Tips

Tips

• Data center safety tips to protect staff

  Safety in the data center requires organizations to identify and address a variety of risk factors, from electrical systems to staff illness.  Continue Reading

• 8 things to know when switching from Windows to Linux

  Switching to Linux from Windows can present new challenges for beginner Linux admins. Here are eight tips to keep in mind when adopting a Linux OS if you've only used Windows.  Continue Reading

• Key data center trends in 2022

  In 2022, data centers will introduce a variety of new technologies. Expect a focus on hybrid cloud, solid-state storage, DCIM and sustainability measures.  Continue Reading

• What to know about data center fire protection

  Protect your data center from potential fire hazards through proper mitigation, detection and suppression. Then, create a plan for recovery in the event of a fire.  Continue Reading

• Create data center electrical safety guidelines

  Compose a comprehensive electrical safety strategy and keep your data center staff safe from electrical hazards. Learn what best practices and standards you should consider.  Continue Reading

• How to choose the right DCIM tool for better configuration

  DCIM tools can ensure your data center runs efficiently by keeping track of hardware, software and the physical environment. Here's what you should consider before choosing one.  Continue Reading

• Protect your data center from ransomware attacks

  Consider how best to protect your data center from ransomware attackers: Keep safe, air-gapped backups; consolidate your infrastructure and prioritize critical assets.  Continue Reading

• Evaluate GPU vs. CPU for data analytics tasks

  As data analytics becomes more commonplace, you might wonder what processor best suits such complex tasks. The CPU and GPU specialize in different tasks but excel together.  Continue Reading

• Hidden colocation cost drivers to look out for in 2022

  These unexpected charges and fees can balloon colocation costs for enterprise IT organizations.  Continue Reading

• Foster health and safety in the post-pandemic data center

  Data centers adapted to a new set of circumstances during the COVID-19 pandemic. As work and the pandemic continue to change, here's how data centers can continue to evolve.  Continue Reading

• Monitor edge latency for IoT devices

  Latency in edge devices can have several sources, stemming from software, network issues or old hardware. Here's how you can monitor and troubleshoot latency at the edge.  Continue Reading

• How do CPU, GPU and DPU differ from one another?

  Data centers use three varieties of processing units: CPU, GPU and DPU. Learn the unique use cases for each, and how to use them in conjunction to accelerate data center workloads.  Continue Reading

• Best practices for data center risk assessment

  Data centers contain risks such as height, environmental and electrical hazards. Keep your staff safe by assessing the level of risk and creating a comprehensive safety plan.  Continue Reading

• Top Unix commands: 50 must-know commands with examples

  Use these 50 Unix commands to manage and modify files, navigate directories, monitor your network and users, gather data, and automate system tasks and processes.  Continue Reading

• What to know about managing power for edge devices

  Keeping edge devices powered constantly can present challenges in sourcing and managing it. Learn the basics of getting and keeping power at the edge.  Continue Reading

• Best practices for container security in the data center

  Container sprawl and container repositories can introduce new vulnerabilities to a data center. Here's what organizations should watch out for and how to stay safe.  Continue Reading

• Which processing units for AI does your organization require?

  AI requires certain hardware infrastructure, such as hardware accelerators and proper storage. Learn what your organization requires to successfully support AI.  Continue Reading

• Data center security compliance checklist

  In five steps, create a security compliance plan for your data center. Discover different standards, learn audit schedules and develop procedures to align with compliance.  Continue Reading

• An introduction to using diff and patch together

  Use the diff command in Linux to discover subtle differences between code files. Then, use the patch command to update those code files to match.  Continue Reading

• Considerations for sustainable data center design

  To design a green, sustainable data center, consider methods to improve energy conservation and efficiency. Then, look into green -- or greener -- energy source alternatives.  Continue Reading

• Use colocation and cloud together

  Rather than deciding between cloud or colocation, consider using both cloud and colocation. Colocation can support a hybrid cloud environment and help cut down on cloud costs.  Continue Reading

• Pros and cons of on-site power generation for data centers

  Organizations considering a move to on-site power generation should weigh drawbacks -- such as cost -- against benefits, including sustainability and increased control over power.  Continue Reading

• Evaluate air cooling vs. liquid cooling for your data center

  Air cooling and liquid cooling for data centers offer different benefits and drawbacks. To decide which best suits your organization, consider the pros and cons of each.  Continue Reading

• Top data center software certifications for admins

  Certifications prove an admin has a specific level of expertise. Assess the top training courses and certifications in software systems for data center admins.  Continue Reading

• Learn the difference between SMP vs. MPP

  Learn the differences between the main modes of multiprocessing: SMP, AMP and MPP. Each has a distinct use case that makes it suited for different data centers and organizations.  Continue Reading

• Can green colocation help orgs meet sustainability targets?

