Tips

Tips

• Define a continuous improvement process with EA models, practices

  Continuous improvement isn't just about centers of excellence or feedback loops. Ultimately, it must bring the vast enterprise architecture into rapid-fire code changes, and vice versa.  Continue Reading

• Avoid chaos with an IT crisis management playbook

  A minor IT issue can quickly snowball into a major catastrophe without a carefully constructed crisis management plan, but just what details should an organization include?  Continue Reading

• 3 ways to deploy hyper-converged infrastructure

  An HCI deployment can be done in one of three ways -- full replacement, side-by-side or per application -- each with pluses and minus, depending on requirements and resources.  Continue Reading

• Cloud cost implications of the 5 V's of big data

  Moving analytics to the cloud opens a lot of doors for users, but only if they keep costs in check and understand the 5 V's of big data -- volume, variety, velocity, veracity and value.  Continue Reading

• Look inside the Mesosphere DC/OS distributed operating system

  IT organizations that run large, distributed workloads on clusters should examine the Mesosphere DC/OS approach, but be forewarned: It takes a lot of components to simplify ops.  Continue Reading

• IT teams face an uphill battle with serverless migrations

  Moving serverless functions between cloud platforms is met with various obstacles. Make sure to look out for the following key features before starting the process.  Continue Reading

• Getting started with containerized storage

  Containerization simplifies storage operations, saving time and money. Getting started is easy, too, once you know what to look for.  Continue Reading

• 5 advantages of cloud storage

  Unlimited capacity, multi-tenancy and built-in disaster recovery are a few of the cloud storage benefits administrators can use to help solve data storage challenges.  Continue Reading

• Get to know the VMware HCX platform

  HCX connects on-premises systems, private clouds, VMware Cloud on AWS and hosted cloud infrastructures, creating a hybrid or multi-cloud environment for vSphere workloads.  Continue Reading

• Don't neglect your IT architect skills in public cloud projects

  Public cloud infrastructure is beyond the veil for IT admins: unknown and untouchable. But depending on the deployment -- and the cloud -- admins still have architecture to manage.  Continue Reading

• Use AWS IoT device shadows to improve app-device communication

  IoT apps are only as good as the data they collect. Shadows can help improve communications between the app and its related devices, so things don't go awry when network issues arise.  Continue Reading

• How should app developers choose a cloud provider?

  Not every service in the cloud matters to developers. Look for these core features, and see which providers stand out when it comes to microservices, containers, AI services and IDEs.  Continue Reading

• How to deal with the on-premises vs. cloud challenge

  Some tools and applications aren't a good fit outside of the data center. Try these tactics to cope as more tools and application vendors start to migrate to the cloud.  Continue Reading

• How to manage Windows with Puppet

  Administrators can modernize their organization's management model for both Linux and Windows operating systems with Puppet, a code-based tool, and available community support.  Continue Reading

• Size up AWS Lambda vs. Elastic Beanstalk for app hosting

  AWS users evaluating Elastic Beanstalk against Lambda must decide if infrastructure control matters when it comes to application performance, or if nonstop operation is wasting money.  Continue Reading

• Use Puppet Bolt to simplify configuration management

  Bolt, Puppet's cross-platform automation tool, is designed to minimize the learning curve for ops teams, but users still need to grasp its primary commands and elements.  Continue Reading

• How to use PowerCLI for alarm automation in vCenter

  Alarms are central to good security. Bypass the unwieldy GUI and use PowerCLI instead to quickly and easily retrieve, monitor and modify alarms in your vCenter ecosystem.  Continue Reading

• 5 DevSecOps interview questions employers are likely to ask

  To land that DevSecOps dream job, prepare to answer questions not only about specific IT and security tools, but about DevOps team culture as a whole.  Continue Reading

• 6 top hyper-converged infrastructure management tips

  These tips address specific aspects of HCI management and illustrate ways to better integrate these systems with third-party tools and overall IT infrastructure.  Continue Reading

• 3 serverless development strategies for stateful applications

  Serverless developers can connect stateless functions to state information in several ways, without introducing debilitating latency to the application design.  Continue Reading

