Features

Features

• Put these Terraform best practices into action

  Terraform enables IT teams to complete a range of tasks, from deployment to multi-cloud management. Apply this collection of best practices to get started with, or optimize your use of, the IaC tool.  Continue Reading

• Edge virtualization manages the data deluge, but can be complex

  Virtualizing at the edge introduces device management benefits to admins, but they must ensure edge computing is worth the time and effort.  Continue Reading

• IT incident management best practices to minimize disruptions

  IT issues can come out of nowhere, but an incident response plan can guide teams through troubled times. Follow these best practices to optimize each part of the plan.  Continue Reading

• ICYMI: Kubernetes ecosystem updates IT teams should know

  Need to catch up on some recent developments within the Kubernetes vendor and tool ecosystem? This roundup of articles can help.  Continue Reading

• Top 10 virtualization strategies of 2019

  As virtualization technology continues to advance, admins must use different strategies to manage their complex data centers, such as vCenter maps, hybrid cloud and more.  Continue Reading

• Containers, automation and AI shape 2020 IT trends

  In 2019, Kubernetes took Docker's crown and DevOps matured. As IT operations teams ring in the New Year, they should keep an eye on these 2020 IT predictions.  Continue Reading

• Review top container deployment and management tips from 2019

  Check out our top advice for container technology throughout 2019 -- and use it to shape your 2020 plans.  Continue Reading

• Optimize application deployments with this expert advice from 2019

  As the year comes to a close, review SearchITOperations' most popular tips on app deployment and support, covering topics such as DevOps automation, SLAs and tool tutorials.  Continue Reading

• Compare Red Hat OpenShift vs. Cloud Foundry in a Kubernetes faceoff

  Looking for a container ecosystem platform? OpenShift and Cloud Foundry have similar roots as PaaS platforms, but this comparison identifies a clear winner for most organizations.  Continue Reading

• Ramp up carefully during AIOps implementation

  Sound IT automation and data management practices -- along with a healthy dose of patience -- are prerequisites for a smooth AIOps implementation.  Continue Reading

• Put infrastructure automation at the heart of modern IT ops

  IT automation, DevOps at scale and hybrid infrastructure management are three critical -- and interconnected -- IT operations initiatives for 2020.  Continue Reading

• Virtualization challenges that negatively affect your systems

  Virtualization provides lower costs and improved productivity, but these benefits can be offset by certain challenges, such as unresponsive VMs and VM network latency.  Continue Reading

• IT security best practices for DevOps, cloud and more

  Technology is in constant motion, making it difficult for enterprise IT shops to maintain steadfast security. Explore ways to protect DevOps, microservices and cloud environments.  Continue Reading

• Decipher real-world AIOps use cases from the hype

  There are many AIOps use cases that apply to enterprise IT, but make sure you are familiar with what exactly the technology can -- and can't -- do before adoption.  Continue Reading

• Design your systems with virtualization architecture in mind

  Virtualized systems require several architectural components, such as virtual servers, hypervisors and OSes. Admins should get to know these components for a successful system design.  Continue Reading

• Compare 3 distinct types of Kubernetes platforms

  There are three types of Kubernetes deployment options, each with its own benefits and challenges. Use this in-depth comparison to choose the best fit for your organization.  Continue Reading

• Adopt an SDDC architecture with caution and proper planning

  Software-defined components such as networking and storage help achieve data center flexibility, but organizations might come across product and security issues.  Continue Reading

• Edge virtualization tools make strides in the edge market

  Vendors are cashing in on edge computing popularity, and organizations are faced with an influx of new virtualization tools that help manage the computing paradigm.  Continue Reading

• Explore SCVMM features for VM deployment and management

  SCVMM can help admins better manage their virtualization stacks by providing VM networking diagrams and templates, but there are certain requirements admins must meet before use.  Continue Reading

• Convert a VM to a Docker image for speed and convenience

  In this excerpt from Chapter 3 of 'Docker in Practice, Second Edition,' authors Ian Miell and Aidan Hobson Sayers discuss how and why to use Docker as a lightweight VM.  Continue Reading

