Data Center: Page

With EVO: RAIL, VMware turns VSAN into a franchise

VMware's EVO: RAIL allows hardware vendors to build hyper-converged appliances running VSAN and other VMware software.

By Dave Raffo • Aug. 25, 2014

There’s a whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on in converged infrastructure

With sales sagging, legacy hardware suppliers are scurrying to form partnerships with a new generation of converged infrastructure vendors. But will these newly minted converged systems convince IT to open up the purse strings?

By Ed Scannell • Aug. 19, 2014

What to do when UPS sizing goes wrong

UPS sizing is hard, with confusing terminology and an ever-shifting IT load. If you get the calculations wrong, don't worry about a Michael Bay movie scene in the data center. Here's what to do when UPS is too wimpy or too beefy for the task.

By Robert McFarlane • Aug. 19, 2014

What’s better? An OVF or an OVA file?

What is an OVA file and how does it compare to an Open Virtualization Format package?

By Mike Preston • July 22, 2014

Denser is better: Increased storage and server density

For storage and servers, being dense is good. Careful planning can maximize the benefits of greater computing densities while minimizing potential risks.

By Stephen Bigelow • July 15, 2014

Mount file system Linux systemd’s way

Forget about /etc/fstab and autofs. There's a new Linux system around. Systemd manages mounting and automounting of file systems differently.

By Sander van Vugt • July 9, 2014

Best of VMworld 2014 Awards: Rules and criteria

Read the official Best of VMworld Awards rules and find out how to nominate products.

July 1, 2014

A few ways to configure Linux firewalld

The method for configuring Linux servers' firewalls changed with RHEL 7 and other new distributions. Learn how to set up firewalld, and what to avoid.

By Sander van Vugt • June 25, 2014

Controversial hot aisle containment practices

Is your hot aisle too hot for OSHA? New data center trends are causing concern. You might need to adapt to adhere to the law.

By Robert McFarlane • June 24, 2014

What to look for in a Tier III data center provider

Don't believe just any sweet-talking colo provider claiming to be Tier III. Make sure you're getting what you pay for with a true Tier III data center.

By Clive Longbottom • June 20, 2014

How many VMs per host is too many?

The ultimate host server welcomes hundreds of virtual machines. But that doesn't mean consolidation should outrank performance.

By Sharon Zaharoff • June 12, 2014

What’s the highest server temperature you can handle?

There's no correct inlet air temperature for all servers. Age, performance and design help determine how much heat your server can handle.

By Stephen Bigelow • May 21, 2014

DevOps and Agile IT save mainframe training from skills quagmire

The problem isn't that new hires aren't familiar with the complex, custom daily tasks of mainframe ops. The problem is that you're still doing them.

By Wayne Kernochan • May 12, 2014

The right way to rename VMs with vSphere Storage vMotion

A quirk in older ESX/ESXi versions will not result in a prompt rename of a VM until it has moved to another data store.

By Stephen Bigelow • May 12, 2014

Linux boot options in RHEL, SLES help ailing servers

Is your server not booting correctly? Does it need crucial recovery tasks? Linux boot options with GRUB2 and systemd can help.

By Sander van Vugt • April 21, 2014

Using clones as templates in VMware Workstation

After you make sure the template is cleared of specifics, follow these steps to use clones as templates in VMware Workstation.

By Sander van Vugt • April 10, 2014

How to hunt down VM network timeout issues with performance charts

Setting up the performance counters in the vSphere client can help troubleshoot a dropped packets issue.

By Rob Bastiaansen • April 3, 2014

How to clear a clogged core dump in VMware ESXi

With a little manipulation via SSH or ESXi Shell, a locked core dump file can soon be just a distant memory for your ESXi environment.

By Mike Preston • April 3, 2014

Is LRDIMM the best memory option for an enterprise server?

Load-reduced DIMM allows for more memory and decreased latency than on-server memory typically has. So how does it compare to other DIMM designs?

By Stephen Bigelow • Feb. 19, 2014

Mount Global File System 2, avoid corruption in RHEL High Availability

You have a working cluster, now what? Red Hat's GFS2 will help you avoid file system corruption. Learn how to mount the default cluster file system.

By Sander van Vugt • Feb. 17, 2014

Getting started with ITIL service management

Promised cost savings, alignment with business, and operational efficiency are encouraging more organizations to take up ITIL service management.

By Stephen Bigelow • Feb. 17, 2014

Six steps to create a highly available Apache Web service

When a Red Hat cluster goes into production, you can protect it by configuring a supported high-availability service. Here's how.

By Sander van Vugt • Jan. 28, 2014

Basic Linux commands for new Linux server administrators

To manage Linux servers, administrators need a set of basic commands to view and start processes, as well as utilities that make life a little easier.

By Sander van Vugt • Jan. 17, 2014

RISC vs. CISC explained for data center systems

The role of RISC processors in data center equipment is hotly debated, but new RISC designs are proving that it isn't just a CISC game.

By Stephen Bigelow • Jan. 8, 2014

Creating a quorum disk and fencing for Linux high availability nodes

The quorum disk and fencing on a Linux high availability cluster let its nodes know when they are operational and shut them off if they are not.

By Sander van Vugt • Dec. 23, 2013