Tips

Tips

• Craft a business continuity plan to maximize AWS uptime

  Strong business continuity plans start with an evaluation of needs. Native and third-party disaster recovery tools fit into a BC plan to protect cloud data and workloads.  Continue Reading

• Comparing development methodologies: Agile vs. DevOps vs. Lean Startup

  It's a confusing, jargon-filled world out there. Expert Christopher Ward brings clarity in part one of a series of articles on the differences between Lean, Agile and DevOps.  Continue Reading

• Manage Btrfs snapshots with the SUSE Snapper utility

  Learn how to use Btrfs snapshots with Linux utilities, such as Snapper and GRUB2, to revert back to previous states in the event of a configuration mishap.  Continue Reading

• The white box switching market gets a closer look

  Following years of development, is the potential of the white box switching market finally being realized?  Continue Reading

• These Windows configuration management tools can prevent mishaps

  It's a challenge to limit downtime and speed up deployments in the data center. Configuration management tools can help IT maintain control.  Continue Reading

• Secure Docker on Linux or Windows platforms

  With Docker appearing in businesses of all shapes and sizes, security is a concern for many IT admins. Here's how to secure Docker on the container or the host machine.  Continue Reading

• Improve application rollout planning with advanced options

  Enterprise IT teams have several advanced options for deploying application updates. The right one depends on what makes the most sense for the business, available IT infrastructure and your confidence in the update.  Continue Reading

• DynamoDB Streams keep database tables in sync

  Developers who want to deploy localized apps in different regions should know about database synchronization challenges. DynamoDB Streams and Lambda can ensure tables are updated.  Continue Reading

• Script management technology adds safety to scripting's power

  Script management is a necessity to maintain an IT deployment. The canny organization will choose the right tools that give power to the sys admin, while protecting against accidents.  Continue Reading

• IP subnetting: How to calculate subnet masks

  Check out IP subnetting shortcuts on how to do subnet mask calculations and break down IP address classes to route traffic within your network.  Continue Reading

• When DevOps and requirements gathering techniques collide

  Moving from Agile to DevOps? Requirements gathering is a great place to start rethinking and incorporating a high level of collaboration. Expert Christopher Ward explains.  Continue Reading

• How application scalability works in event-driven vs. IaaS computing

  Event-driven computing saves IT admins' time and helps application scalability, compared to managing traditional cloud infrastructure. But IaaS and event-driven computing aren't exclusive.  Continue Reading

• Patch servers the right way without wasting time

  Apply these server patching best practices to save time, reduce complexity, and build an optimal schedule and toolkit.  Continue Reading

• Where do we draw the line between an iBPM and BPM platform?

  What is the difference between iBPM and BPM? Is iBPM simply an extension of the old BPM ways, or is truly something unique? Esther Shein tackles this question.  Continue Reading

• Before leaving a system administrator job, don't burn any bridges

  Leave on good terms from your system administrator job to avoid burning bridges and to keep a good reputation in the industry. Here are some things to consider before your move.  Continue Reading

• Comparing cable types: Fiber vs. copper twisted pair

  What's the difference in fiber vs. copper cables? Key differences include cost, speed and more when it comes to fiber optic and copper twisted-pair cabling options.  Continue Reading

• Control AWS traffic with routing policies

  AWS offers four routing policies in Amazon Route 53 Traffic Flow. While each option balances heavy traffic loads, admins must consider each policy's specific uses.  Continue Reading

• Master Amazon CloudWatch metrics to track AWS use

  Amazon CloudWatch enables administrators to track resources using metrics and log files. Admins should get to know the terminology as well as ins and outs of the auditing service.  Continue Reading

• Control the costs of cloud storage with these five steps

  Your cloud storage could be costing you more than it should. Follow these five steps to identify and eliminate any unnecessary cloud storage fees.  Continue Reading

• Set Office 365 data loss prevention policies with PowerShell

  Exchange administrators can use PowerShell to manage Office 365 compliance, e-discovery and data loss prevention.  Continue Reading

• Three interface options for remote server monitoring, management

  Remote server management interfaces, such as IPMI, iDRAC and iLO, give data center admins a central location to monitor fan speeds, power supply status, temperature and more.  Continue Reading

• Build a cloud redundancy strategy using multiple providers

  No cloud platform is perfect; there is always a risk of an outage or data loss. Consider a multicloud model to ensure redundancy and backup.  Continue Reading

• Three types of mainframe monitoring tools to track performance

  Mainframe users face a variety of options when it comes to system monitoring tools. Determine if a real-time, near-time or post-processor tool is the best fit for your IT needs.  Continue Reading

• Tips and tools to manage Azure roles, access controls

  Azure Resource Manager has a complete, but complex, set of role-based access controls that let admins create policies to manage who can access Azure cloud services.  Continue Reading

