Tips

Tips

• How cloud drives changes to network licensing

  The cloud's effect on application management and licensing is expected to shift from end-user applications to SDN concepts. Say goodbye to perpetual licensing.  Continue Reading

• Testing generative AI apps

  With generative AI apps rising in popularity, QA professionals should be aware of their unique failure modes. Learn what testers need to consider when handling these tools.  Continue Reading

• Xen vs. KVM: What are the differences?

  Admins often evaluate Xen and KVM as open source options. The main factors to consider in a primary hypervisor are organizational infrastructure and cloud adoption interests.  Continue Reading

• How to avoid internet black holes for the network

  Black holes in the network disrupt connectivity and compromise data integrity. Network monitoring, team collaboration and routing optimization help minimize the negative effects.  Continue Reading

• Ease multi-cloud governance challenges with 5 best practices

  Establishing sound multi-cloud governance practices can mitigate challenges and enforce security. Review best practices and tools to help manage costs and risk.  Continue Reading

• Applying Kanban principles to software development

  Kanban was conceptualized in manufacturing and later adopted by software development teams, alongside other methodologies, such as Lean and Scrum. Learn to apply Kanban principles.  Continue Reading

• How to understand advancements in modern data centers

  Data center advancements are rapidly occurring with storage demand. Some advancements, like an increase in temperatures, are necessary for more sustainable data center operations.  Continue Reading

• How to secure on-prem apps with Entra Application Proxy

  There's nothing wrong with using a VPN to securely connect to on-premises web apps, but Microsoft Entra Application Proxy is an alternative with a more streamlined approach.  Continue Reading

• How to ensure optimal network workload placement

  Network and cybersecurity requirements are the most important considerations when designing how to deploy new network workloads across the enterprise.  Continue Reading

• Full virtualization vs. paravirtualization: Key differences

  Full virtualization and paravirtualization both enable hardware resource abstraction, but the two technologies differ when it comes to isolation levels.  Continue Reading

• Top 6 soft skills in IT that cloud teams need

  Soft skills play a bigger part in successful cloud deployments than you might think. Technical skills are obviously essential in IT, but a company must hire well-rounded employees.  Continue Reading

• Understanding code linting techniques and tools

  Linting is an important preliminary step in the debugging process. Learn how fixing simple errors early on makes code easier to work with and improves coding practices.  Continue Reading

• Using microservices and containers in network automation

  Networking can benefit from the modularity of containers. This guide helps network teams navigate the integration of microservices and containers into network automation workflows.  Continue Reading

• What's the difference between Type 1 vs. Type 2 hypervisor?

  Choosing between the two hypervisor types largely depends on whether IT administrators oversee an enterprise data center or client-facing, end-user systems.  Continue Reading

• Importance of backup generator power for data centers

  Data center generators are rarely run; however, they must go through regular testing and maintenance to ensure they work when a power outage occurs to prevent server downtime.  Continue Reading

• How admins can benefit from switching to PowerShell 7.4

  This PowerShell release includes PSReadLine enhancements, better integration with Windows Defender Application Control and new features to ease native command use for all platforms.  Continue Reading

• How NetOps supports digital transformation

  NetOps uses automation and intent-based networking tools to streamline digital transformation and ensure accurate and flexible network services.  Continue Reading

• Use Glances to monitor your data center systems

  Glances is a real-time, Python-based performance monitor. Administrators with data centers that house multiple OSes should consider installing Glances.  Continue Reading

• How to effectively use DORA metrics in DevOps

  DORA metrics can help organizations standardize their DevOps approach. Explore the DORA framework's benefits and limitations and how to evaluate performance against its metrics.  Continue Reading

• The importance of edge case testing: When to fix the bug

  While edge cases in software testing only affect a small subset of users, testing for them is still important. Learn which edge fixes are worth making and which can be ignored.  Continue Reading

• How to use Microsoft 365 DSC to avoid configuration drift

  This configuration-as-code technology gives admins a way to automate tasks on the Microsoft 365 tenant to keep settings locked in and avoid errors from manual input.  Continue Reading

• Sustainability benefits of cloud computing data centers

  Cloud computing data centers use large amounts of electricity, but a main sustainability benefit is the cloud's large scale and ability to store more data.  Continue Reading

• Pros and cons of CS degrees vs. cloud certification programs

  Standards for IT qualifications are changing with the rapid pace of cloud adoption. See how experts evaluate the debate between individual cloud certifications or a full degree.  Continue Reading

• Get to know 8 core cloud team roles and responsibilities

  To fully realize the benefits of cloud, you're going to need to create a structure that puts the right people in the right places. Here are the key roles involved.  Continue Reading

• 6 machine learning applications for data center optimization

  AI and machine learning have the potential to revolutionize data center operations. They can manage facilities more efficiently by optimizing power consumption and monitoring.  Continue Reading

