Get started

Get started

Bring yourself up to speed with our introductory content.

• Private cloud certificates to build up your tech skills

  Private cloud deployments require a variety of skills to run smoothly on any infrastructure. Expand your technical knowledge with training from Amazon, Google, Dell EMC and HPE. Continue Reading

• Why and how to adopt a data-centric architecture

  Data has become one of the most valuable assets in the enterprise. IT teams must make changes -- both culturally and technically -- to ensure their strategy reflects that. Continue Reading

• Get a template to estimate server power consumption per rack

  Admins can struggle with power consumption estimation as infrastructure gets more complex. The kW-per-rack metric can help provide an accurate calculation of server power use. Continue Reading

• Main factors that can guide your UPS selection process

  To choose the right UPS, be sure to figure out business needs, power supply size requirements and how long your backup systems must last during downtime. Continue Reading

• Your primer to colocation pricing and rack space rightsizing

  Even with structured pricing methods, there's a lot to consider when making colocation infrastructure purchases. Account for future hardware needs and spend flexibility. Continue Reading

• Definitions to Get Started

  • What is a shell script and how does it work?
  • What is MVS (Multiple Virtual Storage)?
  • What is a real-time operating system (RTOS)?
  • What is infrastructure (IT infrastructure)?

  • What is a data center administrator (DCA)?
  • What is ITIL? A guide to the IT Infrastructure Library
  • What is continuous modeling (data center continuous modeling)?
  • What is National Electrical Code (NEC)?

  View All Definitions

• Colocation pricing guide: Understanding data center costs

  Colocation facility costs can include anything from power fees and bandwidth service charges to connectivity expenses, change fees and support costs.Continue Reading

• 9 considerations for a colocation data center selection checklist

  Use this data center selection checklist to make fair and comprehensive comparisons between colocation data center providers before making a decision.Continue Reading

• What is database refreshing?

  IT testing and software development constantly requires fresh data. It's easy to run a database refresh and generate new data for sandbox or production tasks.Continue Reading

• Avoid server overheating with ASHRAE data center guidelines

  Finding the right server operating temperature can be tricky. ASHRAE standards provide guidance for all server classes and what factors can play into temperature readings.Continue Reading

• data center capacity planning

  Data center capacity planning ensures that an IT organization has enough facility space, power and computing resources to support average and peak workloads.Continue Reading

• 7-step pandemic return-to-work IT infrastructure checklist

  As employees return on site, ensure your HCI can handle the changes. Follow these steps for checking system hardware and storage, as well as securing software and firmware.Continue Reading

• Do you know how HPE GreenLake services work?

  IT infrastructure hardware and services delivered through HPE GreenLake takes the cloud Opex spending model and brings it on premises. Test your GreenLake acumen with this quiz.Continue Reading

• Figure out the differences of asset management vs. CMDB

  There is no shortage of software options for change management tools. Operational goals can help IT teams decide if ITAM or CMDB is the right choice for the organization.Continue Reading

• Hybrid cloud vs. hyper-converged: Hybrid wins hands down

  When everything goes to cloud, why do you even need HCI? Who cares where server, storage, virtualization and networking are when IT adopts a 'run any app from anyplace' strategy?Continue Reading

• 9 steps to better IBM ELA negotiation results

  Get a leg up on your next IBM enterprise licensing agreement or renewal. Following these nine steps will help prepare you to meet Big Blue across the negotiation table.Continue Reading

• 6 steps for effective real-time monitoring across hybrid IT

  Infrastructure monitoring can span multiple stakeholders, data center sites and metrics. Use the five W's to establish a comprehensive monitoring strategy.Continue Reading

• Ubuntu Core tutorial: Run IoT devices on Linux

  Linux OSes offer flexible IoT device management and have no upfront costs. Get Ubuntu Core up and connect your devices with the steps in this video tutorial.Continue Reading

• Is third-party threat a viable server maintenance contract tactic?

