Managing data center outsourcing services and vendors

How the colocation data center stacks up to cloud, on-premises builds

Colocation data centers used to be about proximity. Not anymore. C7 CEO Wes Swenson says colo is about the best location and infrastructure options. Continue Reading

How to prepare a server cluster for Linux high availability

With a Linux distribution supporting mission-critical business applications, it's time to set up Linux high-availability software. Continue Reading

Best of VMworld 2013 award winners

Take a look at SearchServerVirtualization.com's Best of VMworld award winners for 2013. Continue Reading

Defining modern data centers with convergence, public and private cloud

As Bob Plankers explains at the Modern Infrastructure Decisions conference, modern data centers are tough to nail down. Continue Reading

Extensive planning fosters hybrid data center success

A hybrid data center may tempt IT admins with its scalability and flexibility, but before you go hybrid, here's some advice about planning and scope. Continue Reading

Physical building properties to evaluate during server room design

Does your server room have space to grow? What's the best mechanical system for it? Start with these questions to develop a good server room design. Continue Reading

Top data center equipment trends

IT pros named leading data center equipment, virtualization and cloud hosting vendors in the TechTarget Data Center & Readers' Choice 2013 survey. Continue Reading

A new troubleshooting and management process with GRUB2 bootloader

Nearly everything changed from the GRUB bootloader to GRUB2. With major enterprise Linux distributions moving to GRUB2, it's time to get acquainted. Continue Reading

Programming thread-safe mainframe applications with the CICS ENQ command

Thread safety in mainframe applications means better vertical integration. Take full advantage with the CICS ENQ command. Continue Reading

When to use Linux memory swap to solve server performance problems

Adding physical memory may seem like the best way to solve a Linux server's memory shortage. But that's not the only way, so troubleshoot first. Continue Reading

Analyzing and optimizing Linux power consumption with PowerTop 2

The PowerTOP tool tracks power consumption in Linux servers. You can tweak servers and applications to consume less power if you understand PowerTOP. Continue Reading

Do you have the skillset for these hot IT jobs?

With technologies such as cloud computing in the limelight, data center pros need to upgrade their skillsets to catch the latest wave of innovation. Continue Reading

Do you have the IT skillset for these five hot data center jobs?

With technologies such as cloud computing in the limelight, data center pros need to upgrade their skillsets to catch the latest wave of innovation. Continue Reading

Five data center upgrade strategies to modernize your facility

These five data center upgrade strategies can revitalize older data centers and stave off expensive construction projects. Continue Reading

The basics of selecting server memory

Understanding modern memory helps IT professionals make the best choices for selecting a server memory configuration and upgrades. Continue Reading

A deeper look at memory ranks, channels and types

Looking for new server memory? Learning about memory ranks, channels and types is a good step to making the right choice. Continue Reading

Five steps to take when the server is down

Companies rely heavily on websites to transact business and stay in contact. Here's how to fix Web server issues and prevent future problems. Continue Reading

Guide to modern data center cooling methods

Learn more about modern methods for cooling data centers with this quick guide. Continue Reading

Issues with SELinux preventing virtual machine from accessing files

Here's how to solve the problems when trying to access files via a virtual machine in SELinux. Continue Reading

Choosing between colocation services or an on-premises data center

Here are a few collected tips that might help you choose between data center colocation services and building a new data center on-site. Continue Reading

Are blade servers obsolete?

Blade servers maximize compute density on racks, but are their days numbered? Continue Reading

The basics of selecting server memory

Understanding modern memory helps IT professionals make the best choices for selecting a server memory configuration and upgrades. Continue Reading

A deeper look at memory ranks, channels and types

Looking for new server memory? Learning about memory ranks, channels and types is a good step to making the right choice. Continue Reading

Modern Infrastructure Decisions conference coverage

Modern Infrastructure Decisions is a one-day conference designed to help IT pros navigate the changing tides of the current tech industry. Continue Reading

Quiz: New methods for cooling data centers

Think you know everything about cooling data centers? Test your knowledge by taking this quiz on modern cooling techniques. Continue Reading

Cast your vote in the 2013 Readers' Choice survey

How does virtualization, converged infrastructure and BYOD affect you? Take our survey and also vote for the best technologies of the year. Continue Reading

Quiz: The ins and outs of data center colocation services

Data center colocation services allow businesses to expand computing power without a new building. This quiz will test your colocation knowledge. Continue Reading

The data center guide to 'big data'

