Data center hardware and strategy
Data center hardware includes a broad range of devices. Hardware components that make up the IT infrastructure of a data center include servers and computing equipment, networking equipment and storage equipment, plus additional infrastructure to support it like power and cooling systems. Get insights into developing a data center hardware strategy.
Top Stories
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News
19 May 2025
Dell Technologies pitches its hardware for AI data centers
Servers, networking and storage hardware take center stage at Dell Technologies World 2025, as well as a tightly integrated offering with AI titans such as Nvidia and Google. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 May 2025
Single-tenant vs. multi-tenant cloud architecture
Single-tenant and multi-tenant cloud architecture offer unique advantages and disadvantages. Understanding both is crucial for selecting the best fit for your organization. Continue Reading
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Definition
13 Nov 2023
x86-64
x86-64 (also called x86_64, x64, or amd64) is the 64-bit CPU architecture that is used in Intel and AMD processors. It is an extension to the 32-bit x86 (i386) architecture. Continue Reading
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Definition
08 Nov 2023
graphics processing unit (GPU)
A graphics processing unit (GPU) is a computer chip that renders graphics and images by performing rapid mathematical calculations. Continue Reading
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Definition
01 Nov 2023
end of life (EOL)
End of life (EOL), in the context of manufacturing and product lifecycles, is the final stages of a product's existence. Continue Reading
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News
26 Oct 2023
Dell-Red Hat tackle DIY OpenShift deployments with appliance
Expanding its partnership with Red Hat, Dell is now offering OpenShift as a validated appliance for on-premises container deployment and management. Continue Reading
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Opinion
25 Oct 2023
Key themes emerge from Lenovo's 2023 analyst conference
Enterprise Strategy Group looks at Lenovo's 2023 Global Industry Analyst Conference and how the company is taking a more holistic view, with a focus on AI and sustainability. Continue Reading
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Definition
25 Oct 2023
remote hands
Remote hands is the general name for a service colocation providers offer that enables customers to delegate IT management and maintenance tasks in a colocation facility to technicians hired by the provider. Continue Reading
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Definition
25 Oct 2023
power-on reset (PoR)
A power-on reset (PoR) is a circuit that provides a predictable, regulated voltage to a microprocessor or microcontroller with the initial application of power. Continue Reading
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Definition
06 Oct 2023
brownfield (brownfield deployment, brownfield site)
A brownfield deployment, in information technology, is the installation and configuration of new hardware or software that must coexist with legacy IT systems. Continue Reading
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Definition
03 Oct 2023
OFDMA (orthogonal frequency-division multiple access)
Orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) is a technology of Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) that lets access points serve multiple clients at the same time. Continue Reading
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Definition
03 Oct 2023
optical mouse
An optical mouse is an advanced computer pointing device that uses a light-emitting diode (LED), optical sensor and digital signal processor (DSP) in place of the traditional mouse ball and electromechanical transducer. Continue Reading
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Definition
03 Oct 2023
DisplayPort
DisplayPort is an interface for digital displays, particularly computer monitors. Continue Reading
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News
02 Oct 2023
Edge AI server market grows
Rapid data growth and the need to process it at the edge is expanding opportunities in the server market, with new entries from Unigen and Lenovo. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Sep 2023
How SSD encryption can protect enterprise data
It's easy for an SSD to fall into the wrong hands. Encryption, which is common in SSDs, is a powerful tool to protect mission-critical and personal data. Continue Reading
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Definition
25 Sep 2023
ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer)
ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer) was the world's first general-purpose electronic computer. Continue Reading
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Definition
22 Sep 2023
enterprise IT (enterprise-class IT)
Enterprise-class IT (also known as enterprise-grade, or enterprise IT) is hardware, software and other IT services designed to meet the demands of a large organization. Continue Reading
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Definition
18 Sep 2023
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive is a legislative act that the European Union adopted to address the growing amounts of e-waste that come from electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) at the end of its life. Continue Reading
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Opinion
13 Sep 2023
Why IT leaders should deploy generative AI infrastructure now
Organizations should seek to incorporate a generative AI product that is easy to use, flexible and on site. Nutanix GPT-in-a-Box is among the candidates with these options. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Sep 2023
