Tips

Tips

• Network configuration basics: Focus on users and software tools

  When configuring a network, keep a detailed and updated document to track user needs and network changes. And, of course, take advantage of network configuration software.  Continue Reading

• Automate the IT service desk workflow for maximum success

  The automated help desk using ITSM software does for IT operations and support what the CI/CD toolchain has done for developers and DevOps engineers.  Continue Reading

• Considerations for a successful DCIM implementation

  Selecting the right DCIM software is a complicated process. Make sure you have executive buy-in, vendor support and defined goals to get the best return on investment.  Continue Reading

• Have newer security methods made NAC systems obsolete?

  While newer security methods, like microsegmentation and software-defined perimeter, diminish the role of network access control, NAC systems can still help secure the network edge.  Continue Reading

• How to replicate Azure resources for speed, agility

  There isn't a one-click tool to quickly clone full-stack application environments in Microsoft Azure, but these techniques can make the process easier.  Continue Reading

• How the SaltStack architecture enables config management at scale

  SaltStack's one-to-many communication model enables it to manage configurations in massive IT deployments without network strain. To get the most out of SaltStack, understand ZeroMQ.  Continue Reading

• These tools help build microservices in Java

  Depending on the mission, developers need to align their tool choices with one of two paths for Java microservices. Here's what you need to know.  Continue Reading

• 6 ways to tighten Agile feedback loops

  Software bugs are inevitable, but quality improves when you find defects sooner rather than later. Adopt these measures to cut down lengthy and expensive software feedback loops.  Continue Reading

• AWS Outposts continues the trend of 'cloud-down' hybrid

  AWS Outposts may not make an impact until 2020, but organizations still need to prepare for Amazon's on-prem cloud service to see if the 'cloud-down' approach fits their needs.  Continue Reading

• How Google Cloud Build helps microservices build automation

  Google Cloud Build has the potential to play a valuable and reliable role in CI/CD pipelines for microservices development. Learn how Cloud Build can help.  Continue Reading

• Follow these 6 serverless security best practices

  Optimal security for serverless architectures requires developers and ops teams to embrace best practices around dependencies, testing, access and more.  Continue Reading

• How to document software requirements without hating your job

  Software requirements specifications explain, in painstaking detail, what is expected of a project. So, why develop without one? It's not worth the risk. Read why an SRS is vital.  Continue Reading

• 7 misconceptions about the NVMe protocol and NVMe technology

  See what you need to know to avoid some of the common misperceptions about NVMe technology and making possibly expensive mistakes with your organization's NVMe architecture.  Continue Reading

• The 2 fundamental approaches to hybrid cloud integration

  Organizations that want to create a hybrid cloud environment need to develop a strategy. Consider these two approaches.  Continue Reading

• How NFV architecture works

  NFV enables organizations to virtualize operations and replace network equipment such as routers and switches. It's built on three components: VNFs, NFVI and the MANO framework.  Continue Reading

• 6 steps to troubleshoot Wi-Fi network issues

  In a business setting, as you troubleshoot Wi-Fi network issues, these six steps provide a foundation to get you started and keep you grounded when wireless problems hit.  Continue Reading

• Set your AWS cloud migration strategy before the big move

  A move from on premises to the cloud doesn't happen with a click of a button. Set clear goals, and familiarize yourself with AWS' various native tools to make the most of your move.  Continue Reading

• Use shift-right testing to cut skepticism, deployment delays

  Production environments are the final frontier for bug hunters. So, embrace -- don't eschew -- shift-right testing. It has the potential to enhance software quality for users.  Continue Reading

• Get informed of the risks associated with docker.sock

  Container security is a new area for many IT admins, and enterprise IT organizations can easily set up Docker in ways that compromise access control -- potentially exposing the host.  Continue Reading

• How to configure a gMSA for Windows containers

  You must start Windows containers with a CredentialSpec file and gMSA name to enable applications to use gMSA credentials in place of local system and network service accounts.  Continue Reading

