling and the OpenAPI specification to streamline API design, documentation and management, especially for RESTful APIs.  Continue Reading

• AWS Outposts vs. Azure Stack vs. HCI

  See how AWS Outposts vs. Microsoft Azure Stack hybrid cloud offerings work and where they can and cannot take the place of traditional hyper-converged infrastructures.  Continue Reading

• Evaluate if serverless cost benefits are worth the upfront price

  Before an IT shop adopts serverless, it must fully grasp how the technology operates, and prepare for the upfront -- and potentially costly -- app refactoring efforts it requires.  Continue Reading

• 3 event sourcing patterns that ease app processing

  Examine the pros and cons of three event sourcing patterns that solve certain problems but can introduce new ones in an event-driven architecture.  Continue Reading

• AWS Serverless Application Repository explained

  To address the needs of its serverless users, AWS released its Serverless Application Repository. Explore the ways users can benefit and a few best practices everyone should follow when they use this feature.  Continue Reading

• How and why to set up an automation CoE for DevOps

  As DevOps automation efforts spread across IT and the business, use a center of excellence to establish standards, secure executive sponsorship and organize staff trainings.  Continue Reading

• How user story mapping aids requirements gathering in Agile

  Agile requirements are dynamic, not static. Collaborate on user story maps to make sense of frequently evolving customer needs, and put a Scrum Master at the center of it all.  Continue Reading

• How the .NET Core platform advances cloud-based app deployment

  The capabilities of .NET Core keep developers interested. We break down the reasons why that's the case.  Continue Reading

• 7 key SD-branch trends to expect in 2020

  New year, new developments. See what's new with SD-branch in 2020, including security advancements and how technologies such as Wi-Fi 6 and 5G will affect branch offices.  Continue Reading

• Red Hat Virtualization 4.3 updates to Cockpit are minor, but beneficial

  Cockpit hasn't seen many changes with the latest RHV 4.3 update, but it still provides beneficial capabilities, such as the ability create a VM from a template or migrate a VM to a different host.  Continue Reading

• Using the Windows Admin Center Azure services feature

  Microsoft wants you to add more of its Azure cloud services to your data center by using its new administrative tool to streamline the setup process.  Continue Reading

• How to train junior developers in 5 steps

  Junior developers thrive on trust and training -- even if you're wary of the former and have little time for the latter. Here's how to get inexperienced programmers tuned up fast.  Continue Reading

• Virtualization automation challenges underscore AI usefulness

  Automation helps reduce the complexity of virtual systems, but admins might find that adoption challenges and temporary resolutions underscore its usefulness.  Continue Reading

• SD-WAN drives managed network services trends for 2020

  As network operators offer more SD-WAN managed services in 2020, the managed services market will see some major changes regarding price, feature sets and management.  Continue Reading

• NVMe/TCP and edge storage benefits and drawbacks

  NVMe/TCP is finally entering the storage mainstream and can be particularly useful for data storage at the edge. Find out the pros and cons of this approach.  Continue Reading

• How to tackle 5 common event bus pattern problems

  The event bus pattern has quickly become a necessity, but it's not a free ride. Here are five common problems you'll face when you rely on an event bus.  Continue Reading

• How to use SnapCenter for VMware backups

  NetApp storage appliances and VMware's vSphere platform provide widely used data center resources. Combine their capabilities by using NetApp's SnapCenter to back up vSphere.  Continue Reading

• Perform an AWS security assessment with these tips and tools

  Cloud security is an ongoing process that demands regular checks for potential vulnerabilities. Use tools such as Amazon Inspector to perform frequent and thorough cloud security assessments.  Continue Reading

• 4 DevOps communication principles to get teams talking

  One of DevOps' supposed benefits is better collaboration and communication, but it doesn't come out of nowhere. Address these communication challenges to get everyone on the same page.  Continue Reading

• How to navigate a ransomware recovery process

  If you find your systems locked up from a ransomware attack, what should you prioritize? Before you start your recovery, follow this plan to avoid additional trouble.  Continue Reading

• Four must-haves in Kubernetes security best practices

  When it comes to Kubernetes security, IT teams must look beyond their containerized workloads, and consider code and cloud infrastructure as well.  Continue Reading

• Compare AWS CDK vs. CloudFormation, and the state of IaC on AWS

  Infrastructure as code has become an essential part of the cloud development process. Learn how the AWS CDK addresses the weaknesses of CloudFormation and improves automation on AWS.  Continue Reading

• Kubernetes networking explained: Start with these building blocks

  To understand Kubernetes networking, admins must first master the core components of the container orchestration platform. Then, they need to map deployments to the right virtual networking model.  Continue Reading

• AWS monitoring best practices extend beyond CloudWatch

  AWS users can choose from a range of native tools to monitor their environments -- but, ultimately, a combination of these services will produce the best results.  Continue Reading

