IT Operations: Page

Microsoft Office 365 Admin Center

The Microsoft Office 365 Admin Center is the web-based portal administrators use to manage user accounts and configuration settings for the Office 365 subscription services, including Exchange Online and SharePoint Online.

By Stephen Bigelow • July 20, 2017

A serverless architecture could live in your data center

Just because you don't see the server doesn't mean it's not there. Serverless frameworks are superseding containers, but is the extra abstraction worth it?

By Mike Matchett • July 20, 2017

Are meetings part of your DevOps strategy? They shouldn’t be

Your time is precious. An effective DevOps strategy makes use of all the tools and tricks to make sure you're not stuck in meetings instead of getting things done.

By Chris Tozzi • July 20, 2017

Simple steps to improve the IT incident management process

No one notices when there's a solid IT incident management response process in place, but everyone notices when there's not. Improve how you handle issues in three steps.

By Adam Fowler • July 18, 2017

Lost and found: Use an Exchange recovery database to restore data

PowerShell can come to the rescue to restore messages and other items from an Exchange 2016 recovery database when trouble strikes -- or when lawyers make requests.

By Jonathan Hassell • July 14, 2017

How to use Azure Active Directory differently than classic AD

Windows administrators can't just whip up an Azure Active Directory deployment and expect it to mimic the classic AD, but Azure AD has several meaningful uses.

By Stuart Burns • July 10, 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.

By Sander van Vugt • July 5, 2017

Should you run MySQL on VMs or physical machines?

Take stock of your current environment, including instance types, orchestration systems and storage devices, before deciding whether to deploy MySQL to VMs or physical machines.

By Walker Rowe • June 29, 2017

Configure NIC teaming with different modes in Hyper-V

The switch independent mode uses different switches and can support both active/active and active/standby operation, while the dependent mode only uses one switch.

By Stephen Bigelow • June 29, 2017

Office 365 admin roles give users the power of permissions

No matter your organization's size, it's helpful to have users handle some functions typically reserved for IT. But limit access to elevated access to reduce security risks.

By Neil Hobson • June 23, 2017

Debug an Active Directory domain join failure on Windows Server

The domain join process typically works without issue. But when a device can't connect to Active Directory, the administrator must seek the culprit from the usual suspects.

By Brien Posey • June 22, 2017

Step up from ops on your IT career path

IT operations professionals with accumulated skills in application management, cloud migration or security enforcement could make a forward move to one of these specialist roles.

By Stephen Bigelow • June 22, 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.

By Stuart Burns • June 19, 2017

Machine learning algorithms make life easier -- until they don’t

Algorithms govern many facets of our lives. But imperfect logic and data sets can make results worse instead of better, so it behooves all of us to think like data scientists.

By Mike Matchett • June 15, 2017

Securing containers keeps IT jumping through hoops

Container isolation doesn't cut it in production. Instead, beef up security from the infrastructure to the application code, and be prepared to use some new tools to do it.

By Beth Pariseau • June 15, 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.

By Kurt Marko • June 9, 2017

Why HR has a key role supporting DevOps skills

If HR isn’t hiring team members fluent in proper skills and familiar with the duties across the delivery chain, then successful DevOps will remain just an ideal.

By Grant Hatchimonji • June 5, 2017

When to use Docker alternatives rkt and LXD

Docker can't meet the needs of every IT scenario. LXD and CoreOS rkt are additional container formats to try out when Docker doesn't make sense.

By Tom Nolle • June 1, 2017

Welcome to DevOps Agenda

It’s not hyperbole to claim the DevOps movement affects every level of the IT organizational chart, and exploring it requires a new way of looking at enterprise IT.

By Jamison Cush • May 31, 2017

IT asset tracking informs better capacity, management decisions

Detailed IT asset inventories are a result of granular asset tracking and lead to better server and storage management -- among other benefits.

By Stephen Bigelow • May 24, 2017

Manage Linux servers with a Windows admin’s toolkit

Even Microsoft recognizes it's no longer just a Windows world. Here's what Windows administrators can do to pick up Linux management and monitoring.

By Tim Warner • May 22, 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.

By Ed Scannell • May 19, 2017

Deploy patches safely and sanely in a CI/CD workflow

Enterprises engaged in a CI/CD workflow must patch systems and apps strategically. There are multiple technologies to consider, including immutable infrastructure and automation.

By Kurt Marko • May 18, 2017

Log management systems benefit greatly from AI

Organizations with massive volumes of IT operational data need log management tools that can quickly and adeptly process it. AI embedded into tools might be the answer.

By Stuart Burns • May 12, 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.

By Megan Santosus • May 12, 2017