Data center hardware and strategy
Data center hardware includes a broad range of devices. Hardware components that make up the IT infrastructure of a data center include servers and computing equipment, networking equipment and storage equipment, plus additional infrastructure to support it like power and cooling systems. Get insights into developing a data center hardware strategy.
Top Stories
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News
19 Dec 2024
VMware by Broadcom changes to continue in 2025
After a year of lawsuits, customer confusion and a restructuring of the core business, VMware by Broadcom has much to prove in 2025 to avoid future irrelevancy in the data center. Continue Reading
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News
18 Dec 2024
GPU scarcity shifts focus to GPUaaS
High GPU costs and scarcity drive users to GPUaaS for AI workloads. But businesses should assess needs before investing. Continue Reading
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Definition
27 Mar 2024
RAID 3 (redundant array of independent disks 3)
RAID 3 (redundant array of independent disks 3) is a RAID configuration that uses a parity disk to store the information generated by a RAID controller and uses striping to store the data. Continue Reading
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Definition
25 Mar 2024
converged infrastructure
Converged infrastructure, sometimes called 'converged architecture,' is an approach to data center management that packages compute, networking, servers, storage and virtualization tools into a prequalified set of IT hardware. Continue Reading
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News
22 Mar 2024
Nvidia partners, customers drive AI into data centers
Nvidia and its partners are providing the tools and infrastructure to build and deploy AI applications that companies say could transform their businesses. Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Mar 2024
A primer on multiactuator HDD technology
Enterprise data centers will soon need HDDs that can exceed today's capacities. Multiactuators, which are on the rise in HDDs, may help solve the problem. Continue Reading
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Definition
19 Mar 2024
RAID 50 (RAID 5+0)
RAID 50, also known as RAID 5+0, combines distributed parity (RAID 5) with striping (RAID 0). It requires a minimum of six drives. Continue Reading
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Definition
19 Mar 2024
off-site backup
Off-site backup is a method of backing up data to a remote server or to media that's transported off-site. Continue Reading
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Answer
19 Mar 2024
Use AI tools to simplify operations inside your data center
AI is a cornerstone technology that will be part of future-proofing the data center. It will control operations like cooling, network optimization and configuration management. Continue Reading
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News
18 Mar 2024
Nvidia unveils new AI Blackwell chip, microservices and more
The vendor launched a barrage of AI tech including faster chips in its new Blackwell infrastructure and new microservices that enable enterprises to create custom applications. Continue Reading
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Definition
28 Feb 2024
printed circuit board (PCB)
A printed circuit board (PCB) is a structure for assembling electronic components and their connections into a unified circuit that allows electrical current to pass between components. Continue Reading
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Definition
27 Feb 2024
context switch
A context switch is an operation that a computer's central processing unit (CPU) carries out when alternating between processes or threads while ensuring that the processes do not conflict. Continue Reading
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Definition
21 Feb 2024
RAM (random access memory)
Random access memory (RAM) is the hardware in a computing device that provides temporary storage for the operating system (OS), software programs and any other data in current use so they're quickly available to the device's processor. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Feb 2024
School district shares experience moving to HPE GreenLake
A California school district placed its server and storage infrastructure in the hands of HPE GreenLake. Its IT director shares the roadblocks he experienced and the benefits. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Feb 2024
XML vs. YAML: Compare configuration file formats
Databases use data serialization languages, like XML and YAML, to transfer data between applications. XML and YAML have different strengths; admins should know how to use each correctly. Continue Reading
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Opinion
07 Feb 2024
Will 2024 herald an on-premises infrastructure renaissance?
