Tips

Tips

• Build an application migration plan step by step

  To migrate apps to the cloud, start with nonessential workloads and move to more mission-critical ones from there. But, remember, some apps might not be suited for cloud at all.  Continue Reading

• Monitor Active Directory replication via PowerShell

  Most enterprises rely on Active Directory to control access to resources on the network. Here's how admins can use PowerShell to check the health of the replication process.  Continue Reading

• Crack open Google Cloud Shell for infrastructure management

  Shell commands and Bash scripts have been a staple of system administration, and for those who still prefer that management approach, Cloud Shell on GCP might be worth a look.  Continue Reading

• Two Ansible playbook examples illustrate config management

  Configuration management enables automation for many operations tasks. Ansible uses a simple structure and a dynamic language to enable admins to easily complete jobs, once they get the hang of a playbook.  Continue Reading

• Centralize Ubuntu server management on Landscape

  Canonical Landscape brings centralized server management to Ubuntu on physical and virtual machines, as well as cloud systems. See how it works, and explore features such as tagging.  Continue Reading

• Compare different vCenter Server editions to find what fits

  Compare and contrast vCenter Server licensing options, and choose what's best based on how much support you need and how many ESXi hosts you want to manage.  Continue Reading

• Get serious about patch validation and deployment -- fast

  Zero-day exploits are more dangerous than ever, but so is applying an untested patch to live systems. Without a strategy to quickly validate patches -- outside of production -- you're playing with fire.  Continue Reading

• Set up remote domains to control Exchange messaging

  Administrators can configure a remote domain to perform particular tasks, such as converting certain email formats and stopping users from forwarding messages to another domain.  Continue Reading

• Rearchitect applications for cloud with these five tips

  It's difficult to fully realize the benefits of cloud computing when you simply migrate an app as is. Instead, consider rearchitecting your app -- and start with these five steps.  Continue Reading

• Three reasons to consider a multi-cloud storage strategy

  Storing data in multiple clouds is a fairly new strategy, but it's useful for companies that want to control cloud costs, protect privacy and ensure their data is always available.  Continue Reading

• Need help making Wi-Fi secure? Consider some 'classic' approaches

  Keeping your Wi-Fi secure is a challenge, to say the least. Security hasn't kept up with Wi-Fi advances, but there are steps you can take to keep your Wi-Fi network protected.  Continue Reading

• Use eseutil for Exchange database repair with care

  If Exchange crashes and you lack valid backups, just stay cool. The eseutil tool can be powerful, but if used improperly, it can do more harm than good.  Continue Reading

• IT capacity planning takes new shape in the cloud

  Migrating applications off premises to the cloud requires a new capacity planning approach: Develop a detailed cloud strategy, and carefully track upgrade schedules.  Continue Reading

• Infrastructure as code benefits range from audits to ops

  When an auditor asks to see how the entire application stack is configured, you'll recognize the benefits of an infrastructure-as-code implementation.  Continue Reading

• Cloud data backup services minimize outage, security risks

  Backups are critical in any cloud strategy, but where you store that data is just as important. Explore these automated backup tools and services to avoid risks later.  Continue Reading

• The application runtime environment is as important as the app

  To avoid cascading failures and never-ending troubleshooting, take the time to understand the software and hardware -- the runtime environment -- that keeps an app ticking.  Continue Reading

• Solid-state drive performance metrics go beyond latency, IOPS

  In determining performance and lifespan of an SSD, companies must consider the drive's architecture, the storage controller and write amplification in addition to IOPS and latency.  Continue Reading

• CloudFormation StackSets drive cross-account automation

  AWS gave its automation capabilities a boost with the release of CloudFormation StackSets, a feature that lets dev teams deploy stacks across multiple accounts and regions.  Continue Reading

• The pros and cons of container platforms for portability

  Container platforms enable high degrees of portability, but there are some container portability limitations related to persistent storage, different container formats and more.  Continue Reading

• To build or to buy? That is the DevOps toolchain question

  An organization should assess its strengths and weaknesses before choosing a DevOps toolchain. A pre-made pipeline is simpler than individually collected tools, but it sacrifices flexibility.  Continue Reading

