IT systems management and monitoring
Learn about the tools and technologies that enable more visibility into IT infrastructure, integration between IT management tools, tailored alerts for IT professionals and new areas of performance monitoring and management.
Top Stories
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Feature
18 Dec 2024
Top data center infrastructure management software in 2025
DCIM tools can improve data center management and operation. Learn how six prominent products can help organizations control costs, manage energy and track assets. Continue Reading
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News
18 Dec 2024
AWS, Red Hat hybrid cloud wares court VMware converts
Broadcom has softened some of its stances on VMware licensing and public cloud, but competitors stay poised to pounce on customers looking to defect. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
23 May 2024
Automate Microsoft 365 user offboarding with PowerShell
Automation is a good way for admins to handle all the tasks associated with removing a user from the organization's tenant in Microsoft's cloud-based productivity platform. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 May 2024
Managing databases in a hybrid cloud: 10 key considerations
To manage hybrid cloud database environments, consider business and application goals, consistency, configuration management, synchronization, latency, security and stability. Continue Reading
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Definition
23 May 2024
virtual firewall
A virtual firewall is a firewall device or service that provides network traffic filtering and monitoring for virtual machines (VMs) in a virtualized environment. Continue Reading
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Definition
23 May 2024
Zabbix
Zabbix is an open source monitoring software tool for diverse IT components, including networks, servers, virtual machines (VMs) and cloud services. Continue Reading
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Conference Coverage
20 May 2024
Red Hat Summit 2024 news and conference guide
Use this Red Hat Summit conference guide to stay up to date on current trends, emerging technologies and information from keynote speakers and industry experts. Continue Reading
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Definition
17 May 2024
Windows Server Client Access License (CAL)
A Windows Server Client Access License (CAL) is a license that gives a user or device the right to access services, such as printing or access to a file share, from a server running the Windows Server operating system (OS). Continue Reading
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Tutorial
17 May 2024
How to use PowerShell for Exchange Online monitoring
Many enterprises rely on Exchange Online for more than just email. Admins need to stay on top of this important service to pinpoint when problems occur to resolve them quickly. Continue Reading
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News
14 May 2024
Microsoft handles 2 Windows zero-days on May Patch Tuesday
In addition to the Windows vulnerabilities exploited in the wild, admins should focus on patching multiple flaws in web browsers from Google, Microsoft and Mozilla. Continue Reading
- Definition 14 May 2024
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Tutorial
13 May 2024
How to manage Microsoft 365 guest users with PowerShell
The flexible automation tool used in conjunction with Microsoft Graph can give admins the right combination to quickly tackle a range of tasks related to guest user management. Continue Reading
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Definition
10 May 2024
operational technology (OT)
Operational technology (OT) is a category of hardware and software that monitors and controls how physical devices perform. Continue Reading
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News
10 May 2024
Slow Ansible Lightspeed adoption might reflect AI qualms
Customers with Ansible Lightspeed in pilots or production remain rare, as concerns about the risks of AI and the need to shore up a solid IT automation foundation prompt caution. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Apr 2024
How to avoid Microsoft 365 management pitfalls
A migration to the cloud collaboration platform requires a command of the multiple admin portals available to admins to help the organization make the most of its subscription. Continue Reading
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News
23 Apr 2024
Splunk-Cribl lawsuit yields mixed result for both companies
Cribl did infringe on Splunk's copyright, a California jury found, but awarded damages of only $1. Both sides declared victory, and Splunk vowed to seek injunctive relief. Continue Reading
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Definition
19 Apr 2024
IT operations (IT ops)
The term IT operations (IT ops) describes the many processes and services an IT department manages and maintains within an organization. Continue Reading
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News
19 Apr 2024
OpenTofu forges on with beta feature that drew HashiCorp ire
Defying a HashiCorp cease and desist, OpenTofu 1.7 beta ships with the removed blocks feature and client-side state encryption support long sought by the Terraform community. Continue Reading
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News
17 Apr 2024
DHS funding breathes fresh life into SBOMs
Protobom, now an OpenSSF sandbox project, is the first of multiple software supply chain security efforts funded under the Silicon Valley Innovation Program. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Apr 2024
New Active Directory features coming in Windows Server 2025
The upcoming Windows Server release will bring significant enhancements to Active Directory, including a new functional level and security and performance improvements. Continue Reading
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Definition
11 Apr 2024
local area network (LAN)
A local area network (LAN) is a group of computers and peripheral devices that are connected together within a distinct geographic area, such as an office building or campus. Continue Reading
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News
09 Apr 2024
Microsoft corks Windows zero-day on April Patch Tuesday
The company delivered one of its largest security update releases in recent years with a proxy driver spoofing vulnerability topping the patching priority list. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Apr 2024
Learn how New Relic works and when to use it for IT monitoring
New Relic is one of many tools that can help an IT team track application performance and health. Before adoption, understand primary use cases and SaaS installation requirements. Continue Reading
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News
04 Apr 2024
Splunk-Cribl lawsuit over log management heads to trial
A jury trial, in which Splunk now accuses Cribl of violating the terms of the Splunk Enterprise license and its partnership agreement, is scheduled to begin April 8. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Apr 2024
What are the pros and cons of Microsoft Universal Print?