The storage market and buyer feelings have changed considerably in just a few years. Enterprises often see more benefits to on-premises infrastructure than the cloud. Continue Reading
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Definition
07 Feb 2024
consumption-based pricing model
A consumption-based pricing model is a service provision and payment scheme in which customers pay according to the resources they use. Continue Reading
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News
31 Jan 2024
Astera Labs uses CXL to accelerate AI, expand memory
Astera Labs is using the CXL interface in its now longer Smart Cable Module to spread out energy consumption while enabling GPU clusters to meet growing AI demands. Continue Reading
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Definition
22 Jan 2024
720p
720p is a high-definition (HD) display standard used to describe the resolution of a television or computer display that measures 1280 x 720 pixels. As such, each complete raster in the display's image has 1280 vertical lines and 720 horizontal lines. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Jan 2024
Server hardware guide: Architecture, products and management
Today's server platforms offer a host of options for SMBs and enterprise IT buyers; it's important to learn the essentials before making any purchasing decisions. Continue Reading
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Definition
12 Jan 2024
shingled magnetic recording (SMR)
Shingled magnetic recording (SMR) is a technique for writing data to a hard disk drive (HDD) whereby the data tracks partially overlap to increase the areal density and overall storage capacity per disk. Continue Reading
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Opinion
10 Jan 2024
How 2024 GenAI investment will transform data centers
Companies are quickly adopting generative AI, and with this, the focus has shifted toward hybrid cloud environments, which spans from data center services on and off premises. Continue Reading
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Definition
05 Jan 2024
dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS)
Dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) is the adjustment of power and speed settings on a computing device's various processors, controller chips and peripheral devices to optimize resource allotment for tasks and maximize power saving when those resources are not needed. Continue Reading
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News
03 Jan 2024
Where AI and quantum computing meet
Quantum computing may be years away from practical enterprise applications, but it's getting closer. We talked with IBM's quantum adoption leader to see where we're at right now. Continue Reading
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Definition
03 Jan 2024
colocation (colo)
A colocation facility (colo) is a data center or telecommunications facility in which a business can rent space for servers, storage devices, and other computing and networking hardware. Continue Reading
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Definition
03 Jan 2024
configuration management database (CMDB)
A configuration management database (CMDB) is a file -- usually in the form of a standardized database -- that contains all relevant information about the hardware and software components used in an organization's IT services and the relationships among those components. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Jan 2024
A primer on AI chip design
Four common AI chips -- CPU, GPU, FPGA and ASIC -- are advancing with the current market for AI chip design. Read on to see what the future holds for AI chips. Continue Reading
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Feature
02 Jan 2024
How to purchase the best server hardware for small businesses
Before buying a server, it's important to assess an SMB's needs. Review these seven steps outlining the factors an organization should consider before purchasing a server. Continue Reading
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Definition
20 Dec 2023
iSCSI initiator
An Internet Small Computer System Interface initiator is software or hardware that lets a host computer send data to an external iSCSI-based storage array through an Ethernet network adapter over a TCP-based IP network. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Dec 2023
A rundown of server hardware vendors and the server options
Discover and compare the leading vendors in server hardware with these in-depth overviews of the blade, rack and mainframe computers available to see which may be best for you. Continue Reading
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News
15 Dec 2023
Lenovo's new ThinkSystem, ThinkAgile offerings aimed at AI
Lenovo has added the latest generation of Intel CPUs to new ThinkSystem servers and ThinkAgile HCI appliances to better address enterprise AI needs. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Dec 2023
Improve efficiency with server energy consumption tools
Deciding what servers are most efficient for your infrastructure requires research. Hardware-level certifications and web-based tools can help you select the right option. Continue Reading
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Answer
12 Dec 2023
Rack vs. blade server: What's the difference?
Components in a physical data center are held in rack servers or blade servers. Learn the differences, what type of environment you need and which server uses work best. Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Dec 2023
Dive into the history of server hardware
Server hardware has consistently evolved since the first web server in 1990. Here's a look at major advancements in management, virtualization and green initiatives. Continue Reading
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Definition
11 Dec 2023
logic gate (AND, OR, XOR, NOT, NAND, NOR and XNOR)
A logic gate is a device that acts as a building block for digital circuits. They perform basic logical functions that are fundamental to digital circuits. Continue Reading
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Definition
08 Dec 2023
hyperconverged appliance (HCI appliance)
A hyperconverged appliance (HCI appliance) is a hardware device that provides multiple data center management technologies within a single box. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Dec 2023
