Containers and virtualization
Containerization software is taking over across the IT industry as the new favored IT infrastructure, as it enables high-speed and high-efficiency platform and software performance. Learn about the technology, its leading tools and how to use it from experts.
Top Stories
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Conference Coverage
21 Nov 2024
KubeCon + CloudNativeCon 2024 news coverage
This guide to the North American and European KubeCon + CloudNativeCon events covers updates to Kubernetes and other open source cloud-native technologies. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Nov 2024
Ansible vs. Docker: Differences and similarities explained
Ansible and Docker play specific roles, but when used together, Ansible's playbooks and Docker's Dockerfiles provide greater control and configurability over servers. Continue Reading
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Quiz
20 Jun 2023
10 WebAssembly questions to test your Wasm knowledge
Test your knowledge of WebAssembly with this tough, ten-question quiz on the benefits and applications of the new Wasm standard. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Jun 2023
When and how to run databases on Kubernetes
Deciding whether to move your database onto Kubernetes requires careful consideration, especially when choosing among deployment options. Here's what to keep in mind. Continue Reading
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Video
12 Jun 2023
Install Calico for Kubernetes in this video walkthrough
In this video tutorial and demo, a DevOps engineer explains how to manage network traffic in Kubernetes clusters with Calico, a Container Network Interface plugin. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Jun 2023
Kubernetes networking 101: Best practices and challenges
Before jumping into the landscape of CNI plugins for Kubernetes, it's important to understand the basic elements of Kubernetes networking. Follow this guide to get started. Continue Reading
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Definition
05 Jun 2023
Docker Engine
Docker Engine is the underlying client-server technology that supports the tasks and workflows involved in building, shipping and running containerized applications using Docker's components and services. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Jun 2023
Manage complexity in Kubernetes with AI and machine learning
Learn how DevOps teams can enhance performance and observability in Kubernetes with AI and machine learning techniques. Evaluate pros, cons and use cases. Continue Reading
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Definition
31 May 2023
Parallels
Parallels is a software company best-known for its software that allows users to run Microsoft Windows systems on Apple Macintosh computers. Continue Reading
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Definition
30 May 2023
Microsoft Azure VM Scale Sets
A Microsoft Azure VM Scale Set is a group of individual virtual machines (VMs) within the Microsoft Azure public cloud that IT administrators can configure and manage as a single unit. They are best suited for large-scale computing services, such as big data processing. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
30 May 2023
Manage IT infrastructure with NSX's multi-tenant features
VMware NSX now supports multi-tenancy, which can help admins manage complex IT environments. Explore what's new and get started with this step-by-step walkthrough. Continue Reading
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Feature
25 May 2023
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
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Tip
24 May 2023
Evaluate Google Anthos for Kubernetes management
Discover the benefits and drawbacks of the Google Anthos platform, and compare it to other options for managing Kubernetes deployments in hybrid and multi-cloud environments. Continue Reading
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Definition
24 May 2023
GitOps
GitOps is an operational framework that applies DevOps practices, such as continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) and version control, to infrastructure automation. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 May 2023
Can you use Kubernetes without Docker?
Although Docker and Kubernetes are often used together, the two serve different roles in IT environments -- and Docker containers aren't the only option for Kubernetes deployments. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
08 May 2023
Improve Kubernetes network performance with Cilium and eBPF
Learn how the Cilium Kubernetes plugin and eBPF framework can improve network efficiency and security, then walk through installing Cilium on a K3s cluster with sample code. Continue Reading
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Definition
01 May 2023
virtual machine (VM)
A virtual machine (VM) is an operating system (OS) or application environment installed on software that imitates dedicated hardware. Continue Reading
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Definition
25 Apr 2023
Cloud Foundry
Cloud Foundry is an open source cloud platform as a service (PaaS) on which developers can build, deploy, run and scale applications. Continue Reading
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News
20 Apr 2023
Sidecarless eBPF service mesh sparks debate
As cloud-native service meshes expand beyond Kubernetes, open source community members raise concerns about the security and suitability of eBPF in sidecarless architectures. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
19 Apr 2023
Set up a machine learning pipeline in this Kubeflow tutorial
For teams running machine learning workflows with Kubernetes, using Kubeflow can lead to faster, smoother deployments. Get started with this installation guide. Continue Reading
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News
19 Apr 2023
Server-side Wasm boosts K8s bonds, devx ahead of key update
Early adopters await a WASI update this year before server-side Wasm can be ready for wider production use. For now, PaaS vendors have begun to bridge some of the gaps. Continue Reading
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Definition
17 Apr 2023
Red Hat OpenShift
Red Hat OpenShift is a multifaceted, open source container application development platform from Red Hat Inc. for the development, deployment and management of applications. Continue Reading
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Definition
12 Apr 2023
Microsoft App-V (Microsoft Application Virtualization)
Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V) is an application virtualization client that makes an application available to end users without installing it on a personal computer (PC). Continue Reading
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Definition
10 Apr 2023
Azure Container Instances (ACI)
Azure Container Instances (ACI) is a service that enables a developer to deploy containers on the Microsoft Azure public cloud without having to provision or manage any underlying infrastructure. Continue Reading
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News
03 Apr 2023
Istio service mesh doyen departs Google, touts Ambient Mesh
After 16 years at Google, Istio's co-founder takes over as CTO at Solo.io and goes all in on a project he believes will determine the future of cloud-native networking. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Mar 2023
Kubernetes operator vs. controller: What's the difference?
