Features

Features

• Top 8 configuration management tools in DevOps

  Configuration management tools ease the IT burden. Explore the top configuration management tools in DevOps, evaluate their features and consider key aspects that set them apart.  Continue Reading

• Configuration management vs. asset management simplified

  Configuration management and asset management are sometimes used interchangeably. While similar in certain ways, they are not the same thing. Discover where the two diverge and where they overlap.  Continue Reading

• Ansible vs. Chef vs. Puppet: A comparison

  For teams that oversee ecosystems and software packages, configuration management tools have the power to boost operational consistency. But which products deserve attention?  Continue Reading

• U.S. Army, Lockheed Martin detail SBOM progress

  Despite muddied regulatory waters and industry angst over technical stumbling blocks, enterprises are forging ahead with SBOMs, according to presenters at a recent CISA event.  Continue Reading

• Grafana vs. Datadog: What are the differences?

  Grafana and Datadog are both powerful monitoring services with a wide variety of integrations, such as logging, visualization, alerts and APM.  Continue Reading

• Compare 8 tools for IT monitoring in 2024

  Effective monitoring is a cornerstone of any IT environment. Examine the available tool options for IT monitoring and compare their features, benefits and costs.  Continue Reading

• 6 common virtualization problems and how to solve them

  Organizations can correct common problems with virtualization, such as VM sprawl and network congestion, through business policies rather than purchasing additional technology.  Continue Reading

• GenAI risks, rewards arise for DevOps and platform engineers

  From chatbots that alleviate pressure on IT help desks to full-fledged LLMOps, DevOps and platform teams are at the forefront of enterprise generative AI adoption.  Continue Reading

• The definitive guide to enterprise IT monitoring

  This comprehensive IT monitoring guide examines strategies to track systems, from servers to software UIs, and how to choose tools for every monitoring need.  Continue Reading

• Log management discipline saves ERP company $3M

  IT ops pros at a SaaS provider made a set of simple changes to log management over the last two years and reaped substantial cost benefits.  Continue Reading

• Cloud and observability tools help global first responders

  How an NGO 'Uber for ambulances' service used observability tools from New Relic to improve AWS-based app performance under life-and-death circumstances.  Continue Reading

• When FinOps met devx at Capital One

  Capital One has kept cloud costs flat as its infrastructure grows, and now looks to share lessons learned -- including the subtle art of devx -- through the FinOps Foundation.  Continue Reading

• Geek gift guide 2023: Security first, at home and on the go

  The COVID-19 public health emergency officially ended in 2023, but the threat of cyberattacks grew. Geeks had security on their minds, along with home comforts and travel gear.  Continue Reading

• Logistics firm taps Netflix Conductor service to manage AI

  SPI Logistics looks to a microservices orchestration service provider founded by the creators of Netflix Conductor as it prepares to weave AI into developer workflows.  Continue Reading

• Veteran platform engineers share lessons learned, wish lists

  Platform engineering is the new DevOps, but few companies have reached maturity; reps from early adopter orgs shared tips, caveats and a call to action at KubeCon.  Continue Reading

• Generative AI emerges for DevSecOps, with some qualms

  New and developing tools use natural language processing to assist DevSecOps workflows, but concerns linger among developers about security risks as well.  Continue Reading

• Enterprises rework log analytics to cut observability costs

  Organizations such as Netflix could be a harbinger of an observability cost crisis, where monitoring cloud-native apps comprises an untenable portion of operational costs.  Continue Reading

• Industry tackles observability's data management problems

  Enterprises and the vendors they buy from have begun to fundamentally rethink data management for observability, including a new startup with close ties to Cisco.  Continue Reading

• Practice troubleshooting Kubernetes clusters using log data

  Knowing how to interpret application logs is essential for successful Kubernetes troubleshooting. Get hands-on practice with this walkthrough from Kubernetes expert Chad Crowell.  Continue Reading

• A Kubernetes expert shares CKA exam preparation tips

  Kubernetes admin and author Chad M. Crowell discusses how to prep for the Certified Kubernetes Administrator exam, whether getting a Kubernetes certification is worth it and more.  Continue Reading

