Mainframe migration projects
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Feature
19 May 2016
Don't overlook these crucial enterprise CPU updates
Despite its critical role in cloud application performance, the enterprise CPU is often overlooked. Learn about next generation hardware, and why it's important to cloud. Continue Reading
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News
13 Apr 2016
Gauging whether hyper-converged vendors' ages matter
Deciding between the new guy and the old standby has driven purchasing decisions for decades, but what do users think when it comes to hyper-converged infrastructure? Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Apr 2016
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
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Answer
06 Apr 2016
How do I convert CPU hours to MIPS for mainframe capacity planning?
For better mainframe capacity planning, how do I convert CPU hours to MIPS? And is there a way to calculate the relationship between MIPS and MSUs? Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Mar 2016
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
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Tip
22 Mar 2016
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
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News
16 Feb 2016
EMC launches VxRail VSAN-based hyper-converged appliance
EMC replaces Vspex Blue with VxRail, integrating the new version of VMware's Virtual SAN software on four-node hyper-converged appliances. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Feb 2016
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
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Tip
04 Jan 2016
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
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Answer
04 Dec 2015
Should I make a storage LUN for each server?
In some scenarios, more than one LUN per server makes sense. In others, it's better to maintain a one-to-one ratio. So which is better? Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Nov 2015
A who's who of white box switch vendors
White box networking gives IT organizations more freedom of choice for network hardware and OSes. It's a young and changing market, with a mix of vendor involvement. Continue Reading
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News
12 Nov 2015
Massive tax bill increases uncertainty in Dell-EMC deal
Dell's deal to buy EMC and VMware for $67 billion is in doubt after revelations that the company could face a $9 billion tax bill, forcing some uncertain IT buyers to look elsewhere. Continue Reading
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News
02 Nov 2015
Greenfield vs. brownfield data center development strategies
Don't count out that old, empty department store that hasn't seen customers in a decade -- data center brownfield developments bring new life to these types of abandoned buildings. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Oct 2015
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
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Guide
28 Oct 2015
Data center metrics and standards guide
From energy use to server performance, data center metrics form a foundation for improving IT operations. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Oct 2015
Data center humidity recommendation falls dramatically
An ASHRAE study's conclusions are disproving the conventional wisdom around data centers' relative humidity levels. Continue Reading
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Feature
15 Oct 2015
Impact Awards: Vote for the best Converged/Hyper-Converged Product
Vote for the best Converged/Hyper-Converged Product in the 2016 Modern Infrastructure Impact Awards. Continue Reading
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Answer
25 Sep 2015
How do you verify a HA server or cluster is working?
I want to ensure server high availability in my production IT environment. Is it better to test server HA and risk disruption, or trust in the systems' reliability? Continue Reading
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News
17 Sep 2015
HP Enterprise to cut up to 30,000 jobs ahead of split
A leaner, more nimble HP Enterprise will have as many as 30,000 fewer employees after the company splits in November. Continue Reading
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News
14 Sep 2015
IT jobs surge in upper Midwest, Rockies, led by Java
IT jobs are being filled at the highest rate away from some of the traditional technology hotspots -- including many Midwestern states. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Aug 2015
Modern Infrastructure 2016 Impact Award Categories
Here are the categories for the 2016 Modern Infrastructure Impact Awards. Continue Reading
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Answer
31 Aug 2015
What can I do to gain Java skills and leave mainframe programming?
I have two years of experience in mainframe technology, currently working as a mainframe developer. I want to change to Java technology. Continue Reading
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News
27 Aug 2015
HP Enterprise has work cut out following split
With the split two months away, HP Enterprise needs to ensure its hardware, software and services groups work and play better together. Continue Reading
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Answer
10 Aug 2015
Can I use Mikrotik vs. Cisco switches in a data center?
I'm purchasing rack-level access switches for an enterprise data center, and weighing Cisco vs. Mikrotik, which is less expensive. Continue Reading
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Answer
06 Jul 2015
Help! I deleted a Linux boot partition
I deleted a partition on my Linux system, but I still see a boot menu. How do I re-install GRUB2 and not lose data? Continue Reading
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Guide
16 Jun 2015
Server performance and benchmark testing guide
The right back-end servers, tuned for maximum efficacy, make the difference in business-critical applications and services. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Jun 2015
Build Linux from scratch to improve admin skills
There's a sure-fire way to increase your knowledge about the Linux kernel and how to troubleshoot Linux servers: Build one yourself. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 May 2015
Checklist of IT KPIs for responsive data center ops
The right metrics, aligned with business needs, strengthen data center monitoring and capacity planning. KPIs orient IT performance to specific goals. Continue Reading
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Answer
24 Mar 2015
How do I configure vSphere HA for automatic failover?