  When negotiating server hardware and maintenance agreements with vendors, server customers can threaten to go elsewhere. But how effective is that tactic?Continue Reading

• Best practices for better server lifecycle management deals

  A buyer's playbook with granular forecasts of server refresh, upgrade, maintenance and precedent discount details strengthens your negotiation position with your server supplier.Continue Reading

• Actual sales tactics vendors use during server refresh lifecycle

  See specific examples of the strategies server vendors use in order to better prepare for sales pitches throughout the five stages of the server renewal and refresh lifecycle.Continue Reading

• How 5 stages of server lifecycle influence vendor sales tactics

  Learn about sales tactics that server suppliers like Dell EMC, HPE, Lenovo, IBM and Cisco use to try to win back market share from white box suppliers and how those affect you.Continue Reading

• A quick primer on the ANSI/TIA-942 standard

  Industry standards help organizations minimize downtime and ensure operational quality. With ANSI/TIA-942, IT teams can certify their infrastructure for mission-critical sites.Continue Reading

• The case against data center consolidation

  Having one centralized data center can bring IT benefits. Use cases such as IoT, edge computing and cloud don't necessarily work with consolidated infrastructure.Continue Reading

• Examining hyper-converged infrastructure costs and savings

  There are several factors to consider when calculating HCI costs, including licensing, storage, networking and CPU types. In addition, costs might include support contracts.Continue Reading

• hyper-converged storage

  Hyper-converged storage is a software-defined approach to storage management that combines storage, compute, virtualization and sometimes networking technologies in one physical unit that is managed as a single system.Continue Reading

• A mechanical refrigeration system primer for admins

  Mechanical cooling is a necessity to keep data centers efficient year-round. The system type you use depends on the refrigerant, number of heat exchanges and airflow requirements.Continue Reading

• Data center power terms to give your vocab a jolt

  No matter the data center setup, there are standardized power components and protocols you should know. Build your understanding -- or refresh your knowledge -- with these terms.Continue Reading

• An intro to Nutanix Flow software-defined networking for HCI

  Learn how Flow SDN brings network policy and management services to Nutanix hyper-converged infrastructure through the automation and streamlining of common networking operations.Continue Reading

• IoT data center tech aims to improve operational efficiency

  IoT tech can make data center operations data-driven and automated. For a successful implementation, IT managers should evaluate upgrade costs and infrastructure resiliency.Continue Reading

• An introduction to DCIM software metrics and terms

  Infrastructure management is no easy task. The right software can help admins track how efficient their server racks and facilities are and pinpoint where to make improvements.Continue Reading

• 6 steps to prep your organization for ISO 9001 certification

  ISO 9001 is a quality management standard. Before your team decides to become certified with an official audit, you should have all the gap analyses, documentation and fixes in place.Continue Reading

• Understanding VMware Cloud Foundation components, features

  VMware Cloud Foundation enables users to implement an integrated software-defined data center. Version 4 represents a major architectural upgrade integrating Kubernetes in vSphere.Continue Reading

• Controlling IBM licensing agreement narrative key to success

  Take control of the information narrative and unify your messaging strategy through a cross-functional negotiation team for best-in-class enterprise license agreement renewals.Continue Reading

• How should I choose a new server hardware configuration?

  It's important to consider current and future business needs when choosing a server to ensure you'll have adequate CPU, memory, storage and network resources.Continue Reading

• Assess risk, forecast for IBM software licensing agreement success

  When it's license renewal time, ClearEdge Partners recommends taking stock of the licenses you already have and determining how to allocate spending across your IBM ELA.Continue Reading

• Traditional vs. converged vs. hyper-converged infrastructure setups

  HCI clusters, converged infrastructure and rack servers all offer benefits for a data center. Still, figuring out which is easier to set up requires evaluation and planning.Continue Reading

• Easily spin up a Docker Ubuntu container

  Docker and Ubuntu make it possible for admins to use containers for Windows applications in the data center. Watch what's involved to get started with containerization.Continue Reading

• Insight into Big Blue key to better IBM ELA renewals

  Before negotiating a renewal of your IBM enterprise license agreement, get to know Big Blue's sales strategy and which factors influence its deal-making process.Continue Reading

• Successful IBM ELA renewal negotiations require preparation

  Start planning early, follow a realistic timeline and know your enterprise license agreement options inside and out as you gear up for ELA negotiations with IBM.Continue Reading

• How sharp is your hyper-converged edge computing acumen?