• Cued by breach postmortems, fintech refines zero trust

  In a quest to continuously improve, Mercury's security leader takes inspiration from other companies' lessons learned, then updates tools and practices accordingly.  Continue Reading

• 3 IT and DevOps trends to watch in the second half of 2023

  From managing cloud costs in an uncertain economy to embracing AI and other emerging technologies, IT leaders face major challenges as they head into the second half of 2023.  Continue Reading

• Chef founder's new venture: IT infrastructure digital twins

  System Initiative, out in private beta this week, visualizes complex IT environments in digital simulations where users can test updates before real-world deployments.  Continue Reading

• Now a DevOps platform, OpenShift ups value -- and complexity

  Red Hat raises OpenShift's profile as a DevOps platform with software supply chain security but faces questions about networking strategy and observability staff departures.  Continue Reading

• The promises and risks of AI in software development

  Incorporating AI into software development could be transformative, but it raises ethical and practical concerns. What does AI-generated code mean for the tech sector's future?  Continue Reading

• Mainframe modernization to AI apps: USPTO reinvents itself

  How the US Patent and Trade Office, founded in 1802, maintained IT resilience while managing systems ranging from mainframes to the cloud, AI and beyond.  Continue Reading

• Who profits from open source maintainers' work?

  Open source is critical to the tech industry, but nearly half of maintainers work unpaid -- and the situation is becoming untenable amid rising corporate use and security concerns.  Continue Reading

• Meeting the challenges of scaling AI with MLOps

  As businesses race to capitalize on the promises of AI in the wake of ChatGPT's launch, strategies to move machine learning software from idea to reality are becoming essential.  Continue Reading

• Is DevOps dead? What the future of DevOps could look like

  While some think DevOps has run its course, others say it's just maturing and evolving into what organizations need -- which, for some, might include platform engineers.  Continue Reading

• How much does a VM cost? A guide for IT ops

  VM prices can vary widely depending on factors such as resources and use, making it challenging to predict spending. Use this VM cost guide to estimate pricing for your organization.  Continue Reading

• Kepler project aims to help curb Kubernetes energy waste

  Running Kubernetes clusters can lead to high costs and energy use. The researchers behind the Kepler project hope the tool will help IT pros track and curb cluster energy waste.  Continue Reading

• The evolution of containers: Docker, Kubernetes and the future

  Container technology is almost as old as VMs, although IT wasn't talking about the topic until Docker, Kubernetes and other tech made waves that caused a frenzy of activity.  Continue Reading

• What's next: Predictions, challenges and IT trends for 2023

  As organizations look to address ongoing ops skills shortages and increasing complexity in their IT environments, they'll invest in cybersecurity, AI and automation.  Continue Reading

• Review the top IT operations news stories of 2022

  2022 was full of industry updates, company shake-ups and emerging technologies. Review the highlights of this year's IT ops news to prepare for what's next in 2023.  Continue Reading

• What we can learn from the top DevOps articles of 2022

  From runbooks to open source tools and self-service portals, 2022 was a big year for DevOps. IT teams preparing for 2023 should brush up on their understanding of DevOps.  Continue Reading

• Explore the pros and cons of Go for DevOps

  Author and Docker engineer Teiva Harsanyi explains the benefits of Golang -- including why he sees it as the future of back-end development -- and how to avoid common pitfalls.  Continue Reading

• 5 distributed tracing tools to ease application monitoring

  DevOps and IT teams can use distributed tracing to monitor microservices and ensure applications run smoothly. Explore five tools to help pinpoint any system issues.  Continue Reading

• Explore the 2022 application performance monitoring market

  APM helps organizations get a leg up with insight into customers and applications -- and the market is only going to grow bigger as technology advances and becomes more complex.  Continue Reading

• Podman: A worthy alternative to Docker for containers

  Podman has long stood in Docker's shadow, but 'Podman in Action' author Daniel Walsh hopes to shine a light on Podman within the container market.  Continue Reading