Consider these 6 data center cleaning best practices
Data center admins that follow cleaning best practices can extend the life span of equipment and better ensure assets don't get damaged. Use these six tips to keep data centers clean. Continue Reading
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Definition
31 Aug 2023
I/O (input/output)
I/O (input/output), pronounced "eye-oh," describes any operation, program or device that transfers data to or from a computer. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Aug 2023
How to modernize networks with sustainability in mind
A network modernization project is a good time to consider sustainability initiatives, such as using energy-efficient devices and renewable energy sources. Continue Reading
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Definition
23 Aug 2023
data restore
Data restore is the process of copying backup data from secondary storage and restoring it to its original location or a new location. Continue Reading
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Definition
22 Aug 2023
floating-point operations per second (FLOPS)
Floating-point operations per second (FLOPS) is a measure of a computer's performance based on the number of floating-point arithmetic calculations that the processor can perform within a second. Continue Reading
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Definition
15 Aug 2023
assembler
An assembler is a computer program that takes in basic instructions and converts them into a pattern of bits that the computer's processor can use to perform basic operations. Continue Reading
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Definition
11 Aug 2023
job
In certain computer operating systems, a job is the unit of work that a computer operator -- or a program called a job scheduler -- gives to the OS. Continue Reading
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News
10 Aug 2023
The long wait for CHIPS Act money just got a little longer
Swamped by applications from more than 400 chip manufacturers hoping to get CHIPS Act money, government officials have pushed back the delivery of those funds to year's end. Continue Reading
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Definition
08 Aug 2023
semiconductor fab
A semiconductor fab -- short for fabrication -- is a manufacturing plant in which raw silicon wafers are turned into integrated circuits (ICs). Continue Reading
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Definition
01 Aug 2023
Dell EMC VxRail
Dell EMC VxRail is a hyper-converged appliance. Like VSPEX Blue -- the Dell EMC product that it replaced -- and other hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) systems, VxRail includes compute, storage, networking and virtualization resources in a single device. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Jul 2023
Data center heat reuse: How to make the most of excess heat
Data center heat doesn't need to go to waste. As part of a sustainability strategy, explore ways to put the heat your data center produces to work, and consider heat reuse. Continue Reading
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Definition
21 Jul 2023
transistor-to-transistor logic (TTL)
Transistor-to-transistor logic -- also known as simply transistor-transistor logic or TTL -- is a family of digital logic design built from a family of bipolar junction transistors that act on direct-current pulses. Continue Reading
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Definition
19 Jul 2023
slack space (file slack space)
Slack space, or file slack space, is the leftover storage space on a computer's hard disk drive when a file does not need all the space it has been allocated by the operating system. Continue Reading
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Definition
18 Jul 2023
flash memory card
A flash memory card -- sometimes called a storage card -- is a small storage device that uses non-volatile semiconductor memory to store data on portable or remote computing devices. Continue Reading
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News
13 Jul 2023
RHEL users question Red Hat's reliance on CentOS Stream
Despite criticism from developers, Red Hat continues its commitment to CentOS as the delivery vehicle for RHEL, believing it benefits open source developers in the long run. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Jul 2023
8 benefits of data center virtualization
Organizations with virtualized data center components can save on hardware, comply easier with regulations and increase speed. Consider virtualization for your infrastructure. Continue Reading
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Feature
12 Jul 2023
Assess the environmental impact of data centers
Data centers have faced scrutiny about their environmental impact in recent years. Assess their impact to find ways to reduce the environmental damage. Continue Reading
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Definition
28 Jun 2023
flash memory
Flash memory, also known as flash storage, is a type of nonvolatile memory that erases data in units called blocks and rewrites data at the byte level. Continue Reading
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Definition
23 Jun 2023
multiprocessing
Multiprocessing is the utilization of two or more central processing units (CPUs) in a single computer system. Continue Reading
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Definition
23 Jun 2023
milliampere-hour (mAh)
A milliampere-hour (mAh) is one-thousandth of an ampere hour (Ah), which can also be written as 1 mAh = 0.001 Ah. Continue Reading
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Definition
