Managing data center outsourcing services and vendors
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Feature
19 Jul 2010
Data center 2010 spending slideshow
In 2010, companies resuscitated data center spending but also prioritized purchases designed to reduce costs, increase efficiency and automation, and handle increased capacity. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Jul 2010
How to install Webmin and ease data center server management
In this introduction to Webmin, learn how the tool can make it easier to manage Unix and Linux servers in your data center. An expert describes how to install Webmin and get started with this free systems management tool. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Jun 2010
Bus track and busway power distribution: Power anywhere?
Bus track and busway power distribution in the data center is a growing trend that allows for greater flexibility and accommodation of rising power densities. This in-depth exploration of bus-type power systems will help you decide whether this is a good option for your data center power infrastructure. Continue Reading
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News
20 May 2010
Rising to the CIO slot requires technology and people skills
If you want to be promoted from an IT staff role to the CIO position, your key task is to drive business through technology innovation. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 May 2010
Booting a Xen virtual machine from CD-ROM or DVD
If your Xen virtual machine fails, you may want to boot it from an installation disk and run the rescue program. Learn the required steps to succesfully boot a Xen virtual machine from a disk on a Linux machine. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
17 May 2010
Virtualized data centers: A resource library
Data center managers use virtualization for basic data center needs, such as server consolidation and disaster recovery, and much more. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
17 May 2010
Data center energy efficiency guide
In an already troubled economy, IT managers face growing energy costs and surging data center carbon emissions. In this all-inclusive guide, learn how to improve data center energy efficiency through methods such as maximizing server efficiency and energy-efficient cooling. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 May 2010
How to approach IT staffing in today's data center
Virtualization and tight budgets have changed IT staffing in modern data centers. Find out how to blend skills and technology for the best mix. Continue Reading
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Quiz
23 Apr 2010
Quiz: Data center energy efficiency trends
Take this quiz on data center energy efficiency, and find out how much you know about cutting costs and saving power at your company. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Apr 2010
Troubleshooting PGMIDERR/AEI0 ABEND in CICS Transaction Gateway
This tip delves into resolving PGMIDERR/AEI0 ABEND errors within the CICS Transaction Gateway. The solution to these errors isn't always an intuitive one, and may require several additional and lengthy steps along the way. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Mar 2010
Common security flaws to check for on your Linux-based Web systems
Your Linux server may have Web application-related security vulnerabilities that should be checked out and repaired. These can include passwords, PHP code injection, weak file and directory permissions and outdated Apache and PHP versions. Learn what to look for and how to fix it. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Mar 2010
Fixing Linux I/O write performance problems
Learn how to optimize your Linux server for I/O writes by adjusting I/O scheduler settings and journaling settings along with some advice about partition set-up. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Mar 2010
Using common Linux mail clients with an Exchange Server
Begin your migration away from Microsoft Exchange by learning how to set up Linux mail clients, Evolution and Thunderbird, to talk to Exchange. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Feb 2010
Linux cloning over the network using netcat
Use netcat to clone Linux images over the network onto multiple servers with a series of simple Linux commands including tar, tee, and dd. This alternative to tools like Clonezilla does not require setting up a separate server. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Jan 2010
Dealing with CICS/MQ trigger interface quirks
Despite its simplicity, the CICS/MQ trigger interface has its share of quirks, such as messages left in queues and uneven workload distribution. An expert shares fixes for common CICS/MQ message triggering problems in this tip. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Dec 2009
Linux networking: Using ip tool instead of ifconfig
If your server was configured manually, make sure the Linux network is set up with the correct IP configurations and the ip tool is being used to monitor your systems. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Oct 2009
Developing a successful mainframe migration strategy
A successful mainframe migration strategy requires careful planning to avoid disruption to end users. This tip discusses best practices for migrating, regenerating or replacing mainframe applications. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Oct 2009
Sizing computer room air conditioners for data center energy efficiency
Choosing a right-sized computer room air conditioner (CRAC) is crucial to data center energy efficiency, but there are many variables to consider. Learn more about data center air conditioning design, maintaining humidity levels and temperature, and managing air flow to determine the best CRAC for your facility. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Oct 2009
Access and repair an ext3 file system with the superblock
A damaged ext3 file system is accessible and repairable, thanks to the data within either the superblock or the superblock's backup. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Aug 2009
Should you pay for support on all Linux servers in your data center?