• Evaluate PowerVS for a streamlined hybrid cloud environment

  Move on-premises IT environments into the cloud with PowerVS and determine if PowerVM is a better option than -- or a better companion to -- the hybrid cloud.  Continue Reading

• Whip up recipes with 'Elasticsearch 8.x Cookbook'

  Elasticsearch is a powerful and potentially complicated tool. With 'Elasticsearch 8.x Cookbook,' users can split exercises into manageable bites.  Continue Reading

• 9 managed Kubernetes services to consider

  To counter the complexity and stress of running, deploying and managing Kubernetes, turn to a managed Kubernetes service. Compare and contrast nine popular tools.  Continue Reading

• Future of containers faces tools surplus, skills shortage

  Container adoption seems inevitable, but it's not going to be smooth sailing. Experts weigh in on the state of container management -- and where it needs to go.  Continue Reading

• The data team-IT operations divide delays data delivery

  Extended delays in the data delivery process aren't just inconvenient; they're a hindrance to business success that data teams and IT operations must solve together.  Continue Reading

• How to choose the best CPU for virtualization

  Selecting the right CPU for virtual infrastructures depends on many factors, including feature sets and hardware specs. Proper configuration of processor resources is also crucial.  Continue Reading

• DevOps administrator: The role and responsibilities

  To really understand a job, it's best to hear from those who have held it. Learn about what it means to work in a DevOps role from these practitioners.  Continue Reading

• 6 DevOps soft skills and how they drive success

  DevOps is built on collaboration and communication -- and soft skills make that foundation strong. Discover six soft skills to help set you apart.  Continue Reading

• Virtualization trends in 2022 highlight flexibility, app delivery

  Organizations require virtualization systems that not only support different types of applications but also simplify IT administration, forcing vendors to adapt accordingly.  Continue Reading

• Look back at the top Kubernetes news of 2021

  Kubernetes had many ups and downs over the course of 2021. Read 10 of the top Kubernetes news stories to ensure you're up to date heading into the new year.  Continue Reading

• Anywhere Operations infrastructure enables decentralized IT

  The pandemic forced companies into an abrupt hybrid workforce model. Anywhere Operations helps IT organizations support their workers, users and infrastructure -- wherever it is.  Continue Reading

• Build on the Anywhere Operations trend with composability

  The ability to access infrastructure remotely is crucial for IT organizations to meet business initiatives. Composable infrastructure is one way to support this model.  Continue Reading

• Service delivery methods: The key to Anywhere Operations

  For Anywhere Operations success, businesses must focus on service delivery methods -- but it's not IT's decision. Business value must be the focus.  Continue Reading

• 8 key DevOps roles and responsibilities for team success

  More than most IT initiatives, DevOps is built around people. Involve the right professionals, and get those people primed to work in concerted ways.  Continue Reading

• Geek gifts 2021: Home office edition

  Remote work seems to be here to stay for many IT pros, and shoppers for geek gifts this year have plenty of home office gadgetry and creature comforts from which to choose.  Continue Reading

• IT skills shortage opens chances for growth and diversity

  A lack of skilled employees can hurt business initiatives. To solve this IT skills gap will take commitments to meeting employee demands and dedication to learning.  Continue Reading

• Adopt GitOps best practices and tools for your organization

  In his book 'Repeatability, Reliability, Scalability through GitOps,' Bryan Feuling provides an in-depth analysis of GitOps to help companies find best practices and tools.  Continue Reading

• Learn the basics of virtual server security software selection

  There are multiple factors in choosing the right security software for VMs and virtual infrastructure. Get familiar with potential threats, features to have and market offerings.  Continue Reading

• What to know for your virtualized storage selection process

  Not all storage virtualization is created equal. Get familiar with the types, methods and implementation considerations before you buy hardware or software for your organization.  Continue Reading

• VMware DevOps platforms evolve without full-stack developers

  Full-stack developers are rare in large enterprise companies, prompting VMware to realign its DevOps platforms to better accommodate ops specialists.  Continue Reading