• Hadoop workflow automation lets IT pros go with the flow

  Hadoop workflow managers are not just resource schedulers. They handle intricate tasks and service handoffs that are essential for managing big data services.  Continue Reading

• The basics of establishing a RESTful API testing program

  RESTful API testing is about establishing a culture of continuous testing and team accountability. Greg Sypolt reviews the core components of a RESTful API testing program.  Continue Reading

• How to keep things on track when building API portfolios

  As important as APIs have become, many still fail to achieve API success by not setting goals properly. Tom Nolle explains why this matters and how to manage an API portfolio.  Continue Reading

• Five tools to enable Linux automation, monitoring and backup

  When it comes to Linux data center tools, there is no shortage of options. For automation, backup and monitoring, consider these five Linux tools first.  Continue Reading

• Test and confirm functions with PowerShell parameters

  Windows PowerShell functions support parameters that can prevent scripts from being run accidentally and simulate the outcome of the function.  Continue Reading

• Upgrade ESX to ESXi hosts in seven steps

  The upgrade from ESX to ESXi hosts can be difficult; no current tools convert hosts for you and you can't preserve manual configurations. But there are ways to ease the process.  Continue Reading

• A custom cloud instance lets admins get choosey

  Not satisfied with the standard instance types from your public cloud provider? Consider customizing your own to cut down on costs and unneeded resources.  Continue Reading

• Construct a winning data center project plan

  Before embarking on new data center projects, such as an upgrade or move to the cloud, clearly define all goals and expectations -- and not just for IT.  Continue Reading

• Storage Spaces Direct builds on Windows Storage Spaces

  With the new Direct feature, Windows Storage Spaces can use local storage for failover clusters. It also supports JBOD storage.  Continue Reading

• Six helpful Linux networking commands to monitor connectivity

  There are plenty of useful Linux tools to help in the event of a network connection failure. Here are six of the top commands to stay ahead when trouble occurs.  Continue Reading

• WAN-cloud eXchange extends the private WAN to the cloud

  Enterprises can reap cloud benefits while relieving concerns about security and reliability with a WAN-cloud eXchange, or WAN-CX.  Continue Reading

• Why the standalone EFSS market isn't going away just yet

  Enterprise file sync-and-share allows for simpler file access and sharing on the consumer and business level. Success stories like Box may indicate that EFSS is sticking around.  Continue Reading

• Create a cloud development environment for on-premises apps

  With built-in tools from many of the mature public cloud services and a well-planned deployment strategy, IT teams can -- and should -- move test/dev to public cloud.  Continue Reading

• Creating successful RESTful API design

  Successful API design requires lots of attention to detail. Take these three steps for creating RESTful API design.  Continue Reading

• How do we license Windows Server on AWS?

  Our enterprise has been wary of licensing issues, but we'd like to move Microsoft-based workloads to AWS. How can we migrate those workloads without violating licenses?  Continue Reading

• New IT roles to put on your hiring radar

  The shifting nature of the IT industry doesn't just influence new technology; it's spawning some noteworthy changes in IT staffing, especially around big data and cloud.  Continue Reading

• When will SD-WANs 'cross the chasm'?

  It can be difficult to separate hype from reality, especially when it comes to SDN technology. Here, analyst Jim Metzler explores when software-defined WANs might go mainstream.  Continue Reading

• Cloud cost management tips for working with multiple vendors

  Using more than one cloud has its benefits, but can also get expensive. To manage costs, examine your providers' data access charges, as well as your application design.  Continue Reading

• Amazon Inspector gives dev automated security assessment

  Cloud vulnerabilities can quickly evolve into security threats; vigilance is a key in identifying weaknesses. Amazon Inspector detects common weaknesses, providing peace of mind.  Continue Reading

• Start using the PowerShell pipeline with this example

  An administrator can create functions to support the PowerShell pipeline, which improves upon text-based shells by allowing the scripter to pass objects across the pipe.  Continue Reading

• Compare AWS vs. Azure vs. Google big data services

  Big data services are an attractive cloud lure for enterprises. AWS, Azure and Google are fighting for number one, but who will come out on top?  Continue Reading

• Why you should reconsider using model-driven software development

  Model-driven development has been around a long time, but in today's complicated app world, it may be time to give this methodology another look. Expert Tom Nolle explains.  Continue Reading

• Horizon 7 Smart Policies helps increase security

  If you want to smarten up your security, using Policy-Managed Client Features in Horizon 7 can help.  Continue Reading

• Hadoop data analysis: Common concerns with the HDFS platform

  Using HDFS technology as a data analysis platform may be insufficient for your storage needs. Explore the challenges storage administrators may encounter and find out how to address them.  Continue Reading

• How to effectively work with multiple cloud providers

  Before working with multiple cloud providers, evaluate their services for compute, storage, security and more.  Continue Reading