21 Jun 2023
logical block addressing (LBA)
Logical block addressing (LBA) is a technique to specify the addresses of blocks of data on a storage device, such as a hard disk. Continue Reading
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News
20 Jun 2023
HPE offers Cray supercomputer cloud service for AI models
HPE unveils cloud AI services powered by its Cray supercomputers working in tandem with a version of its GreenLake for Large Language Models. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Jun 2023
Data center tiers and why they matter for uptime
Organizations should consider data center tiers of colocation providers or for their own data centers based on their uptime needs. Examine the differences among the four tiers. Continue Reading
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Definition
16 Jun 2023
moves, adds and changes (MAC)
Moves, adds and changes (MAC) refers to a set of tasks that IT teams regularly perform to keep computing equipment up to date and aligned with user and business requirements. Continue Reading
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News
13 Jun 2023
VergeIO's new IOfortify halts ransomware spread
Diminutive snapshots, a new alert system and code improvements empower the software of HCI vendor VergeIO against ransomware attacks in its latest release. Continue Reading
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Definition
07 Jun 2023
microfarad
The microfarad -- symbolized as µF using the Greek symbol mu -- is a unit of capacitance, equivalent to 0.000001 farad (F). Continue Reading
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Opinion
06 Jun 2023
Dell Technologies World 2023 recap: Prepare for complexities
At Dell Technologies World 2023, experts discussed the complexities organizations face when prioritizing technologies and the need to plan for the future of work to succeed. Continue Reading
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Definition
05 Jun 2023
sound card
A sound card is a computer component responsible for generating and recording audio. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Jun 2023
Data center redundancy: The basics
Downtime can cost businesses thousands, and redundancy is one way to minimize disruptions. Assess uptime requirements when building redundancy in data center facilities. Continue Reading
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Opinion
25 May 2023
Dell Apex updates support enterprise 'cloud to ground' moves
Dell's latest Apex updates puts the company in a position to capitalize on the hybrid, multi-cloud and edge computing needs of enterprises. Continue Reading
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News
24 May 2023
Dell enters generative AI market with Nvidia partnership
The initiative provides enterprises with both Dell servers and Nvidia's H100 GPUs and software. It could appeal to Dell users that want to create generative models on premises. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 May 2023
6 data center migration best practices
Data center migrations can be a complex process. Use best practices when migrating a data center to ensure maximum uptime, avoid data loss and stay on schedule. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 May 2023
Navigate Energy Star data center standard and certification
Organizations can use the Energy Star data center standard and certified assets to be more energy efficient. Consider Energy Star certification to preserve capital and save energy. Continue Reading
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Definition
17 May 2023
commodity hardware
Commodity hardware in computing is computers or components that are readily available, inexpensive and easily interchangeable with other commodity hardware. Almost all PCs use commodity hardware. Continue Reading
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Definition
15 May 2023
RS-232C
RS-232C is one of the earlier versions of the long-established standard RS-232, which defines a physical interface for relatively low-speed serial data communication between computers and related devices. Continue Reading
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Opinion
09 May 2023
Aruba Atmosphere '23 emphasizes agility matters
HPE Aruba Networking positioned its Atmosphere conference as looking at what comes next, but the subtext was all about agility as the company tightens its integration. Continue Reading
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Definition
08 May 2023
edge data center
An edge data center is a small data center that is located close to the edge of a network. Continue Reading
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Definition
05 May 2023
serial communications interface (SCI)
A serial communications interface (SCI) is a device that enables the serial exchange of data -- that is, one bit at a time -- between a microprocessor and peripherals, such as printers, external drives, scanners and mice. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 May 2023
5 steps for mainframe migration
The complicated task of migrating time-tested mainframe environments calls for careful assessment, attention to technical details and thorough project planning. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 May 2023
Tips to use the Cockpit web consoles
Admins that use Cockpit to manage Linux servers can use the web consoles to add users, build firewalls and perform other tasks. Use these web consoles to oversee your servers. Continue Reading
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Definition
03 May 2023
screen scraping
Screen scraping is a data collection method used to gather information shown on a display to use for another purpose. Continue Reading
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Definition