  Colocation providers prioritizing sustainability draw customers seeking to offset carbon emissions. But many orgs can also take steps to address sustainability issues in-house.  Continue Reading

• Hyper-converged market shifts with IT trends

  The hyper-converged infrastructure market has seen a good deal of movement lately. While some vendors strengthened their products, others went in the opposite direction.  Continue Reading

• 5 considerations for proper mainframe decommissioning

  As organizations decide to retire mainframe systems, IT pros should develop a plan that addresses application migration, program replatforming, data security and hardware removal.  Continue Reading

• Data center facility management team-building checklist

  A good data center facilities team and strategy can ensure the rest of your company runs smoothly. Here are the steps you should take when putting that team together.  Continue Reading

• Explore hot and cold aisle containment for your data center

  Explore hot aisle and cold aisle containment for the data center, a practice that can reduce energy costs by helping better manage environmental factors.  Continue Reading

• Explore the benefits of data center as a service

  For organizations that might struggle to purchase and maintain their own data centers, they can turn to DCaaS, which enables them to lease data center facilities from a provider.  Continue Reading

• Data center contactless tech beyond the pandemic

  No-touch tech like haptics and LiDAR became commonplace during the coronavirus pandemic, but such technology can increase demands on the data centers supporting it.  Continue Reading

• What does a data center facility manager do?

  Data center facility managers are responsible for the data center at large -- from the outside of the building to the infrastructure it houses.  Continue Reading

• Does your data center need a smart PDU?

  A smart PDU can help you monitor and manage power flow more efficiently than a traditional PDU. Here's what you should consider before deciding whether to adopt.  Continue Reading

• Learn about ambient temperature sensors for data centers

  Ambient temperature sensors can help you keep track of environmental factors such as temperature, humidity and airflow in your data center so you can avoid downtime.  Continue Reading

• IT industry standard training for data center admins

  Axelos, IDCA and the Uptime Institute each offer training courses and certifications for data center admins to increase their knowledge of common data center standards.  Continue Reading

• 4 key ways to prevent server sprawl

  Take steps to cut back on costly and hard-to-manage server sprawl: consolidate your hardware, virtualize your servers, consider software-defined infrastructure and stay organized.  Continue Reading

• Top considerations for HPC infrastructure in the data center

  Determine whether HPC is right for your organization by understanding the compute, software and facilities requirements and limitations for supporting HPC infrastructure.  Continue Reading

• Evaluate edge computing software for device management

  Managing a variety of devices at the edge can create a complex challenge for organizations, but software-based edge management platforms can help.  Continue Reading

• Nvidia vs. AMD: Compare GPU offerings

  Chip vendors Nvidia and AMD each offer GPUs optimized for large data centers. Compare the two to decide which best suits your business requirements.  Continue Reading

• CRAC design upgrades simplify HVAC maintenance

  CRAC/CRAH hardware updates make data center cooling more efficient. And these new systems are easier for admins to maintain and they reduce dust accumulation across infrastructure.  Continue Reading

• 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

• Top 5 data center technology trends to watch in 2021

  2020 changed how IT pros managed and provisioned infrastructure. In 2021, organizations must find ways to support automation, AI and data analysis in the data center.  Continue Reading

• Smart UPS features for better backup power

  Vendors now offer UPSes with functions that help regulate voltage and maintain battery health. Before you upgrade, evaluate costs and confirm infrastructure compatibility.  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

• Deep dive into NetApp Converged Systems Advisor for FlexPod

  Converged Systems Advisor from NetApp helps FlexPod customers better manage their converged infrastructure deployments. Dive into its features to see if it is right for you.  Continue Reading

• 4 data center UPS vendors to evaluate

  UPSes are crucial components to any backup power system. Use power ratings, infrastructure voltage requirements and the UPS type to guide the selection process.  Continue Reading

• Composable disaggregated infrastructure right for advanced workloads

  Composability provides the agility, speed and efficient resource utilization required to support advanced workloads that continue to grow ever-more sophisticated and comprehensive.  Continue Reading

• 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

• Avoid colocation and cloud noisy neighbor issues

  In any multi-tenant IT environment, noisy neighbors can be an issue. Here's a closer look at how the challenges differ in the public cloud versus colocation.  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

• Retail colocation vs. wholesale data centers: How to choose

  One offers more control, while the other offers more flexible space. If you're considering a colocation facility, how do you decide between wholesale and retail?  Continue Reading

• 7 benefits of colocation for your business and 4 challenges

  Colocation is not a silver-bullet solution for everyone. Discover the benefits and drawbacks that come with allowing a third-party to manage your IT equipment.  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

• How HPE OneView composes, manages Synergy infrastructure

  HPE OneView enables Synergy composable infrastructure to do its job. Learn how OneView enables users to manage compute, storage and network for composing virtual servers on-demand.  Continue Reading

• 5 ways a remote hands data center ensures colocation success

  Off-site hardware upkeep can be tricky and time-consuming. With remote hands options, your admins can delegate routine maintenance and monitoring to trained, on-site service staff.  Continue Reading

• Your guide to avoiding server rack setup issues

  Not all data center servers are created equal. Before you attempt a server racking project, double-check size specifications and account for fastening hardware and cabling needs.  Continue Reading

• Extend your power lifecycle with Li-ion data center batteries

  Backup system batteries are critical in any infrastructure. Developments in Li-ion technology can bring more power, lower TCO and a longer component lifespan.  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