The modernization of many organizations revolves around the cloud and newer user devices, and a Microsoft offering could help bridge the gap with legacy printing infrastructure. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Mar 2024
See what's coming in Windows Server 2025
Microsoft plans several changes to the upcoming version of Windows Server that promise more financial flexibility and boosts in security and workload performance. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Mar 2024
How to respond to 4 common IT alerts
IT alerts can announce server failures, congested networks and more. When they pop up, administrators need to act. Take steps to look for the source of trouble. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Mar 2024
Xen vs. KVM: What are the differences?
Admins often evaluate Xen and KVM as open source options. The main factors to consider in a primary hypervisor are organizational infrastructure and cloud adoption interests. Continue Reading
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Definition
22 Mar 2024
workflow management
Workflow management is the discipline of creating, documenting, monitoring and improving upon the series of steps, or workflow, that is required to complete a specific task. Continue Reading
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News
18 Mar 2024
Cisco lays out security, observability plans for Splunk
Cisco disclosed broad integration plans for its $28 billion acquisition of Splunk, now officially closed, that will encompass AI, security, observability and networking. Continue Reading
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News
18 Mar 2024
GitOps users warned to patch 3 new Argo CD CVEs
Three recently identified vulnerabilities, one designated high severity, now have fixes following a lengthy disclosure process and disagreements about their real-world risk. Continue Reading
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Definition
18 Mar 2024
continuous delivery (CD)
Continuous delivery (CD) is an approach for software delivery in which development teams produce and test code in short but continuous cycles to improve software quality. Continue Reading
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News
15 Mar 2024
CISA software supply chain security form omits SBOMs
Federal suppliers now have a self-attestation deadline amid ongoing efforts to secure software supply chains. But SBOMs' spotlight is fading and big risks remain, experts said. Continue Reading
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Definition
15 Mar 2024
transportation management system (TMS)
A transportation management system (TMS) is specialized software for planning, executing and optimizing the shipment of goods. Continue Reading
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News
13 Mar 2024
Researchers warn devs of vulnerabilities in ChatGPT plugins
OpenAI and two third-party providers fixed vulnerabilities in the experimental ChatGPT plugins framework, but Salt Security researchers caution devs that security risks persist. Continue Reading
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Definition
13 Mar 2024
supplier relationship management (SRM)
Supplier relationship management (SRM) is a systematic approach to evaluating and partnering with vendors that supply goods, materials and services to an organization, determining each supplier's contribution to success, and developing strategies to improve their performance. Continue Reading
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News
12 Mar 2024
March Patch Tuesday fixes critical Hyper-V vulnerabilities
Microsoft also corrects a remote code execution flaw on Exchange Server and issues an advisory related to changes with an outdated file-scanning feature on the messaging platform. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Mar 2024
How to secure on-prem apps with Entra Application Proxy
There's nothing wrong with using a VPN to securely connect to on-premises web apps, but Microsoft Entra Application Proxy is an alternative with a more streamlined approach. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Mar 2024
Full virtualization vs. paravirtualization: Key differences
Full virtualization and paravirtualization both enable hardware resource abstraction, but the two technologies differ when it comes to isolation levels. Continue Reading
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News
05 Mar 2024
Sumo Logic offers free data ingest for log analytics
Data ingest is now free for new customers of Sumo Logic's SaaS log analytics product, as observability cost concerns and data volumes mount across the IT industry. Continue Reading
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Definition
20 Feb 2024
workload