I want to install a virtualization environment with physical servers for failover and a storage server to boot up some virtual servers in our network. How can I do this? Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Mar 2015
Resolve a network bottleneck with these techniques
Data center network performance problems will disappear with fixes from a simple reorganization through a strategic overhaul. Continue Reading
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Answer
09 Mar 2015
How do I size the physical server to host virtual machines?
I want to convert a physical machine to a virtual machine. How can I select and size the right server infrastructure to host VMs? Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Feb 2015
Take data center efficiency to the max on three-phase power
Three-phase circuits provide considerably more power efficiency to data center equipment, but phase balancing can trip up deployments. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Feb 2015
Master Linux service management on System V and systemd
Managing services on Linux is an essential task for administrators. Learn to work with either System V or systemd. Continue Reading
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Answer
04 Feb 2015
How do I transfer a PS file from a mainframe to a Linux server?
I need to transfer one PS file's data from a mainframe to a Linux server. Are there any JCL scripts that can do this for me? Continue Reading
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Answer
30 Jan 2015
Can you virtualize a NetBackup master server?
I have only seen companies deploy a NetBackup master server on a physical server. Are there any drawbacks to using a VM as a NetBackup master server? Continue Reading
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Feature
09 Jan 2015
Big data and analytics advice from an operations pro
You don't need to employ special IT personnel for big data analytics. One company uses big data for developers to modify ads and find and adjust pain-points in a game application. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Jan 2015
Eight data center technologies to test in the new year
As the hype from 2014 dissipates, the new year rings in hot new technologies. IoE, hybrid clouds and other tech innovations make the data center run more efficiently. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Jan 2015
Linux network configuration turns positively wicked
Wicked replaces a lot of old Linux network configuration commands and utilities in SLES 12, making the OS more cloud friendly. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Dec 2014
This data center cost calculator keeps you on budget
Calculating every data center expense can be challenging, but with the right spreadsheet -- and formulas -- you will accurately assess the total cost. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Dec 2014
Data center maps lead IT to server treasure
Can't find the server that needs repairs or the right reboot button when the host blue-screens? A data center map is vital when disaster hits. Continue Reading
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Answer
17 Dec 2014
What's the best way to measure data center airflow?
You can't measure airflow from raised floor tiles in the same way as any other air duct. Optimize data center airflow with the right tools. Continue Reading
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Answer
19 Nov 2014
Which IBM 3592 tape cartridge has the highest capacity?
There are a bunch of IBM 3592 'J' tape designations. How do you order the right capacity for your tape drives? Do you take compression into account? Continue Reading
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Feature
05 Nov 2014
How do you define data center size, density?
With shifts in the scale and density of data centers, one industry organization is drawing up ways to standardize how we talk about data center size and power needs. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Oct 2014
A data center checklist for facility design and IT ops
Choose the right data center provider or facility now, and prevent costly errors and inadequate services later. Continue Reading
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Guide
28 Oct 2014
Server form factors: A guide to rackmount, blade servers and more
Which type of server is right for you? The data center's budget, technology and reliability will steer you toward rackmount or blade servers. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Oct 2014
Create a SAN with the Linux LIO iSCSI target
With the LIO iSCSI target service, Linux shops have an affordable SAN option that ranks up there with expensive proprietary storage solutions. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Oct 2014
In-rack and in-row cooling options for any data center
Say no to CRAC and consider more selective data center cooling options. In-rack and in-row cooling systems are efficient and optimally dispel heat. Continue Reading
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Answer
16 Sep 2014
What's the best data center network topology?
You need to know these most common data center network topologies, and check out a host of alternative topologies waiting in the wings. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Sep 2014
The case for a leaf-spine data center topology
Three-layer network designs are last season's topology. The leaf-spine model is coming in hot, but can the advantages made data center designers forget about the weaknesses? Continue Reading
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Quiz
16 Sep 2014
How well do you know the ITIL v3 framework?
