Configuration Management and DevOps
The configuration management resource center provides IT professionals with information about how configuration management tools work, how to deploy them for more IT automation, and how to assess IT infrastructure needs and changes in a rapidly moving DevOps environment.
Top Stories
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Tip
03 Mar 2022
Business benefits of an Agile networking approach
Enterprises that embed an Agile approach in their networking strategies could see benefits like better network performance, enhanced data security and faster rollouts of network services. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Feb 2022
Develop an interactive DevOps runbook
Runbooks are important for DevOps processes -- simple or complex -- but they can be a beast to write. Use this expansive guide for best practices and arrangement. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Nov 2017
Infrastructure as code benefits range from audits to ops
When an auditor asks to see how the entire application stack is configured, you'll recognize the benefits of an infrastructure-as-code implementation. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Nov 2017
The application runtime environment is as important as the app
To avoid cascading failures and never-ending troubleshooting, take the time to understand the software and hardware -- the runtime environment -- that keeps an app ticking. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
19 Oct 2017
A Red Hat Satellite tutorial to install an update server
With Red Hat Satellite, IT ops can deploy an update server to simplify patching. Follow this step-by-step tutorial to install the server, attach subscriptions and devise a sync plan. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Oct 2017
Standardize configuration management software for smoother DevOps
If your organization uses different configuration management software for development and operations, you're not alone. Even better, it's no engineering feat to migrate to one main tool. Continue Reading
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Guide
28 Sep 2017
Learn DevOps techniques in a home lab
Not allowed to put work projects on GitHub? Want to run containers even though your company is still virtualizing servers? Get ahead with techniques and tools in a DevOps home lab. Continue Reading
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News
22 Sep 2017
HashiCorp DevOps tools add Sentinel for IT policy management
As DevSecOps grows, policy as code will take over where infrastructure as code left off through new tools such as HashiCorp Sentinel. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Sep 2017
Configuration management processes take down GRC challenges
Configuration management processes speed deployments, but tools that know effective licenses and data storage details aid in another area that businesses are keen to get right. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Sep 2017
Ansible variables give structure to playbook execution
Ansible playbooks tell the IT automation system how to complete a task. Use variables in a playbook to tell Ansible how to interact with the available resources. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Aug 2017
Chef Habitat offers a different take on configuration management
Chef Habitat's strategy focuses on the dynamic application environment instead of static servers, approaching configuration management with a new focus. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Jul 2017
Agentless Ansible structure opens up configuration management potential
Ansible is easy to use for IT ops pros, and it supports multicloud functionality within its automation structure. This simple walkthrough gets sys admins started with the tool. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Jun 2017
Server OS patching doesn't have to be as painful as you fear
OS patching is like a mechanic's job -- you need different tools for different makes and models. SCCM, Satellite and Landscape provide upkeep for IT's sports cars and SUVs. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Jun 2017
Three DevOps toolchain options refine IT automation
DevOps tools that don't interconnect form a bottleneck that teams can easily avoid -- or retroactively remedy -- if the CI/CD workflow merits the time commitment. Continue Reading
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News
19 May 2017
ServiceNow roadmap extends ITSM technology with AI, machine learning
A leader in the IT systems management market, ServiceNow looks to expand into new applications markets. Farrell Hough, in charge of ServiceNow's product operations, lays out the roadmap. Continue Reading
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News
12 May 2017
Justify CMDB ROI with these strategies
IT pros can easily list off CMDB benefits. But when it comes to convincing the business to pay for a CMDB implementation, you'll need to discuss ROI. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Apr 2017
DevOps lab: Build Vagrant VMs to learn immutable infrastructure
This article is part of a series to help IT ops professionals learn DevOps by building a home lab. In this first step, a cluster of Vagrant VMs represents immutable infrastructure. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Apr 2017
Learn DevOps techniques and tools in this home lab setup
This DevOps lab uses Linux VMs and Docker containers to teach administrators the basics of immutable infrastructure, configuration automation and other modern IT concepts. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Mar 2017
Set Salt configuration management free without a master
Salt configurations usually involve at least one minion controlled by a master, but that's not always necessary. See how to use Salt to run a single machine in masterless mode. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Mar 2017
Choose cloud configuration management tools for multiple platforms
The multicloud model presents unique configuration management challenges. When choosing a tool, enterprises should compare cloud native and third-party options carefully. Continue Reading
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Answer
27 Feb 2017
Are there IT jobs in cloud capacity management?