• Keep an eye on these third-party cloud management tools

  Examine what third-party vendors can bring to the table before you choose your cloud provider's native management tools as a default option.  Continue Reading

• Enterprises iffy on telecom services beyond network connectivity

  Enterprises look to telecom carriers for network connectivity services, but providers need to win them over to sell cloud and productivity options, according to network pros.  Continue Reading

• Tips for selecting a data center testing provider

  Finding the right service provider for data center tests can be time-consuming. To pick the right one, be sure to have realistic objectives and a detailed SLA.  Continue Reading

• Hone your skills to be an IT infrastructure architect

  IT architecture relies on most skills that sys admins have picked up already but also demands a few more. Learn the responsibilities and the requirements for this advancement.  Continue Reading

• How to integrate DevOps QA testing on AWS

  QA testing is an overlooked, but important, part of DevOps. For workloads on AWS, use CodeBuild, CodeCommit and other tools to make the most of your workflow.  Continue Reading

• SD-branch begins to prove itself with growing deployments

  Enterprises are beginning to deploy SD-branch and are seeing positive results, pointing to the possibility that the software-defined branch will become the norm for branch networking.  Continue Reading

• Get started with natural language processing APIs in cloud

  As the cloud makes AI technology increasingly accessible to enterprises, more developers look to incorporate natural language processing into their apps.  Continue Reading

• How to revamp your managed services pricing for predictable revenue

  Many MSPs still rely heavily on an hourly billing rate and cost-plus pricing. Michael Backers, an MSPAlliance board member, offers advice on moving to managed services pricing.  Continue Reading

• How to write and structure worthwhile SRS documentation

  Software projects contain many moving parts, and a miscommunication can derail them easily. Keep everyone on the same page with clear and exhaustive requirements specifications.  Continue Reading

• Storage Migration Service eases Windows Server transfers

  See how SMS eases the process of migrating Windows servers, simplifying the administrator's job and minimizing the disruptions to users and applications.  Continue Reading

• The fundamentals of Micronaut and microservices development

  The Micronaut framework offers developers an efficient way to build distributed applications, particularly thanks to quick startup capabilities, a multipurpose CLI and more.  Continue Reading

• Top five data center trends to watch in 2019

  In 2019, data center admins should research how technologies such as AIOps, chatbots and GPUs can help them with their management, help desk and processing needs.  Continue Reading

• How VMware snapshots work and how to use them

  Disk snapshots can save VMware virtual servers from failed patches and upgrades. Easily create and manage various types of snapshot files with these strategies.  Continue Reading

• Manage an ESXi firewall with PowerCLI and ESXCLI

  Regardless of whether you prefer ESXCLI or PowerCLI, learning to manage firewalls via the command line can save you time when making changes to firewalls on multiple hosts.  Continue Reading

• 4 development tools that bridge the architect-developer gap

  There can be a frustrating divide between the role of software developer and architect in any organization. There are ways to bridge that chasm, and one of these four tools just might help.  Continue Reading

• Follow these steps for an Oracle-to-AWS migration

  AWS represents the first viable alternative to Oracle for many organizations. Review your options, and follow these steps for a successful database move to the cloud.  Continue Reading

• How to set up and enforce Azure multifactor authentication

  Azure Active Directory offers multifactor authentication to further secure login credentials. Get started with these instructions to set up this Microsoft cloud service.  Continue Reading

• Ansible vs. Puppet: Declarative DevOps tools square off

  Vendors in the declarative DevOps space cater to the increasing emphasis on software quality in the release cycle. See how Puppet and Ansible stack up in this face-off.  Continue Reading

• Top server maintenance tips to extend hardware lifespan

  IT administrators can upgrade CPU, RAM and networking hardware to maintain smooth server operations and to maximize resources.  Continue Reading

• Predictive networks: How realistic are they?