  It isn't uncommon for hyper-convergence and the edge to intersect nowadays. How much do you know about why hyper-converged deployment at the network periphery is growing?Continue Reading

• Advances in server hardware components speed up data centers

  Server hardware has consistently evolved since the 1980s. Now, IT professionals can implement the latest in CPU and GPU technology in their ever-growing data centers.Continue Reading

• Dive into the quantum computing qubit with IBM's Bob Sutor

  The quantum computing industry is entering a new era. IBM's Bob Sutor discusses the technology's importance and how his latest book can help readers better understand the qubit.Continue Reading

• Build a migration plan for enterprise edge infrastructure

  Micro data centers are essential to edge computing use cases. Build an effective migration plan through site selection, application inventory and post-move monitoring tools.Continue Reading

• Top vendor SDDC certification programs for admins

  If you decide to grow your knowledge of software-defined data center technologies, VMware, Nuage Networks and Microsoft offer courses and certifications to get you up to speed.Continue Reading

• Build up your knowledge of leaf-spine network technology

  As organizations deal with challenges of single tree path networks, many admins are considering leaf-spine architectures. Learn the ways its topology helps latency and data flow.Continue Reading

• HPC services bring computational power to more organizations

  Navigating HPC colocation requires knowledge of power, uptime and security demands. Deploying such services can bring innovative opportunities for organizations.Continue Reading

• Plan a successful migration to HPC colocation

  If your organization decides to host its HPC hardware in a colocated data center, ensure a smooth migration with proper location selection, security measures and application testing.Continue Reading

• What's behind today's IT infrastructure modernization strategies?

  See how businesses have altered operating environments, applications and processes to meet IT infrastructure modernization goals, their budgets and how far along they've gotten.Continue Reading

• Learn the main Linux OS components

  Linux is one operating choice to run on your infrastructure. Get started with these terms to discover how the OS works and how it differs from Microsoft and Apple offerings.Continue Reading

• A guide to GPU implementation and activation

  Data center GPU usage goes beyond hardware. Admins must work with vendors and developers to have the right software architecture and code to benefit from GPUs.Continue Reading

• Key components for negotiating an HPC colocation contract

  When it comes to HPC colocation, there are specialized areas to cover in a service-level agreement. Review provider protocols for power, security and network connectivity.Continue Reading

• Make the case for a technology refresh strategy

  A good portion of IT budgets are spent maintaining aging hardware. Energy efficiency, failure rates and potential downtime costs are all ways to justify regular hardware updates.Continue Reading

• Illustrated guide to hyper-converged edge computing

  Hyper-converged systems can help reduce network strain by making it possible to send only the most valuable and relevant data to centralized remote data centers or the cloud.Continue Reading

• Test your Nutanix hyper-converged infrastructure knowledge

  Do you know what it takes to deploy, maintain and secure Nutanix hyper-converged hardware and software? Take our quiz to see how deep your Nutanix knowledge and expertise runs.Continue Reading

• Refresh your data center cooling lexicon

  As the data center industry moves to improve energy efficiency, refresh your knowledge on the available cooling technology and methodologies.Continue Reading

• Increase efficiency with data center temperature monitoring

  Data centers must track multiple temperature components. Organizations can use ASHRAE standards and on-premises hardware for easier monitoring.Continue Reading

• Which converged infrastructure vendors are businesses considering?