• Enterprise IT weighs pros and cons of multi-cloud management

  IT ops pros are getting used to multi-cloud management, especially for disaster recovery, but moving from cloud to cloud via container portability is still rare.  Continue Reading

• The history of virtualization and its mark on data center management

  Virtualization was a huge leap in data center technology with software such as hypervisors and virtual switches that expanded organizations' capabilities and redefined IT.  Continue Reading

• Acquire best practices with this system administration handbook

  Often, books published about IT are obsolete the moment they hit the shelves: modern technology moves too fast for physical publishing. However, this particular volume aims for longevity.  Continue Reading

• Security automation charges IT ops to build the 'paved road'

  As IT ops pros evolve into SREs, they play a key role in security automation and create secure paths to production deployment for application developers.  Continue Reading

• Kubernetes use cases extend beyond container orchestration

  Enterprises use Kubernetes for much more than they did when Google released the platform in 2015. Discover how Kubernetes' uses have grown, and where it might be heading.  Continue Reading

• Gene Kim explores DevOps transformation in 'The Unicorn Project'

  This chapter excerpt from Gene Kim's 'The Unicorn Project' touches on one of the book's core themes: Roadblocks occur when developers, ops and business leaders are misaligned.  Continue Reading

• Kubernetes networking face-off: VMware NSX-T vs. Nokia's Nuage

  VMware NSX-T and Nokia's Nuage Networks both provide Kubernetes networking functionality -- but they have important differences and resonate with distinct user bases.  Continue Reading

• Three keys to successful DevOps automation

  An effective CI pipeline starts with build automation. But there are other steps needed to produce results.  Continue Reading

• 5 common virtualization problems and how to solve them

  Organizations can correct common problems with virtualization, such as VM sprawl and network congestion, through business policies rather than purchasing additional technology.  Continue Reading

• Compare 10 leading container management systems

  Ready to select a vendor or open source tool to build and manage your container-based infrastructure? This roundup lays out the benefits and complexities of the many options.  Continue Reading

• 6 tips to drive infrastructure-as-code best practices

  Evaluating an infrastructure-as-code setup? Use these six tips to grasp IaC benefits, challenges, tool considerations and more before you make the move.  Continue Reading

• Assess container hosting, management options based on these criteria

  A company's plans to maintain traditional data centers, move to the public cloud or adopt microservices all play a major role in its container hosting and management decisions.  Continue Reading

• How to craft a future-proof enterprise container strategy

  There are many ways to plan an IT container management strategy. Follow these steps to map out an enterprise's needs for container software and tools.  Continue Reading

• Hyper-converged infrastructure basics for virtualization admins

  Hyper-convergence provides many benefits, such as simplified provisioning and management, but virtualization administrators should get to know HCI technology before implementing it.  Continue Reading

• Explore container deployment benefits and core components

  As container adoption grows, the ecosystem of tools surrounding the technology expands as well. Explore the benefits of container systems for enterprise app deployments.  Continue Reading

• Defeat app killers and monster VM performance issues with ease

  VM troubles got you down? Never fear: Some solutions to VM performance problems are as easy as looking in the right places and asking the right questions  Continue Reading

• IT training flaws compound DevOps skills shortage

  Before investing in an online course to learn new IT skills, heed this warning from brain scientists: there is a big difference between knowing what to do and knowing how to do it.  Continue Reading

• 5 IT video tutorials admins don't want to miss

  The best way to ramp up with a new technology or IT practice is to see it in action. Use these five video tutorials to visually walk through GitOps workflows, CI/CD pipelines and more.  Continue Reading

• Compare Linkerd vs. Istio for service mesh technology

  To decide between Istio and Linkerd for a service mesh platform, consider everything from performance and ease of use to support from major public cloud providers.  Continue Reading

• Check out this free chapter excerpt from ITIL 4 -- A Pocket Guide

  In ITIL 4 -- A Pocket Guide, author Jan van Bon walks readers through the core updates to the ITSM framework, and how they apply to the modern enterprise IT landscape.  Continue Reading