• What modern test manager responsibilities entail

  What does a test manager do? That's not the easiest question to answer, as responsibilities vary. Expert Matt Heusser explains the crux of the role and provides some tips as well.  Continue Reading

• Steps to generate an HTTP response header with AWS Lambda

  Some AWS users have difficulty setting HTTP response headers based on Lambda functions. Chris Moyer explains how to accomplish that task, and how it can be helpful for developers.  Continue Reading

• Tips to ace tough IT operations interview questions

  Few things career-wise are as nerve-wracking as job interviews. Knowing what to expect going into that first meeting for a Web or app administrator role can quell some uneasiness.  Continue Reading

• AWS CodeCommit triggers bolster use of Git

  AWS CodeCommit allows admins to manage Git repositories. AWS recently added support for triggers, giving IT teams the ability to respond to events and accelerate app deployments.  Continue Reading

• How to upgrade to PowerShell 5

  PowerShell version 5 is the most recent iteration of the scripting language and offers new features from previous versions. Admins can upgrade to the new version in a few steps.  Continue Reading

• Draw up a data center network diagram you'll actually use

  Creating a data center network diagram is time-consuming but necessary work. Keep the scope narrow and know the priorities of your diagram to save time and energy.  Continue Reading

• PowerShell script examples and reference guide for admins

  Microsoft unveiled PowerShell in 2006, but many Windows administrators are still unaware of the tremendous amount of resources available to help automate numerous tasks.  Continue Reading

• Adding an additional virtual bridge to a KVM environment

  Virtualization expert Sander Van Vugt offers tips to simplify the process of adding a second software bridge to your KVM environment to run VMs in an isolated SDN.  Continue Reading

• Business is 'destroying' the application delivery process

  Business has changed, and so must the application delivery process. It's time for IT to go from being provider of services to a broker between clouds and end users. Here's how.  Continue Reading

• Prepare for your next cloud security manager interview

  When interviewing for a cloud security manager position, candidates should be ready to talk about everything, from encryption technology to DevOps.  Continue Reading

• Six aspects of API creation that greatly impact production

  When it comes to API creation, simplicity is critical. Vivek Gupta of AnyPresence discussed the six aspects of API creation developers can address to accelerate API production.  Continue Reading

• Software-defined applications and infrastructure explained

  The inner mechanics of today's software-defined applications and infrastructure reveal an interconnected web of isolated components and scalable resources, supervised by automated management.  Continue Reading

• Using shared disks to set up virtual clusters in ESXi

  Thanks to some expert advice, we've come up with some best practices for building a Red Hat-based Linux cluster in an ESXi environment.  Continue Reading

• Set up and stream CloudFront video and audio

  Netflix and Samsung are two of several companies relying on AWS' streaming video platform, Amazon CloudFront. Here's a step-by-step on how to set up the streaming service.  Continue Reading

• Discover three ways to get your WAN software defined

  There are three ways to get your WAN software defined: overlay, replace and as a service. Learn what these entail and how they can reduce costs and improve WAN performance.  Continue Reading

• Use the admin center for some Office 365 administration

  Administrators can choose the admin center or PowerShell for Office 365 management -- the best option depends on the circumstances.  Continue Reading

• Master interrupt testing on mobile devices

  Since mobile devices were made to be interrupted, the challenge is to create -- and test -- an app that rolls with it all. Yvette Francino explains how interrupt testing works.  Continue Reading

• SQL Server Azure IaaS vs. SQL Azure Database PaaS

  Learn the differences between SQL Server Azure IaaS and SQL Azure Database PaaS to figure out which would best support your enterprise.  Continue Reading

• Deconstructing disk capacity using VM thin provisioning

  Although thin provisioning promises to reduce the disk footprint of VMs, it can lead to an increase in disk capacity usage, making capacity monitoring absolutely essential.  Continue Reading

• Six questions cloud app developers should nail in an interview

  To wow potential employers, cloud app developers should prove in an interview that they're more than just code jockeys.  Continue Reading

• Five tips for better API versioning and migration

  Business needs change, and that often means APIs must change along with them. Here we examine five key strategies for avoiding disaster when API changes must occur.  Continue Reading

• Ten server deployment checklist considerations

  Use this server deployment checklist to make sure you've covered all your bases. From power distribution outlets to available network connectivity, server deployment can be an arduous process.  Continue Reading

• Containers vs. VMs: Which should you use for cloud?