Kubernetes operators and controllers both manage cluster resources but play distinct roles in the Kubernetes ecosystem. Explore their differences and learn when to use each. Continue Reading
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Definition
27 Mar 2023
Kubernetes volume
A Kubernetes volume is a directory containing data accessible to containers in a given pod, the smallest deployable unit in a Kubernetes cluster. Continue Reading
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Definition
22 Mar 2023
Virtual Machine Disk format (VMDK)
VMware Virtual Machine Disk format (VMDK) is a format specification for virtual machine (VM) disk image files. Continue Reading
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News
20 Mar 2023
Oracle OKE takes on Azure, AWS with serverless Kubernetes
Oracle added serverless Kubernetes and a financially backed SLA to its OKE managed service, playing catch-up with AWS, Google and Azure and taking a swipe at them on pricing. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Mar 2023
Boost cluster security with Kubernetes vulnerability scanning
Performing vulnerability scans on Kubernetes clusters can help keep container environments secure and running smoothly. Learn what risks to look out for and compare tool options. Continue Reading
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Definition
16 Mar 2023
Open Container Initiative
The Open Container Initiative (OCI) is a collaborative project hosted under the Linux Foundation that is designed to establish common standards for container formats and runtimes. Continue Reading
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Definition
16 Mar 2023
bare-metal provisioning
Bare-metal provisioning is the process of installing an operating system (OS) or Type 1 hypervisor directly on a computer's hard disk. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
09 Mar 2023
Step-by-step guide: Get started with Weave for Kubernetes
Looking to streamline network management for Kubernetes clusters? Learn when and how to use CNI plugins, then walk through the steps of a Weave installation for Kubernetes. Continue Reading
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Definition
07 Mar 2023
Kubernetes scheduler
The Kubernetes scheduler is a component of the open source Kubernetes container orchestration platform that controls performance, capacity and availability through policies and topology awareness. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
23 Feb 2023
How to set and manage environment variables in Kubernetes
In this tutorial, learn when to use -- or not use -- environment variables in Kubernetes, and compare methods for setting and updating their values with example code. Continue Reading
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Definition
22 Feb 2023
Kubernetes node
A Kubernetes node is a logical collection of IT resources that runs workloads for one or more containers in a Kubernetes cluster. Continue Reading
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Definition
22 Feb 2023
STONITH (Shoot The Other Node In The Head)
STONITH (Shoot The Other Node In The Head) is a Linux service for maintaining the integrity of nodes in a high-availability (HA) cluster. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Feb 2023
Strategies for Kubernetes multi-cluster management
Running multiple Kubernetes clusters has numerous advantages, but it also introduces technical complexity. Keeping these tips in mind can simplify multi-cluster management. Continue Reading
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Definition
14 Feb 2023
Kubernetes pod
Kubernetes pods are the smallest deployable computing units in Kubernetes, an open source system for container scheduling, orchestration and management. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Feb 2023
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
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News
09 Feb 2023
Kubernetes platforms and the hazy fate of cloud portability
Whatever happened to Kubernetes for cloud portability? Some market research suggests the dream still lives, but platform engineering further complicates matters. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Feb 2023
What to keep in mind when securing virtual environments
Virtual environments can contain numerous vulnerabilities for attackers to exploit -- with potentially devastating results. Use these tips to select security tools and strategies. Continue Reading
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Definition
02 Feb 2023
container repository
A container repository is a collection of related container images that provide different versions of an application. Continue Reading
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Definition
31 Jan 2023
Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE)
Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) is a managed Kubernetes service for containers and container clusters running on Google Cloud infrastructure. Continue Reading
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Definition
26 Jan 2023
container image
A container image is an unchangeable, static file that includes executable code so it can run an isolated process on IT infrastructure. Continue Reading
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Definition
26 Jan 2023
memory paging