• VMware multi-cloud management shows room for improvement

  Multi-cloud management is on the rise as companies modify services to accommodate changing cloud platforms. VMware is emerging in the cloud management market with its vRealize Suite.  Continue Reading

• 3 real-world network automation use cases

  The real benefits of network automation are managing multiple network devices at once. Larger networks, in particular, can benefit from these network automation use cases.  Continue Reading

• Contract-driven testing syncs API providers, consumers

  To check if the APIs your software depends on meet expectations, apply a consumer-driven contract testing framework. Let's examine the syntax, tooling and examples of this approach.  Continue Reading

• Exchange Online vs. Office 365: Which plan is a better fit?

  A switch from Exchange Server to Exchange Online might make financial sense, but it might not fit the needs of your organization. Here are some common migration mistakes to avoid.  Continue Reading

• How to copy files to Windows containers

  Once you've deployed Windows containers in your production environment, you can start copying data and files to them using one of three methods, depending on file type and location.  Continue Reading

• Hardware options to support a reverse cloud migration

  Moving back on premises can require new infrastructure if maintenance windows have expired, and admins must meet power and storage demands to ensure apps migrate successfully.  Continue Reading

• 3 vendors to consider for an HCI appliance

  HCI isn't just a software product; market vendors such as Nutanix, HPE and Pivot3 also have specific appliances for admins that want features for network and storage management.  Continue Reading

• 7 rules for effective data backup procedures

  If you're responsible for data backups on multiple systems, strong policies are highly recommended. This tip gives you seven rules to follow for effective data backup procedures.  Continue Reading

• Navigate public cloud availability zones for optimal performance

  Google's recent outages show that AZs aren't a panacea for high availability. See how differences in cloud vendors' approaches to isolation can affect workload performance.  Continue Reading

• 5 common open source software licenses you need to know

  Everyone likes getting credit, but not everyone remembers to give it. Learn what conditions open source licenses impose, such as copyright notices and redistribution rules.  Continue Reading

• Avoid SDDC security risks during implementation

  Moving workloads to a software-defined data center can pose challenges. When updating systems, admins should address potential security risks with proper care to avoid issues.  Continue Reading

• Oracle Cloud Infrastructure seeks a spot in the IaaS market

  Don't count out Oracle IaaS before knowing what it has to offer. Learn where Oracle Cloud Infrastructure excels and what to expect from this public cloud offering.  Continue Reading

• Learn the basics of vSphere networking

  When you design a vSphere network, keep in mind redundancy, network isolation and consistent configuration. These qualities ensure proper network performance.  Continue Reading

• Hybrid cloud strategies to bridge on-premises, public cloud gap

  Moving workloads to a hybrid cloud environment requires several strategies, and organizations should look toward multi-hypervisors, SDDCs and Kubernetes to do so.  Continue Reading

• Mock services create parity between local and cloud dev environments

  Developers don't want to run into issues when moving between local and cloud development environments. Find out how to get parity between the two.  Continue Reading

• Does an Azure cloud migration make sense for your workloads?

  While you can't move all of your Windows Server workloads into the Azure cloud and turn off your local server closet, you can get much closer than ever.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft Azure AD complements Active Directory

  Azure users have a cloud-based version of Active Directory at their fingertips, but it's not a carbon copy of the on-premises version. Learn how to use the services in tandem.  Continue Reading

• Use event processing to achieve microservices state management

  What good are stateless microservices for stateful processing? Bring complex event processing into the mix to manage microservices state through scaling and failures. Here's how.  Continue Reading

• 5 multi-cloud use cases for better storage

  Use cases for multi-cloud storage proliferate as the technology becomes mainstream. Consider the technology for backup, resiliency, compliance, AI and software development.  Continue Reading

• Assess AIOps benefits and challenges for enterprise IT teams

  To successfully reap the benefits of an AIOps implementation, IT teams first have to navigate some crucial cultural and technical shifts.  Continue Reading