Many enterprises use "big data" to guide business decisions, but what does it mean from the perspective of data center personnel? Continue Reading

Cut-through versus store-and-forward in Ethernet switch architecture

Switches in the data center can push frames using either store-and-forward or cut-through. Is one Ethernet switch architecture better than the other? Continue Reading

Three questions on ASHRAE standards for data centers

Evolving ASHRAE standards for temperature and humidity allow data center owners to save money on power and cooling demands. Continue Reading

Inside unique energy-efficient data centers

Energy-efficient data centers from around the world are explored in "The Art of the Data Center," a new book by Douglas Alger. Continue Reading

Choice Hotel rethinks IT architecture, employs middleware, SOA, BPM

User story describes application modernization employing Oracle Fusion middleware, SOA and BPM. A hotel chain gains flexibility going the SOA route. Continue Reading

Does UPS maintenance go to IT or the facilities management team?

The UPS is the last line of defense for keeping your data center alive, but does its care fall to the facilities management team or IT? Continue Reading

Setting traps with SLIP, king of the mainframe debugging tools

How to use SLIP, one of the best mainframe debugging tools, to set traps for annoying bugs. Continue Reading

Tweak Linux swap to improve server performance

Many administrators ignore or underutilize the Linux swap settings but making the proper adjustments will make for better system performance. Continue Reading

It’s an easy fix to clean up a GRUB error on your Linux server

A GRUB error will stop a Linux server cold, but following these steps should get you back on track. Continue Reading

How to balance three-phase power to maximize UPS capacity

Apply these techniques to balance the three-phase power load and avoid unnecessarily buying a costly new UPS. Continue Reading

HP ProLiant servers to come with Ubuntu Server Edition

Hewlett-Packard to package Ubuntu on ProLiant servers. Linus Torvalds up for a prestigious technology prize. Red Hat embraces Microsoft Open Technologies. Continue Reading

Proper Linux DRBD setup helps sidestep common issues

Execute a proper DRBD setup in Linux to save money and avoid headaches. Continue Reading

Work from the ground up with a data center raised floor

A raised-floor design is costly, so proper planning and installation is the key to maximize your investment. Continue Reading

Take the Data Center Decisions 2012 survey

Help us learn about your technology preferences and trends among data centers like yours. Be sure to enter our prize drawing for completing the survey and get a chance to win a range of gift cards! Continue Reading

Setting up a mirrored Linux DRBD configuration over the network

Administrators can use the distributed replicated block device (DRBD) in Linux to set up basic data redundancy to connect the storage of multiple servers. Continue Reading

FM-200 systems: What data center managers need to know

Get the lowdown on using FM-200 systems for data center fire suppression, and whether or not they're a good choice for your company. Continue Reading

Five questions on data center environmental monitoring

Our expert explains how to maintain ideal conditions for your server room using data center environmental monitoring tools and techniques. Continue Reading

Squeeze out maximum virtualization performance

Get your virtual deployment done right by following the tips from our experts. Continue Reading

Reallocating unused server and storage hardware

Virtualization’s abstraction of resources offers strong reasons for keeping old equipment past its usefulness for primary workloads. Continue Reading

SearchDataCenter's 2011 Products of the Year awards

The verdict is in! SearchDataCenter.com reveals winners for its annual Products of the Year awards recognizing the year's top data center products. Continue Reading

Server performance and benchmark testing guide

This guide includes tips from our data center experts to help you improve your testing practices and squeeze more performance out of your machines. Continue Reading

Avoiding single point of failure design flaws

Redundancy can help a data center avoid downtime, but sometimes hidden flaws in the electrical design can still create a single point of failure. Continue Reading

Changing vendors: Avoiding pitfalls, IT vendor contract negotiations

Negotiating IT vendor contract terms is crucial for protecting business continuity, physical property and intellectual assets when contracts end. Continue Reading

Using open source tools to monitor Apache Web Server performance

Much of today’s business relies on smooth operation of Web servers. Explore these three open source tools to monitor performance, security and traffic on Apache Web servers. Continue Reading

Best practices for maintaining a data center CRAC unit

A CRAC unit failure could often have been avoided through preventive maintenance and correctly sizing cooling infrastructure. Continue Reading

Implementing SBD STONITH in Linux HA clusters

An SBD STONITH approach is simple to set up and is a reliable way to ensure data integrity in a Linux HA cluster. Continue Reading

Basic disassembly: Decoding the opcode

Programmers can find benefit from disassembling object code–a lost art that begins with understanding the opcode. Continue Reading