  While the associated term might sound magical, predictive networks make use of real historical data to predict network events. Be ready for a bit of complexity, though.  Continue Reading

• Hybrid cloud vs. multi-cloud storage: Choose wisely

  Stuck deciding between hybrid and multi-cloud? When it comes to cloud storage, it's important to choose the right approach for the task at hand, which will vary by business.  Continue Reading

• Top 5 SCVMM PowerShell commands

  Manually making changes to Hyper-V hosts and VMs is very time-consuming. Manage System Center Virtual Machine Manager with PowerShell commands to make administration easier.  Continue Reading

• Enforce container ecosystem consistency in 4 steps

  Lightweight apps are easy to containerize, but monoliths need more work. Expert admins can bring those heavyweight apps into the fold, whether they were made for containers or not.  Continue Reading

• 6 steps to how blockchain storage works

  See how blockchain technology has the potential to provide a secure and reliable enterprise data storage environment with our step-by-step guide to blockchain data storage.  Continue Reading

• Migrate Exchange to Office 365 with these tips

  Check this list of common issues that can occur during an Exchange migration to steer the organization away from potential mishaps during the messaging platform's relocation.  Continue Reading

• Use branch office servers to support infrastructure expansion

  A remote office setup requires infrastructure that meets performance, cost and space demands. Depending on the vendor, a microserver will likely provide the best compromise.  Continue Reading

• Cloud disaster recovery services evolve, but gaps remain

  A severe outage can cripple a business, which is why a disaster recovery plan is critical. While today's DRaaS offerings make it easier to recover, there's still room for growth.  Continue Reading

• How to prepare your own container development kit

  A container development kit helps confederate containerized application development and transition developed components between clusters. Here's how to create your own.  Continue Reading

• Kata Containers, gVisor offer more secure container strategies

  Kata Containers and Google gVisor present different approaches to using VMs for container security. Evaluate their advantages to get insight into the future of container security.  Continue Reading

• Manage application log files with the right tools and guidelines

  IT operations teams face costly and complicated steps to monitor the crucial data in log files. Learn to use log management and aggregation tools to interpret trends without waste.  Continue Reading

• Implement cloud failover, replication for workload protection

  Businesses increasingly use public cloud services as workload protection targets. But cloud failover and replication are hardly hands-off processes for IT teams.  Continue Reading

• Compliance with GDPR in Exchange requires extra effort

  Exchange administrators outside of the European Union might not think that GDPR affects them, but they should work toward compliance to avoid a stiff penalty if a violation occurs.  Continue Reading

• What's the difference between multi-cloud vs. hybrid cloud strategies?

  When comparing multi-cloud vs. hybrid cloud deployments, you'll want to pay particular attention to the management concepts and tools for each cloud strategy.  Continue Reading

• GitOps, event handling will shape DevOps evolution

  DevOps is all about swift application deployment, and faster methods can arrive over time. Tom Nolle explains two concepts that will spark DevOps' continued evolution.  Continue Reading

• AIOps tools supplement -- not supplant -- DevOps pipelines

  While the line between DevOps and AIOps often seems blurred, the two disciplines aren't synonymous. Instead, they present some key differences in terms of required skill sets and tools.  Continue Reading

• 5 open source cloud monitoring tools to evaluate in 2019

  Open source monitoring tools can offer a number of advantages over cloud providers' native options. Review these five to find out which tool is best for your cloud strategy.  Continue Reading

• RDS on VMware extends AWS' hybrid strategy

  RDS on premises expands the AWS and VMware relationship, but adoption will depend on the breadth of capabilities for the managed database service.  Continue Reading

• Learn the basics before you work with Git

  Git can scale with complex environments, but more conflicts can arise. Get the Git basics down before your developers use forks or branches for projects.  Continue Reading

• SD-WAN features lacking, but offer differentiation opportunity

  Most available SD-WAN products focus on a few main features, which risks making SD-WAN a commodity offering. But vendors are starting to combat that with feature differentiation.  Continue Reading

• How to keep developers and testers happy -- and productive

  The stresses of software development can strain testers and developers' comradery. Foster a collaborative and communicative environment to keep the whole team productive.  Continue Reading