Free Linux distributions are gaining popularity, but choosing whether to adopt paid or free Linux depends on your support staff's level of expertise and the workloads you expect the Linux distro will handle. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Aug 2009
Troubleshooting Logical Volume Manager boot problems
If Logical Volume Manager (LVM) boots incorrectly, logical volumes are inaccessible and you can't manage server disk space. In this LVM how-to, we offer some simple steps to troubleshoot boot issues with LVM. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Aug 2009
How to choose the right uninterruptible power supply for your data center
This tip discusses how to choose the right-sized uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for your data center. It also explains common mistakes in UPS sizing and why UPS power ratings can be so confusing. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Aug 2009
Avoid common pitfalls when calculating data center power load
For data center pros trying to size an air conditioning system or UPS, accurately estimating data center power load is critical. But there are many common pitfalls to avoid. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Jul 2009
Open source mainframe software: Two perspectives
Would open source mainframe software allow systems programmers to make their systems work better and fix the mainframe pricing problem? Or would it open up shops to self-inflicted problems for IBM to fix? Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Jul 2009
Comparing Unix versions: AIX, HP-UX and Solaris
In this comparison of the top Unix versions, learn what distinguishes the file systems, management tools and virtualization products in Sun Solaris, Hewlett-Packard HP-UX and IBM AIX file systems. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Jun 2009
How to install and use RRDTool to speed up MRTG monitoring
When monitoring a large number of hosts or devices with the MRTG graphing tool, the system experience frequent CPU spikes. In this RRDTool tutorial, learn how to install RRDTool and convert MRTG to use RRD storage to avoid system overload. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Jun 2009
Troubleshooting Linux boot problems
If your Linux server fails to show the login screen at startup, you have a boot problem. Learn some tricks on how to diagnose and fix a Linux server boot problem from Grub failure to init and runlevels. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Jun 2009
How to install and configure MRTG, an essential sys admin tool
Multi Router Traffic Grapher (MRTG) is an essential tool that allows systems administrators to monitor and graph network traffic and more. In this tutorial, an expert explains how to install and configure MRTG on Solaris 10. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 May 2009
Capacity planning tools tutorial for Linux and Unix
Effective capacity planning is a proactive way of ensuring that your data center servers will not prematurely run out of space or horsepower. Learn the tools available to help you, both native to Linux and Unix platforms including Solaris, Red Hat, HP-UX, and the free-form products that will work with any Linux or Unix distribution. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Mar 2009
Air flow management strategies for efficient data center cooling
To achieve efficient data center cooling, you must reduce your facility's air flow waste. In this tip, an expert outlines air flow management strategies and best practices that can improve data center air flow, including the installation of blanking panels, raised-floor tiles and hot-aisle/cold-aisle design. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Feb 2009
Optimizing server energy efficiency
Reducing data center energy consumption is a hot topic in the IT industry, but server energy efficiency has only recently become a focus of discussion. Improving server efficiency means optimizing the main components that impact a server's overall power consumption: power supply, fans, CPU, memory, hard drives, I/O cards and ports, and supporting chipsets. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Feb 2009
Using CICS dump tables to manage problems in online systems
The CICS dump table feature, which maintains tables for transaction and system dumps, can be useful for diagnosing and managing problems in online systems when the information you need isn't available through default channels. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Jan 2009
Server cluster failure considerations to maintain a fault-tolerant data center
Server clustering can help you achieve a fault-tolerant data center, but cluster failures can cause problems if your heartbeat monitoring system is on the same network as your production workload. An expert discusses the problems he encountered with VMware High Availability (HA) heartbeat monitoring and VM host failures and how his company decided to solve the problem. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Jan 2009
Manage CICS workloads with transaction classes
Using transaction classes is a great way to manage CICS workloads that come in varying or unpredictable increments. Learn how to define transaction classes, calculate a maximum active number and get examples on how to use transaction classes in this tip. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Nov 2008
Using z10 HiperDispatch for vertical CPU management
The new HiperDispatch feature for the IBM z10 mainframe manages CPU vertically instead of horizontally. This new feature could boost performance on large transactional workloads. Continue Reading
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Answer
10 Nov 2008
Solve the startup error 00161 and 00163 with IBM TP600?
Error 00161 on an IBM TP600 may be due to a faulty CMOS battery, and 00163 may relate to your version of utility PS2 EXE. Continue Reading
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Answer
10 Nov 2008
FTP, JCL to append several files simultaneously
Use FTP and the Job Control Language to place several files on the same directory and append them all to the mainframe. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Nov 2008
COBOL, VS-COBOL-II and MFCOBOL: What's the difference?
The original COBOL compiler grew into greater addressability with VS- COBOL-II MFCOBOL and increased functionality in MFCOBOL. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Nov 2008
Override a SYSIN DD DSN in the proc from the JCL?