• How GitHub and Bitbucket augment key Git features

  Learn how GitHub and Bitbucket enhance the Git version control system, enabling management and security on top of Git's native abilities to clarify workflows and protect data.  Continue Reading

• How to use Web Components with UI design tools

  What are Web Components and how can you best make use of them? Here's how the set of web APIs helps designers create and customize reusable modules for web apps and user interfaces.  Continue Reading

• Save on licensing with a multi-hypervisor environment

  Shifting some workloads from VMware to Hyper-V to rely on multiple hypervisors takes time and effort, but the flexibility and cost savings might just be worth it.  Continue Reading

• How to pick the right application wireframing tool

  Determine the best application wireframing tool for mobile and website projects based on team collaboration, prototype complexity and other real-world factors.  Continue Reading

• Evaluate the Azure serverless tools to ease deployment anxiety

  So you want to build a serverless application on Microsoft Azure? Explore the tools and features that support those apps and determine how you want to manage your eventflow.  Continue Reading

• Know the risk of hyper-converged vendor lock-in, myths and facts

  The risk of HCI vendor lock-in is real. The reason why is different than you might think, however. See how it often comes down to financial, not technical, limitations in this article.  Continue Reading

• Review AWS Quick Starts for third-party integrations

  AWS Quick Starts integrations use CloudFormation templates to automate deployment of popular technologies from Tableau and IBM, among others. Learn how this 'AWS App Store' works.  Continue Reading

• Useful PowerCLI cmdlets for managing hard disks

  Users can more easily manage a VM's hard disk with a few common PowerCLI cmdlets. PowerCLI enables users to create, modify, move and remove disks so as to automate complex tasks.  Continue Reading

• Considerations for a VMware Cloud on AWS workload migration

  Before moving a workload to VMware Cloud on AWS, think over your priorities regarding that workload's importance as well as technical considerations such as whether it makes sense in the cloud.  Continue Reading

• What to do when a CryptoLocker virus attacks

  Before a cryptovirus strikes, test and airgap your backups to make sure they work. Should you find yourself under attack, think carefully about your recovery process.  Continue Reading

• Simplify Java-based development with the Kotlin language

  What makes Kotlin popular among Java professionals? Explore the attributes of this functional programming language that's equipped for both traditional Java and Android developers.  Continue Reading

• Office 365 multiple tenants vs. single tenant considerations

  A migration to Office 365 will require the IT staff to adjust how it manages the collaboration platform, which can get complicated if more than one tenant is involved.  Continue Reading

• How to make distributed Agile teams efficient and collaborative

  Agile teams don't always exist under one roof, but they should still be aligned in responsibilities and goals. Here's the best way to approach global Agile team management.  Continue Reading

• How to locate privileged accounts in Active Directory

  IT administrators must be able to identify privileged accounts in Active Directory for a more secure enterprise; two methods can make the task easier.  Continue Reading

• How to cultivate the ideal IaaS agreement

  As you expand your infrastructure, you might use service providers for certain components. Make sure you get a comprehensive SLA that addresses responsibilities, costs and security.  Continue Reading

• 3 steps to prepare for Exchange updates

  If you dread the process of updating Exchange and the possibility that patches will break the servers, you can take control by putting best practices in place with three steps.  Continue Reading

• HPE Memory-Driven Flash targets AI and real-time analytics

  HPE's memory-driven approach addresses DRAM and NAND limitations by incorporating storage class memory technology into the storage infrastructure.  Continue Reading

• Deploy Microsoft IIS server, .NET apps in Windows containers

  Instead of investing money in migrating your existing .NET applications to .NET Core to modernize them, deploy them in Windows containers with a simple script.  Continue Reading

• How to manage storage for Kubernetes challenges

  The Kubernetes container orchestration platform has undergone changes to resolve storage challenges, including adding plugins for persistent data. However, some issues remain.  Continue Reading

• Edge computing and IoT combine to reshape the network

  Enterprises are examining edge computing and IoT in a new light to determine the best way to process and transmit the mountain of data generated by IoT devices.  Continue Reading

