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Learn to apply best practices and optimize your operations.

• Use NFPA data center standards to help evade fire risks

  A fire in a data center can damage equipment, cause data loss and put personnel in harm's way. Look to NFPA fire protection guidelines to hedge your risk against data center fires. Continue Reading

• Include VXLANs in data centers for quicker network speeds

  VXLANs add network isolation and enable organizations to scale data center networks more efficiently. Consider VXLANs to expand a data center network and improve performance. Continue Reading

• Consider ethical technology issues with data center growth

  Authors Harry Lewis and Ken Ledeen discuss ethical issues organizations should consider when expanding data center, data collection and technological capabilities. Continue Reading

• Best practices for data center network optimization

  Data center network optimization can improve business impact and promote long-term equipment health. Look to pilot new equipment, consolidate servers and improve energy efficiency. Continue Reading

• Tips to build a data center airflow management strategy

  Airflow in data centers is crucial for equipment health. While the hot aisle/cold aisle is popular, examine other options like side-to-side airflow and top-of-rack switches. Continue Reading

• Evaluate 5G networks vs. 4G for data centers

  5G networking requires organizations and data centers to support IoT, while 4G requires increased machinery. Learn more about the differences between 5G and 4G for data centers.Continue Reading

• Explore liquid cooling for data centers

  Discover the different classifications of liquid cooling -- such as direct-to-chip, liquid immersion or rear-door heat exchangers -- before adopting it in your data center.Continue Reading

• How to set up a MySQL database in Linux

  Learn to prepare for a SQL-based Linux database, create a new database and create database users with permissions. This enables you to work with many other services.Continue Reading

• How 5G affects data centers and how to prepare

  Data centers can prepare for the rise of 5G networking by understanding how it functions, upgrading crucial infrastructure and understanding how 5G networks can benefit them.Continue Reading

• Advice for data centers looking to change operating systems

  When you swap out a data center's primary OS, first, consider the purpose of your replacement OS and its optimal workloads. Then, you can create an OS migration plan.Continue Reading

• Disaggregated HCI solves compute, storage, network scalability

  Despite the deployment and cost advantages of hyper-converged infrastructures, learn how disaggregated HCI can overcome compute, storage and network resource scalability issues.Continue Reading

• Discover disaster recovery and backup for edge networks

  Proper backup and DR at the edge requires an awareness of the specific challenges edge devices present, and appropriate plans and tooling to help ease management.Continue Reading

• Data center safety tips to protect staff

  Safety in the data center requires organizations to identify and address a variety of risk factors, from electrical systems to staff illness.Continue Reading

• IBM IMS (Information Management System)

  IBM IMS (Information Management System) is a database and transaction management system that was first introduced by IBM in 1968.Continue Reading

• 11 key considerations prior to a data center upgrade

  When you upgrade your data center, know the 11 key steps you must take to ensure neat migrations, good availability, continued security and limited downtime.Continue Reading

• How can data centers support a remote workplace?

  Remote work presents a variety of challenges to businesses. Here's what an organization can do to provide adequate resources for its at-home workers and admins.Continue Reading

• How to choose the right DCIM tool for better configuration

  DCIM tools can ensure your data center runs efficiently by keeping track of hardware, software and the physical environment. Here's what you should consider before choosing one.Continue Reading

• Protect your data center from ransomware attacks

  Consider how best to protect your data center from ransomware attackers: Keep safe, air-gapped backups; consolidate your infrastructure and prioritize critical assets.Continue Reading

• Evaluate GPU vs. CPU for data analytics tasks

  As data analytics becomes more commonplace, you might wonder what processor best suits such complex tasks. The CPU and GPU specialize in different tasks but excel together.Continue Reading

• Hidden colocation cost drivers to look out for in 2022

  These unexpected charges and fees can balloon colocation costs for enterprise IT organizations.Continue Reading

• Managed services benefits ease enterprise IT security woes

  At a time when threats to network and data security are on the rise, MSSPs can help overwhelmed enterprises confront cloud configuration, risk reduction and regulatory compliance.Continue Reading

• Managed services IT support closes the cloud skills gap

  As businesses in the throes of digital transformation and cloud migration struggle to find and hire technically skilled IT professionals, MSP expertise can help fill the void.Continue Reading

• Foster health and safety in the post-pandemic data center

  Data centers adapted to a new set of circumstances during the COVID-19 pandemic. As work and the pandemic continue to change, here's how data centers can continue to evolve.Continue Reading

• What you should consider when right-sizing a data center

  How does an organization decide the appropriate size and density for its data centers? Consider factors such as rack layout and available power first.Continue Reading

• lights-out management (LOM)

  Lights-out management (LOM) is a form of out-of-band management.Continue Reading

• Monitor edge latency for IoT devices

  Latency in edge devices can have several sources, stemming from software, network issues or old hardware. Here's how you can monitor and troubleshoot latency at the edge.Continue Reading

• How do CPU, GPU and DPU differ from one another?