Test how well your team knows its roles and responsibilities with this ITIL quiz. It might help you handle future IT service problems. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Sep 2014
Centralized versus rack-mount UPS in telecom rooms
How does a rack-mount UPS stack up against a central data center UPS for telecom rooms? Money doesn't necessarily mean power. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Aug 2014
Business application hosting on-premises vs. cloud options
Is it better to look for a SaaS version of an app, put it in your own data center on existing equipment, or host it at a cloud provider for a mix of flexible scaling and IT ownership? Continue Reading
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News
25 Aug 2014
With EVO: RAIL, VMware turns VSAN into a franchise
VMware's EVO: RAIL allows hardware vendors to build hyper-converged appliances running VSAN and other VMware software. Continue Reading
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Quiz
19 Aug 2014
A mainframe refresher quiz
Make sure you know what is significant about the mainframe. Take this quiz to find out what you should brush up on. Continue Reading
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News
19 Aug 2014
There's a whole lotta shakin' goin' on in converged infrastructure
With sales sagging, legacy hardware suppliers are scurrying to form partnerships with a new generation of converged infrastructure vendors. But will these newly minted converged systems convince IT to open up the purse strings? Continue Reading
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Answer
19 Aug 2014
What to do when UPS sizing goes wrong
UPS sizing is hard, with confusing terminology and an ever-shifting IT load. If you get the calculations wrong, don't worry about a Michael Bay movie scene in the data center. Here's what to do when UPS is too wimpy or too beefy for the task. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Jul 2014
Seven data center blogs you should be reading right now
Stay connected on trending IT topics on Twitter and Tumblr. Follow these seven experts who express news, opinions in data center blogs. Continue Reading
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Photo Story
21 Jul 2014
Seven data center blogs you should be reading right now
Stay connected on trending IT topics on Twitter and Tumblr. Follow these seven experts who express news, opinions in data center blogs. Continue Reading
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Video
16 Jul 2014
Facebook tour reveals Open Compute Project in action
Facebook's North Carolina data center is warm and humid, which is fine for the thousands of OCP servers working there. Check out the exclusive video. Continue Reading
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Feature
15 Jul 2014
Denser is better: Increased storage and server density
For storage and servers, being dense is good. Careful planning can maximize the benefits of greater computing densities while minimizing potential risks. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Jul 2014
Does data center size matter in virtualization, DCIM decisions?
Are you big enough to take advantage of DCIM or virtualization for the power and cost savings? When it comes to certain moves, size is an advantage. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Jul 2014
Mount file system Linux systemd's way
Forget about /etc/fstab and autofs. There's a new Linux system around. Systemd manages mounting and automounting of file systems differently. Continue Reading
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Video
27 Jun 2014
Hyperconvergence promises simplicity, but at what cost?
Hyperconvergence brings a building-block approach to the data center, but these proprietary systems are worth investigating. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Jun 2014
A few ways to configure Linux firewalld
The method for configuring Linux servers' firewalls changed with RHEL 7 and other new distributions. Learn how to set up firewalld, and what to avoid. Continue Reading
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Feature
24 Jun 2014
Controversial hot aisle containment practices
Is your hot aisle too hot for OSHA? New data center trends are causing concern. You might need to adapt to adhere to the law. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Jun 2014
What to look for in a Tier III data center provider
Don't believe just any sweet-talking colo provider claiming to be Tier III. Make sure you're getting what you pay for with a true Tier III data center. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Jun 2014
Why Facebook and the NSA love graph databases
Graph databases play six degrees of separation to find real connections. See how IT teams can use the database approach for businesses. Continue Reading
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Feature
12 Jun 2014
How many VMs per host is too many?
The ultimate host server welcomes hundreds of virtual machines. But that doesn't mean consolidation should outrank performance. Continue Reading
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Quiz
05 Jun 2014
Test your Uptime Tier level knowledge
You've got a lot riding on Uptime Tier-certified data centers. Take this quiz to see how well you know Tiers I through IV. Continue Reading
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Feature
03 Jun 2014
Hyperconvergence now a data center building block
Hyperconvergence is succeeding converged infrastructure technology for data centers that are fast, efficient and more hands-off for IT teams. Continue Reading
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Guide
30 May 2014
What's the best Linux OS for your enterprise data center?
With several updates to supported Linux OSes, how do you know which to run in your data center? This guide will help you make an informed decision. Continue Reading
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Answer
21 May 2014
What's the highest server temperature you can handle?
There's no correct inlet air temperature for all servers. Age, performance and design help determine how much heat your server can handle. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 May 2014
DevOps and Agile IT save mainframe training from skills quagmire
The problem isn't that new hires aren't familiar with the complex, custom daily tasks of mainframe ops. The problem is that you're still doing them. Continue Reading
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Feature
12 May 2014
Production workloads go boldly to the cloud
Some enterprises are charging ahead with a cloud-first approach to their workloads -- not just test and dev, but production workloads as well. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Apr 2014
Linux boot options in RHEL, SLES help ailing servers
Is your server not booting correctly? Does it need crucial recovery tasks? Linux boot options with GRUB2 and systemd can help. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Mar 2014
What data center Tier levels can and cannot tell you about uptime
When it's time to go colo, it's important to know what level of facility uptime you need, as well as the data center operator's specific procedures. Continue Reading
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Answer
19 Feb 2014
Is LRDIMM the best memory option for an enterprise server?