• Compare two types of cloud automation and orchestration tools

  There are two camps of tools for automation and orchestration in cloud: provider-native and third-party. To pick the right one, know your future needs, especially for multi-cloud.  Continue Reading

• Beat VDI deployment challenges; find the best VDI storage

  Companies that want to stand up a VDI deployment can choose from a variety of storage options, from traditional storage technologies to more creative approaches, such as layering.  Continue Reading

• How to change an ESXi password for vCenter

  A forgotten ESXi root password can stop you in your tracks. Avoid dodgy quick fixes and learn the proper way to recover a root password for vCenter-connected and stand-alone hosts.  Continue Reading

• Work Lambda into Amazon SQS queues to prevent backlogs

  Amazon SQS enables users to process and track tasks in a queue. Combine it with Lambda and CloudWatch to add extra message processing functionality.  Continue Reading

• Learn the basics of Azure Container Instances

  The popularity of containers continues to prompt major cloud providers to offer new services. See how Azure's most recent release -- Container Instances -- aims to ease deployment.  Continue Reading

• Reduce AWS costs with volume discounts, Reserved Instances

  AWS volume discounts sound simple -- the more you buy, the less you pay. But cost savings can vary based on the services you use and whether Reserved Instances play a role.  Continue Reading

• Container OS options abound: Make the right selection

  There is an assortment of OSes that support containerized applications, so go into the decision with a set of wants, needs and must-avoids.  Continue Reading

• Network validation a first step to intent-based architecture

  Network validation is an important first step for enterprises evaluating intent-based networking. Unless you know how things really work, you won't succeed.  Continue Reading

• Windows Server containers and Hyper-V containers explained

  It's important to not only understand the differences between these two container types but also the specific requirements, deployment considerations and management practices.  Continue Reading

• Master Azure subscriptions with these key concepts and terms

  Azure's subscription structure lets admins break out responsibility for billing and resource management. But first, they need to know concepts such as accounts and departments.  Continue Reading

• Add a host to a VMware cluster by following these tips

  Grouping physical hosts together on a cluster improves resource distribution and increases availability. It's easy to add a host to a cluster, but be sure to follow these rules.  Continue Reading

• Gen 6 Fibre Channel helps support flash, but lacks adoption

  Sixth generation Fibre Channel has the potential to solve fabric-level bottlenecks, but companies tend to choose Ethernet because it has evolved more rapidly.  Continue Reading

• Use Azure availability sets for patching to achieve the best uptime

  Ops' responsibility doesn't end once in a public cloud; in fact, it can get more confounding. Learn the best route to update Azure cloud instances and what mistakes to avoid.  Continue Reading

• With Btrfs file system gone in RHEL 8, look at alternatives

  In the XFS, Ext4, Btrfs and ZFS comparison, Linux users will say goodbye to Btrfs in RHEL 8. Learn more about your options and what can fill the gaps once development halts.  Continue Reading

• Carrier cloud could create bigger roles in future for SDN and NFV

  Increasing carrier cloud deployment could be the key that drives SDN and NFV technologies forward in the future of virtual networking -- not the other way around.  Continue Reading

• How to choose a live kernel patching extension

  Ksplice and kpatch offer similar live kernel patching services on a Linux system, but differences between function-level services and technical support showcase their differences.  Continue Reading

• Standardize configuration management software for smoother DevOps

  If your organization uses different configuration management software for development and operations, you're not alone. Even better, it's no engineering feat to migrate to one main tool.  Continue Reading

• SAM Local enables offline development for serverless apps

  Serverless computing is a draw for developers, though hybrid functionality has been limited. AWS' SAM Local now enables local testing of Lambda functions -- but faces competition.  Continue Reading

• Comparison of popular technical SD-WAN service models

  Two main SD-WAN service model options exist for users to choose from, but more could be on the way due to regulatory and industry development efforts. Find out what works for you in this comparison.  Continue Reading