  Today's fast-paced business landscape has led enterprises to increasingly turn to convergence vendors. See why, which they are choosing and who leads the market.Continue Reading

• Put your VMware vSAN HCI knowledge to the test

  Do you know what it takes to deploy, maintain and secure a VMware vSAN-based hyper-converged infrastructure? Take our quiz to see how deep your vSAN knowledge and expertise runs.Continue Reading

• Essential private cloud migration steps

  Executive buy-in, application evaluation and tool configuration are all important parts of cloud selection. With these steps, admins can ensure a smooth move to private cloud.Continue Reading

• Composable infrastructure platform flexes converged muscles

  Composability tailors resources as unified services to specific workloads. Find out how it works and compares to converged and hyper-converged infrastructures.Continue Reading

• Elevate software-defined technology's role in the data center

  SDS and SDN aren't a cure-all for infrastructure management ails. Proper implementation requires research and a suitable hardware setup. Here's a look at what this tech can do.Continue Reading

• Put your composable infrastructure knowledge to the test

  Are you up to speed on composable disaggregated infrastructure and technology? Take our quiz to find out if you know how composability works and how it can benefit you.Continue Reading

• 4 steps for a smooth SDN installation

  Software-defined infrastructure can be tricky to implement. Automation, vendor-supported hardware and skilled developers are essential for smooth updates.Continue Reading

• What hyper-converged network details should I consider?

  No longer a second-class citizen to compute and storage, networking is now integral to most HCIs. Keep in mind certain networking facts when adopting hyper-convergence, however.Continue Reading

• Should admins learn about serverless computing?

  Serverless architecture is beneficial to organizations that use virtualization and function-as-a-service models. Here's what admins should know about it.Continue Reading

• 3 elements to consider for a hybrid cloud deployment

  Hybrid cloud uptake is increasing, as organizations demand greater infrastructure freedom across on- and off-premises environments and more control over the application layer.Continue Reading

• How composable disaggregated infrastructure works

  Familiarize yourself with how composable infrastructure works, core characteristics and benefits, and what enterprises hope to gain from this infrastructure-as-code delivery model.Continue Reading

• Expand your edge data center vocabulary

  Data, devices and distributed computing are all important parts of edge setups. Learn about edge computing components and how you might see them in your organization.Continue Reading

• How do I measure overall TCO when comparing HCI vendors?

  Comparing the TCO of deploying different HCI vendors' platforms makes it likelier you'll pick the right one for your organization. Start the process with our checklist.Continue Reading

• Put your hyper-converged cloud knowledge to the test

  Are you up to speed on clouds built on hyper-converged infrastructure platforms and technology? Take our quiz to find out if you know how they work and their benefits.Continue Reading

• A quick guide to data center commissioning

  Service provider selection, design documentation and thorough testing are all necessary for commissioning. Learn the process's nuances to get your facilities online.Continue Reading

• Words to go: Composable disaggregated infrastructure glossary

  Dig into these terms to get a sense of composable infrastructure and what its disaggregated server capabilities can bring to your IT environment and application workloads.Continue Reading

• 3 ways to deploy hyper-converged infrastructure

  An HCI deployment can be done in one of three ways -- full replacement, side-by-side or per application -- each with pluses and minus, depending on requirements and resources.Continue Reading

• Essential hyper-converged backup, data protection questions to ask

  Procure a hyper-converged infrastructure, and you'll need to protect the data residing in that environment. Ask and answer these questions to determine the best HCI backup approach for your organization.Continue Reading

• The vSAN stretched cluster type spreads HCI love for HA, DR

  VMware vSAN stretched clusters enable admins to spread hyper-converged infrastructures across two physical locations. Learn more about them and their benefits.Continue Reading

• Colocation vs. cloud: Quiz yourself on these workload expansion options

  Colocation or cloud? Data centers have plenty of expansion options beyond building a new facility. Learn about each option -- and test your knowledge -- with this quiz.Continue Reading

• 3 ways to approach cloud bursting

  With different cloud bursting techniques and tools from Amazon, Zerto, VMware and Oracle, admins can bolster cloud connections and efficiently move data in and out of on-prem facilities.Continue Reading

• How to build a successful colocation strategy

  Proper evaluation of a colocation data center means reviewing geographic location, cost structure and accessibility to ensure the facility is right for their organization.Continue Reading

• 5 quick quantum computing terms to learn

  Quantum computers use atomic physics to complete extensive calculations in one minute, but you might not be familiar with some quantum computing terms. This guide offers a primer.Continue Reading

• What's the difference between Open19 and the Open Compute Project?