Memory paging is a memory management technique used to control sharing of memory resources belonging to a computer or virtual machine (VM). Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Jan 2023
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
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Tutorial
19 Jan 2023
How to set up autoscaling in Azure Kubernetes Service
Explore scaling options in AKS, such as the horizontal pod and the cluster autoscaler. Then, follow a step-by-step tutorial on how to manually and automatically scale resources. Continue Reading
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Definition
18 Jan 2023
cluster quorum disk
A cluster quorum disk is the storage medium on which the configuration database is stored for a cluster computing network. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
18 Jan 2023
Map physical GPUs to VMs with this GPU passthrough guide
Learn how to set up GPU passthrough -- a useful technique to support graphically intensive apps and machine learning models -- with a step-by-step tutorial for VMware environments. Continue Reading
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News
12 Jan 2023
Startup's eBPF APM tools turn up heat on Datadog
Lemonade plans to put tools from eBPF startup Groundcover in production this year in a bid to reduce instrumentation work and other overhead for its small DevOps team. Continue Reading
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Definition
16 Dec 2022
hardware emulation
Hardware emulation is the use of one hardware device to mimic the function of another hardware device. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Dec 2022
When not to use Docker and how to choose an alternative
Docker might be the default for container orchestration, but what if it doesn't meet your needs? Explore why Docker might not be the right fit and what might be. Continue Reading
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News
08 Dec 2022
GitOps hits stride as CNCF graduates Flux CD and Argo CD
Flux and Argo CD earned graduated status within CNCF after a year in which platform engineering adoption and DevOps advances put both in the enterprise spotlight. Continue Reading
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Definition
08 Dec 2022
virtualization architecture
A virtualization architecture is a conceptual model of a virtual infrastructure that is most frequently applied in cloud computing. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Dec 2022
Manage application storage with Kubernetes and CSI drivers
Container Storage Interface drivers offer IT ops teams increased autonomy and flexibility in deploying and managing persistent storage on Kubernetes clusters. Continue Reading
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Definition
30 Nov 2022
guest virtual machine (guest VM)
A guest virtual machine (VM) is the software component of a VM, an independent instance of an operating system (OS), called a guest OS, and its associated software and information. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Nov 2022
Explore network plugins for Kubernetes: CNI explained
With Container Network Interface plugins, IT teams can create and deploy network options for diverse Kubernetes environments. Learn how CNI works and compare top network plugins. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Nov 2022
How does Kubernetes use etcd?
Etcd is a lightweight, highly available key-value store accessible to each node in a Kubernetes cluster. Find out how etcd works and learn how to use it inside Kubernetes. Continue Reading
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Definition
16 Nov 2022
Kubernetes operator
A Kubernetes operator is a method for application packaging and deployment that extends Kubernetes' capabilities to manage more complex, stateful workloads. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Nov 2022
Compare Kubernetes StatefulSet vs. deployment vs. DaemonSet
Kubernetes has several ways to deploy applications, including deployments, DaemonSets and StatefulSets. But each resource type has unique benefits, drawbacks and use cases. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Nov 2022
Make a business case for VMware training
You can outsource infrastructure management to a third party or you can get IT admins the VMware training they need to install, manage and troubleshoot your environment. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
07 Nov 2022
Manage Kubernetes clusters with PowerShell and kubectl
Learn how to use the Kubernetes tool kubectl in PowerShell, including setting up aliasing and tab-completion, parsing JSON output and searching logs with the Select-String cmdlet. Continue Reading
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Opinion
07 Nov 2022
Looking back on KubeCon + CloudNativeCon 2022
With this year's KubeCon + CloudNativeCon North America over, review vendor updates on topics ranging from cloud-native adoption to AIOps approaches and ease-of-use offerings. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Oct 2022
Why and how to use container malware scanning software
Malware is on the rise, and containers are potential attack vectors. Learn why it's crucial to check containers for vulnerabilities and compare container malware scanning tools. Continue Reading
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News
28 Oct 2022
Sidecarless service mesh: Fad or the future?