• 8 practical serverless design patterns for enterprise devs

  Serverless app teams can turn to architecture patterns to guide the way to a successful product. Learn the criteria to narrow your options and the key differences between eight patterns.  Continue Reading

• Micro VMs can present unique management challenges

  The haphazard deployment of micro VMs can eventually lead to issues ranging from IP address depletion to serious performance problems resulting from extreme resource contention.  Continue Reading

• Secure Lambda functions and meet cloud compliance standards

  While AWS Lambda itself is secure, users are responsible for the functions they run with the service. Set up CloudWatch, KMS and other safeguards to meet standards.  Continue Reading

• 3 tools admins can use for private cloud capacity planning

  Admins can better manage their private clouds with capacity planning tools, such as specified quotas, resource monitoring and predictive scheduling.  Continue Reading

• Kubernetes CSI volume plugin and the products that support it

  Several volume drivers support the Kubernetes Container Storage Interface volume plugin, making it easier to connect containerized workloads with storage systems.  Continue Reading

• Consider compute and storage before a vSphere 6.7 upgrade

  Compatibility issues can arise during a VMware infrastructure upgrade. Consider HCI platforms and vSAN when looking to upgrade, and know your storage and compute lifecycles.  Continue Reading

• Use these 5 PowerCLI cmdlets to automate vCenter tasks

  With just a handful of cmdlets -- Get-VM, Set-VM, Start-VM, Stop-VM and Stop-VMGuest -- you can use PowerCLI to automate vCenter tasks at scale, something you can't do with a GUI.  Continue Reading

• Apply AI to container monitoring and management -- piece by piece

  While the application of AI to container monitoring and management is possible, it first requires certain operations practices and carefully integrated tool sets.  Continue Reading

• 5G and SD-WAN could provide reliable, alternate connectivity

  5G and SD-WAN could develop into an alternative connectivity option that offers high speeds and low latency to geographic areas and remote workers with limited connectivity options.  Continue Reading

• Data center cooling systems advance, incorporate natural sources

  Despite concerns around water-based cooling technology, organizations are developing new hardware setups that rely on fjords and oceans to effectively cool dense server racks.  Continue Reading

• The role of edge computing security in enterprise networks

  By ensuring IoT security, IT teams can secure enterprise networks as well. Edge computing can provide one path toward this security, as long as IT properly evaluates and plans for it.  Continue Reading

• A 6-step guide for hardware disposal

  Asset tracking, information logging and security measures should all be a part of hardware decommissioning. Don't miss a step with these considerations.  Continue Reading

• 5 tips to right-size your cloud instances and VMs

  Improperly sized cloud instances and VMs can wreak havoc on your budget and decrease performance. Delve deeper into right-sizing with these five best practices.  Continue Reading

• Linux on Windows helps systems administrators gain new skills

  The line between Windows and Linux is starting to blur in most organizations. Here's what systems administrators need to know about working with Linux and Windows.  Continue Reading

• How to cautiously reap the benefits of DevOps as a service

  Outsourcing the operation of DevOps tools has its perks, but be sure to carefully position that move to in-house development and ops teams first.  Continue Reading

• Ask these 5 questions before deploying cloud HA

  IT teams can build HA into their organization's cloud apps, but is it worth it? And how much is too much? Ask these and other critical questions before architecting for HA.  Continue Reading

• Know the tools needed to bake cloud HA into apps

  The cost for HA might outweigh the benefit for many cloud apps. But, before you can debate the need to architect a highly redundant system, you need to know the tools at your disposal.  Continue Reading

• Get realistic about your multi-cloud strategy aspirations

  Multi-cloud is attractive to software teams that want to expand their development toolboxes, but be careful about the complexity it can add to your overall development lifecycle.  Continue Reading

• How autonomous software testing could change QA

  Manual testing takes too much time, and test automation scripts need ongoing maintenance. Autonomous testing might provide an answer for teams unwilling to compromise on speed.  Continue Reading

• AIOps monitoring arms IT staff with broader, deeper insights

  Conventional monitoring gives ops teams critical visibility into the health of their IT systems, but with limited scope. Through an AIOps tool, they can significantly broaden their view.  Continue Reading