  Data centers use three varieties of processing units: CPU, GPU and DPU. Learn the unique use cases for each, and how to use them in conjunction to accelerate data center workloads.Continue Reading

• Best practices for data center risk assessment

  Data centers contain risks such as height, environmental and electrical hazards. Keep your staff safe by assessing the level of risk and creating a comprehensive safety plan.Continue Reading

• TCO (total cost of ownership)

  Total cost of ownership (TCO) is an estimation of the expenses associated with purchasing, deploying, using and retiring a product or piece of equipment.Continue Reading

• Data center security compliance checklist

  In five steps, create a security compliance plan for your data center. Discover different standards, learn audit schedules and develop procedures to align with compliance.Continue Reading

• An introduction to using diff and patch together

  Use the diff command in Linux to discover subtle differences between code files. Then, use the patch command to update those code files to match.Continue Reading

• Considerations for sustainable data center design

  To design a green, sustainable data center, consider methods to improve energy conservation and efficiency. Then, look into green -- or greener -- energy source alternatives.Continue Reading

• Use colocation and cloud together

  Rather than deciding between cloud or colocation, consider using both cloud and colocation. Colocation can support a hybrid cloud environment and help cut down on cloud costs.Continue Reading

• Pros and cons of on-site power generation for data centers

  Organizations considering a move to on-site power generation should weigh drawbacks -- such as cost -- against benefits, including sustainability and increased control over power.Continue Reading

• 8 green computing best practices

  As climate change becomes a more pressing issue, these sustainability best practices can help your data center go greener, which benefits both your business and the environment.Continue Reading

• Top data center software certifications for admins

  Certifications prove an admin has a specific level of expertise. Assess the top training courses and certifications in software systems for data center admins.Continue Reading

• Colocation data center market moves closer to the edge

  Data center co-location provides companies a way to expand and diversify their infrastructure. The market is growing to increase data distribution and help advance edge use cases.Continue Reading

• Hyper-converged market shifts with IT trends

  The hyper-converged infrastructure market has seen a good deal of movement lately. While some vendors strengthened their products, others went in the opposite direction.Continue Reading

• 5 considerations for proper mainframe decommissioning

  As organizations decide to retire mainframe systems, IT pros should develop a plan that addresses application migration, program replatforming, data security and hardware removal.Continue Reading

• Data center facility management team-building checklist

  A good data center facilities team and strategy can ensure the rest of your company runs smoothly. Here are the steps you should take when putting that team together.Continue Reading

• Explore hot and cold aisle containment for your data center

  Explore hot aisle and cold aisle containment for the data center, a practice that can reduce energy costs by helping better manage environmental factors.Continue Reading

• Explore the benefits of data center as a service

  For organizations that might struggle to purchase and maintain their own data centers, they can turn to DCaaS, which enables them to lease data center facilities from a provider.Continue Reading

• Data center contactless tech beyond the pandemic

  No-touch tech like haptics and LiDAR became commonplace during the coronavirus pandemic, but such technology can increase demands on the data centers supporting it.Continue Reading

• What does a data center facility manager do?

  Data center facility managers are responsible for the data center at large -- from the outside of the building to the infrastructure it houses.Continue Reading

• Does your data center need a smart PDU?

  A smart PDU can help you monitor and manage power flow more efficiently than a traditional PDU. Here's what you should consider before deciding whether to adopt.Continue Reading

• IT industry standard training for data center admins

  Axelos, IDCA and the Uptime Institute each offer training courses and certifications for data center admins to increase their knowledge of common data center standards.Continue Reading

• 4 key ways to prevent server sprawl

  Take steps to cut back on costly and hard-to-manage server sprawl: consolidate your hardware, virtualize your servers, consider software-defined infrastructure and stay organized.Continue Reading

• Top considerations for HPC infrastructure in the data center

  Determine whether HPC is right for your organization by understanding the compute, software and facilities requirements and limitations for supporting HPC infrastructure.Continue Reading

• CRAC design upgrades simplify HVAC maintenance

  CRAC/CRAH hardware updates make data center cooling more efficient. And these new systems are easier for admins to maintain and they reduce dust accumulation across infrastructure.Continue Reading

• Modular UPS systems provide flexible power management options

  UPSes can provide backup power scalability and efficiency. Admins should consider modular setups for extra redundancy, mixed capacity modules and cost savings.Continue Reading

• Get a template to estimate server power consumption per rack

  Admins can struggle with power consumption estimation as infrastructure gets more complex. The kW-per-rack metric can help provide an accurate calculation of server power use.Continue Reading