In computing, a workload is typically any program or application that runs on a computer. Continue Reading
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Definition
15 Feb 2024
on-demand computing (ODC)
On-demand computing (ODC) is a delivery model in which computing resources are made available to the user as needed. Continue Reading
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Definition
15 Feb 2024
ServiceNow
ServiceNow is a software company that provides a cloud-based, AI-driven platform for automating multiple management workflows in enterprises. The company specializes in IT service management, IT operations management and IT business management. Continue Reading
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News
15 Feb 2024
Dapr brings microservices principles to platform engineering
With microservices now mainstream -- and past the trough of disillusionment -- a framework developed for them appeals to platform engineers with shared services consistency. Continue Reading
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News
13 Feb 2024
February Patch Tuesday corrects two Windows zero-days
Administrators should focus on quickly deploying a critical vulnerability in Microsoft Outlook and exercising caution when applying an Exchange Server 2019 cumulative update. Continue Reading
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Definition
13 Feb 2024
RMM software (remote monitoring and management software)
RMM software (remote monitoring and management software) is a type of application that information technology (IT) service providers and departments use to maintain their clients' and business organizations' IT assets, infrastructure and systems. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
13 Feb 2024
How to find and customize your PowerShell profile
PowerShell is integral for many admins, and any way to streamline how they use the scripting tool is key. A PowerShell profile is one way to tailor a more streamlined approach. Continue Reading
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News
12 Feb 2024
Observe ties in Snowflake to slash observability costs
The emerging competitor to Dynatrace, Datadog and Splunk shuns AIOps, and its approach to data management and price tag intrigued one experienced customer. Continue Reading
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Definition
12 Feb 2024
guest operating system (guest OS)
A guest operating system is the operating system installed on either a virtual machine (VM) or partitioned disk. It is usually different from the host operating system. Continue Reading
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Answer
06 Feb 2024
How to set up a Windows Server 2022 domain controller
While the process to migrate from a legacy domain controller is not difficult, it does require advanced preparation to avoid connectivity issues and other problems. Continue Reading
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Definition
06 Feb 2024
API gateway (application programming interface gateway)
An API gateway is a software pattern that sits in front of an application programming interface (API) or group of microservices to facilitate requests and delivery of data and services. Continue Reading
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News
01 Feb 2024
TD Bank plans AIOps consolidation on Dynatrace SaaS
The dream of zero-touch autoremediation remains alive for the bank as it prepares to go all in on Dynatrace SaaS for observability-driven IT automation. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
31 Jan 2024
How to use the PowerShell extension for Visual Studio Code
Administrators who want to accelerate their automation skills can tap into the enhanced editing and debugging features of the Microsoft code editor. Continue Reading
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News
31 Jan 2024
Dynatrace adds price tier, data pipeline amid cost crunch
Dynatrace looks to accommodate observability data growth more affordably, but enterprise IT pros have many emerging alternatives to tackle this growing problem. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Jan 2024
Secure your machine learning models with these MLSecOps tips
By following MLSecOps best practices, companies can introduce AI and machine learning into development pipelines and processes without adding unmitigated security concerns, too. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
30 Jan 2024
Why you can benefit from using Always On VPN
The Windows Server feature gives administrators more flexibility to manage clients, while giving users a better overall experience when connecting to enterprise resources. Continue Reading
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Answer
29 Jan 2024
Do-While vs. Do-Until in PowerShell: What's the difference?