Istio's experimental Ambient Mesh is gathering buzz with the promise of simpler operations, but Linkerd loyalists contend that the sidecar itself isn't the real problem. Continue Reading
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News
26 Oct 2022
Kubernetes data protection heavy on automation, integration
Kasten, CloudCasa, Portworx and Trilio launched updates to their Kubernetes data protection and management platforms. Backup is critical for Kubernetes workloads in production. Continue Reading
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News
25 Oct 2022
OpenShift roadmap preps for Kubernetes multi-cluster sprawl
OpenShift now supports Kubernetes deployments from data centers to edge devices, which calls for fresh ways to scale out multi-cluster control planes. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Oct 2022
Learn how to bootstrap Kubernetes clusters with kubeadm
In this guide, learn to create, configure and run a Kubernetes cluster from scratch with kubeadm, a command-line tool that simplifies and automates cluster setup and management. Continue Reading
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Opinion
18 Oct 2022
Streamline Kubernetes deployments by using a service mesh
Implementing a service mesh could be well worth the time and effort for organizations looking for ways to manage their Kubernetes and cloud-native application deployments. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Oct 2022
How to integrate and monitor Kubernetes with New Relic
New Relic might be best known as a DevOps monitoring tool, but it can also help improve observability into your Kubernetes clusters. Follow this tutorial to get started. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Oct 2022
Compare container orchestrators Apache Mesos vs. Kubernetes
Exploring options for container orchestration? Kubernetes' popularity doesn't mean it's always the best choice. Discover the tradeoffs and use cases of Mesos vs. Kubernetes. Continue Reading
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News
06 Oct 2022
Terraform Cloud continuous validation inches toward GitOps
Terraform is already part of the GitOps workflow for some enterprises, but a new continuous validation feature could increase its overlap with tools such as Argo CD and Flux. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Oct 2022
How to manage stateful containers with Kubernetes
Organizations can reap the benefits of containers for stateful applications by using Kubernetes to maintain state in application processes and components. Continue Reading
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Answer
23 Sep 2022
How do I maintain an Azure VM static IP during a reboot?
Microsoft Azure users can assign static IP addresses to VMs, but doing so has notable downsides as well as benefits. Learn how and why to assign static IPs to Azure VMs. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Sep 2022
5 vSphere 8 features to know about
The latest vSphere release offers expanded lifecycle management features, data processing unit hardware support and management dashboards for admins to track deployment metrics. Continue Reading
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News
20 Sep 2022
Aqua adds software supply chain security to DevSecOps mix
A new software supply chain security module for Aqua's platform correlates runtime security monitoring with pre-deployment scans as IT pros look to merge disparate tools. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
20 Sep 2022
Learn to manage Kubernetes costs with this Kubecost tutorial
Managing Kubernetes environments can be complex -- and expensive. Find out how to get started with Kubecost, a tool to monitor costs and capacity in Kubernetes clusters. Continue Reading
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News
19 Sep 2022
Dell Apex joins with OpenShift, deepens VMware uncertainty
Dell jumps on the Red Hat OpenShift bandwagon with its Apex container management products, intensifying uncertainty about the future of VMware Tanzu under Broadcom. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Sep 2022
How to use Kubernetes' self-healing capability
Self-healing is a quality that enables software to autonomously resolve issues based on a desired state. Kubernetes' self-healing is built in, but it demands observation. Continue Reading
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Guest Post
14 Sep 2022
Kubernetes clusters multiply like Tribbles -- but why?
Like the U.S.S. Enterprise faced a rapidly compounding Tribble problem, Kubernetes admins find themselves in a similar situation with clusters. What do you do now? Continue Reading
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Tutorial
12 Sep 2022
How to set up external authentication in Rancher with GitHub
Local authentication is the default, but configuring Rancher to use external authentication services makes it easier to manage large, complex Kubernetes environments. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Sep 2022
What is K3OS and how does it relate to K3s?
