Containers and virtualization
Containerization software is taking over across the IT industry as the new favored IT infrastructure, as it enables high-speed and high-efficiency platform and software performance. Learn about the technology, its leading tools and how to use it from experts.
Top Stories
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Tutorial
21 Sep 2023
Get started with Argo CD workflow examples for Kubernetes
Argo CD workflows can make managing Kubernetes clusters simpler and more efficient. Learn how to install Argo CD and set up an application to get started. Continue Reading
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News
12 Sep 2023
Cisco Full-Stack Observability draws on channel clout
Cisco's latest tie-in between app security and observability doesn't break new ground, but the vendor can use its network security cachet and partners to woo enterprise buyers. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Mar 2020
Kubectl commands and best practices for new Kubernetes users
Kubectl is a simple and powerful means to control containers in Kubernetes. But as with any CLI, it demands familiarity with available operations, resource types and associated syntax. Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Mar 2020
VM networking best practices to boost network performance
Admins who familiarize themselves with VM network switches and activity can better understand issues and employ best practices to mitigate lackluster network performance. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Mar 2020
Micro VM vendors to evaluate for your isolation, security needs
Amazon, HP, Qubes OS and Authentic8 provide micro VM-based technologies that help increase VM security through isolation techniques, but use varying hypervisors and OSes. Continue Reading
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News
12 Mar 2020
AWS Bottlerocket container OS locks down hosts
AWS Bottlerocket puts the cloud giant's spin on the container OS, and container host security, but the company will have to overcome a generally poor reputation in the open source world. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Mar 2020
Dig into Kubernetes pod deployment for optimal container use
Improve your Kubernetes deployment strategy with balanced application hosting and sound pod-to-nodes mapping. Learn the ins and outs of resource pools and Kubernetes communication. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Mar 2020
Container training can help admins stay relevant
IT admins might be good at managing IT systems -- until those systems are replaced with newer technologies. One way to keep pace with the changes is to learn container skills. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Mar 2020
Master these 3 common Kubernetes troubleshooting tasks
Not enough nodes? Have some noisy neighbors? Plenty of things can cause containers to underperform. Here's how to chase down and resolve three common Kubernetes problems. Continue Reading
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Feature
04 Mar 2020
How to approach Kubernetes multi-tenancy for resource isolation
Multi-tenancy in Kubernetes can partition IT resources and operations, but it can be tricky to determine just how much isolation is necessary. Continue Reading
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News
28 Feb 2020
Top 5 container software trends to watch in 2020
Container software, namely Kubernetes, has become a staple of modern enterprise IT infrastructure -- here's what's coming next for the technology in 2020 and beyond. Continue Reading
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News
27 Feb 2020
Kubernetes edge computing takes shape on container frontier
Kubernetes at the edge has emerged as an early stage trend among enterprises that want to push the boundaries of software automation. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Feb 2020
Optimize Docker images for improved efficiency and security
There are several ways -- ranging from Dockerfile adjustments to vulnerability scans -- that IT teams can ensure their Docker images are both efficient and secure. Continue Reading
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News
27 Feb 2020
VMware security for Cloud Foundation ties to Carbon Black
The new VMware Advanced Security for Cloud Foundation binds the company's security offerings with other key VMware offerings such as Carbon Black and NSX. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Feb 2020
GPU virtualization eases system workloads, boosts efficiency
Virtual GPUs help boost data center efficiency and provide a better user experience, but admins must determine whether their workloads justify implementing the technology. Continue Reading
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News
25 Feb 2020
Mirantis marshals reinforcements for Kubernetes management
Mirantis adds engineering staff and revives Docker Swarm as it plans to do battle in container orchestration against Red Hat, Pivotal and Docker itself. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Feb 2020
Cloud, Linux vendors cash in on KVM-based virtualization
Vendors such as Red Hat and Google provide products that rely on KVM technology, but picking the right vendor depends on admins' choice of OSes and cloud providers. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Feb 2020
Nvidia helps conceptualize VMware GPU virtualization
Nvidia and VMware announced a plan to bring vGPUs to VMware Cloud on AWS, which will provide customers with more options for implementing GPU-accelerated workloads. Continue Reading
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News
13 Feb 2020
Ad firm gets Kubernetes management boost from Agile Stacks
With a small staff of engineers responsible for all of IT, a digital advertising firm needed help to smooth out the learning curve as it migrated from Mesosphere to Kubernetes. Continue Reading
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News
07 Feb 2020
Retail software firm takes broad view of Kubernetes security
Kubernetes platform security has supplanted container-level security for enterprises such as retail software vendor Aptos as they deploy microservices in production. Continue Reading
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News
07 Feb 2020
Dynatrace deepens AIOps ties with Kubernetes monitoring
Dynatrace has expanded the number of metrics it can feed into its Davis AIOps engine from Kubernetes infrastructure, thereby enhancing autoremediation features for container workloads. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Feb 2020
Emerging tools to help create virtualized test environments