PowerShell scripts have several loop options to make automation easy. Learn the difference between Do-While and Do-Until loops and choose which one works best for you. Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Jan 2024
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
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Definition
23 Jan 2024
BYOD (bring your own device)
BYOD (bring your own device) is a policy that enables employees in an organization to use their personally owned devices for work-related activities. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Jan 2024
Top observability tools for 2024
Observability tools can help developers and IT administrators improve application delivery, performance, customer experience and troubleshooting. Continue Reading
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Definition
17 Jan 2024
OODA loop
The OODA loop -- Observe, Orient, Decide, Act -- is a four-step approach to decision-making that focuses on filtering available information, putting it in context and quickly making the most appropriate decision, while also understanding that changes can be made as more data becomes available. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Jan 2024
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
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News
16 Jan 2024
Ex-Datadog, AWS exec steers Elastic's observability strategy
Elastic's observability GM, hired away from Datadog in October, looks to tie the company's search analytics prowess in with generative AI and OpenTelemetry trends. Continue Reading
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Definition
11 Jan 2024
baseboard management controller (BMC)
A baseboard management controller (BMC) is a specialized service processor that remotely monitors the physical state of a host system, such as a computer, network server or other hardware devices. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Jan 2024
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
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News
09 Jan 2024
Microsoft starts year with a subdued January Patch Tuesday
For the second month in a row, Microsoft had no zero-days and relatively few vulnerabilities for administrators to address. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
08 Jan 2024
Deploy OpenTelemetry to improve Kubernetes observability
Deploying OpenTelemetry on Kubernetes can give teams a leg up in observability monitoring. It only takes a few simple steps to get the tool up and running. 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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Tutorial
28 Dec 2023
Understand PowerShell splatting with these examples
Give this PowerShell splatting tutorial a closer look to see how to simplify complex commands to make your code more versatile, which can be a boon in team environments. Continue Reading
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Definition
21 Dec 2023
business process outsourcing (BPO)
Business process outsourcing (BPO) is a business practice in which an organization contracts with an external service provider to perform an essential business function or task. Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Dec 2023
Top enterprise hybrid cloud management tools to review
The techniques used to build hybrid cloud architectures have come a long way, but managing these environments long term is plenty more complex without the right software. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Dec 2023
Top 8 benefits of hybrid cloud for business
Why choose between public cloud and private systems when you can have both? With hybrid cloud, enterprises can address workload requirements, business demands and budgetary needs. Continue Reading
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Definition
19 Dec 2023
supply chain risk management (SCRM)
Supply chain risk management (SCRM) is the coordinated efforts of an organization to help identify, monitor, detect and mitigate threats to supply chain continuity and profitability. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Dec 2023
CLI for Microsoft 365: A guide for administrators
The options to manage the Microsoft 365 platform are seemingly endless, but the CLI for Microsoft 365 offers distinct advantages for admins in the enterprise. Continue Reading
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News
12 Dec 2023
Microsoft delivers light December Patch Tuesday for admins
IT operations teams should prioritize deploying the Windows cumulative update to dispatch a critical MSHTML bug affecting Microsoft Outlook. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Dec 2023
The pros and cons of a layered architecture pattern
Layered architecture patterns provide a consistent and secure way to organize code when implemented correctly. However, the way those layers interact should remain a top concern. Continue Reading
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Feature
12 Dec 2023
Multi-cloud vs. hybrid cloud: The main difference
As businesses digitally transform across increasingly distributed environments, know the benefits, challenges, similarities and differences between hybrid cloud and multi-cloud. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Nov 2023
Hybrid cloud connectivity best practices and considerations
Private and public clouds stress networks in different ways and don't always play well together. Here's what to know to set up a cost-effective hybrid cloud network architecture. Continue Reading
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Opinion
17 Nov 2023
Security highlights from KubeCon + CloudNativeCon 2023
KubeCon + CloudNativeCon provided valuable insights for security teams supporting cloud-native development, including securing GenAI, platform engineering and supply chains. Continue Reading
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Definition
16 Nov 2023
platform engineering
Platform engineering is a specialized discipline within software development that focuses on designing, building, maintaining and improving the toolchains and workflows software developers use. Continue Reading
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News
14 Nov 2023
Microsoft halts 3 zero-days on November Patch Tuesday
Microsoft addresses 67 vulnerabilities, including six critical, and shuts down four bugs in the Exchange Server email platform this month. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Nov 2023
What should admins know about Microsoft Entra features?