Use ASHRAE guidelines to get server temperature right
Follow ASHRAE's guidelines to set up the right facility for your hardware by understanding proper conditions, such as filtration and inlet air temperature recommendations. Continue Reading
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Definition
07 Dec 2023
HDD form factor (hard disk drive form factor)
HDD form factor (hard disk drive form factor) is the size or geometry of a data storage device equipped with one or more magnetic-coated spinning platters and one or more moving actuator arms with magnetic heads to read and write information. Continue Reading
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News
06 Dec 2023
AMD Instinct MI300 AI accelerator takes aim at Nvidia GPUs
Data center-grade GPUs and accelerators for enterprise customers and cloud vendors are the new battleground for AI hardware. AMD and Google advance the race with new chips. Continue Reading
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Definition
05 Dec 2023
hardware RAID (hardware redundant array of independent disk)
Hardware RAID is a form of RAID (redundant array of independent disks) where processing is done on the motherboard or a separate RAID card. Continue Reading
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News
05 Dec 2023
IBM quantum computers make sizable leap
The largest enterprises now invest in quantum computing strategies -- but it's still a long way off for the typical business. IBM's Condor and Heron QPUs accelerate its arrival. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Dec 2023
Essential components and tools of server monitoring
Server monitoring requires a list of the right tools to use and infrastructure components to watch. A workflow with these concepts ensures uptime and helps usage predictions. Continue Reading
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News
28 Nov 2023
VMware layoffs a familiar Broadcom story
Broadcom has started laying off VMware employees this week, a move that reminds some of how it proceeded when it acquired CA Technologies in 2018. Continue Reading
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News
22 Nov 2023
Broadcom completes VMware acquisition, promises investment
Broadcom plans to invest in VMware products that enable enterprises to build and modernize their private and hybrid cloud environments, Broadcom CEO Hock Tan said. Continue Reading
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Definition
13 Nov 2023
x86-64
x86-64 (also called x86_64, x64, or amd64) is the 64-bit CPU architecture that is used in Intel and AMD processors. It is an extension to the 32-bit x86 (i386) architecture. Continue Reading
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Definition
08 Nov 2023
graphics processing unit (GPU)
A graphics processing unit (GPU) is a computer chip that renders graphics and images by performing rapid mathematical calculations. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Nov 2023
The promise of quantum-powered AI
The application of quantum computing to AI has the potential to disrupt a diverse array of industries. Learn why that potential is so promising and how it could affect companies. Continue Reading
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Definition
01 Nov 2023
end of life (EOL)
End of life (EOL), in the context of manufacturing and product lifecycles, is the final stages of a product's existence. Continue Reading
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News
26 Oct 2023
Dell-Red Hat tackle DIY OpenShift deployments with appliance
Expanding its partnership with Red Hat, Dell is now offering OpenShift as a validated appliance for on-premises container deployment and management. Continue Reading
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Opinion
25 Oct 2023
Key themes emerge from Lenovo's 2023 analyst conference
Enterprise Strategy Group looks at Lenovo's 2023 Global Industry Analyst Conference and how the company is taking a more holistic view, with a focus on AI and sustainability. Continue Reading
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Definition
25 Oct 2023
remote hands
Remote hands is the general name for a service colocation providers offer that enables customers to delegate IT management and maintenance tasks in a colocation facility to technicians hired by the provider. Continue Reading
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Definition
25 Oct 2023
power-on reset (PoR)
A power-on reset (PoR) is a circuit that provides a predictable, regulated voltage to a microprocessor or microcontroller with the initial application of power. Continue Reading
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Definition
06 Oct 2023
brownfield (brownfield deployment, brownfield site)
A brownfield deployment, in information technology, is the installation and configuration of new hardware or software that must coexist with legacy IT systems. Continue Reading
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Definition
03 Oct 2023
OFDMA (orthogonal frequency-division multiple access)
Orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) is a technology of Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) that lets access points serve multiple clients at the same time. Continue Reading
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Definition
03 Oct 2023
optical mouse
An optical mouse is an advanced computer pointing device that uses a light-emitting diode (LED), optical sensor and digital signal processor (DSP) in place of the traditional mouse ball and electromechanical transducer. Continue Reading
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Definition
03 Oct 2023
DisplayPort
DisplayPort is an interface for digital displays, particularly computer monitors. Continue Reading
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News
02 Oct 2023
Edge AI server market grows
Rapid data growth and the need to process it at the edge is expanding opportunities in the server market, with new entries from Unigen and Lenovo. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Sep 2023
How SSD encryption can protect enterprise data
It's easy for an SSD to fall into the wrong hands. Encryption, which is common in SSDs, is a powerful tool to protect mission-critical and personal data. Continue Reading