  Before going all in with containers, it's critical to understand how the technology differs from VMs in terms of private, public and hybrid cloud deployment.  Continue Reading

• Consistency is critical in a business rules management system

  As much as business rules management can help an organization streamline operations, a general misunderstanding of business rules is hurting efforts. Steve Weissman explains why.  Continue Reading

• Six alternative Hyper-V management tools

  There are a number of third-party Hyper-V management tools available for organizations that need to handle a few dozen nodes.  Continue Reading

• How to troubleshoot iPhone and iPad connection problems

  As iPhone and iPad Wi-Fi clients proliferate in the enterprise, IT must troubleshoot Wi-Fi connection problems. Here's how to solve basic iPhone and iPad connection problems.  Continue Reading

• Managing containers requires right mix of tools, IT skills

  Choosing the right tool is only the first step when building a container management strategy.  Continue Reading

• Scripting workflows with the VMware vRealize Orchestrator

  Understanding the essential elements of how vRealize Orchestrator workflows work is just the first step to increasing functionality, simplicity and compartmentalization.  Continue Reading

• Use GitHub for open source data center automation ideas

  GitHub, a bastion of software developers, also offers automation scripts and open source collaboration for data center administrators.  Continue Reading

• IPv6 connectivity: Ignore at your own peril

  Gathering knowledge on IPv6 connectivity and implementation is critical to success in modern IP networking.  Continue Reading

• Dive into AWS Lambda example code for S3 alerts

  The functionality of AWS Lambda continues to grow as developers customize the service. Learn how to configure the service to send text messages for S3 changes.  Continue Reading

• Five types of storage virtualization: Pros and cons

  Expert Brien Posey discusses five ways to virtualize storage in an organization. Review the pros and cons of each approach to find the best fit for your data center.  Continue Reading

• Predictions for SDN development in 2016

  This promises to be an exciting year for software-defined networking enthusiasts, with SDN development poised for explosive growth. Analyst John Burke shares his predictions.  Continue Reading

• Base enterprise hybrid cloud evaluation on security, cost

  Explosive data growth has organizations looking at hybrid cloud storage to meet their capacity needs. But cloud costs and security issues need to be addressed.  Continue Reading

• The Linux ip command makes network config easy

  The Linux ip command makes monitoring a Linux network configuration easy, but you need to know what to look for.  Continue Reading

• Are microservices more like SOA or MVC architecture?

  How new is the concept of microservices? Does it compare more closely with the principles of SOA or those of MVC architecture? Chris Riley examines this topic.  Continue Reading

• Common network errors and their causes

  Network not behaving? Learn how to identify the most common network errors -- like discards and collisions -- and how to implement solutions to get your network humming again.  Continue Reading

• Cloud spending doesn't need to be a guessing game

  Shadow IT and tough-to-navigate cloud computing bills make it difficult for organizations to get an accurate picture of cloud costs.  Continue Reading

• Are you ready for an SDN deployment?

  The principal motivation behind SDN deployments is the need for a responsive and nimble IT organization. While the network architecture is definitely in the future, not all are ready for it.  Continue Reading

• Creating virtual machine blueprints with vRealize Automation

  In this installation of our VMware vRealize deployment guide, we take an in-depth look at creating virtual machine blueprints and servers with vRealize Automation.  Continue Reading

• Using PowerShell to create XML documents

  Administrators can avoid introducing errors when building an XML file by using PowerShell to construct the document.  Continue Reading

• IoT analytics should not be an afterthought

  IoT is driving huge data growth. Enterprise architects need to think about implementing an IoT analytics service for cloud applications in order to generate new business value.  Continue Reading

• Using XPath syntax to root through XML documents

  Using XPath syntax and the Select-XML cmdlet can help uncover the information you need in an XML document.  Continue Reading

• Reduce hybrid cloud latency with these five tips

  With the right workload design and infrastructure changes, organizations can minimize latency and boost hybrid cloud performance.  Continue Reading

• Server patch management for multi-OS data centers

  If you have a multi-OS data center, you know the struggle that is server patch management. Don't fret, the right combination of tools and human intuition can alleviate the pain.  Continue Reading

• Server-side caching has new data center role

  Some server-side caching products have evolved into complete software-defined storage platforms that can aggregate flash across multiple servers.  Continue Reading

• The three tiers of hyper-converged architectures

  Hyper-converged architecture delivers storage in a bundle, but there are several components involved. George Crump discusses the three pieces of hyper-converged systems.  Continue Reading

• Why should I use a build server?

  Because apps can be built on a developer's local machine, some question the usefulness of a build server. However, Brad Irby points out that they provide some distinct advantages.  Continue Reading

• Data center humidity recommendation falls dramatically

  An ASHRAE study's conclusions are disproving the conventional wisdom around data centers' relative humidity levels.  Continue Reading

• Is there a way to automate API code generation?

  As useful as APIs are, developers still struggle to create them due to lapses in documentation and specs. Brad Irby explores a tool that can help automate API code generation.  Continue Reading

• Five things to know to land a cloud architect job

  Demand for cloud architects is growing in the enterprise, but competition for jobs is tough. Here are five questions to help you ace a cloud architect interview.  Continue Reading