Override the SYSIN DD Domain Name Source (DNS) in proc using the Job Control Language (JCL) this code syntax. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Nov 2008
Improving data center cooling capacity with chilled water plants
With a chilled-water plant, you can improve your data center cooling capacity and possibly prevent more drastic measures, such as having to build a new facility. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Nov 2008
How to solve abend code 4038
A user faces the abnormal ending abend code 4038 in the process of migrating from VS COBOL runtimes to LE. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Oct 2008
Repairing SUSE Linux Enterprise Server using a Rescue CD
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server offers a Rescue CD for repairing the system if your hardware causes a crash at reboot. This tip shows you how to use it. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Oct 2008
Ensuring server time synchronization with NTP on SLES
Synchronize your SUSE Linux Enterprise Server times using NTP time server. Two servers are recommended for enterprise situations, as redundancy will save the day in case of a disaster. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Oct 2008
Use DFHLS2WS to expose CICS applications as a Web service
DFHLS2WS is one of the Web services assistants that allows traditional CICS applications to provide or consume Web services without significant changes and without getting into the details of SOAP or XML coding. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Sep 2008
How to troubleshoot RHEL performance bottlenecks
This tip provides a step-by-step approach to application-tuning, troubleshooting bottlenecks and enhancing performance on RHEL 5 systems. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Aug 2008
Using OpenSSL to create and manage certificates
Establishing an independent certificate authority with OpenSSL enables you to create public key certificates and to verify that these public keys are authentic and that email messages are secure. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Jun 2008
Uninterruptible power supply load bus synchronization: Yes or no?
Should you consider paying the additional cost of a Load Bus Synchronization system for your uninterruptible power supply? Data center experts Syska Hennessy weigh in. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Jun 2008
Selecting a general contractor: Data center construction runbook, Chapter 3
When you're building a new data center, it pays to bring the general contractor onboard early, rather than bidding out the process and ending up with unqualified subcontractors on your project. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 May 2008
Are you prepared for the Unix 2038 problem?
All 32-bit Unix/Linux-based systems store the system clock time internally as the number of seconds since the "Epoch." The latest time and date that can be represented as seconds-since-the-Epoch in that 32-bit signed integer is 3:14:07 UTC on Tuesday, January 19, 2038. Current applications will interpret the negative number that is subsequently produced as an older year (1901), or will freeze the system clock at 03:14:07 on 1/19/2038, causing applications and operating systems to fail. Bill Bradford explains some options for preventing this eventuality. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Apr 2008
Data center cooling optimization in the virtualized-server world
How many hamburgers can you cook on a blade server? If your servers are literally cooking there are a variety of systems to consider to keep your equipment cool. Continue Reading
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Answer
12 Feb 2008
Clarifying the GPL: Why Linux distros cannot be copyrighted
Confused about copyrights? Our expert explains how Linux can be copyrighted, but proprietary plans for Linux distributions are a pipe dream. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Jan 2008
Do dual-power supply servers increase redundancy?
Implementing servers with dual power supplies is a common practice in mission-critical environments. But improper implementation can result in a false sense of power redundancy. This tip explains what can go wrong in your data center. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Jan 2008
Oracle on RHEL 5: Installation and configuration
Install and configure Oracle 10 on RHEL 5. This tip shows how to set up a database with Oracle's Database Configuration Assistant (DBCA) and Oracle Enterprise Manager. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Nov 2007
SUSE Linux Enterprise troubleshooting: Fixing boot problems by repairing a broken initrd
Having a problem booting SUSE Linux Enterprise on your server? It may be that you have a problem with your initial RAM disk. Expert Sander van Vugt troubleshoots the problem with this step-by-step guide to fixing a broken initrd. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Oct 2007
Using SETools to manage SELinux policies
SETools can help SELinux administrators with the daunting task of writing, managing and reporting on policies with the help of tools such as apol, sediff, seaudit and sechecker. Our expert shows you how to setup SETools on your system and introduces you to its graphical and command-line utilities. Continue Reading
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Answer
08 Oct 2007
Data center cooling and humidity control: CRAC or AHU?