Discover the potential benefits of adopting K3OS, a lightweight Linux distribution developed to run Kubernetes workloads in low-resource environments. Continue Reading
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News
31 Aug 2022
VMware Tanzu sets up edge computing showdown with OpenShift
Enterprise edge computing is still at a nascent stage, but a battle is brewing between Kubernetes platforms such as VMware Tanzu and OpenShift to support the emerging trend. Continue Reading
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News
30 Aug 2022
VMware Tanzu teases vSphere, PaaS tie-ins -- but doubts linger
VMware said enhanced Kubernetes integrations for vSphere and Cloud Foundry, some in the works for years, will ship soon, but the pending Broadcom deal gives some observers pause. Continue Reading
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News
25 Aug 2022
Kubernetes security reaches maturity milestone with v1.25
Kubernetes Pod Security Admission has reached stable status, replacing Pod Security Policies, as the core Kubernetes framework delegates advanced features to the wider community. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Aug 2022
Compare running Kubernetes on VMs vs. bare-metal servers
Planning to run a cloud-native application with Kubernetes? Compare the advantages and drawbacks of deployments on VMs and physical servers. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Aug 2022
How to establish a Kubernetes governance strategy
Because Kubernetes is a large, complex tool that touches so much of the IT ecosystem, governance policies are important to meet both internal and external standards. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Aug 2022
What to do when a VM is compromised
When security incidents arise -- and they will -- IT administrators can restore, reset or completely wipe VMs to return them to health and get them back into production. Continue Reading
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News
11 Aug 2022
Sigstore co-creator talks GitHub, Kubernetes and next steps
Dan Lorenc reflects on a whirlwind year for his open source project, now officially incorporated into Kubernetes and GitHub's npm registry, and his plans for the year to come. Continue Reading
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News
11 Aug 2022
Researchers reveal Kubernetes security holes, prevention
Researchers with Palo Alto Networks took the stage at Black Hat to explain how configurations and system privileges in Kubernetes clusters can allow container escape and takeover. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Aug 2022
Docker's rootless mode a welcome security update
Docker containers have root privileges by default -- a known security issue for several years. Now Docker's rootless mode separates containers from underlying infrastructure. Continue Reading
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Answer
27 Jul 2022
Is Kubernetes a hypervisor? How do they differ?
Kubernetes, on the surface, appears to perform the same task as a hypervisor. Does that make Kubernetes a hypervisor? The short answer: No. Let's clarify why it's not. Continue Reading
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News
26 Jul 2022
Mirantis Kubernetes deployment buy ups DevOps platform ante
The Mirantis Lens IDE will integrate the Lagoon Kubernetes deployment project to provide a self-service DevOps platform alternative with no developer Kubernetes training required. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Jul 2022
Compare Docker vs. Podman for container management
Docker and Podman offer similar capabilities to manage containers, but Docker's security vulnerabilities might make Podman more appealing for some admins. Continue Reading
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News
14 Jul 2022
New Red Hat CEO faces hybrid cloud challenges
Matt Hicks, now Red Hat CEO, and newly appointed Chairman Paul Cormier discuss the links between open source security and sustainability and Red Hat's hybrid cloud mission. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Jul 2022
Secure your infrastructure against VM ransomware
More hackers are using VMs as an access point to install and deploy encrypted ransomware. Make sure your security strategy includes prevention, response and analysis. Continue Reading
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Definition
28 Jun 2022
distributed applications (distributed apps)
Distributed applications (distributed apps) are applications or software that run on multiple computers within a network at the same time and can be stored on servers or cloud computing platforms. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Jun 2022
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
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Answer
24 Jun 2022
Do hypervisors limit vertical scalability?
Knowing hardware maximums and VM limits ensures you don't overload the system. Learn hypervisor scalability limits for Hyper-V, vSphere, ESXi and Red Hat Virtualization. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Jun 2022
An introduction to VMware KVM mode
VM management often requires multiple monitors. KVM mode lets you set hot keys to navigate between VMs and the OS, so no task -- or workflow -- is lost among application windows. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Jun 2022
An overview of hardware support for virtualization
Intel, AMD and Arm processors optimize virtualization in multiple ways. Read up on the features for Intel VT, AMD-V, Armv9, Intel APICv, and AMD AVIC tech, as well as how they support VMs. Continue Reading