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Problem solve

Get help with specific problems with your technologies, process and projects.

• 6 ways to increase energy efficiency in data centers

  Although there is no one single trick that admins can use to achieve an energy-efficient data center, there are several small things that can significantly decrease energy use. 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

• 8 green computing best practices

  As climate change becomes a more pressing issue, these sustainability best practices can help your data center go greener, which benefits both your business and the environment. Continue Reading

• Server failure, Linux comprise 2020 data center management tips

  When you work in IT, you should consistently try to expand your knowledge base. This tip roundup explores recent content about Linux, IT budgeting and server troubleshooting. 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

• 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

• Colocation data center outage response and support

  Navigating data center malfunctions when hardware is off premises can be tricky. Organizations must have strong SLAs with their colo provider to ensure appropriate response times.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

• 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

• Hyper-converged edge infrastructure targets carriers, ROBOs

  Hyper-converged systems provide a way to locally process IoT data and deliver streaming content at the network's edge while maintaining service and application performance.Continue Reading

• Composable, an IoT infrastructure paradigm with potential

  Composable infrastructure can stand up and down virtual servers depending on the varying needs of workloads. Learn why composability is a good for IoT.Continue Reading

• Tips to counter sales tactics thru server refresh lifecycle

  See what you can do throughout the server lifecycle to counter the sales strategies of hardware vendors competing for customer dollars in a cutthroat market.Continue Reading

• What is a top barrier to fruitful server refresh cycle negotiations?

  Successfully countering server vendor sales tactics requires forecasting hardware and maintenance needs. Lacking a solid, consolidated forecast can be a recipe for failure.Continue Reading

• Data center backup power systems, standards to address downtime

  Backup power is essential to reduce -- or eliminate -- downtime. Admins can refer to industry standards, UPSes and generators to build out systems that support critical components.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

• 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

• IoT data center tech aims to improve operational efficiency

  IoT tech can make data center operations data-driven and automated. For a successful implementation, IT managers should evaluate upgrade costs and infrastructure resiliency.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

• 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

• 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

• Considerations for SIEM logging software and storage

  SIEM systems aggregate a lot of data across all types of infrastructure. For regular audits, admins should address notification settings, analysis protocols and storage locations.Continue Reading

• 3 tips to prevent VDI IP address exhaustion before it happens

  For those turning to VDI to support remote workers due to the COVID-19 influx, it's best to get ahead of IP address problems before people return to the office.Continue Reading

• Two-pronged approach to scaling remote work infrastructure

  Hastily supporting large numbers of workers who all of a sudden find themselves at home requires quick thinking on the part of IT. Just as important is what you do afterward.Continue Reading

• Data center power infrastructure essentials prevent downtime

  Power infrastructure upkeep is essential to reduce damage in an unplanned outage. UPS and generator maintenance, plus disaster planning, should be a part of regular operations.Continue Reading

• Initiative aims to improve data center incident reporting

  The Data Center Incident Reporting Network hopes to pull back the smoke screen on software and hardware issues to improve operations and reduce downtime risks -- with admins help.Continue Reading

• Make the case for a technology refresh strategy

  A good portion of IT budgets are spent maintaining aging hardware. Energy efficiency, failure rates and potential downtime costs are all ways to justify regular hardware updates.Continue Reading

• Improve efficiency with server energy consumption tools

  Deciding what servers are most efficient for your infrastructure requires research. Hardware-level certifications and web-based tools can help you select the right option.Continue Reading

• Use GRUB to fix Linux boot problems

  GRUB is a handy tool to help admins solve any Linux booting issues. Reinstalling or manually implementing GRUB are two main approaches to getting your system back up and running.Continue Reading

• Increase efficiency with data center temperature monitoring

  Data centers must track multiple temperature components. Organizations can use ASHRAE standards and on-premises hardware for easier monitoring.Continue Reading

• Develop a 7-step server maintenance checklist

  For effective server maintenance, admins must perform proactive hardware and software checks. Any list must include dusting, log review and software patch tests.Continue Reading

• How to maintain your hyper-converged data center

  Data center managers can run HCI once it's out of the box, but the technology still requires performance monitoring and support to bring IT benefits to the organization.Continue Reading

• Continuous HCI platform maintenance ensures system health

  These best practices will help data center managers keep their hyper-converged platform in tip-top shape and make the process of deploying future updates simpler.Continue Reading

• How to address HCI's resource provisioning challenges

  Provisioning in hyper-convergence is often imbalanced. Integrating more powerful, higher-capacity nodes with HCI software or taking a more hybrid approach can help.Continue Reading