Data center physical environment expert Robert McFarlane discusses the best temperature and humidity control choices for a reader's data center. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Sep 2007
Data center facility control systems
Data centers are mission-critical environments with serious consequences for failure, but many employ the same commercial-style control systems as office buildings. Contributor Steve Blaine discusses why data centers can benefit from industrial PLC/SCADA control systems. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Jul 2007
CICSPlex System Manager basics
In this brief overview of CPSM, CICS expert Robert Crawford describes the risks and rewards of using it for system management, automation and workload management. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Jul 2007
Setting up SSH2 on Red Hat Enterprise Linux
Find out how to set up SSH2 (Secure Shell) on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), using encryption keys instead of passwords in this tutorial. You can use this with either RHEL 4 or RHEL 5. Continue Reading
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Answer
17 Jul 2007
SPARC/Solaris vs. Intel/Linux
A Unix-Linux migration expert describes the differences between Solaris on SPARC as compared to. Linux on Intel. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Jul 2007
Dual booting vs. virtualization: Using Windows and Linux on the same server
Interoperability between Linux and Windows can be achieved in two ways: one, by installing each operating system separately via dual booting -- which allows both operating systems to run on the same hardware -- and two, by running one system inside another with virtualization. In this tip, Serdar Yegulalp explains when to use each option. Continue Reading
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Answer
22 Jun 2007
Alert vs. log in the Snort /var/log/snort directory
A Linux security expert explains that the difference between the Snort alert and log logs in the Snort /var/log/snort directory is based on how rules are written. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Jun 2007
HP UNIX performance monitoring fundamentals
UNIX system performance monitoring involves more than just keeping an eye on the amount of free space or the number of users who are logged in. With the right system performance monitoring know-how, you can look into various files to find out anything about the system. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Jun 2007
OpenOffice 2.0 tutorial: Using SQL View, Query Design and more with Report Writer
Learn how to use the Query Design and SQL View tools, handle report-specific fields, print fast reports and more in this tutorial on OpenOffice's Report Writer. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Apr 2007
Linux clusters vs. grids
Can Linux clusters outperform grid computing? Expert Ken Milberg compares them -- covering Beowulf, HPC, Linux Virtual Server and the Globus Toolkit for grids -- and chooses a winner. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Mar 2007
CICS program list tables: PLTPI and PLTSD programs
CICS expert Robert Crawford describes the two types of program list tables (PLT) Continue Reading
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Answer
27 Mar 2007
MySQL full outer join workaround
A MySQL expert offers a workaround for the lack of syntax support for full outer joins. Continue Reading
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Quiz
12 Mar 2007
Data center design and infrastructure final exam
This quiz tests knowledge about data center design, site selection, power and cooling and other material related to the data center's physical infrastructure. Continue Reading
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Quiz
06 Mar 2007
Data center facilities all-in-one-guide: Final exam answers
Here are the answers to the SearchDataCenter.com's all-in-one-guide on data center facilities. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Feb 2007
Do dual-corded servers connected to separate uninterruptible power supplies draw power from both?
Dual-corded servers are intended to share the load from UPS systems for overload protection. But do they really work? Expert Robert Macfarlane discusses dual-corded equipment and why data center managers need to be careful when shopping for them. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Jan 2007
What is the minimum ceiling height in a data center?
Assessing appropriate ceiling height in the data center can be tricky. It depends on, obviously, how much space you have to work with and factors such as your fire suppression system and cabling. Expert Robert Macfarlane offers some advice. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Jan 2007
CICS trace: Getting started, formatting and externalizing
CICS expert Robert Crawford describes the handy CICS trace tool and gives code for externalizing its output. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Jan 2007
Running Windows as a VM on Linux with VMware Server
If you don't want to spend money on an expensive Citrix setup for running Windows and Linux, then try running Windows as a virtual machine (VM) on Linux with VMware Server. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Jan 2007
Calculating costs of data center cabling infrastructure
In part two of our series on data center cabling decisions, data center infrastructure expert Carrie Higbie offers a cost calculator for determining TCO on a cabling project. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Jan 2007
Migrating Microsoft Internet Information Server to Apache on Red Hat Linux
If you're moving to Apache server from Microsoft Internet Information Server, be aware that this migration involves more than just copying files. In this tip, users will learn how to move a site from IIS to Apache on Red Hat, although this is applicable to other Linux distributions. Continue Reading
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Answer
29 Jun 2006
NFPA 75: Raised floor fire protection
Utilizing separate suppression 'zones' for both above floor and sub-floor spaces is a common practice in areas where the subfloor contains a significant hazard/fuel load. Continue Reading
- Answer 28 Oct 2005
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Answer
18 Jul 2005
Data center raised floors and ceiling height
In this question, Bob McFarlane explains the benefits and drawbacks to different data center designs pertaining to cooling and airflow. Continue Reading
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News
09 Feb 2005
HP CEO Fiorina resigns
Hewlett-Packard dumps CEO Carly Fiorina as it struggles with its storage and server strategy. Continue Reading
- Answer 27 Nov 2002