Tools from Parasoft, HyperQube and CloudShell let admins virtualize their test environments, but admins should exercise caution as product direction and design continue to evolve. Continue Reading
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News
05 Feb 2020
VMware licensing change limits CPUs to 32 cores
VMware moved its per-CPU licensing plan closer to competitors' per-core licensing plans by requiring one license for CPUs with 32 cores. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Jan 2020
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
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Tip
27 Jan 2020
Ensure Kubernetes high availability with master node planning
Kubernetes ensures high availability in its worker nodes, but for a mission-critical workload, IT teams should take these extra steps for redundancy in the master node components. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Jan 2020
Increase data center efficiency with the NSX-T load balancer
When creating a load balancer, the NSX-T Data Center software is a likely contender, but you must have the necessary NSX-T components, such as tier 0 and tier 1 routers, before beginning. Continue Reading
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Feature
22 Jan 2020
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
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Tip
21 Jan 2020
Kubernetes taints and tolerations optimize pod-to-node mapping
In complex Kubernetes environments, admins must navigate pod-to-node mapping carefully. Try using taints and tolerations -- but be sure to closely oversee the process. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Jan 2020
Use multiple Dockerfiles for complex application configuration
Dockerfiles can help with application configurations, but there are some questions you must consider, such as how many Dockerfiles each application requires. Continue Reading
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News
14 Jan 2020
Kubernetes security gets an assist with bug bounty program
The Kubernetes Security Product Group will outsource bug triage to HackerOne under a new bug bounty program that will offer rewards for bug reports up to $10,000. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Dec 2019
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
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Tip
26 Dec 2019
Four must-haves in Kubernetes security best practices
When it comes to Kubernetes security, IT teams must look beyond their containerized workloads, and consider code and cloud infrastructure as well. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Dec 2019
Kubernetes networking explained: Start with these building blocks
To understand Kubernetes networking, admins must first master the core components of the container orchestration platform. Then, they need to map deployments to the right virtual networking model. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Dec 2019
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
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Tutorial
18 Dec 2019
Use this Kubernetes and Helm tutorial to simplify app deployments
Helm charts are a helpful tool to deploy applications onto Kubernetes clusters. Follow this tutorial, which also features Windows and Chocolatey, to get started with the package manager. Continue Reading
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News
18 Dec 2019
New Kubernetes security tools abound as container deployments grow
As Kubernetes use expands in production, enterprises have a number of IT security tools to choose from for centralized, policy-based control over container clusters. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Dec 2019
Private cloud security risks and how to prevent them
Admins that rely on private clouds should not be drawn into a false sense of security. Outdated VM images, rogue admins and possible data loss are real security risks for private clouds. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Dec 2019
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
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Feature
12 Dec 2019
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
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Tip
09 Dec 2019
Get to know the Kaspersky Light Agent app for virtual systems
Kaspersky's Security for Virtualization Light Agent application provides multilayered protection for virtual servers and VDIs as well as their VMs and OSes across multiple hosts. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Dec 2019
Rising use of Kubernetes in production brings new IT demands
Kubernetes as an enterprise IT service is still in its infancy, but the market has reached a turning point from developer-maintained to IT-provided Kubernetes deployments. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Dec 2019
Learn to integrate VMs and containers in your data center
The VMs vs. containers debate is popular among admins, but integrations of the two technologies have begun to emerge with the help of tools such as Kata Containers and Virtlet. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Dec 2019
Dockerfile commands for containerizing applications
Admins can use Dockerfiles to containerize their applications and ease deployment. They can implement several commands to help them do so successfully. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Nov 2019
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
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Video
26 Nov 2019
Kubernetes explained in 5 minutes
Kubernetes brings order to enterprise container deployments -- but it's a complex technology to learn. Use this video to grasp core Kubernetes concepts in under 10 minutes. Continue Reading
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News
22 Nov 2019
Kubernetes release gets little fanfare as IT looks toward GitOps
Kubernetes is considered stable enough to be boring. The latest beta release was barely mentioned at KubeCon, where IT pros focused on advanced uses such as GitOps and other cloud-native projects. Continue Reading
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News
21 Nov 2019
Linkerd vs. Istio battle heats up as service mesh gains steam
Service mesh has gone from a relatively unknown entity to a mainstream topic in 2019, but it's too early to declare a TKO in the Linkerd vs. Istio prizefight. Continue Reading
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News
21 Nov 2019
Kubernetes Helm Tiller is dead, and IT pros rejoice
The latest version of the Kubernetes Helm package manager promises better security and stability in version 3, which removes the Tiller server component from Helm's architecture. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Nov 2019