• Container deployment considerations for successful implementation

  Containers can be useful for specific workloads but admins should consider certain factors, such as security and portability needs, before taking a containerized approach over VMs.  Continue Reading

• Effectively manage containers and improve workload performance

  Containers are increasingly popular, so it's vital that admins understand the tools available and learn how to manage containers before deploying them in production environments.  Continue Reading

• Get creative with feature flags in IT operations

  Feature flags give IT operations a range of possibility as broad as the imagination -- once you learn this dev-centric technique.  Continue Reading

• When you create a DevOps workflow, avoid these missteps

  How can DevOps help? And how can you apply it correctly? These are important questions to consider before you attempt to create a DevOps pipeline.  Continue Reading

• Support Hyper-V security with these important protocols

  A virtual environment's security can make the difference when it comes to malicious attacks, preventing unauthorized OS or firmware codes from running at boot time.  Continue Reading

• VM automation strategies and benefits for sizable workloads

  Before automating VMs, admins must consider several factors, such as workload size and cost efficiency. Otherwise, automated VMs can cause issues rather than yield benefits.  Continue Reading

• An ITSM tool comparison for enterprises with an eye on AI

  All AI-enabled ITSM tools aim to streamline and automate IT operations, but buyers must make the right selection to get the most out of these products.  Continue Reading

• The history of Docker's climb in the container management market

  When the concept of containers became stale, Docker brought containers back to the forefront by creating container management software, and the company continues to evolve.  Continue Reading

• Reality strikes when enterprises deploy Kubernetes in production

  It's easy to run containers with Kubernetes, but Kubernetes in production -- with enterprise security, monitoring and compliance demands -- is a different story.  Continue Reading

• VMware vSphere HA capabilities ease VM management

  VMware vSphere HA provides admins with the ability to manipulate their virtual environments to avoid excessive VM restarts and ensure peak performance.  Continue Reading

• Evaluate AI-based ITSM tools using these key points

  After determining that artificial intelligence would benefit an IT environment, the next big challenge is to assess AI-based ITSM tools in terms of feature set and pricing model.  Continue Reading

• Accenture turns to ITSM integration tool for data compilation

  IT orgs that subscribe to help desk management services must access huge quantities of information for analysis. Read how one company overcame this challenge.  Continue Reading

• Artificial intelligence for IT operations pays off -- with time

  IT professionals say AIOps holds great potential to optimize day-to-day operations tasks. First, though, teams must lay a foundation of data, consistency and trust.  Continue Reading

• Managed container services face-off: Enterprise PKS vs. OpenShift

  VMware Enterprise PKS and Red Hat OpenShift are two leading container platforms with many differences. Assess the technologies in terms of hybrid cloud support, tool ecosystems and more.  Continue Reading

• Explore the benefits, challenges of AI in ITSM

  Are your ITSM processes ready to reap AI's rewards? Discover how AI can benefit your ITSM implementation, as well as the requirements for that transition to be a success.  Continue Reading

• The DevOps paradigm shift: Avoid obsolescence in IT

  DevOps is an appealing paradigm shift in IT, part and parcel with app componentization and containers. But despite the hype, IT pros still face a few hurdles to actual implementation.  Continue Reading

• ICYMI: Advice for aspiring site reliability engineers

  IT ops pros looking to land an SRE job can use these four articles to absorb the key responsibilities and challenges that site reliability engineering entails.  Continue Reading

• How to properly prep a container infrastructure

  To deploy containers in production, an organization must put in place the appropriate infrastructure. Here are the specific steps to take to begin that process.  Continue Reading

• Kubernetes underpins Docker container technology dominance

  Given the ever-evolving nature of enterprise technology, some IT predictions just never come to be. Let's see how one particular forecast for Docker containers held up.  Continue Reading

• 4 types of virtualization IT admins should know

  Server virtualization is a fact of life for most IT admins, but there are other types of virtualization -- network, storage, desktop and application -- that IT pros should know.  Continue Reading