Microsoft Entra combines new and existing cloud-based products and packages them under a new name. Learn how this change affects identity access management in your organization. Continue Reading
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News
08 Nov 2023
Intel exec affixes OpenSSF, CNCF open source security efforts
Intel's Arun Gupta, now governing board chair of both the CNCF and OpenSSF, discusses his plans to bring all three organizations together to improve open source security. Continue Reading
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Opinion
02 Nov 2023
Emergent observability topics at KubeCon 2023
New use cases like cost management, sustainability and scalability will lead observability discussions in the North American KubeCon + CloudNativeCon 2023 conference. Continue Reading
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Definition
01 Nov 2023
digital
Digital describes electronic technology that generates, stores and processes data in terms of positive and nonpositive states. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Oct 2023
Assign GPUs to virtual machines with VMware vGPU mode
Resource delegation across an IT system can be troublesome, but it doesn't have to be. Follow this guide to assign the right amount of GPU to support virtual machines on VMware. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
24 Oct 2023
How to use ChatGPT with PowerShell to write code for admins
Use of artificial intelligence tools is on the rise in many industries, and administrators can tap into these digital helpers to improve their scripting attempts. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Oct 2023
How to work with the new Windows LAPS feature
Microsoft updated this automated method to manage and back up passwords for local administrator accounts on Windows desktop and server systems. See what's new with Windows LAPS. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Oct 2023
How to source AI infrastructure components
Rent, buy or repurpose AI infrastructure? The right choice depends on an organization's planned AI projects, budget, data privacy needs and technical personnel resources. Continue Reading
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News
10 Oct 2023
Microsoft tackles three zero-days for October Patch Tuesday
The company releases fixes for several products affected by the HTTP/2 "Rapid Reset" vulnerability to help curb widespread Distributed Denial-of-Service attacks. Continue Reading
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Opinion
26 Sep 2023
Observability, security unity in Cisco's Splunk acquisition
As more organizations merge security and observability, Cisco's acquisition of Splunk adds another intriguing element for IT shops to consider in their toolkits. Continue Reading
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Opinion
25 Sep 2023
What Cisco's Splunk acquisition means for app modernization
Cisco's networking prowess and Splunk's data analytics power will now be under one roof. Here's what can IT teams expect with this mega acquisition between two tech giants. Continue Reading
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Opinion
22 Sep 2023
Cisco makes big splash with Splunk
The integration of Cisco and Splunk could result in a full-stack offering that provides comprehensive visibility across enterprise locations and AI-driven insights. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Sep 2023
The benefits of uniting product management with DevOps
If organizations can bring product managers deeper into the DevOps lifecycle, it can offer a competitive edge. But they must navigate through the initial challenges. Continue Reading
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News
21 Sep 2023
IT pros react to blockbuster $28B Cisco-Splunk deal
Cisco goes through with its long-rumored acquisition of Splunk for security and observability. But the two aren't necessarily a perfect fit, according to some industry observers. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Sep 2023
What's new in Microsoft Graph PowerShell v2?
The company overhauled the new version of its software development kit and updated PowerShell modules that replace legacy methods for managing Microsoft's cloud-based services. Continue Reading
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Definition
18 Sep 2023
Windows Sysinternals
Windows Sysinternals is a collection of 70 freeware utilities that Microsoft offers IT administrators and developers to help them monitor, manage, diagnose and troubleshoot Windows systems and their applications. Continue Reading
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News
13 Sep 2023
Meet MLSecOps: Industry calls for new measures to secure AI
Open source security, already in the software supply chain spotlight, must expand to include AI models, according to the OpenSSF and DevSecOps vendor JFrog. Continue Reading
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News
12 Sep 2023
Microsoft solves two zero-days for September Patch Tuesday
Microsoft addresses 62 vulnerabilities this month, including a Microsoft Word flaw and a Windows bug that have both been exploited in the wild. Continue Reading
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News
12 Sep 2023
Cisco Full-Stack Observability draws on channel clout
Cisco's latest tie-in between app security and observability doesn't break new ground, but the vendor can use its network security cachet and partners to woo enterprise buyers. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Sep 2023
5 IT operations management best practices you need to know
ITOM staff play a vital role in IT platform performance, but limit human interaction and utilize tools and automation to keep everything running smoothly. Continue Reading
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Definition
05 Sep 2023
email security
Email security is the process of ensuring the availability, integrity and authenticity of email communications by protecting against unauthorized access and email threats. Continue Reading