Decide between SAN vs. hyper-converged for your virtual storage
Shared storage provides admins with virtual storage benefits such as storage migration, high availability and redundancy. But the right storage option depends on cost and performance. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Nov 2019
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
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News
15 Nov 2019
D2iQ latest to seek Kubernetes management niche
D2iQ's CTO says it will use its enterprise experience with Apache Mesos container orchestration and big data apps such as Kafka to compete in a crowded market for Kubernetes management. Continue Reading
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News
13 Nov 2019
Docker Enterprise spun off to Mirantis, company restructures
In an unexpected move, Docker sells off its Docker Enterprise business -- including customer support -- to Mirantis and refocuses on Docker Hub and Docker Desktop. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Nov 2019
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
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News
12 Nov 2019
Aqua Security buys CloudSploit, expands into cloud security
Amid consolidation and chaos in the cloud security market, Aqua snaps up CloudSploit and sets the stage for increased competition with traditional IT security vendors. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Nov 2019
5 steps to evaluate and perform a service mesh implementation
Service mesh adoption is a long process that starts with careful evaluation of the technology and its deployment models. And that requires the involvement of both IT ops and dev teams. Continue Reading
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News
08 Nov 2019
Microservices security calls for zero-trust, data classification
Sanity in a zero-trust world for microservices security calls for IT teams to prioritize the assets they must protect, and that starts with data classification. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Nov 2019
3 Kubernetes platforms for your application needs
Admins must consider their application needs when choosing a container strategy and decide between a full PaaS offering built on containers or a fully compliant Kubernetes service. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Nov 2019
Understand how to orchestrate Windows containers with Kubernetes
Before you orchestrate your Windows containers with Kubernetes, you must install Windows Server 1809 or later and meet several other requirements. Continue Reading
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Opinion
05 Nov 2019
The true private cloud debate: Do labels matter?
The debate around authentic private clouds continues as more organizations adopt the model, but labels might not matter in the end. Continue Reading
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Feature
04 Nov 2019
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
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Feature
30 Oct 2019
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
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Feature
25 Oct 2019
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
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Tip
25 Oct 2019
Prevent man-in-the-middle attacks on apps, CI/CD toolchains
Man-in-the-middle attacks pose a serious threat to both CI/CD tools and the apps those tools support. Learn how these attacks typically occur -- and how to stop them -- to do DevOps securely. Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Oct 2019
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
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Feature
24 Oct 2019
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
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Feature
21 Oct 2019
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
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News
18 Oct 2019
Red Hat OpenShift Tekton pipelines reflect strategic platform focus
OpenShift and its competitors now offer enterprises soup-to-nuts DevOps platforms, rather than simple Kubernetes management tools, that are based on different points of strategic lock-in. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Oct 2019
Grasp Docker networking basics with these commands and tips
For a containerization novice, networking poses one of the biggest challenges. Use this breakdown of essential Docker networking commands and concepts, including host and bridge setups, to reduce complexity. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Oct 2019
Windows container monitoring tools prevent resource contention
Monitoring tools for Windows containers enable admins to keep track of CPU, memory, storage and networking performance metrics and troubleshoot any issues that arise. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Oct 2019
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
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Tip
11 Oct 2019
Optimize Docker images on Windows for better system performance
Multiple layers in a Windows Docker image can cause resource contention. Optimization requires you to limit the number of layers that you use and minimize each layer's size. Continue Reading
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News
10 Oct 2019
Kubernetes on Windows nodes hits GA in Rancher, Amazon EKS
Windows host support in Kubernetes reached a milestone with general availability from container management vendors, which makes containers more accessible for legacy apps. Continue Reading
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News
08 Oct 2019
Google sparks open source unrest over Knative, Istio
Google is keeping its Knative and Istio projects close to the vest, which could limit their reach long term, early adopters say. Continue Reading
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News
07 Oct 2019
Docker Desktop asset, fiscal stress prompt acquisition buzz
Docker has tried to differentiate itself as a Kubernetes competitor, but amid reports of financial headwinds, it should return to its roots in the developer desktop, analysts say. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Oct 2019
Prepare for Windows Server 2008 end of life
Admins must prepare their workloads for the Windows Server 2008 and 2008 R2 end of support. Otherwise, they risk the possibility of significant security breaches. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Oct 2019
Heed these cloud security considerations for SaaS, PaaS
A move to the cloud lessens IT's workload responsibility, but SaaS and PaaS models each require a targeted cloud security strategy to protect applications. Continue Reading