Securing an Apache Web server with SELinux

Learn how to keep your Apache Web server secure by applying basic SELinux settings, including adjusting SELinux so Apache uses nondefault settings. Continue Reading

Considering a raised floor in the data center

Tile material, strength and durability are important factors to consider when selecting and installing a raised floor in a data center. Continue Reading

Selecting raised floors, panels for the data center

Choosing raised floor panels capable of supporting the weight of data center equipment cabinets requires taking a close look at strength ratings and manufacturers’ claims. Continue Reading

Server refresh options: When to rent a server vs. when to buy

Companies looking to replace old hardware must consider long-term goals and evaluate financing options when deciding whether to buy or rent a server. Continue Reading

When is server hardware too old?

Modern server hardware is allowing systems to handle more jobs and last longer, easing capital expenses for many data centers. Continue Reading

Transaction and database management on z/OS mainframe systems

Transaction and database management tools for mainframe systems, such as CICS, IMS and DB2, have been around for decades, but have evolved over the years to fit the needs of enterprise customers. Continue Reading

Case studies show the benefits of virtualization

These case studies demonstrate how businesses have deployed virtual machines to improve efficiency and add computing power, while also saving money. Continue Reading

Data center design standards for cabinet and floor loading

The weight of today’s racks and equipment cabinets can stress floor structures, making it crucial to consider floor loading requirements in your data center design. Continue Reading

What to look for when conducting benchmark tests with PerfMon

Microsoft's PerfMon benchmark tests measure a wide range of processes and server aspects, but it can be difficult for IT professionals to understand the numbers and interpret the results. Continue Reading

Creating RPM packages in Linux

RPM software management on Linux systems truly has an advantage when you create your own RPM packages. Learn how to use the enhanced vim option to automatically generate a template file after creating a new RPM file with the .spec extension. Continue Reading

Safer failover testing procedures for the data center

Haphazard failover testing can be dangerous, but you can minimize the potential risk of data loss or corruption by following a few straightforward procedures. Continue Reading

Best practices for backup power maintenance

Testing generators and inspecting batteries are just part of maintaining a backup power system that can help prevent unexpected data center downtime. Continue Reading

Data center management for geographically split data centers

Geographically split data centers can reduce disaster recovery time to zero, but splitting data centers requires an intelligent network and savvy data center management. Continue Reading

Oracle drops Itanium development

Joining the crowd, Oracle says it will stop software development for flagging Itanium chip. Continue Reading

CA Spectrum replaced by AccelOps: News in brief

Texas radiology clinic replaced CA Technologies’ Spectrum monitoring suite with AccelOps to save on maintenance. Continue Reading

Dell Viking micro server recast as PowerEdge C5000

The Dell Viking started out as a custom box for low-end dedicated hosting and has graduated to a full-fledged micro server platform. Continue Reading

Changes in data center jobs and economy: Advisory board Q&A

The outlook for data center jobs is cautiously optimistic for those with the right mix of skills. Continue Reading

Using DCIM tools to monitor data center power

Although DCIM tools include many capabilities for monitoring data center power and facilitating data center management, you should know their associated costs before implementing projects. Continue Reading

Virtualization and management classroom 201 quiz

This brief quiz on server virtualization tests your knowledge of virtualization platforms, management tools and virtualized infrastructure performance. Continue Reading

Data center design and infrastructure classroom 101 quiz

This brief quiz on data center design and infrastructure tests your knowledge of server virtualization technology, virtualization deployment and hardware considerations for a virtual environment. Continue Reading

1U servers: Features and capabilities introduction

1U servers are well suited to many everyday business tasks. This overview considers the key features -- from processor and memory support to network ports-- of various 1U server offerings. Continue Reading

Increasing network bandwidth available to virtual machines

These three tips on increasing the amount of network bandwidth available to your VMs, including virtual network creation, can also potentially increase a host server's VM density. Continue Reading

Working with Linux file system attributes

File system attributes can provide a valuable addition to the way you ensure security on your Linux server. Learn how to mount, list and change file system attributes in ext4. Continue Reading

Improving IT efficiency with server virtualization technology

The Motley Fool turned to server virtualization technology as its answer to improving IT efficiency and flexibility in the wake of rampant data center growth. Continue Reading

Two forgotten but useful CICS transactions

While CICS has evolved its system interface, the lesser-known CICS transactions ADYN and CSFE can still be useful for debugging and other tasks. Continue Reading

RHEL 6 ditches System V init for Upstart: What Linux admins need to know

System V init is fading to a memory in Linux boot systems as the new Linux disdribution releases, such as Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6, switch to using Upstart. Learn what is different with this boot service and how to work with it to get your Linux boot administration tasks done. Continue Reading

Move over SMPs: Distributed shared memory systems step in

Researchers are building ersatz SMP machines out of commodity x86 boxes, plus specialized hardware and software. Continue Reading

Have data center careers hit the skids?