• Differences between Kubernetes Ingress vs. load balancer

  To manage Kubernetes cluster traffic, admins have a few choices. Compare Kubernetes Ingress vs. load balancers, as well as the NodePort and ClusterIP service types.  Continue Reading

• How to harden Docker images to enhance security

  Strong Docker image security is paramount to fighting off breaches. Watch this video to learn multiple ways you can harden deployments and deter attackers.  Continue Reading

• Set up Docker host hardening to improve container security

  Harden the Docker host OS into a shield no security breach can crack. Get started with these key security measures built into the containerization platform.  Continue Reading

• Familiarize yourself with these 7 key SRE terms

  Want to understand site reliability engineering? Check out this primer of SRE terminology that explains some of its fundamentals, from the job role to SLAs and issue resolution.  Continue Reading

• 7 infrastructure as code books for IT pros to dig into

  Need some reading material? Check out these books on infrastructure as code -- and popular IaC tools -- to pick up some new skills on the IT management practice.  Continue Reading

• 9 advanced IT certifications for operations experts

  To be an IT expert requires dedication to the ever-changing technology and processes. Here's a list of certifications to demonstrate that skill and experience.  Continue Reading

• Open source effort seeks to build tech diversity into code

  A CNCF initiative to build tech diversity directly into open source code and documentation takes shape as the industry faces pressure to become more inclusive.  Continue Reading

• Learn Docker best practices with this interactive book

  The author of The Docker Workshop, Vincent Sesto, discusses Docker's ingenuity and gives tips to IT admins on the leading container creation technology in this Q&A.  Continue Reading

• IDC analyst: Serverless tech will change the future of IT ops

  IDC's Mary Johnston Turner discusses how the development and increasing maturity of serverless technology and AI will upend how IT operates.  Continue Reading

• What's the difference between AI and IT automation?

  AI and automation go hand in hand, but there are important differences between them. Learn the basics and how an IT org can combine them to improve workflows.  Continue Reading

• Top 10 disadvantages of server virtualization

  Server virtualization is lauded for its flexibility, improved productivity and more efficient resource provisioning, but the technology is not without its drawbacks.  Continue Reading

• 8 certifications and courses for admins, DevOps and IT ops pros

  With a few years of experience now on your resume, it's time to boost or validate those skills you've gained. Explore these courses and certifications for one that fits your goals.  Continue Reading

• How to find the best server virtualization management software

  Choosing the right server virtualization management software is critical to meeting your organization's current and future needs.  Continue Reading

• IT observability and monitoring illuminate application data

  Observability extends beyond traditional IT monitoring tools and processes to arm DevOps teams with the level of insight they need.  Continue Reading

• A day in the life: What does a site reliability engineer do?

  Site reliability engineering is still a relatively new job role, and it's challenging to get a clear picture of the day to day. Learn what one SRE's role looks like with this profile.  Continue Reading

• ITSM and DevOps don't have to be at odds

  Is it possible for ITSM and DevOps to coexist within the same organization? It is, but it raises plenty of questions about how and whether they are a good fit.  Continue Reading

• Containers bring cloud-agnostic workloads closer to reality

  Cloud-agnostic workloads have been a largely elusive goal in enterprise IT. But has containerization -- and, particularly, Kubernetes -- made agnosticism feasible?  Continue Reading

• 11 certifications for entry-level IT operations roles

  Looking to start a career in IT operations? Check out these courses and certifications for beginners to gather all the foundational skills you'll need.  Continue Reading

• The evolution and history of software configuration management

  IT and software configuration management challenge tech professionals. It's been that way for decades, and best practices continue to evolve.  Continue Reading

• Infrastructure as code benefits and DevOps use cases

  Code flexibility, automation and security top the list of reasons to use IaC for DevOps use cases. But without careful management, they can quickly present problems.  Continue Reading

• Tips for attending virtual IT conferences like a pro

  The coronavirus pushed all physical gathering events into the digital realm for public safety. But this completely disrupts our prep patterns. Here are some tips to help.  Continue Reading