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Feature
03 Oct 2019
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
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Feature
30 Sep 2019
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
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Tip
26 Sep 2019
Get to know VM networking basics
Admins can create a network between isolated VMs with the help of several features and products, such as network interface cards and virtual LANs. Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Sep 2019
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
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Feature
20 Sep 2019
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
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Tip
20 Sep 2019
Server virtualization in DevOps continues to offer advantages
Virtualization's role in DevOps technologies continues to persevere by providing strong isolation, flexible OS options and an assortment of sophisticated tooling. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Sep 2019
7 HPC workload virtualization best practices
If you are running high-performance computing workloads in a virtual environment, use our handy checklist to see if you are optimizing your environment to its fullest. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Sep 2019
Micro VMs bridge the gap between full VMs and containers
Micro VMs address full VM and container disadvantages, all while providing a lightweight container architecture and retaining VM security for each instance. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Sep 2019
What IT admins need to know about cloud application patching
When they host apps in a SaaS or PaaS environment, IT teams offload some patching duties to cloud providers. But other responsibilities become even more important. Continue Reading
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News
13 Sep 2019
Google Cloud tackles Spark on Kubernetes
Google Cloud Dataproc is the first major cloud provider to integrate Apache Spark with Kubernetes as a managed service, but work remains to better link the two projects upstream. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Sep 2019
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
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News
11 Sep 2019
HashiCorp Consul plays to multi-platform strength with Azure
HashiCorp's Consul service mesh will be offered as a hosted service on Microsoft Azure, where it can link container clusters along with VMs in multiple regions. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Sep 2019
Consider the when, why and how of a Mesos-to-Kubernetes migration
Before choosing to migrate to Kubernetes, Mesos users should carefully prepare for the complexity of the move -- and first consider using the two technologies side by side. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Sep 2019
GPU repurposing helps improve infrastructure cost efficiency
A GPU's cost efficiency decreases when left idle. But, by putting GPUs to work for virtual desktop infrastructure sessions, admins can reduce costs and ensure improved performance. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Sep 2019
Embrace an app-centric approach to monitoring in the cloud
Cloud computing minimizes the need for IT teams to worry about infrastructure hardware -- which means their monitoring strategies can, and should, hone in on apps and the user experience. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Aug 2019
VMware Workstation vs. VirtualBox: Which is the better hypervisor?
The Type 2 hypervisor debate between VMware Workstation and Oracle VirtualBox has gotten tougher as the latter has caught up. Examine their advantages to see which fits your needs. Continue Reading
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News
30 Aug 2019
IT pros look to VMware's GPU acceleration projects to kick-start AI
The virtualization giant's recent acquisition of Bitfusion and its close partnership with Nvidia bring GPU virtualization to vSphere. Continue Reading
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Answer
30 Aug 2019
Hyper-V vs. VMware comparison: What are the differences?
Hyper-V and VMware are in a perpetual battle for supremacy in the virtualization market. Although the two hypervisors have similar features, capabilities are somewhat different. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Aug 2019
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
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Tip
29 Aug 2019
Explore Docker vs. LXC through the lens of a three-tier app
Containers are not small virtual machines, and they're not all the same under the hood. To make smart deployment choices, understand the nuanced differences between container types. Continue Reading
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News
28 Aug 2019
Knative serverless Kubernetes bypasses FaaS to revive PaaS
Knative's emerging claim to fame is that it can turn Kubernetes into a next-gen platform as a service with both a Heroku-like developer experience and deep infrastructure control. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Aug 2019
Simplify SaaS integration with an IT service aggregator
SaaS management can cause as many headaches as SaaS apps prevent. Poor integrations between disparate tools can create bottlenecks and failures, but aggregators can help. Continue Reading
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News
22 Aug 2019
Istio service mesh hits OpenShift GA, but upgrades are slow
Istio service mesh, Kiali and Jaeger are generally available for Red Hat OpenShift 4, but it will be some time before users are ready for the latest version of the platform. Continue Reading
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Video
21 Aug 2019
Explore the basics of Kubernetes cluster networking
IT admins who need a crash course in basic Kubernetes networking concepts can follow along with this four-minute video. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Aug 2019
Don't buy a GPU for machine learning unless you have the workload
Virtual GPUs and machine learning might seem like a perfect match, but specialized chips might not be worth the investment if your workloads won't use the cards' full capacity. Continue Reading
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Quiz
20 Aug 2019
Test your knowledge of CNCF projects and tools
From Kubernetes to Envoy, the Cloud Native Computing Foundation has ushered in many leading open source technologies for the IT enterprise. So, how well do you know them? Continue Reading