• Composable disaggregated infrastructure right for advanced workloads

  Composability provides the agility, speed and efficient resource utilization required to support advanced workloads that continue to grow ever-more sophisticated and comprehensive.Continue Reading

• NFV systems converge virtual network services at the edge

  Explore functions, products and use cases that illustrate how NFV and edge computing trends combine SD-WAN endpoints and other network services on single pieces of hardware.Continue Reading

• How HPE OneView composes, manages Synergy infrastructure

  HPE OneView enables Synergy composable infrastructure to do its job. Learn how OneView enables users to manage compute, storage and network for composing virtual servers on-demand.Continue Reading

• Colocation data center outage response and support

  Navigating data center malfunctions when hardware is off premises can be tricky. Organizations must have strong SLAs with their colo provider to ensure appropriate response times.Continue Reading

• Your guide to avoiding server rack setup issues

  Not all data center servers are created equal. Before you attempt a server racking project, double-check size specifications and account for fastening hardware and cabling needs.Continue Reading

• Transform your infrastructure to support parallel processing

  Quick, real-time data analysis is a boost to any organization's operations. With the right hardware and software, you can support parallelization in your data center.Continue Reading

• CMDB (configuration management database)

  A configuration management database (CMDB) is a file -- usually, in the form of a standardized database -- that contains all relevant information about the hardware and software components used in an organization's IT (information technology) ...Continue Reading

• Admins eye on-premises and cloud hybrid IT management

  Most organizations now support a mix of on-premises and cloud infrastructure. This has vendors and analysts reshaping tools that can address hybrid IT requirements.Continue Reading

• 4 ways data center operations must adapt to the cloud era

  The role of the traditional data center has changed dramatically as enterprises adopt cloud services, but IT operations professionals can evolve to remain relevant.Continue Reading

• Hyper-converged edge infrastructure targets carriers, ROBOs

  Hyper-converged systems provide a way to locally process IoT data and deliver streaming content at the network's edge while maintaining service and application performance.Continue Reading

• Learn SELinux commands for management and troubleshooting

  SELinux provides a more secure way to run Linux servers. Key commands for status, file management and troubleshooting can help you run SELinux smoothly on your infrastructure.Continue Reading

• Hybrid cloud vs. hyper-converged: Hybrid wins hands down

  When everything goes to cloud, why do you even need HCI? Who cares where server, storage, virtualization and networking are when IT adopts a 'run any app from anyplace' strategy?Continue Reading

• 6 tools to know for private cloud monitoring and reporting

  Cloud reporting helps admins address capacity issues and reduce outages. Effective tools should include role-based dashboards and track virtual and physical hardware.Continue Reading

• Set your strategy to get the right liquid-cooled data center

  As data center rack densities increase, liquid cooling's benefits are becoming more apparent. Before purchasing, IT teams must consider technology type, cost and upkeep.Continue Reading

• COVID-19 puts IT infrastructure spending in flux

  As the pandemic continues, research firms state that organizations must realign IT budgets to support projects that maintain operations and put nonessential initiatives on hold.Continue Reading

• Adjust these 4 server BIOS settings to improve performance

  You can configure BIOS settings to get more productivity out of servers, but some high-performance settings could increase power consumption or put reliability at risk.Continue Reading

• Modern HCI environment shaped by evolving IT priorities

  Hyper-convergence simplified deployment and scaling of IT resources over the past decade, but modern IT is far more complex than it once was. HCI vendors evolved, but have you?Continue Reading

• Examining hyper-converged infrastructure costs and savings

  There are several factors to consider when calculating HCI costs, including licensing, storage, networking and CPU types. In addition, costs might include support contracts.Continue Reading

• WFH technologies prosper with ongoing remote access needs

  The work-from-home cat is out of the bag, and many skeptical executives have now seen its benefits, boosting markets for technologies like VPN, VDI, HCI that make it all possible.Continue Reading

• Build an effective IT asset disposal process

  Whether vendor guidance or internal analysis prompts asset disposal, managers must decide how to transfer data, map hardware-supported workflows and reduce downtime.Continue Reading

• IT asset retirement in the data center

  Is your data center equipment starting to show signs of aging? These performance metrics can evaluate hardware health and help you decide if assets should be maintained or retired.Continue Reading

• The ins and outs of Google Cloud Anthos on NetApp HCI

  Combining NetApp HCI with Anthos from Google enables enterprises to more easily implement and maintain a hybrid cloud infrastructure that supports modern applications and more.Continue Reading

• Take control of Hyper-V power management for cost efficiency

  Organizations can better manage Hyper-V power consumption through various means, such as using Hyper-V power plans, server cores and SCVMM capabilities.Continue Reading

• How to prevent and recover from server failure

  Hardware, software and facility issues can lead to server failure. With the right protocol and preventive maintenance, you can reduce failure amount and troubleshoot time.Continue Reading