• How to benchmark 25 GbE NICs in converged networks

  Network teams can use an array of tools to benchmark the performance and efficiency of 25 GbE network adapters that support converged networks and HCI environments.  Continue Reading

• It's time to implement a cloud data retention policy

  While cloud storage is cheap, that doesn't mean you should keep data forever. There are four main factors to consider before you put your data in cold storage and throw away the key.  Continue Reading

• The top network security trends, threats and strategies in 2020

  Ransomware and attacks against cloud providers reflect key network security trends in 2020. To combat these threats preemptively, assess your specific network needs.  Continue Reading

• Intelligent storage systems optimize performance, proactivity

  Intelligent data storage use is on the rise, employing AI, machine learning and predictive analytics to automate storage and prevent problems before they start.  Continue Reading

• 5 considerations for efficient VMware design

  Designing a VMware environment requires you to consider many factors, such as storage, CPUs, security and VM density. A few tips can keep your design simple and elegant.  Continue Reading

• Use GRUB to fix Linux boot problems

  GRUB is a handy tool to help admins solve any Linux booting issues. Reinstalling or manually implementing GRUB are two main approaches to getting your system back up and running.  Continue Reading

• Enable automated failover with a highly available CMDB

  A resilient CMDB helps drive automated failover processes. Explore several approaches to prepare your configuration management database for DR scenarios.  Continue Reading

• How to do API testing to improve application quality

  APIs run apps, so it's essential to test them beyond simple connectivity. Study these API testing basics, like when to run such tests, and the benefits of giving this task to QA.  Continue Reading

• How to test microservices for functionality and compliance

  If you're new to microservices testing practices, understand that traditional techniques won't work anymore. We examine how to approach four critical microservices tests.  Continue Reading

• AWS security groups vs. network ACLs and other AWS firewalls

  Protect your AWS cloud environment with these Amazon firewall services. Learn how security groups and network ACLs work, along with other key AWS firewall options.  Continue Reading

• Are containers on Windows the right choice for you?

  Containers have grown in popularity, but there are some considerations to weigh before you decide to migrate Server 2008 workloads to this technology.  Continue Reading

• Use EventBridge to unlock AWS event-driven architecture

  Amazon EventBridge improves serverless capabilities on AWS. Learn the differences between EventBridge and CloudWatch Events and how to get the most out of event-driven applications.  Continue Reading

• Private cloud security risks and how to prevent them

  Admins that rely on private clouds should not be drawn into a false sense of security. Outdated VM images, rogue admins and possible data loss are real security risks for private clouds.  Continue Reading

• What to consider before you deploy NSX

  An SDN like VMware's NSX can provide your organization with agility, automation, microsegmentation and cloud capabilities. However, you must still think carefully before you adopt.  Continue Reading

• Use these 8 tools to deploy microservices on Azure

  IT teams deploy microservices to quickly build and scale apps, but it can get complicated fast. Check out these Microsoft Azure tools and best practices to get started the right way.  Continue Reading

• VMware NSX Intelligence boosts data center visibility, security

  The new NSX Intelligence distributed analytics engine is part of VMware NSX-T 2.5. Learn how it gives networking teams deep visibility into virtualized and containerized workloads.  Continue Reading

• Set up a data lake on AWS with Lake Formation

  Modern businesses must organize an unprecedent amount of information. Find out how AWS Lake Formation can help your business manage and analyze high volumes of data.  Continue Reading

• Apigee vs. Mulesoft: An API management platform face-off

  Mulesoft and Apigee are two of the most widely used API management platforms around. This article places them side by side to compare their pros and cons.  Continue Reading

• Deploy and configure a basic setup of Linux's LXD hypervisor

  Admins looking to use Linux's hypervisor dedicated to container technology can use several commands to deploy and configure a basic setup of the hypervisor.  Continue Reading

• The future of the Kubernetes ecosystem isn't all about cloud

  Developers still lean on the public cloud to simplify Kubernetes deployments, but that won't always be the case. See how lingering complexity issues have opened the door for on-premises vendors.  Continue Reading

• 5 tips to help IT administrators use AIOps tools effectively

  AIOps tools can simplify virtual system management, but you should consider a few things prior to adoption: business processes, employee skills, volume of data and AIOps complexity.  Continue Reading

• Prepare for an AWS outage with these preventative steps

  Set up the proper data protection and recovery measures before a cloud outage hits. Follow these backup and disaster recovery tips to keep workloads running during and after an outage.  Continue Reading

• Evaluate general and niche cloud service use cases

  Can't decide between a niche cloud provider or a hyperscaler? Review some real-world examples to help weigh the options and find the best fit for your workloads.  Continue Reading