Has virtualized infrastructure derailed data center careers? IT managers say they now spend too much time troubleshooting environments and not enough time on strategic projects. Continue Reading

Managing virtual data center growth and virtualization challenges

With careful testing, planning and management, virtual data center growth doesn't have to be an issue, even with problems that crop up with some virtualization technologies. Continue Reading

Data center EPO vulnerability fixed in 2011 National Electrical Code

Data centers are no longer required to put the big red kill-switch on exit doors, thanks to a committee that convinced the NFPA to revisit its data center EPO regulation. Continue Reading

Creating an inventory with nmap network scanning

Nmap network scanning generates a full system inventory, but it's only usable with the right parameters and output format. Learn how to create an nmap inventory in this tip. Continue Reading

Cisco et al. push memory-dense servers; but at what cost?

Today’s x86 servers offer impressive memory densities, but some IT shops want even more. Continue Reading

Making the most of server maintenance contracts

When trying to obtain the most value from your servers, watching terms and doing homework on server maintenance contracts can save at the negotiating table. Continue Reading

AMD battles for server CPU cred

Historically, AMD processors have been a force to be reckoned with in data centers. But some IT managers have questioned the platform’s longevity. Continue Reading

The new mainframes: BladeSystem Matrix, Vblock, Exadata and Exalogic

Converged infrastructure platforms like Oracle‘s Exadata offer companies increased performance, but at the cost of vendor lock-in, causing some to dub these the new mainframes. Continue Reading

Setting up a syslog server in Linux

A central logging server can make it easier to manage logs. In this tip, learn how to collect and centralize syslog messages from your hosts onto one syslog server in Linux. Continue Reading

Uptime, TIA and BICSI: Who runs the data center design standards show?

With three major players in the game, where should you look for data center design standards? This tip discusses the similarities and differences between the Uptime Institute tier system, TIA-942 and BICSI 002-2010. Continue Reading

Kerberos authentication in RHEL: Easing Windows-Linux integration

Kerberos authentication for CIFS offers easier Windows-Linux integration. In this tip, learn how Kerberos authentication works and how to set it up in Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Continue Reading

Unix overview: The latest features in AIX, HP-UX and Solaris

Each of the major Unix versions have been updated with useful new features recently. In this overview, get up to date on the features you should know about in the latest releases of IBM AIX, Hewlett-Packard's HP-UX and Oracle's Solaris. Continue Reading

The IT chargeback system in a virtual data center

Managing chargeback can be a difficult task. Multiple company departments may share server hardware in a virtual data center. Learn how to implement an IT chargeback system that charges departments for resources fairly. Continue Reading

Three signs that it's time to change server vendors

Picking a server vendor is no easy task, and a lot more goes into the decision than just choosing the low-cost option. Also, unless a server vendor can adapt to a company's needs over time, it may be time to make a switch. Learn the red flags that could signal it's time to change server vendors and how you can make the right decision for your company. Continue Reading

Server virtualization training and education needed for successful virtualization rollouts

Virtualization technology is still a long way from Plug-and-Play. Successful virtualization rollouts need staff with the proper education and skills, and IT admins need to understand when it's time to add staff or tinker with the training. Continue Reading

Optimizing Linux swap space usage

Today's powerful servers with plenty of RAM can make swap space seem like a thing of the past, but knowing how much you need can help keep your system running smoothly. Continue Reading

Microsoft Windows Server 2008 licensing for virtualization

Choosing the right Windows Server 2008 edition can save big money in a virtual data center. Continue Reading

Installing the ModSecurity Web application firewall on Red Hat Enterprise Linux

Learn how to set up the ModSecurity Web application firewall on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.4 and Apache Web server 2.2.x. This firewall monitors access to Web servers to ensure that requests are valid and not malicious. Continue Reading

Calculating carbon emissions in the data center

While data center carbon measurement is in its infancy and lacks hard standards, it still may benefit IT admins to know basic methods for calculating carbon emissions as carbon legislation begins impacting data centers. Continue Reading