• Hybrid cloud infrastructure design for AWS, Azure, Google Anthos

  Learn about infrastructure for tightly coupled hybrid clouds and delivering AWS Outposts, Microsoft Azure Stack and Google Anthos from an on-premises data center.  Continue Reading

• Microsegmentation networking: Nutanix Flow vs. VMware NSX HCI

  Explore how microsegmentation improves network security and the differences in how Nutanix and VMware bring the technology to their software-defined hyper-converged infrastructures.  Continue Reading

• Transform your infrastructure to support parallel processing

  Quick, real-time data analysis is a boost to any organization's operations. With the right hardware and software, you can support parallelization in your data center.  Continue Reading

• Software-defined power offers benefits, but lacks popular interest

  Virtualized power systems promise to ease deployment and maintenance, but the market is still in its nascency.  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

• Learn SELinux commands for management and troubleshooting

  SELinux provides a more secure way to run Linux servers. Key commands for status, file management and troubleshooting can help you run SELinux smoothly on your infrastructure.  Continue Reading

• The value of an IoT implementation in the data center

  IoT can help with data center management and optimization. Before you embark on an implementation, evaluate use cases, software options and security concerns.  Continue Reading

• A look at the main differences of Bourne shell vs. Bash

  Shells help admins run commands from the keyboard to the OS. Though Bourne shell and Bash are similar, there are differences in layout and code compatibility.  Continue Reading

• 6 tools to know for private cloud monitoring and reporting

  Cloud reporting helps admins address capacity issues and reduce outages. Effective tools should include role-based dashboards and track virtual and physical hardware.  Continue Reading

• Discover the main differences between COTS vs. GOTS

  When admins compare government versus commercial software options, they must consider cost, use cases and available support as part of the selection process.  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

• Tips to get colocation contract renewal right

  During your team's colocation contract renewal process, be sure to reevaluate power requirements, spending flexibility and one-time cross-connect fees to gain better services.  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

• Adjust these 4 server BIOS settings to improve performance

  You can configure BIOS settings to get more productivity out of servers, but some high-performance settings could increase power consumption or put reliability at risk.  Continue Reading

• Single-socket servers offer cost, utilization benefits to admins

  Different server types bring advantages in processing speed, memory availability and overall cost. See what single- and dual-socket servers can add to your infrastructure.  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

• HCI vs. cloud: The main differences

  A hyper-converged infrastructure can support cloud deployments, but they are not one in the same; the variances in infrastructure should be noted before potential adoption.  Continue Reading

• How GreenLake Central improves HPE's GreenLake program

  Learn about the features and benefits of HPE's GreenLake Central, an online portal that lets users manage and optimize their on-premises GreenLake systems.  Continue Reading

• 11 main benefits of hyper-converged infrastructure

  Benefits of hyper-converged infrastructure include simplified deployments and management, easy upgrades, scalability and flexibility, improved performance, agility and more.  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

• Top 8 hyper-converged infrastructure use cases

  You might be aware of basic HCI use cases, such as server consolidation and virtual desktop infrastructure, but there are other areas where HCI can come in handy.  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

• 4 disadvantages of hyper-converged infrastructure systems

  Problems with scalability and cloud compatibility can create major issues for organizations that want to deploy hyper-converged infrastructure systems.  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

• The basics and benefits of lights-out management

  For remote IT capabilities, lights-out management tools enable admins to power servers off and on, monitor temperatures and remediate potential operational issues.  Continue Reading

• IT asset retirement in the data center

  Is your data center equipment starting to show signs of aging? These performance metrics can evaluate hardware health and help you decide if assets should be maintained or retired.  Continue Reading

• Work-from-home infrastructure HCI tips for VDI, remote desktops

  Best practices, tips for designing a hyper-converged infrastructure to support virtual desktops for remote workers in today's coronavirus-accentuated, work-from-home environment.  Continue Reading

• Troubleshoot Linux kernel panic with the kdump crash tool

  Kernel panic renders your system useless. With an NFS server and kdump crash tool, you can easily perform a root cause analysis and figure out how to bring a system back online.  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

• Get the right SLA for enterprise liquid cooling services

  If you're interested in data center liquid cooling, investigate the technology types, available service providers and outline an effective agreement for successful system use.  Continue Reading

• Take control of Hyper-V power management for cost efficiency

  Organizations can better manage Hyper-V power consumption through various means, such as using Hyper-V power plans, server cores and SCVMM capabilities.  Continue Reading

• 5 common server issues and their effects on operations

  Server problems can spring from inside and outside hardware. Delve into these common issues and learn about the policies to have in place for regular maintenance and prevention.  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

• An in-depth look at calculating server hardware costs for SMBs

  Servers can be expensive, but there's more to the purchase than just the price of the hardware. Learn what additional items an SMB must factor into the overall cost.  Continue Reading

• How to prevent and recover from server failure

  Hardware, software and facility issues can lead to server failure. With the right protocol and preventive maintenance, you can reduce failure amount and troubleshoot time.  Continue Reading

• Pick a data center layout: Raised floors vs. overhead cabling

  There's no definitive design when it comes to data center infrastructure. Cost, manageability and cooling effectiveness are all factors during the selection process.  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