• How to use traceroute to troubleshoot network problems

  Traceroute is a tool that can provide more insight than you might think. Learn how to use traceroute to troubleshoot network issues.  Continue Reading

• AWS root account access is a treasure for attackers

  Don't fall victim to a hacked root account. Create and work within new AWS accounts, and then apply the least amount of privilege necessary to prevent a costly mistake.  Continue Reading

• Visions of software-defined branch begin to take hold

  Software-based technologies can apply to the vision of a software-defined branch that converges network elements and centralizes management. But getting there will take time.  Continue Reading

• Configuration management processes take down GRC challenges

  Configuration management processes speed deployments, but tools that know effective licenses and data storage details aid in another area that businesses are keen to get right.  Continue Reading

• Build a DevOps version control process for IT infrastructure

  Infrastructure admins can turn to the DevOps version control process for all IaC updates. Learn the basics, then follow along with an example in Git.  Continue Reading

• Ansible variables give structure to playbook execution

  Ansible playbooks tell the IT automation system how to complete a task. Use variables in a playbook to tell Ansible how to interact with the available resources.  Continue Reading

• The story of SDN: Control planes, OpenFlow protocol and disaggregation

  When discussing SDN, control planes and programmability are often lumped into the conversation -- along with a dose of OpenFlow protocol and disaggregation.  Continue Reading

• Back-end storage considerations for in-memory processing

  Storing hot data in main memory removes the latency associated with hard disk and solid-state storage operations; it's the best option for need-it-now data.  Continue Reading

• Amazon DAX manages database spikes for improved performance

  The DynamoDB Accelerator reduces database latency without tacking on a separate cache. While the service has some early limitations, DAX benefits enterprises with real-time apps.  Continue Reading

• Install Ubuntu Core successfully with these steps

  An Ubuntu Core installation can often prove tricky for IT teams. Use these step-by-step instructions to properly install the platform for a more secure Docker environment.  Continue Reading

• How to determine the true cost of flash

  If you want to add flash storage, it's important to consider the cost per IOPS and gigabyte compared to HDD volumes, as well as the difference between consumer and enterprise SSDs.  Continue Reading

• Real-time vs. near-real-time analytics -- how to choose

  Data is king, but what happens when the data isn't truly real-time? Expert Tom Nolle explains the cloud platform choices when it comes to 'real-time' analytics.  Continue Reading

• A deployment pipeline keeps infrastructure ducks in their rows

  IT infrastructure is difficult to get right. Whether to stand up a test/dev server or deploy a new app to production, infrastructure developers turn to a deployment pipeline to build IT.  Continue Reading

• Come to grips with immutable infrastructure in production

  Immutable infrastructure is a developer approach to application hosting that's made its way into the IT ops lexicon. It's time to understand the changes it brings to application support.  Continue Reading

• Compare XtremIO vs. Unity all-flash storage system for VDI

  Dell EMC offers two all-flash storage options geared toward VDI shops. One suits companies with fewer than 500 persistent machines, and the other is for larger deployments.  Continue Reading

• Four tips for building a Swift object store

  OpenStack Swift doesn't have to be scary. You can use the command line, zones and access control lists to make object storage management a little easier.  Continue Reading

• In a microservices app, how many microservices are too many?

  How many microservices are optimal for your microservices app? DevOps analyst Chris Tozzi explains how to use containers, codebase analysis and other tactics to decide.  Continue Reading

• Open source network tools compete with shrinking vendor equipment

  Vendor equipment consolidation could limit network operator service automation efforts, but new open source network tools offer options and prevent lock-in.  Continue Reading

• Chef Habitat offers a different take on configuration management

  Chef Habitat's strategy focuses on the dynamic application environment instead of static servers, approaching configuration management with a new focus.  Continue Reading

• IT automation software: Top five common mistakes

  IT automation software projects can involve a great deal of risk, but avoid these common mistakes and it will increase the chances for automation success.  Continue Reading

• New options for managed network service providers benefit enterprises

  SDN, NFV and SD-WAN are creating a new set of software-based offerings that managed network service providers can roll out to enterprises faster and at lower cost.  Continue Reading

• How to move to a network hybrid cloud architecture

  Learn how to avoid network hybrid cloud architecture problems before a migration, and why uniformity and consistent performance are essential for success.  Continue Reading

• How a backup data retention policy combats growing storage needs

  While a thorough backup system can protect your data, it can also lead to a rapid increase in the amount of data you have stored. A policy-based storage system may be able to help.  Continue Reading

• What is the future of container deployment?