  Though the Open19 initiative and Open Compute Project seem to have a similar goal, they do differ in type of support, hardware requirements and licensing practices.Continue Reading

• What hardware can I use in an Open19 rack?

  Open19 is a partnership that guides organizations to use open source rack servers. The organization's cages, power shelves and network switches make upgrades easy.Continue Reading

• Pick the right colocation site for your organization

  Colocation is more than signing a contract and installing hardware. Evaluate redundancy, rack space real estate and distance to ensure a successful colo partnership.Continue Reading

• Is HCI but a stop on the road to composable architecture?

  Find out if composable infrastructure is the next step in the evolution of HCI, if it is a completely different type of IT infrastructure or if the truth is somewhere in between.Continue Reading

• Get started with PowerShell Core on Linux

  PowerShell Core lets you configure and manage Windows, Linux and Mac-based servers in the data center. Learn how to install and navigate the command-line shell in this tip.Continue Reading

• Essential hyper-converged cloud questions answered

  Hyper-convergence can help make taking a cloud or multi-cloud approach to your architecture easier to implement, manage and scale. Read on to find out how and why.Continue Reading

• Test your knowledge of cloud computing types

  Not all cloud architectures are created equal. Complete this quiz to learn about which cloud models, management tools and features are helpful to data center admins.Continue Reading

• network convergence

  Network convergence is the efficient coexistence of telephone, video and data communication within a single network.Continue Reading

• Hyper-converged integrated systems crucial to long-term HCI success

  No HCI platform exists in a silo. Learn why hyper-converged systems must communicate, interact and integrate with third-party management tools and the wider IT infrastructure.Continue Reading

• A data center planning and design guide for IT pros

  Data center design and management now goes beyond servers and networking cables. Defining budget and IT goals helps set an effective roadmap for data center architecture.Continue Reading

• The hyper-converged network benefits from commingling HCI, SDN

  Merging software-defined networking with hyper-converged infrastructure platforms should simplify and ease the deployment, scaling and management of hyper-converged networks.Continue Reading

• How to prepare your data center for an HCI appliance

  Vendors tout hyper-converged infrastructure as a plug-and-play offering, but before you install anything in your data center, be sure your network supports the hardware.Continue Reading

• Hyper-converged cloud key to private cloud success

  Granular scaling and rapid deployment help make hyper-converged infrastructure the ideal platform for building out, deploying and scaling out a private cloud.Continue Reading

• Hone these top 5 data center skills in 2019

  As data centers become more software-based, admins should prepare themselves by learning about the cloud, containers, DevOps and artificial intelligence.Continue Reading

• Considerations for a successful DCIM implementation

  Selecting the right DCIM software is a complicated process. Make sure you have executive buy-in, vendor support and defined goals to get the best return on investment.Continue Reading

• 10 top tips to maximize hyper-converged infrastructure benefits

  The most-read hyper-converged tips of the past year represent a range of best practices for procuring and implementing HCI as all or part of your overall data center architecture.Continue Reading

• Top five data center trends to watch in 2019

  In 2019, data center admins should research how technologies such as AIOps, chatbots and GPUs can help them with their management, help desk and processing needs.Continue Reading

• Hyper-converged infrastructure vendors adapt to AI workloads

  Hyper-converged infrastructure evolves to accommodate the increasing demands of resource-hungry AI workloads. AI, in turn, promises to improve management of HCI and non-HCI resources.Continue Reading

• HCI, acquisitions led 2018 data center news

  In 2018, major data center vendors expanded portfolios with acquisitions for HCI and software-defined data center tech -- bolstering admin tool sets for cloud, containers and VMs.Continue Reading

• What containerization technology do I need for my data center?

  Containers in the data center can help maximize server capacity, but there are a few things to consider before a Docker or Kubernetes implementation.Continue Reading

• Edge computing architecture helps IT support augmented reality

  Augmented reality benefits greatly from reduced latency, which makes edge computing a perfect partner in the data center.Continue Reading