26 Apr 2023
mouse
A mouse is a small device that a computer user pushes across a desk surface in order to point to a place on a display screen and to select one or more actions to take from that position. Continue Reading
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Definition
26 Apr 2023
data center as a service (DCaaS)
Data center as a service (DCaaS) is the provision of off-site physical data center facilities and infrastructure to clients. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Apr 2023
Examine the benefits of data center consolidation
Many data centers have too many assets. Data center consolidation can help organizations make better use of assets, cut costs, and improve security and compliance. Continue Reading
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Definition
17 Apr 2023
beep code
A beep code is the audio signal from a computer when it first powers on to give the Power-On Self-Test (POST) result. Continue Reading
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Definition
12 Apr 2023
mainframe (big iron)
A mainframe (also known as 'big iron') is a high-performance computer used for large-scale computing purposes that require greater availability and security than a smaller-scale machine can offer... (Continued) Continue Reading
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Definition
11 Apr 2023
HDTV (high-definition television)
HDTV (high-definition television) is a television display technology that provides picture quality similar to 35 mm movies with sound quality similar to that of a compact disc. Continue Reading
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Opinion
10 Apr 2023
The era of the sustainable data center
Sustainability in product design is becoming important to organizations. In the age of sustainability in the data center, don't forget about energy efficiency in your messaging. Continue Reading
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News
06 Apr 2023
Google touts AI supercomputer; Nvidia tops MLPerf 3.0 tests
Google added a little more heat to the AI supercomputing wars, revealing the latest details of its upcoming system positioned against that of market leader Nvidia. Continue Reading
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Definition
04 Apr 2023
Pentium
Pentium is a widely used series of microprocessors developed by Intel Corporation. Continue Reading
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News
04 Apr 2023
IBM's rack mount Z16 mainframe targets edge computing
IBM's new rack mount Z16 mainframe gives edge locations the ability to process workloads locally, taking the burden off systems running workloads in larger data centers. Continue Reading
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Definition
28 Mar 2023
reliability of computers
Reliability is an attribute of any computer-related component -- software, hardware or a network, for example -- that consistently performs according to its specifications. Continue Reading
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News
21 Mar 2023
Nvidia DGX Quantum system blends CPUs, GPUs with CUDA
Nvidia and Quantum Machines deliver a new architecture that combines CPUs and GPUs with quantum technologies. Continue Reading
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Opinion
20 Mar 2023
App modernization, mainframe, microservices: IBM event recap
At the recent IBM Infrastructure Analyst Event, IBM announced advances in IBM zSystems for AI, app architecture and other areas to help businesses achieve their goals. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Mar 2023
How to prepare for the next version of Exchange Server
The Exchange Server roadmap charts several twists and turns that shows Microsoft deviating from its typical course with the server-based email platform. Continue Reading
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Definition
17 Mar 2023
clock speed
Clock speed is the number of times a second that a circuit operates and is most associated with the central processing unit (CPU). Continue Reading
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Definition
16 Mar 2023
USB 3.0 (SuperSpeed USB)
USB 3.0 is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) data transfer standard that is backwards compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 1.1 devices and is very commonly used for computer peripherals. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Mar 2023
ASHRAE standard 90.4 updates emphasize green energy
New addenda to ASHRAE 90.4 simplify mechanical load component calculations and modify the definition of UPS, among other changes. Use the updates to guide green data center design. Continue Reading
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News
15 Mar 2023
New Microsoft Azure VMs target generative AI developers
Generative AI app developers can soon access the supercomputing infrastructure they need through Microsoft Azure. Continue Reading
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Definition
09 Mar 2023
IBM Roadrunner
Roadrunner was a supercomputer developed by IBM at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. Continue Reading
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Definition
02 Mar 2023
AWS Network Load Balancer (NLB)
AWS Network Load Balancer (NLB) is an Amazon Web Services tool that distributes high-performance traffic across multiple cloud instances and provides automatic scaling of resources to ensure low latency and high throughput for applications. Continue Reading
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Definition
02 Mar 2023
pizza box server
The term 'pizza box server' refers to the shape of a computer server enclosed in a rectangular and horizontally- arranged chassis and often installed in a rack with similar servers. Continue Reading