• How AI and cloud storage can work together

  AI can help cloud storage providers with management, but challenges for users include vendor compatibility issues, lack of transparency in cost and privacy concerns.  Continue Reading

• How to build a cloud center of excellence in 9 steps

  A cloud center of excellence brings together expertise from different departments to develop a uniform cloud adoption strategy. Here are some best practices for a successful CCoE.  Continue Reading

• A network compliance checklist for remote work

  This network compliance checklist for remote work provides best practices on establishing remote policies and procedures, help desk support and data backup, among other steps.  Continue Reading

• An overview of containerized data centers and their benefits

  The rise in digital information is causing a shortage in data center storage space. Containerized data centers can be for permanent or temporary use.  Continue Reading

• Using bounded context for effective domain-driven design

  Domain-driven design helps organizations develop software focused on key business needs. But to do so, architects need to understand the fundamentals of bounded context.  Continue Reading

• 7 causes of SSD failure and how to deal with them

  Although SSDs are a reliable storage technology, they are still prone to occasional failure. Here are some best practices to keep your SSDs humming along.  Continue Reading

• Upskill your cloud team for success

  An investment in people is an investment in the company. See how a trained and upskilled staff can have a positive impact on productivity and profits.  Continue Reading

• XML vs. YAML: Compare configuration file formats

  Databases use data serialization languages, like XML and YAML, to transfer data between applications. XML and YAML have different strengths; admins should know how to use each correctly.  Continue Reading

• NetSecOps best practices for network engineers

  Network engineers increasingly need to align their duties with security, such as implementing continuous monitoring, deploying threat intelligence and collaborating with security.  Continue Reading

• How ZTNA protects against internal network threats

  ZTNA has grown in popularity as a method to enable remote access and mitigate security risks, but businesses can also use ZTNA to protect against internal threats inside a network.  Continue Reading

• 4 key SD-WAN trends to watch

  Managed services, secure remote access, AI applications and 5G wireless network connectivity are four important trends that should propel the SD-WAN market.  Continue Reading

• Private LTE vs. Wi-Fi: What's the difference?

  Enterprises have a lot of options when designing networks for specialized uses. Wi-Fi supports high-volume environments, but private LTE also provides important benefits.  Continue Reading

• How to close the networking skills gap

  The networking skills gap stems from tech shifts, generational turnover and hiring complexities. Bridge the gap with skills gained through study, training and employer support.  Continue Reading

• An IT ops guide to CMDB automation

  Automating repetitive tasks like software upgrades, lifecycle management and incident reports with a configuration management database can improve IT efficiency and reduce risk.  Continue Reading

• Hyperscalers use 5G to make an edge play into space

  As telecom providers struggle to monetize 5G, hyperscalers like AWS, Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure are betting big on LEO satellites to extend 5G connectivity.  Continue Reading

• 7 best practices for cloud storage migration

  While some organizations are moving data back on site, cloud storage is still popular. A successful migration is important -- these best practices and third-party tools could help.  Continue Reading

• Secure your machine learning models with these MLSecOps tips

  By following MLSecOps best practices, companies can introduce AI and machine learning into development pipelines and processes without adding unmitigated security concerns, too.  Continue Reading

• Effective soft skills for network engineers

  Soft skills such as empathy, active listening and problem-solving can be valuable assets to network engineers who interact with nontechnical business stakeholders.  Continue Reading

• From distributed to true edge: 4 edge computing examples

  The optimal applications for edge computing remain in contention as the technology evolves. These examples highlight a shift from distributed computing to true edge environments.  Continue Reading

• Beam division multiple access features and their effect on 5G

  BDMA, a new multiple access technology, has the potential to boost the efficiency of 5G networks through its use of beam formation and orthogonality.  Continue Reading

• How to avoid malware on Linux systems

  Malware attacks are devastating to companies, and there is no exception for Linux systems. Consider updating systems and assigning correct permissions.  Continue Reading

• Top benefits and disadvantages of serverless computing

  It's no secret that developers want to focus more on building apps. With serverless, the cloud vendor takes care of back-end tasks. However, serverless comes with its own caveats.  Continue Reading

• How to use a Microsoft Entra ID emergency access account

  A break-glass account in Microsoft's identity and access management platform helps avoid disruptions in a crisis. Follow these best practices to keep these credentials safe.  Continue Reading

• Decode serverless pricing in AWS to avoid high costs

  Serverless computing is an implementation worth considering in any cloud-based application. Learn to evaluate every component to avoid unexpected and unnecessary high costs.  Continue Reading

• On premises vs. cloud pros and cons, key differences

  Immersed in the 'should I stay or should I go' cloud migration debate? Before vacating the premises and moving 'up there,' ponder these advantages and disadvantages.  Continue Reading

• The pros and cons of containerized 5G workloads

  Deploying containerized 5G workloads in a cloud environment offers benefits like portability, optimized resource usage and orchestration. But the strategy creates security risks.  Continue Reading

• Why object storage for AI makes sense

  Object storage and AI are two hot trends in tech. They exist on their own but work well together too. Still, organizations must also consider the challenges of using both.  Continue Reading

• Top AI tools for DevOps teams to consider

  The DevOps toolchain is at an inflection point as enterprises seek to improve collaboration, productivity, efficiency and security across their DevOps lifecycle using AI.  Continue Reading

• OpenRoaming vs. Passpoint: What's the difference?