• Top infrastructure modernization strategy challenges

  Increase the odds of IT modernization success by learning about the challenges and obstacles others have faced when attempting to modernize their infrastructure for their business.Continue Reading

• How to mold HCI appliances to workload requirements

  Ensure the hyper-converged infrastructure appliance you choose matches your workload requirements -- and not the other way around -- to maximize the benefits of hyper-convergence.Continue Reading

• Tools and tips to track server power consumption

  Server power requirements differ for each organization, but it's still essential to monitor peak loads and track how much power your servers consume to avoid outages.Continue Reading

• 7 top open source network monitoring tools

  Network is an essential part of infrastructure health and requires constant monitoring. To meet specific OS and hardware requirements, open source tools can be the best fit.Continue Reading

• Quickly repurpose HCI hardware for hosting virtual desktops

  Virtual desktops are tailored for remote work situations, and hyper-convergence makes a great VDI host that stands up quickly in a pinch. Consider these factors, though.Continue Reading

• Essential components and tools of server monitoring

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

• HCI bolsters COVID-19 work-from-home infrastructure

  Redirecting hyper-converged systems or reusing older hardware can help organizations support a sudden influx of many more remote workers. Discover the challenges you might face.Continue Reading

• Two-pronged approach to scaling remote work infrastructure

  Hastily supporting large numbers of workers who all of a sudden find themselves at home requires quick thinking on the part of IT. Just as important is what you do afterward.Continue Reading

• Open Compute Project influence, open source hardware gain momentum

  With open source hardware more feasible than ever, catch up on how Open Compute Project consortium uses open source to develop more efficient server and infrastructure designs.Continue Reading

• Data center power infrastructure essentials prevent downtime

  Power infrastructure upkeep is essential to reduce damage in an unplanned outage. UPS and generator maintenance, plus disaster planning, should be a part of regular operations.Continue Reading

• A look at software-defined networking upgrade guidelines

  SDN brings the benefit of a mostly software-based update process. However, admins still must consider which updates are necessary and if a hardware refresh is required.Continue Reading

• Plan for a successful ITIL implementation

  Corporate buy-in and training are essential for organizations that decide to adopt the ITIL framework. Admins should also help decide if the library is the right service option.Continue Reading

• Key components for negotiating an HPC colocation contract

  When it comes to HPC colocation, there are specialized areas to cover in a service-level agreement. Review provider protocols for power, security and network connectivity.Continue Reading

• Infrastructure modernization via hyper-convergence can equal success

  How hyper-convergence can help modernize IT infrastructures to better meet challenges like the digital transformation of the business and the adoption of edge computing.Continue Reading

• A guide to data center maintenance outsourcing

  Data centers have a lot of moving mechanical parts to maintain. It's beneficial to leave electrical and fire system upkeep to the professionals instead of doing it all in-house.Continue Reading

• Top infrastructure and operations technology myths of 2019

  Admins are consistently evaluating technology to improve I&O efficiency. Cost, integration and business goals are key components to this process and cutting down any hype.Continue Reading

• Use GRUB to fix Linux boot problems

  GRUB is a handy tool to help admins solve any Linux booting issues. Reinstalling or manually implementing GRUB are two main approaches to getting your system back up and running.Continue Reading

• Guidelines to tackle multi-cloud and hybrid IT management

  Managing infrastructure isn't just the on-premises data center anymore. Software selection, architecture configuration and governance are key components of any hybrid IT setup.Continue Reading

• How pay-as-you-go hyper-converged hardware pricing works

  With consumption-based pricing, vendors deploy an HCI on premises, while you pay a subscription fee. It promises to lower upfront costs and reduce headaches. But is it right for you?Continue Reading

• Get eco-friendly with LEED data center certification

  The U.S. Green Building Council helps companies make existing and new data centers eco-friendly. HVAC, lighting and monitoring technology help increase infrastructure efficiency.Continue Reading

• Develop a 7-step server maintenance checklist

  For effective server maintenance, admins must perform proactive hardware and software checks. Any list must include dusting, log review and software patch tests.Continue Reading

• New hardware, use cases shape server benchmarking needs

  Advancements in server hardware help admins address the latest data-intensive use cases. But this brings questions about the place of industrywide benchmarking standards.Continue Reading

• Manage Windows Server HCI with Windows Admin Center

  Download and install Microsoft's free and easy-to-use Windows Admin Center to manage local and remote Windows Server-based hyper-converged infrastructure clusters.Continue Reading

• A look at HCI hardware maintenance

  Resource forecasting, capacity planning and upgrade compatibility are essential components of hyper-converged infrastructure maintenance. Learn why admins must implement them.Continue Reading

• Learn the basics of ACI network technology

  Application-centric infrastructure is one way to support an SDN setup. By learning the basics, admins can manage networks with automation and data abstraction.Continue Reading