• AI in ITSM reshapes operations practices and tasks

  AI capabilities are merging within ITSM practices to augment IT's performance and enhance the user experience. Read on to learn more about AI uses for ITSM, and how to approach them.  Continue Reading

• Prepare for ITIL framework updates in version 4

  The much-anticipated release of ITIL v4 not only changes the framework's certification structure, but emphasizes many modern software development and IT service delivery practices.  Continue Reading

• Evaluate the COBIT framework 2019 update

  ITSM frameworks must adapt as IT changes swiftly or risk stagnation. COBIT ended its six-year silence with its 2019 update. Get an overview of the new information and how to use COBIT.  Continue Reading

• Improve help desk management for smooth IT operations

  A streamlined help desk benefits both IT ops teams and end users. Learn how to improve your organization's help desk with these expert tips on templates, automation and AI.  Continue Reading

• Market evolves to address container security issues

  Container use is gaining traction in virtual environments, but containers present unique security challenges that vendors and organizations must overcome.  Continue Reading

• Container management tools must overcome limitations

  As container adoption surges, the management tools organizations need to support these deployments at scale are still in their infancy.  Continue Reading

• ICYMI: How IT monitoring systems take on modern challenges

  Don't lose track of IT monitoring as you come to grips with containers and AI advantages. These articles gear up IT and cloud admins to refine processes and improve efficiency.  Continue Reading

• Grasp these basic Salt configuration management concepts

  Not sure how Salt conveys configuration instructions to systems? Wonder if your programming skills will carry over to the tool? Use these best practices and tips to assess Salt.  Continue Reading

• Words to go: Aspects of an IT monitoring strategy

  To establish an IT monitoring strategy can feel overwhelming, but guarantee efficiency in systems and application performances. Review the core methods and fundamental tools.  Continue Reading

• Explore the new year's emerging IT trends

  Small data centers, intelligent IT management tools -- digital diversity? Catch up on the 10 trends driving IT operations forward in 2019, and how they'll shape your organization.  Continue Reading

• Major acquisitions, Kubernetes evolution top IT news in 2018

  In the second half of 2018, IT industry vendors and their users worked to tame Kubernetes and containers, and inject open source innovation into tried-and-true enterprise IT.  Continue Reading

• 10 tips to approach IT operations processes with confidence

  Stuck in the NOC over the holidays? To pass the time, improve your ability to plan projects and quash production infrastructure incidents with confidence.  Continue Reading

• Bookmark 10 popular tips on containers and Kubernetes

  Should we go with an open source or commercial option? What about DevOps? These 10 essential tips explain how containers fit into complex modern IT environments.  Continue Reading

• Top 10 IT tutorials of 2018 for professional development in 2019

  Most IT admins take control of their education via home labs and tutorials. Refresh skills in PowerShell or Python -- or learn new ones like Kubernetes -- with these popular walkthroughs.  Continue Reading

• Establish a configuration management strategy to guide transition

  Humans are notoriously averse to change in routine -- even when it makes their jobs easier. Encourage innovation and be flexible: Strategy is a journey, not a destination.  Continue Reading

• Review the top 9 virtualization techniques of the year

  IT administrators always have room to improve their virtualization skills. Read our top articles of the year to perfect PowerShell management, Hyper-V customization and more.  Continue Reading

• Put your IT disaster recovery plan to the test

  Operations teams need to make DR planning and preparation a priority every day of the year -- not just at test time. Here's how to keep apps and systems out of harm's way.  Continue Reading

• Prepare for VM-to-cloud workload migration

  Migrating VMs to the cloud can be relatively straightforward if you lay the groundwork to meet workload and vendor requirements. Follow these steps to prepare for the migration.  Continue Reading

• Improve microservices management in operations with 5 tips

  Distributed applications are the future of IT, thanks to their scalability and flexibility, but growth means growing pains. Tackle microservices issues with this expert advice.  Continue Reading

• As-a-service at your service: Cloud tools simplify DevOps automation

  AWS offers the widest range of cloud-integrated DevOps tools. But Google Cloud has a strategy with more focus on integration, and Azure closely ties in with other Microsoft products.  Continue Reading