  OpenRoaming and Passpoint both provide users with internet access outside of their coverage area via Wi-Fi, but they differ in terms of use cases, implementation, cost and more.  Continue Reading

• 7 keys to an effective hybrid cloud migration strategy

  Cloud readiness, storage costs, network lag and metrics can make or break the choice to move data, applications and workloads to today's more complex hybrid cloud environment.  Continue Reading

• 8 hybrid cloud security challenges and how to manage them

  Hybrid cloud's benefits are many and varied but so are the security issues surrounding integration, compatibility, governance, compliance, APIs, visibility and responsibility.  Continue Reading

• A primer on AI chip design

  Four common AI chips -- CPU, GPU, FPGA and ASIC -- are advancing with the current market for AI chip design. Read on to see what the future holds for AI chips.  Continue Reading

• Create an open source security policy for your organization

  Using open source software raises concerns about security and intellectual property. Here's how to make sound decisions and avoid situations you'll regret.  Continue Reading

• Pros and cons of 10 common hybrid cloud use cases

  For businesses contemplating the advantages and disadvantages of their applications living in a distributed cloud infrastructure, take a cue from these hybrid cloud use cases.  Continue Reading

• The relationship between cloud FinOps and security

  True FinOps maturity isn't achievable without FinOps and cybersecurity team collaboration. The first step is building the relationship between those teams.  Continue Reading

• Optimize serverless apps with an observability strategy

  Serverless apps come with unexpected challenges and sometimes they are nearly impossible to troubleshoot and optimize. Move away from traditional monitoring practices to succeed.  Continue Reading

• Conduct load tests with JMeter on Kubernetes

  Apache JMeter and other load-testing tools can be used with Kubernetes to conduct stress tests to see how well an app performs in specific scenarios.  Continue Reading

• Don't neglect API functional testing

  APIs are how applications connect to a database, partner servers and integrated applications. Testing their efficacy is an essential QA task for every software team.  Continue Reading

• How to manage a migration to Microsoft Entra ID

  Thinking of leaving Active Directory behind? A successful move to Microsoft's cloud-based identity and access management platform hinges on how well you've prepared in advance.  Continue Reading

• Top data storage best practices include AI, object storage use

  2023 featured both buzzwords and helpful technologies, but storage admins must distinguish between the two. These top tips can help enterprises store more and stay secure.  Continue Reading

• What are the Microsoft Entra ID benefits for on-prem admins?

  Active Directory's presence looms large for organizations that rely on Microsoft's venerable directory service for a multitude of tasks tied to identity and access.  Continue Reading

• Introduction to IP addressing and subnetting

  IP addresses and subnets are necessary for effective network communications. Learn how IP addresses and subnets work, and compare classful and classless IP addresses.  Continue Reading

• Object-oriented vs. functional programming explained

  While plenty of developers entertain the idea of adopting a functional programming model, it's important to first know exactly how it differs from the object-oriented approach.  Continue Reading

• Best practices for secure network automation workflows

  It's not enough to build network automation workflows. It's important to secure those workflows, as well. Access control, encryption and collaboration all play important roles.  Continue Reading

• SRE vs. DevOps: What's the difference?

  The lines between site reliability engineering and DevOps aren't always clear. Building a harmonious relationship between the teams starts with understanding their distinct roles.  Continue Reading

• What to know about Python load testing

  It's a nice problem to have when an application is so popular it's in danger of failing from too many customers accessing it at once. Be sure you are ready to meet that demand.  Continue Reading

• How to set up Python coding standards for a dev team

  Python team leaders have two challenges when it comes to code standards: creating a style guide and getting developers to stick to it.  Continue Reading

• How to make a strong business case for software projects

  Every software project proposal requires in-depth research into the technical aspects at play, but the business case for the project should tone down the tech talk.  Continue Reading

• CLI for Microsoft 365: A guide for administrators

  The options to manage the Microsoft 365 platform are seemingly endless, but the CLI for Microsoft 365 offers distinct advantages for admins in the enterprise.  Continue Reading

• Is Scrum master certification worth it?