• Data center interconnects rife with application challenges

  Avoid pushing complexity into your network. This is especially true with data center interconnect design, Layer 2 mobility and application requirements.  Continue Reading

• How to build microservices with Spring Boot and Spring Cloud

  Spring Boot and Cloud can certainly help developers tackle microservices, but it's not for everybody and, unfortunately, there are a few important limitations to consider.  Continue Reading

• How to improve help desk support via knowledge management

  Your organization's help desk support system could be more efficient. Find out how knowledge management and natural language processing solve hidden IT woes.  Continue Reading

• Network security, SD-WAN suppliers revamp branch security

  Branch network security is getting a face-lift, as network security and SD-WAN suppliers look at new ways to integrate their platforms and upgrade products.  Continue Reading

• HCI storage advancements require network technology upgrades

  Flash storage options make HCI scalability easier, but they also require newer network hardware. Data center admins are looking at NVMe-based fabrics as a possible fix.  Continue Reading

• Telecom trends 2019: Time for operator 5G and IoT decisions

  Telecom trends in 2019 dictate that network operators have tough choices to make to compete with OTT players, increase revenue in terms of 5G and IoT, and consider the software-based fast-fail model.  Continue Reading

• 3 serverless platform approaches to consider

  There are several ways to approach serverless, and each has pros and cons. Learn where cloud, open source and the more traditional platforms fit into the serverless conversation.  Continue Reading

• Build and share code via Azure Notebooks

  An Azure service enables enterprises to host Jupyter Notebooks in the cloud to ease access and management. Learn whether it could benefit your dev team, and how to get started.  Continue Reading

• Deploy a VM from a template with VMware PowerCLI

  Quickly create and deploy VMs from templates using Packer or PowerCLI rather than doing so from scratch via installation media. This helpful how-to walks you through the steps.  Continue Reading

• Review Google cloud IAM fundamentals and best practices

  To learn the ins and outs of Google’s identity and access management service, start with the basic concepts of roles, permissions and policies.  Continue Reading

• Go for AWS third-party tools if native options don't cut it

  AWS users who can't find the service they need can turn to third-party tools for help, especially if they run on multiple clouds or want better integration options.  Continue Reading

• New NVMe interface specification focuses on management

  An NVMe management interface builds on the existing standard, allowing users to monitor NVMe devices. NVMe-MI may represent a significant step forward for the technology.  Continue Reading

• See how file system structure can drag down NVMe performance

  Find out what matters when it comes to file system design and how to prevent file systems from becoming bottlenecks to achieving optimal performance in NVMe-based storage systems.  Continue Reading

• What to consider when integrating SD-WAN and ITSM tools

  We haven't really heard a lot about SD-WAN integration with IT service management. But getting SD-WAN to work with existing ITSM tools is a big priority for enterprises.  Continue Reading

• Step Functions outshines SWF for most AWS workflows

  Simple Workflow Service has been around longer, but Step Functions offers more flexibility for asynchronous tasks. See why the latter is often better for multistep processes on AWS.  Continue Reading

• Experienced cloud architects, engineers in high demand for 2019

  Despite all the buzz around emerging technologies such as serverless, many enterprises in 2019 will first look to round out their core cloud management and development skill sets.  Continue Reading

• Hybrid cloud technologies become table stakes in IaaS market

  In 2018, IaaS providers upped their commitment to hybrid cloud. Expect that trend to continue in full force next year -- with some key distinctions between vendors' strategies.  Continue Reading

• Set up vCenter two-factor authentication

  How do you set up two-factor authentication with VMware vCenter? Expert Stuart Burns explains how to configure 2FA and includes implementation and troubleshooting advice.  Continue Reading

• Secure data in the cloud with encryption and access controls

  Enterprises can't rely on their IaaS provider to protect sensitive information in the cloud. Implement these data security techniques to mitigate potential risks.  Continue Reading

• Amazon Lightsail vs. EC2: Do updates tip the scale?