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Definition
25 Sep 2023
ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer)
ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer) was the world's first general-purpose electronic computer. Continue Reading
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Definition
22 Sep 2023
enterprise IT (enterprise-class IT)
Enterprise-class IT (also known as enterprise-grade, or enterprise IT) is hardware, software and other IT services designed to meet the demands of a large organization. Continue Reading
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Definition
18 Sep 2023
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive is a legislative act that the European Union adopted to address the growing amounts of e-waste that come from electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) at the end of its life. Continue Reading
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Opinion
13 Sep 2023
Why IT leaders should deploy generative AI infrastructure now
Organizations should seek to incorporate a generative AI product that is easy to use, flexible and on site. Nutanix GPT-in-a-Box is among the candidates with these options. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Sep 2023
Consider these 6 data center cleaning best practices
Data center admins that follow cleaning best practices can extend the life span of equipment and better ensure assets don't get damaged. Use these six tips to keep data centers clean. Continue Reading
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Definition
31 Aug 2023
I/O (input/output)
I/O (input/output), pronounced "eye-oh," describes any operation, program or device that transfers data to or from a computer. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Aug 2023
How to modernize networks with sustainability in mind
A network modernization project is a good time to consider sustainability initiatives, such as using energy-efficient devices and renewable energy sources. Continue Reading
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Definition
23 Aug 2023
data restore
Data restore is the process of copying backup data from secondary storage and restoring it to its original location or a new location. Continue Reading
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Definition
22 Aug 2023
floating-point operations per second (FLOPS)
Floating-point operations per second (FLOPS) is a measure of a computer's performance based on the number of floating-point arithmetic calculations that the processor can perform within a second. Continue Reading
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Definition
15 Aug 2023
assembler
An assembler is a computer program that takes in basic instructions and converts them into a pattern of bits that the computer's processor can use to perform basic operations. Continue Reading
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Definition
11 Aug 2023
job
In certain computer operating systems, a job is the unit of work that a computer operator -- or a program called a job scheduler -- gives to the OS. Continue Reading
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News
10 Aug 2023
The long wait for CHIPS Act money just got a little longer
Swamped by applications from more than 400 chip manufacturers hoping to get CHIPS Act money, government officials have pushed back the delivery of those funds to year's end. Continue Reading
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Definition
08 Aug 2023
semiconductor fab
A semiconductor fab -- short for fabrication -- is a manufacturing plant in which raw silicon wafers are turned into integrated circuits (ICs). Continue Reading
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Definition
01 Aug 2023
Dell EMC VxRail
Dell EMC VxRail is a hyper-converged appliance. Like VSPEX Blue -- the Dell EMC product that it replaced -- and other hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) systems, VxRail includes compute, storage, networking and virtualization resources in a single device. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Jul 2023
Data center heat reuse: How to make the most of excess heat
Data center heat doesn't need to go to waste. As part of a sustainability strategy, explore ways to put the heat your data center produces to work, and consider heat reuse. Continue Reading
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Definition
21 Jul 2023
transistor-to-transistor logic (TTL)
Transistor-to-transistor logic -- also known as simply transistor-transistor logic or TTL -- is a family of digital logic design built from a family of bipolar junction transistors that act on direct-current pulses. Continue Reading
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Definition
19 Jul 2023
slack space (file slack space)
Slack space, or file slack space, is the leftover storage space on a computer's hard disk drive when a file does not need all the space it has been allocated by the operating system. Continue Reading
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Definition
18 Jul 2023
flash memory card
A flash memory card -- sometimes called a storage card -- is a small storage device that uses non-volatile semiconductor memory to store data on portable or remote computing devices. Continue Reading
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News
13 Jul 2023
RHEL users question Red Hat's reliance on CentOS Stream
Despite criticism from developers, Red Hat continues its commitment to CentOS as the delivery vehicle for RHEL, believing it benefits open source developers in the long run. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Jul 2023
8 benefits of data center virtualization
Organizations with virtualized data center components can save on hardware, comply easier with regulations and increase speed. Consider virtualization for your infrastructure. Continue Reading
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Feature
12 Jul 2023
Assess the environmental impact of data centers
Data centers have faced scrutiny about their environmental impact in recent years. Assess their impact to find ways to reduce the environmental damage. Continue Reading
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Definition