  Container deployment continues to evolve with the help of VM models, microservices and DevOps. Learn how the container architecture can impact your business goals.  Continue Reading

• Use the Rufus utility to create a bootable VMware ESXi installer

  Rufus -- short for Reliable USB Formatting Utility -- is a free Windows tool that can create a bootable VMware ESXi installer and a custom installation package in mere minutes.  Continue Reading

• Automate Active Directory jobs with PowerShell scripts

  Much of what admins do in Active Directory is not exactly cutting-edge, and they don't want to waste time on mundane tasks. A dash of PowerShell can speed things along.  Continue Reading

• Everything you need to know about OpenStack modules

  OpenStack continues to evolve in an effort to compete with AWS. The modules that are available now make OpenStack a viable enterprise option.  Continue Reading

• Simple steps to improve the IT incident management process

  No one notices when there's a solid IT incident management response process in place, but everyone notices when there's not. Improve how you handle issues in three steps.  Continue Reading

• Lost and found: Use an Exchange recovery database to restore data

  PowerShell can come to the rescue to restore messages and other items from an Exchange 2016 recovery database when trouble strikes -- or when lawyers make requests.  Continue Reading

• How to use Azure Active Directory differently than classic AD

  Windows administrators can't just whip up an Azure Active Directory deployment and expect it to mimic the classic AD, but Azure AD has several meaningful uses.  Continue Reading

• Agentless Ansible structure opens up configuration management potential

  Ansible is easy to use for IT ops pros, and it supports multicloud functionality within its automation structure. This simple walkthrough gets sys admins started with the tool.  Continue Reading

• Should you run MySQL on VMs or physical machines?

  Take stock of your current environment, including instance types, orchestration systems and storage devices, before deciding whether to deploy MySQL to VMs or physical machines.  Continue Reading

• Overcome common IP address issues during a cloud migration

  During a move to the cloud, many organizations overlook potential snags surrounding IP addresses. To start, know how cloud providers manage address assignment.  Continue Reading

• Improve query performance, cut costs with Amazon Athena

  Amazon Athena can query more data formats than its competitor Google BigQuery, but developers must choose easy-to-process formats to enjoy Athena's benefits.  Continue Reading

• Office 365 admin roles give users the power of permissions

  No matter your organization's size, it's helpful to have users handle some functions typically reserved for IT. But limit access to elevated access to reduce security risks.  Continue Reading

• Debug an Active Directory domain join failure on Windows Server

  The domain join process typically works without issue. But when a device can't connect to Active Directory, the administrator must seek the culprit from the usual suspects.  Continue Reading

• Use SIOC to create and apply IOPS limits and storage policies

  VMware Storage I/O Control uses vSphere APIs for I/O Filtering to quickly establish and apply IOPS limits to VMs that regularly access your data store.  Continue Reading

• Server OS patching doesn't have to be as painful as you fear

  OS patching is like a mechanic's job -- you need different tools for different makes and models. SCCM, Satellite and Landscape provide upkeep for IT's sports cars and SUVs.  Continue Reading

• Integrate Ceph object storage in a VMware vSphere environment

  It can be challenging to integrate Ceph in a VMware environment, but with the right interface, vSphere administrators can reap the rewards of object storage.  Continue Reading

• Know your AWS downtime limits

  Enterprises have different standards of downtime tolerance, which often vary between applications. Properly set your expectations and avoid unnecessary -- and unwanted -- downtime.  Continue Reading

• Reference architecture vs. converged infrastructure: Know the difference

  The terms converged infrastructure and reference architecture frequently appear together, but they're not interchangeable. One is the blueprint and the other is a structure.  Continue Reading