  Amazon Lightsail updates will make the cloud bundle an appealing option for some AWS users, but EC2 still provides more benefits for users that need infrastructure flexibility.  Continue Reading

• 3 ways to minimize critical container vulnerabilities

  Containers are complex, and it takes some work to keep your container components and images safe from attack. Here are three critical container development security practices.  Continue Reading

• Combining serverless and microservices has its benefits

  Uncover the advantages that result from coupling serverless with microservices, and see how cloud providers prepare for customers to use these technologies together.  Continue Reading

• Pair AWS with microservices deployment to meet CI/CD goals

  When combined with microservices, these AWS offerings can provide an easier way to adopt a fully Agile development methodology.  Continue Reading

• Estimate the cost of open source software in 5 practical areas

  Open source tools and technologies are free for the taking, as long as enterprise IT organizations correctly calculate the cost of implementation, support, contribution and more.  Continue Reading

• Weigh your AWS database options before a migration

  A database migration can be quite messy. Determine your requirements and whether native Amazon services can meet them before you do a complete on-prem database teardown.  Continue Reading

• Troubleshoot Host Guardian Service with guarded fabric diagnostics

  Take advantage of the built-in guarded fabric diagnostic tool to discover and resolve common issues that can afflict Host Guardian Service and guarded fabric deployments.  Continue Reading

• Hyper-V Integration Services and VMware Tools improve OSes

  Hyper-V Integration Services and VMware Tools are similar utilities with a few small differences. One is that Hyper-V Integration Services supports fewer guests than VMware Tools.  Continue Reading

• Amazon Connect integrations aim to improve call center apps

  Together, Amazon Connect and Lex can benefit call center agents, as chatbots reduce the workload and provide valuable insights into the customer experience.  Continue Reading

• Practical ways to implement function as a service

  Developers are ready to work with function as a service but still need some guidance. Learn about FaaS implementation models and which FaaS platform offering is for you.  Continue Reading

• How to prevent swap usage from hurting your NVMe devices

  Overuse of swap files can cut into the life span of your organization's NVMe-based drives. Find out how to monitor and limit swapping on your Linux systems.  Continue Reading

• Use T3 instances for burstable workloads -- cautiously

  AWS' burstable VMs can save money for certain workloads, but tread lightly, as users can also get stung by overage charges, particularly with the latest generation.  Continue Reading

• 5 skills every Hyper-V administrator needs to succeed

  Windows Server skills aren't complete without these five Hyper-V skills, which range from failover clustering to storage, and remain essential for virtualization administration.  Continue Reading

• Learn how to use Terraform for multi-cloud management

  Terraform provides a highly configurable platform to manage infrastructure in a cloud-agnostic way. However, enterprises need to prepare for some challenges.  Continue Reading

• The top ways microservices impact EDI processes

  B2B integration has changed, and traditional EDI transaction methods may not meet modern needs. Here is how microservices can help organizations simplify today's complex B2B endpoints.  Continue Reading

• To address microservices issues, turn to OOP principles

  Developers may graduate to microservices from object-oriented programming, but the fundamental principles of OOP still apply, even if the techniques have changed.  Continue Reading

• 5 tips to help effectively manage container components

  The layered approach is commonly used with Docker containers, but it's important to keep container components under control. Here are five crucial tips.  Continue Reading

• When to manage APIs with cloud-native vs. third-party tools

  As enterprises break out applications into smaller components, both in the development cycle and for operational scalability, APIs become more important -- as does proper management.  Continue Reading

• Manage large volumes of VM data with these storage tactics

  Admins can effectively virtualize large servers with storage tiering and disk allocation, but they must be wary of potential IOPS and redundancy issues.  Continue Reading

• 8 multi-cloud storage strategies that target performance

  Performance is an important aspect of using multiple clouds for storage but may take a back seat to the technology's other benefits. Are you missing out?  Continue Reading

• Windows Admin Center lures IT pros with Azure integration

  If System Center is overkill for your needs and the older tools aren't up to task, then the Windows Admin Center just might be the tool to manage your data center.  Continue Reading