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Definition
28 Feb 2023
job scheduler
A job scheduler is a computer program that enables an enterprise to schedule and, in some cases, monitor computer 'batch' jobs (units of work). Continue Reading
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Definition
28 Feb 2023
statistical mean, median, mode and range
The terms mean, median, mode, and range describe properties of statistical distributions. Continue Reading
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Definition
24 Feb 2023
superconductivity
Superconductivity is the ability of certain materials to conduct a direct electric current (DC) with practically zero resistance. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Feb 2023
A primer on hyperscale data centers
Hyperscale data centers can hold thousands of servers and process much more data than an enterprise facility. However, they can be difficult to build and maintain. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Feb 2023
Get familiar with who builds 5G infrastructure
Organizations that build 5G data centers may need to upgrade their infrastructure. These 5G providers offer products like virtual RAN options, wireless access routers and others. Continue Reading
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News
16 Feb 2023
IBM drops from top spot in patents, surpassed by Samsung
IBM lost its title as patent king to Samsung, which had more than 8,500 patents approved in 2022. One reason cited is IBM's transformation to a software and services company. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Feb 2023
Words to go: 6 key data center sustainability metrics
When organizations go green in their data center, they will have to measure the facility's efficiency and environmental impact. Use sustainability metrics to get started. Continue Reading
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News
02 Feb 2023
AMD lifts optimism for the chip market with upbeat earnings
AMD reported a rise in fourth-quarter revenue, along with expectations for a much-needed surge in demand for PCs in the second half of 2023. Continue Reading
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News
27 Jan 2023
Intel revenue drops again; company to speed up next-gen chips
Dogged by stalled PC sales and tighter IT spending, Intel once again reported down revenues. CEO Pat Gelsinger highlighted progress and plans to remedy the issue. Continue Reading
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Definition
27 Jan 2023
distributed control system (DCS)
A distributed control system (DCS) is a digital automated industrial control system (ICS) that uses geographically distributed control loops throughout a factory, machine or control area. Continue Reading
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Definition
23 Jan 2023
data center infrastructure efficiency (DCiE)
Data Center Infrastructure Efficiency (DCiE) is a metric used to determine the energy efficiency of a data center. The metric, which is expressed as a percentage, is calculated by dividing IT equipment power by total facility power. Continue Reading
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Definition
18 Jan 2023
ohm
The ohm is the standard unit of electrical resistance in the International System of Units (SI). Continue Reading
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News
18 Jan 2023
Dell's next-generation PowerEdge servers target AI inferencing
Dell has delivered versions of its PowerEdge servers using Intel's 4th Gen Xeon Scalable processors and AMD's EPYC chips. Continue Reading
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Definition
12 Jan 2023
surge suppressor (surge protector)
A surge suppressor, sometimes optimistically called a surge protector, is a device inserted in the alternating current (AC) utility line and/or telephone line to prevent damage to electronic equipment from voltage spikes, or transients. Continue Reading
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News
10 Jan 2023
Nvidia, Intel team up on energy efficient AI server
Nvidia and Intel go from competitors to partners by jointly developing a system designed to push heavy AI workloads and offer users significant energy savings. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Jan 2023
Data center environmental controls a high priority for admins
More data growth and tightening financial conditions are coming. Protect data center assets in 2023 through environmental controls like cooling, humidity and others. Continue Reading
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Definition
03 Jan 2023
RGB (red, green and blue)
RGB (red, green and blue) refers to a system representing the colors used on a digital display screen. Continue Reading
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Feature
22 Dec 2022
Quantum data centers might be the way of the future
Quantum computing has lots of potential for high compute applications. But the technology is still in the early stages, so it may be a while before more data centers adopt it. Continue Reading
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Definition
16 Dec 2022
thyristor
A thyristor is a four-layer semiconductor device, consisting of alternating P-type and N-type materials (PNPN). Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Dec 2022
Learn different data lake vs. data warehouse uses
Data lakes and data warehouses both store big data. When choosing a lake or warehouse, consider factors such as cost and what insights or analytics you need to gain from the data. Continue Reading
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Definition
14 Dec 2022
debouncing
Debouncing is removing unwanted input noise from buttons, switches or other user input. Continue Reading