• 3 DevOps antipatterns to avoid at all costs

  A DevOps initiative is not a single task, but an evolution of an organization's technology, processes and culture -- and without a collaborative mindset, it will likely fail.  Continue Reading

• KubeCon 2020 preview: Session guide for fine-tuning Kubernetes

  Hosted as a low-cost virtual event, KubeCon + CloudNativeCon North America 2020 offers a broad array of technical sessions that can help you scale and improve Kubernetes deployments.  Continue Reading

• KubeCon 2020 preview: Session guide for Kubernetes professionals

  The virtual format of KubeCon 2020 means Kubernetes adopters can learn from their peers and take in expert presentations on Kubernetes and related technologies.  Continue Reading

• KubeCon 2020 preview: Session guide for Kubernetes beginners

  Want expert advice to kick off a container and Kubernetes implementation at your company? Many of the sessions at KubeCon North America are made for you.  Continue Reading

• How to evaluate VDI hardware requirements

  VDI has specific hardware needs that servers hosting other virtualized workloads may not meet. Learn how to gauge VDI hardware requirements for servers, storage and more.  Continue Reading

• 3 key ways DevOps benefits a business

  DevOps adoption can strain an organization. Is it worth the effort? Here's what a business should expect to gain when implementing DevOps and continuous delivery.  Continue Reading

• 5 DevSecOps best practices to prioritize

  Successful DevSecOps isn't just about secure code -- it's securing the flows of data through code, methods and tools. Review these five security tips to button up your DevOps work.  Continue Reading

• Evolving DevOps roles demand Kubernetes, CI/CD skills

  The rapid rate of change in IT coupled with the newness of many DevOps practices and technologies creates barriers for those who seek a career in DevOps. These skills can open the door.  Continue Reading

• 16 DevOps books to level up your skills

  Is your organization and IT staff ready to tackle DevOps, from culture to strategies and toolchains? Start with these 16 books from learning DevOps basics to fine-tuning specific DevOps skills and practices.  Continue Reading

• Top 15 DevOps blogs to read and follow

  The DevOps community is big, but here are some of the top DevOps blogs to read that cover everything from tips for beginners, the latest news and how-tos.  Continue Reading

• Just what can AI in IT operations accomplish?

  How should the 'AI' in 'AIOps' work? The idea is for it to identify and solve problems in ways similar to how the human mind would -- except faster and without prompting.  Continue Reading

• Overcome these 5 DevOps challenges

  DevOps adoption isn't easy, but the results are worth it. Learn how to collaborate, cooperate and coordinate with better organization and DevOps tooling.  Continue Reading

• 5 leading data virtualization tools offer integration strategy

  Learn which features and capabilities your organization should consider in order to select the data virtualization platform that will best fits its needs.  Continue Reading

• Memory management techniques improve system performance

  Prior to using memory management strategies, admins should familiarize themselves with approaches to ensure they implement techniques suited to their specific circumstances.  Continue Reading

• 4 FAQs to help master KVM management

  When it comes to managing KVM, admins should do their homework and research common questions to better understand the technology and ensure peak performance.  Continue Reading

• Modern IT KPIs emphasize cloud, DevOps and user experience

  When it comes to KPIs, IT ops teams have typically prioritized process-centric metrics, but recent technical and cultural shifts have started to change that.  Continue Reading

• Why -- and how -- to use Docker image tags

  Version control is a critical part of software development and deployment. IT teams can use Docker tags to better manage and organize container images.  Continue Reading

• Lessons learned: Strategies to adjust IT operations in a crisis

  Curious how other businesses adjusted their IT operations strategies in light of COVID-19? Look back at these five recent SearchITOperations news stories to find out.  Continue Reading

• ServiceNow vs. Jira Service Desk for ITSM workflow management

  ServiceNow and Jira Service Desk are both big names in ITSM, but which one is better for your workflow management needs? Compare the two tools in terms of flexibility, integration support and more.  Continue Reading

• Your Golden Ticket: The Hidden Power of CMDB in IT Digital Transformation

  Learn how a Configuration Management Database (CMDB) can be a powerful tool in your organization’s IT digital transformation journey.  Continue Reading