Load-reduced DIMM allows for more memory and decreased latency than on-server memory typically has. So how does it compare to other DIMM designs? Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Feb 2014
Mount Global File System 2, avoid corruption in RHEL High Availability
You have a working cluster, now what? Red Hat's GFS2 will help you avoid file system corruption. Learn how to mount the default cluster file system. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Feb 2014
Getting started with ITIL service management
Promised cost savings, alignment with business, and operational efficiency are encouraging more organizations to take up ITIL service management. Continue Reading
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Quiz
04 Feb 2014
Unix command line quiz
Do you know how to move a file or get a list of current users from your Unix servers? Take our Unix quiz on essential commands for system admins. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Jan 2014
Six steps to create a highly available Apache Web service
When a Red Hat cluster goes into production, you can protect it by configuring a supported high-availability service. Here's how. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Jan 2014
Basic Linux commands for new Linux server administrators
To manage Linux servers, administrators need a set of basic commands to view and start processes, as well as utilities that make life a little easier. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Jan 2014
What should you do with old servers and outdated data center equipment?
Complications arise when replacing nonfunctional data center equipment. Decide what to do with the old equipment and how to handle retrofits. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Jan 2014
Five best Linux applications for enterprises
These five applications will improve the lives of enterprise IT and business management by increasing functionality and reducing costs. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Jan 2014
RISC vs. CISC explained for data center systems
The role of RISC processors in data center equipment is hotly debated, but new RISC designs are proving that it isn't just a CISC game. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Dec 2013
Creating a quorum disk and fencing for Linux high availability nodes
The quorum disk and fencing on a Linux high availability cluster let its nodes know when they are operational and shut them off if they are not. Continue Reading
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Answer
23 Dec 2013
How outdated practices harm data center grounding systems
Isolated grounds are a solution lacking a problem. In fact, isolated grounds create problems for data center cabinet power and add expense all around. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Dec 2013
Creating a reliable and fast SAN network design with iSCSI
There are three tenets of designing an iSCSI network correctly. Proper iSCSI deployment yields affordable and reliable network access for the SAN. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Dec 2013
Modern Infrastructure: December 2013
Winners of the MI Impact Awards of 2013, reflecting big issues affecting data center jobs, showed innovation and intelligence in solving IT problems. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Dec 2013
Strange and secure data center locations
In these data center pictures, tour barges, former mines and oil rigs. Sometimes a strange location makes the most sense for a secure data center. Continue Reading
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Photo Story
09 Dec 2013
Your data lives where?! Strange and secure data center locations
In these data center pictures, tour barges, former mines and oil rigs. Sometimes a strange location makes the most sense for a secure data center. Continue Reading
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Feature
04 Dec 2013
IBM's hardware vs. software dilemma
It's difficult to predict if current server hardware trends are forcing reinvention, but IBM may be on a track that takes it in a new direction. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Dec 2013
TCP offload's promises and limitations for enterprise networks
TCP offload products free up limited CPU resources in network-intensive data centers. But TCP offload is no panacea and can introduce more problems. Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Nov 2013
Building blocks of converged infrastructures
The unifying theme of unified computing is vendor lock-in: One vendor for all or most components. But what are those pieces and what are your options? Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Nov 2013
Major changes in data center fire suppression standards NFPA 75 and 76
Fire standard changes can add a lot of work and expense to a data center operator's job, but the updates to NFPA 75 and 76 address real safety risks. Continue Reading
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Answer
08 Nov 2013
What to do when a mainframe IPL stalls out without error messages
When initial program load stalls out on a mainframe logical partition, the culprit is often consoles. Connectivity is one of many potential causes. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Nov 2013
No faults here: Advanced techniques to attain more reliable servers
A new generation of reliability features can keep busy servers running in the face of serious fault conditions. Continue Reading
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Feature
04 Nov 2013
Data center network design moves from tree to leaf
Leaf-spine designs are pushing out the hierarchical tree data center networking model, thanks to the popularity of Ethernet fabric networks. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Oct 2013
Data center interview horrors and spooks
Every administrator and data center manager has a horror story or two to share. In the spirit of Halloween, we tell the tale of interviews gone wrong. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Oct 2013
Modern Infrastructure October 2013
This issue examines the ongoing role of Unix platforms in the enterprise, the growing cloud competition between tech giants and more. Continue Reading