• Decrease legacy hardware security gaps

  Dated infrastructure poses security threats to organizations -- especially with the amount of sensitive data used today. Address these concerns with active inventory audits.Continue Reading

• How to get out of a bad colocation contract

  Renegotiation, legal action and cancellation are all options if your colocation service agreement isn't up to par. But each option requires research to avoid big fees or downtime.Continue Reading

• 83 useful Linux commands

  Enterprise administrators and managers who use this guide of essential Linux commands, utilities and tools will find ways to manage files, get process status updates and more.Continue Reading

• Docker Containers as a Service deployment simplified on HPE Synergy

  Reference Configuration guides the deployment of the complete Docker-based Containers-as-a-Service platform on HPE Synergy composable infrastructure to simplify container use.Continue Reading

• Build up your SDDC security with 3 components

  If you want to build a foundation for secure operations in your SDDC, software patches, account privileges and encryption should all be part of your security framework.Continue Reading

• Top 5 Linux performance commands for system administrators

  Figuring out Linux host performance issues is time-consuming without the right tools. The top, vmstat, iostat, free and sar commands can help get CPU, device and memory data.Continue Reading

• The pros and cons of hyper-converged flash storage

  Find out why and for what use cases and application workloads 100% solid-state flash may not be the best storage choice for hyper-converged infrastructure.Continue Reading

• Hyper-converged cloud key to private cloud success

  Granular scaling and rapid deployment help make hyper-converged infrastructure the ideal platform for building out, deploying and scaling out a private cloud.Continue Reading

• Top five data center trends to watch in 2019

  In 2019, data center admins should research how technologies such as AIOps, chatbots and GPUs can help them with their management, help desk and processing needs.Continue Reading

• Security, staffing land atop IT's edge computing challenges

  Edge computing is a new way for data center admins to process data closer to the source, but it comes with challenges around security and staffing that organizations must address head-on.Continue Reading

• Choosing the best OS: Linux server vs. Windows Server

  When determining the best server OS for a data center, you have Windows Server and multiple Linux options. For both, you'll want to look at vendor support, cost and functionality.Continue Reading

• Mitigate data center storage capacity miscalculations

  You can use cloud storage and deduplication to expand storage capacity, prevent application failure and maintain data center performance.Continue Reading

• IT support and service contracts ripe for savings

  If you don't pay close attention to IT support, service and maintenance contracts, start now. Chances are your organization is paying more than it needs to.Continue Reading

• How can I prevent data loss during a Linux distribution upgrade?

  It's important to prevent data loss during a Linux OS upgrade. How can partitions or disk drives help IT teams meet that goal?Continue Reading

• Use a Linux file system journal for data integrity, performance

  Understand the three different file system journaling modes for Linux, as well as which mount option provides the best levels of data protection and performance.Continue Reading

• Compare benefits of a blade server architecture vs. hyper-convergence

  To determine if a series of blade servers is the right call for more condensed compute in your data center, evaluate its benefits compared to hyper-convergence.Continue Reading

• Optimize mainframe processor performance with vertical polarization

  To increase mainframe processor capacity and speed, IBM turned to vertical polarization. Learn how to take advantage of it through a feature called HiperDispatch.Continue Reading

• Six helpful Linux networking commands to monitor connectivity

  There are plenty of useful Linux tools to help in the event of a network connection failure. Here are six of the top commands to stay ahead when trouble occurs.Continue Reading

• Draw up a data center network diagram you'll actually use

  Creating a data center network diagram is time-consuming but necessary work. Keep the scope narrow and know the priorities of your diagram to save time and energy.Continue Reading

• How do you verify a HA server or cluster is working?

  I want to ensure server high availability in my production IT environment. Is it better to test server HA and risk disruption, or trust in the systems' reliability?Continue Reading

• Can I use Mikrotik vs. Cisco switches in a data center?

  I'm purchasing rack-level access switches for an enterprise data center, and weighing Cisco vs. Mikrotik, which is less expensive.Continue Reading

• Help! I deleted a Linux boot partition

  I deleted a partition on my Linux system, but I still see a boot menu. How do I re-install GRUB2 and not lose data?Continue Reading

• Server performance and benchmark testing guide

  The right back-end servers, tuned for maximum efficacy, make the difference in business-critical applications and services.Continue Reading

• Resolve a network bottleneck with these techniques

  Data center network performance problems will disappear with fixes from a simple reorganization through a strategic overhaul.Continue Reading

• How do I transfer a PS file from a mainframe to a Linux server?