• Telecom vendors feel the pressure of operator transformation plans

  Changes in network operators' buying trends have rocked the status quo for telecom vendors, with pricing pressure, software and chants of 'no more lock-in' driving it home.  Continue Reading

• GlusterFS vs. Ceph: Weighing the open source combatants

  When considering open source storage software, GlusterFS and Ceph share that designation and little else. Knowing how each option works can help in the selection process.  Continue Reading

• What to expect in OpenStack releases Pike and Queens

  OpenStack Pike, Queens and Rocky will include much-needed features and updates that will simplify user interfaces and improve the function of existing APIs.  Continue Reading

• Three DevOps toolchain options refine IT automation

  DevOps tools that don't interconnect form a bottleneck that teams can easily avoid -- or retroactively remedy -- if the CI/CD workflow merits the time commitment.  Continue Reading

• VSAN Encryption: What it is, what it does and how to use it

  New to vSphere 6.6, vSAN Encryption uses an XTS AES-256 cipher to encrypt all objects in the vSAN data store across both all-flash and hybrid configurations.  Continue Reading

• Four private cloud design pointers to ensure success

  To design a successful private cloud, lay the groundwork: Plan beyond the five-year mark, determine who will manage images and make it highly available.  Continue Reading

• Seven hyper-converged software options for DIY HCI

  If your company already has hardware that you want to turn into a hyper-converged infrastructure stack, you can do it with one of these software-only options.  Continue Reading

• Use AWS Batch -- not Lambda -- for these workloads

  AWS Batch makes it easier to automatically spin up EC2 instances and boost capacity to provision resources for uneven application workloads.  Continue Reading

• When to use Docker alternatives rkt and LXD

  Docker can't meet the needs of every IT scenario. LXD and CoreOS rkt are additional container formats to try out when Docker doesn't make sense.  Continue Reading

• Open source network software matures, but needs incentives for use

  Open source network software is maturing, but the networking industry needs to create compelling economic incentives for large suppliers and buyers to contribute, as well.  Continue Reading

• IT asset tracking informs better capacity, management decisions

  Detailed IT asset inventories are a result of granular asset tracking and lead to better server and storage management -- among other benefits.  Continue Reading

• Manage Linux servers with a Windows admin's toolkit

  Even Microsoft recognizes it's no longer just a Windows world. Here's what Windows administrators can do to pick up Linux management and monitoring.  Continue Reading

• Explore Google XPN for virtual private cloud networks

  Isolated networks strengthen cloud security, but sharing data can become a challenge. Learn how Google XPN enables multiple users or departments to share one virtual private cloud.  Continue Reading

• No-code/low-code project management best practices

  Before setting your no-code/low-code product into motion, you must prepare your organization. Expert Zach Flower discusses the importance of collaboration and communication.  Continue Reading

• Your cloud bill climbs due to these five overlooked costs

  AWS, Google and Azure offer tools that help users estimate cloud costs. But overlooked services, usage spikes and outages can cause actual cloud bills to far exceed those estimates.  Continue Reading

• Optane memory: Opening the window on Intel's latest technology

  Now that Optane products are on the market, the future of fast memory for storage and processing looks bright. But will Optane match the claims Intel has been making?  Continue Reading

• Log management systems benefit greatly from AI

  Organizations with massive volumes of IT operational data need log management tools that can quickly and adeptly process it. AI embedded into tools might be the answer.  Continue Reading

• Why SDN, DevOps don't share automated network missions

  SDN and DevOps may both have a role in automated network device management, but compared to SDN, DevOps has a completely different mission, our expert explains.  Continue Reading

• Helpful steps toward an easy private cloud implementation

  There are many aspects of an overall private cloud infrastructure that affect your organization's cloud storage plans, and knowing what to look for is vital.  Continue Reading

• Learn shell scripts: A sys admin's guide to automation

  Shell scripts and sys admins should be best friends. A day rarely goes by without using some form of shell script or another. Learn how those scripts work and start writing them.  Continue Reading