• When a NoOps implementation is -- and when it isn't -- the right choice

  NoOps skills and tools are highly useful regardless of the IT environment, but site reliability engineering brings operations admins into development when an organization can't afford to lose them.  Continue Reading

• 3 virtualization infrastructure design rules to shape your deployment

  Admins can improve virtual infrastructure design by focusing their deployments on transparency and flexibility and critically evaluating emerging technologies.  Continue Reading

• Cloud and containers rewrite monitoring and management rulebooks

  IT performance management is tricky when it stretches as big as the public cloud and scrunches as small as a microservice. IT ops techniques must change to keep up.  Continue Reading

• Tame the virtualization infrastructure management beast

  IT administrators must manage virtual infrastructure requirements, such as patches, reboots and component lifecycles, to create and maintain an efficient data center.  Continue Reading

• Is 'Continuous Delivery with Docker and Jenkins' right for you?

  If your IT organization is ready to bring DevOps from mindset to tool set, containers and CI/CD are probably on the agenda. See what you'll learn from Rafal Leszko's book on Docker and Jenkins to advance a pipeline project.  Continue Reading

• The future of composable infrastructure and virtualization

  Composable infrastructures -- frameworks of compute, storage and network resource services -- will still make use of virtualization to run applications.  Continue Reading

• Most jobs in the IT industry pay well, but skills matter

  A survey of tech professionals identified which IT skills are most in demand. Find out how salaries compare from region to region, and how expertise affects compensation.  Continue Reading

• Benefits of infrastructure as code range from speed to scaling

  Provisioning large numbers of servers takes time. One of infrastructure as code's benefits is that once you declare a desired state, code maintains that environment with ease.  Continue Reading

• Words to go: Incident management KPI categories

  Because incident management is a vital task for IT operations departments, admins need a way to measure its success. This list of KPIs offers a good place to start.  Continue Reading

• Log analytics tools gain application performance support skills

  Log analytics tools are boosting real-time capabilities to monitor application performance, and users are in the market for tools that best slice, dice and store log data.  Continue Reading

• How infrastructure as code benefits and eases provisioning

  Being able to provision services with code means a simplification to sometimes complicated processes. Plus, you won't need to worry about the platform that service will run on.  Continue Reading

• Service mesh architecture radicalizes container networking

  Containerization is the IT industry's favorite superhero, so it's only fitting that containers have a powerful sidekick in service mesh. Together, they fight network management chaos.  Continue Reading

• Cloud applications demand a new IT operations strategy

  Business and software development trends are putting more pressure on IT operations staff and changing the way teams deploy applications.  Continue Reading

• Kubernetes books put container deployments on the right track

  Whether you're tasked to set up and manage or deploy applications with Kubernetes, these books offer guidance and support. Co-author Brendan Burns shares insights from the texts.  Continue Reading

• Cisco roadmap plots course through clouds to DevOps future

  From a Google Cloud partnership to API-based network data integration, Cisco showcased application hosting flexibility and DevOps process flows in its product plans at its annual conference.  Continue Reading

• Build a virtualized development environment with these guidelines

  Save time and stress by designing virtualized test environments that include migration preparation and sandbox testing, and that, in certain cases, mix test and production hardware.  Continue Reading

• Self-service automation gives WLA maximum power

  Users don't want to wait for an admin to run a report. Admins don't want to drop their work to do it. Set parameters on self-service options and let workers help themselves.  Continue Reading

• Which IT security roles fall to the ops team?

  To help secure data and applications, an IT ops team needs to do much more than put up firewalls and apply other traditional security measures. Here's where to begin.  Continue Reading

• Data center operations best practices checklist

  Independent experts guide you to better data center operations with tips and advice on best practices and the right management tools.  Continue Reading

• Ten lessons for enterprises deploying containers

  The majority of medium to large enterprises surveyed by EMA foresee containers replacing VMs in two to five years. Unsurprisingly, container management and shadow containers are pressing concerns.  Continue Reading