28 Jun 2023
flash memory
Flash memory, also known as flash storage, is a type of nonvolatile memory that erases data in units called blocks and rewrites data at the byte level. Continue Reading
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Definition
23 Jun 2023
multiprocessing
Multiprocessing is the utilization of two or more central processing units (CPUs) in a single computer system. Continue Reading
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Definition
23 Jun 2023
milliampere-hour (mAh)
A milliampere-hour (mAh) is one-thousandth of an ampere hour (Ah), which can also be written as 1 mAh = 0.001 Ah. Continue Reading
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Definition
21 Jun 2023
logical block addressing (LBA)
Logical block addressing (LBA) is a technique to specify the addresses of blocks of data on a storage device, such as a hard disk. Continue Reading
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News
20 Jun 2023
HPE offers Cray supercomputer cloud service for AI models
HPE unveils cloud AI services powered by its Cray supercomputers working in tandem with a version of its GreenLake for Large Language Models. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Jun 2023
Data center tiers and why they matter for uptime
Organizations should consider data center tiers of colocation providers or for their own data centers based on their uptime needs. Examine the differences among the four tiers. Continue Reading
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Definition
16 Jun 2023
moves, adds and changes (MAC)
Moves, adds and changes (MAC) refers to a set of tasks that IT teams regularly perform to keep computing equipment up to date and aligned with user and business requirements. Continue Reading
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Definition
13 Jun 2023
double-slit experiment
The double-slit experiment is a 19th century investigation into the properties of light that has since been found to demonstrate the wave-particle duality of photons, electrons and other particle types as well as demonstrate other quantum properties, such as superposition and interference. Continue Reading
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News
13 Jun 2023
VergeIO's new IOfortify halts ransomware spread
Diminutive snapshots, a new alert system and code improvements empower the software of HCI vendor VergeIO against ransomware attacks in its latest release. Continue Reading
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Definition
07 Jun 2023
microfarad
The microfarad -- symbolized as µF using the Greek symbol mu -- is a unit of capacitance, equivalent to 0.000001 farad (F). Continue Reading
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Opinion
06 Jun 2023
Dell Technologies World 2023 recap: Prepare for complexities
At Dell Technologies World 2023, experts discussed the complexities organizations face when prioritizing technologies and the need to plan for the future of work to succeed. Continue Reading
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Definition
05 Jun 2023
sound card
A sound card is a computer component responsible for generating and recording audio. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Jun 2023
Data center redundancy: The basics
Downtime can cost businesses thousands, and redundancy is one way to minimize disruptions. Assess uptime requirements when building redundancy in data center facilities. Continue Reading
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Opinion
25 May 2023
Dell Apex updates support enterprise 'cloud to ground' moves
Dell's latest Apex updates puts the company in a position to capitalize on the hybrid, multi-cloud and edge computing needs of enterprises. Continue Reading
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News
24 May 2023
Dell enters generative AI market with Nvidia partnership
The initiative provides enterprises with both Dell servers and Nvidia's H100 GPUs and software. It could appeal to Dell users that want to create generative models on premises. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 May 2023
6 data center migration best practices
Data center migrations can be a complex process. Use best practices when migrating a data center to ensure maximum uptime, avoid data loss and stay on schedule. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 May 2023
Navigate Energy Star data center standard and certification
Organizations can use the Energy Star data center standard and certified assets to be more energy efficient. Consider Energy Star certification to preserve capital and save energy. Continue Reading
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Definition
17 May 2023
commodity hardware
Commodity hardware in computing is computers or components that are readily available, inexpensive and easily interchangeable with other commodity hardware. Almost all PCs use commodity hardware. Continue Reading
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Definition
15 May 2023
RS-232C
RS-232C is one of the earlier versions of the long-established standard RS-232, which defines a physical interface for relatively low-speed serial data communication between computers and related devices. Continue Reading
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Feature
12 May 2023
Explore the impact of quantum computing on cryptography
When quantum computers become available, lots of encryption types will be vulnerable. Learn why, and what's being researched, to navigate post-quantum cryptography. Continue Reading
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Opinion
09 May 2023
Aruba Atmosphere '23 emphasizes agility matters
HPE Aruba Networking positioned its Atmosphere conference as looking at what comes next, but the subtext was all about agility as the company tightens its integration. Continue Reading
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Definition
08 May 2023
edge data center
An edge data center is a small data center that is located close to the edge of a network. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 May 2023
10 companies building quantum computers
Many companies big and small are building quantum computing capabilities in the software and hardware space. Here's what some offer and what they're building for the future. Continue Reading