  Considering a Scrum master certification? Let's look at the considerations that factor into a decision to pursue certification and whether being a Scrum master benefits a career.  Continue Reading

• Navigate the eviction policies for Azure Spot Virtual Machines

  When things go right, Azure Spot VMs are a good investment to save money. However, users need a greater understanding of how eviction policies will affect their VMs.  Continue Reading

• 6 types of quantum network topologies

  Quantum networks require efficient architectures to optimize communication and enable large-scale quantum information processing. Learn about the main quantum network topologies.  Continue Reading

• Improve efficiency with server energy consumption tools

  Deciding what servers are most efficient for your infrastructure requires research. Hardware-level certifications and web-based tools can help you select the right option.  Continue Reading

• A review of 7 software architecture visualization tools

  Visualization tools like Visio and Draw.io can provide a lot of benefits when it comes to software architecture design and management, but choosing the right one is important.  Continue Reading

• The pros and cons of a layered architecture pattern

  Layered architecture patterns provide a consistent and secure way to organize code when implemented correctly. However, the way those layers interact should remain a top concern.  Continue Reading

• 6 quick server troubleshooting tips

  Understand, communicate, monitor, check logs, ask for support. Follow these guidelines and make troubleshooting server problems quick and easy.  Continue Reading

• Compare Azure Blueprints vs. Terraform

  Azure Blueprints helps companies with strict compliance needs in Azure environments, while Terraform is a versatile tool that suits multi-cloud strategies. Evaluate the tools here.  Continue Reading

• Comparing MERN vs. MEAN stacks for web app development

  While MERN and MEAN stacks share many common elements, their respective use of React and Angular is a defining factor in choosing one or the other.  Continue Reading

• How boundary value analysis boosts test efficiency

  Boundary value analysis provides multiple benefits, including increased test coverage and proactive defect prevention. It's a simple way to improve test efficiency.  Continue Reading

• Use ASHRAE guidelines to get server temperature right

  Follow ASHRAE's guidelines to set up the right facility for your hardware by understanding proper conditions, such as filtration and inlet air temperature recommendations.  Continue Reading

• How to implement AI into cloud management and operations

  AI is becoming a transformative feature of cloud, but it means nothing if you don't have a proper strategy. Find out how to fold AI into management practices.  Continue Reading

• What's the value in an Agile release train?

  When multiple development teams work on code, integration and deployment become more complicated. ART could be a useful tool to smooth out these wrinkles.  Continue Reading

• 8 network tasks administrators can do quicker from the CLI

  Admins can use the command-line interface to manage network tasks. Learn how to streamline automation, troubleshoot networks and manage services on Linux, macOS and Windows.  Continue Reading

• Essential components and tools of server monitoring

  Server monitoring requires a list of the right tools to use and infrastructure components to watch. A workflow with these concepts ensures uptime and helps usage predictions.  Continue Reading

• An IT ops guide to Kubernetes Job vs. CronJob

  Jobs and CronJobs both execute tasks in Kubernetes. Their key difference comes down to frequency, and matching a task with the wrong Job type can lead to unsuccessful execution.  Continue Reading

• An Agile development strategy needs a proper foundation

  It's a mistake to think of Agile development as merely project management. Let's look at the basic elements and types of tools needed to make Agile work.  Continue Reading

• Elixir vs. Clojure for functional programming at scale

  While they don't have the prestige of JavaScript or Python, Elixir and Clojure are making a name for themselves when it comes to functional programming at scale.  Continue Reading

• Data center air quality: The air servers breathe

  Monitor data center air quality to ensure best working conditions for equipment. Particulates and gaseous contaminants cause irreversible damage if you do not use proper filtration.  Continue Reading

• Evaluate serverless computing best practices

  Serverless computing strategies require enterprises to evaluate tools, features and costs, while understanding application requirements and use cases. Here are some best practices.  Continue Reading

• Hybrid cloud connectivity best practices and considerations

  Private and public clouds stress networks in different ways and don't always play well together. Here's what to know to set up a cost-effective hybrid cloud network architecture.  Continue Reading

• Use the data center circular economy for sustainability

  Building data center servers and hardware requires use of many of Earth's nonrenewable resources. Data center owners must adopt the circular economy system for sustainability.  Continue Reading

• 6 common problems with open source code integration

  Open source provides its fair share of benefits for businesses that put it to use. However, don't ignore these six hazards that development teams may face along the way.  Continue Reading

• Stop errors with these PowerShell ValidatePattern examples

  Using regular expressions to validate input information and generate a tailored error message on a new user script can prevent unnecessary support tickets.  Continue Reading

• 6 green coding best practices and how to get started

  Software developers can support sustainability efforts via a range of green coding tactics. These best practices range from shrinking artifacts to maximizing efficiency.  Continue Reading

• Compare AWS, Azure and Google Cloud IAM services

  This comparison dives into the differences among cloud IAM services from AWS, Azure and Google Cloud. Use it to evaluate features, resource hierarchy configuration and pricing.  Continue Reading