• Untangle cloud application integration spiderwebs

  A migration is a big feat, but once you are in cloud it's not a 'set it and forget it' situation. Enterprises should take a closer look at integrations and connections.  Continue Reading

• Explore Clojure programming language and its multithread style

  Discover the fundamentals of the Clojure programming language and its Java-specific uses and tool pairings to see if this multithread programming approach is a fit for your team.  Continue Reading

• 4 essential KPIs for edge computing management

  If you want to track edge deployment activity, look at storage, network and processing resources to guide workload configuration and maintenance needs.  Continue Reading

• NVMe performance challenges expose the CPU chokepoint

  NVMe systems have diminishing marginal performance gains when hardware is added and storage software consumes more CPU resources. Discover how to address this problem.  Continue Reading

• Deploy Azure low-priority VMs -- strategically

  Microsoft's low-priority VMs come with big savings -- and a catch. Learn how to incorporate them into your cost optimization efforts and see how they stack up to the competition.  Continue Reading

• 5 critical features that put the 'AI' in AIOps tools

  Don't fall victim to AI-washing in the IT systems management market. Instead, know what to look for in a truly 'intelligent' operations platform -- starting with these 5 capabilities.  Continue Reading

• How 5G deployment will affect enterprise network hardware, software

  Enterprise network architects can start thinking about 5G deployment now, focusing on mobile usage, real-time communications and 5G-capable network equipment.  Continue Reading

• IT skills shortage leads to AWS certification demand

  AWS certifications help engineers advance their careers and help businesses find qualified candidates. Learn why demand for certifications is on the rise and how to get and stay certified.  Continue Reading

• Use ManageEngine OpManager to monitor your virtual environment

  ManageEngine OpManager offers monitoring capabilities that enable IT teams to gather resource metrics, such as CPU usage and I/O operations, to help manage their environments.  Continue Reading

• Where serverless storage fits in the serverless computing world

  Storage for serverless functions must be external to the compute environment. Learn about the types of storage that work best for serverless computing.  Continue Reading

• 6 AWS Config managed rules for secure resource configurations

  Introduce these 6 managed rules for AWS Config to boost your organization's cloud security and maintain compliance across resource configurations.  Continue Reading

• Automate declarative configuration management for IT ops success

  AWS CloudFormation is one of the top options for configuration management -- but it isn't without flaws. Compare AWS to other tools to pick the best option for your organization.  Continue Reading

• 4 tips to tackle common microservices testing problems

  Flaky tests put code quality -- and development team morale -- at risk. Proliferating microservices stress out test environments, so use these techniques to keep everything running.  Continue Reading

• What are the differences between KVM, Virtuozzo and OpenVZ?

  These virtualization platforms are related, but they vary in terms of whether they're open source or commercial products and the types of instances they provide to run applications.  Continue Reading

• How Agile and DevOps leadership empowers the whole team

  A dictatorial style of leadership doesn't cut it in Agile and DevOps shops. Here's how managers can ditch bad habits and instead encourage team experimentation and decision-making.  Continue Reading

• DevOps security best practices span code creation to compliance

  Developers and operations staff who split security responsibilities as part of a DevOps workflow should apply these best practices to ensure no vulnerability goes unnoticed.  Continue Reading

• 3 AWS infrastructure management tools to expedite DevOps adoption

  Make the switch to a declarative infrastructure management model on AWS. Deploy tools such as CloudFormation and CodeCommit to boost your DevOps approach.  Continue Reading

• The vSAN stretched cluster type spreads HCI love for HA, DR

  VMware vSAN stretched clusters enable admins to spread hyper-converged infrastructures across two physical locations. Learn more about them and their benefits.  Continue Reading

• TOSCA and other cloud standardization efforts stall

  As enterprises continue to work with multiple cloud models, they are sure to face integration, interoperability and portability issues. Cloud standards may still be the answer.  Continue Reading

• Learn which low-code techniques fit which projects

  There's an ideal time and purpose for low- and no-code development tools. And among those platforms there are various modus operandi, each apt for different apps.  Continue Reading