If a company moves only 30% of workloads from its data center to the public cloud, that will reduce IT ops demand. Is there still a role for the ops engineer? Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Feb 2017
How the Puppet architecture manipulates configurations
Puppet is intrinsically scalable, enabling IT teams to manage one machine or hundreds. Its architecture makes the configuration management tool compatible with a range of IT setups. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Jan 2017
Real-life change management examples prove it's harder than it looks
Whether your IT shop rigorously follows a service management framework or takes a laissez-faire approach to changes, these examples help hone change management procedures. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Dec 2016
Set up a virtual home lab to learn OpenStack and more on your own time
There are many reasons to set up a virtual home lab, not least of all for career advancement and learning. Occasionally, it can be fun too. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Dec 2016
Idempotent configuration management sets things right -- no matter what
Idempotency ensures a system won't stray from its designated desired state, sending alerts to systems administrators if a requested change would cause a disruption. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Dec 2016
A SaltStack tutorial to start mastering data center minions
With a basic understanding of SaltStack minions, modules, grains and other concepts, IT administrators have the power to scale up configurations. Continue Reading
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News
01 Dec 2016
CMDB best practices remain out of reach for many IT shops: Free chapter
Most IT pros know what a CMDB is, but mastering the database and asset management is difficult -- though not impossible. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Nov 2016
Salt minions and grains facilitate deployment at scale
A tiered management setup and finely grained monitoring capabilities make SaltStack's configuration management tool worth considering. Continue Reading
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Guide
26 Oct 2016
Use these DevOps examples to reimagine an IT organization
These before and after DevOps adoption stories from real IT organizations yield insights into processes and tools, metrics for success and mistakes made. Continue Reading
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Photo Story
20 Oct 2016
DevOps capabilities vary widely by industry vertical
DevOps isn't the same from one IT shop to another, let alone from healthcare to retail IT. Some verticals rise higher than others when it comes to agility and communication. Continue Reading
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Buyer's Guide
07 Oct 2016
The steps in selecting the right configuration management system
Configuration management helps enterprises standardize IT systems and eases updates. This guide assists buyers in selecting the right tools for their CM systems. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Sep 2016
CFEngine configuration management tool up close and in-depth
CFEngine is a widely known and used configuration management tool. Learn about its primary features and functions and if and how your organization could benefit from it. Continue Reading
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Feature
22 Sep 2016
Inside Docker configuration management functions
Docker may not be a standard configuration management tool, but it possesses a set of capabilities that have made it a growing player in the CM market. Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Sep 2016
The Cobbler configuration management tool's ins and outs
Cobbler is a configuration management tool best suited for Linux-based IT environments. Learn more about this tool and if it can benefit your enterprise. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Sep 2016
SaltStack configuration management tools and their many functions
SaltStack is a relatively new tool in the configuration management market with powerful capabilities and an active user community. Read more about this emerging product here. Continue Reading
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Feature
09 Sep 2016
What Chef configuration management can do for your IT systems
Chef configuration management tools possess a huge community of users. Learn more about product versions, capabilities, user resources and what Chef can offer an enterprise. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Sep 2016
Select the best configuration management tools for your company
What characterizes the best configuration management tools for your company? Read about the different tools available and which ones would address your company needs the best. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Aug 2016
Decision criteria for choosing configuration management software
Selecting the right configuration management software is vital for your company to function well in this modern age. Learn what you need to know in order to select the best tool. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Jul 2016
A continuous delivery model right on time
With continuous delivery, good enough makes things better for business. Changing to this delivery model doesn't alleviate all app problems, but the right implementation means fewer of them. Continue Reading
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Photo Story
01 Jul 2016
Modern open source systems management
The open source sector abounds with configuration management, monitoring and analytics, CI/CD tools and more to arm IT teams against failure in complex apps and infrastructure. Continue Reading
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News
01 Jul 2016
DevOps automation boosts Rosetta Stone's app delivery
The language learning company uses multiple tools to make its DevOps environment run smoothly, but Docker has been the key to streamlining application releases. Continue Reading
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Quiz
23 Mar 2016
Pop quiz: Test your knowledge of open source terminology
Open source technology is a wild west at times. Make sure your open source terminology is up to snuff with this short quiz. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Nov 2015
Server patch management for multi-OS data centers
If you have a multi-OS data center, you know the struggle that is server patch management. Don't fret, the right combination of tools and human intuition can alleviate the pain. Continue Reading
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Guide
20 Oct 2015
2016 Modern Infrastructure Impact Awards
The 2016 MI Impact Awards recognize the top products, technologies and services in six categories. Here are the finalists that made the cut. Continue Reading
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Feature
15 May 2015
Facebook completes Chef DevOps migration, shares lessons
The mistakes, best practices and tools that Facebook shares from its migration to Chef configuration management apply to your DevOps shop too. Continue Reading
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Answer
07 Jan 2015
Can you verify software compatibility on IT systems?
If you're thinking about deploying an application software package, how do you know if it is compatible with your particular systems and hardware? Continue Reading
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Feature
02 Dec 2014
IBM Tivoli software for enterprise system management
IBM Tivoli enterprise system management products are designed to manage all aspects of a data center, including storage, monitoring and automation. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Sep 2014
How to write server documentation
A data center should be prepared for the worst, but try to avoid that at all costs. Appropriate system documentation helps avoid critical errors. Continue Reading
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Opinion
16 Apr 2014
Database performance tuning: Five ways for IT to save the day
IT teams can play heroes when database performance issues disrupt applications. Try these five tips for performance tuning before there's a problem. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Mar 2014
IT asset management best practices for any data center
Choosing a data center asset management tool depends on how the infrastructure functions, the mix of hardware and software in action and more factors. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Dec 2011
Five questions on systems management
As reliance on systems management tools increases, administrators face varied challenges in deployment, skill sets, infrastructure support and other issues. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Nov 2011
The challenges of change and configuration management
Due diligence, business alignment and proper deployment are key to mastering change and configuration management tools. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Nov 2011
Application performance tips: Workload optimization and software pathing
IT pros looking to maximize application performance should look beyond basic software, tuning to products from vendors pathing software and hardware. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Nov 2010
Using Nagios plugins for configuration and system testing
Using Nagios plugins can be vital in performing specific system tests and configuration. In this tip, you'll learn about using default and custom plugins in Nagios. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Aug 2009
Top five keys to success for a new CMDB project
Configuration management database (CMDB) projects require a steady hand and a lot of help from IT staff. Here are some tips to help you ensure CMDB success. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Feb 2007
Automating server management and IT processes
Server automation can free up data center resources to focus on higher-value activities. This tip provides some suggestions for getting started by automating low level IT processes. Continue Reading