  I need to transfer one PS file's data from a mainframe to a Linux server. Are there any JCL scripts that can do this for me?Continue Reading

• What's the best way to measure data center airflow?

  You can't measure airflow from raised floor tiles in the same way as any other air duct. Optimize data center airflow with the right tools.Continue Reading

• Which IBM 3592 tape cartridge has the highest capacity?

  There are a bunch of IBM 3592 'J' tape designations. How do you order the right capacity for your tape drives? Do you take compression into account?Continue Reading

• How do you define data center size, density?

  With shifts in the scale and density of data centers, one industry organization is drawing up ways to standardize how we talk about data center size and power needs.Continue Reading

• Create a SAN with the Linux LIO iSCSI target

  With the LIO iSCSI target service, Linux shops have an affordable SAN option that ranks up there with expensive proprietary storage solutions.Continue Reading

• What to do when UPS sizing goes wrong

  UPS sizing is hard, with confusing terminology and an ever-shifting IT load. If you get the calculations wrong, don't worry about a Michael Bay movie scene in the data center. Here's what to do when UPS is too wimpy or too beefy for the task.Continue Reading

• Linux boot options in RHEL, SLES help ailing servers

  Is your server not booting correctly? Does it need crucial recovery tasks? Linux boot options with GRUB2 and systemd can help.Continue Reading

• What data center Tier levels can and cannot tell you about uptime

  When it's time to go colo, it's important to know what level of facility uptime you need, as well as the data center operator's specific procedures.Continue Reading

• Is LRDIMM the best memory option for an enterprise server?

  Load-reduced DIMM allows for more memory and decreased latency than on-server memory typically has. So how does it compare to other DIMM designs?Continue Reading

• Mount Global File System 2, avoid corruption in RHEL High Availability

  You have a working cluster, now what? Red Hat's GFS2 will help you avoid file system corruption. Learn how to mount the default cluster file system.Continue Reading

• Getting started with ITIL service management

  Promised cost savings, alignment with business, and operational efficiency are encouraging more organizations to take up ITIL service management.Continue Reading

• Six steps to create a highly available Apache Web service

  When a Red Hat cluster goes into production, you can protect it by configuring a supported high-availability service. Here's how.Continue Reading

• Basic Linux commands for new Linux server administrators

  To manage Linux servers, administrators need a set of basic commands to view and start processes, as well as utilities that make life a little easier.Continue Reading

• Five best Linux applications for enterprises

  These five applications will improve the lives of enterprise IT and business management by increasing functionality and reducing costs.Continue Reading

• RISC vs. CISC explained for data center systems

  The role of RISC processors in data center equipment is hotly debated, but new RISC designs are proving that it isn't just a CISC game.Continue Reading

• Creating a quorum disk and fencing for Linux high availability nodes

  The quorum disk and fencing on a Linux high availability cluster let its nodes know when they are operational and shut them off if they are not.Continue Reading

• How outdated practices harm data center grounding systems

  Isolated grounds are a solution lacking a problem. In fact, isolated grounds create problems for data center cabinet power and add expense all around.Continue Reading

• Creating a reliable and fast SAN network design with iSCSI

  There are three tenets of designing an iSCSI network correctly. Proper iSCSI deployment yields affordable and reliable network access for the SAN.Continue Reading

• TCP offload's promises and limitations for enterprise networks

  TCP offload products free up limited CPU resources in network-intensive data centers. But TCP offload is no panacea and can introduce more problems.Continue Reading

• Major changes in data center fire suppression standards NFPA 75 and 76

  Fire standard changes can add a lot of work and expense to a data center operator's job, but the updates to NFPA 75 and 76 address real safety risks.Continue Reading

• What to do when a mainframe IPL stalls out without error messages

  When initial program load stalls out on a mainframe logical partition, the culprit is often consoles. Connectivity is one of many potential causes.Continue Reading

• No faults here: Advanced techniques to attain more reliable servers

  A new generation of reliability features can keep busy servers running in the face of serious fault conditions.Continue Reading

• How to prepare a server cluster for Linux high availability

  With a Linux distribution supporting mission-critical business applications, it's time to set up Linux high-availability software.Continue Reading

• Physical building properties to evaluate during server room design

  Does your server room have space to grow? What's the best mechanical system for it? Start with these questions to develop a good server room design.Continue Reading

• A new troubleshooting and management process with GRUB2 bootloader

  Nearly everything changed from the GRUB bootloader to GRUB2. With major enterprise Linux distributions moving to GRUB2, it's time to get acquainted.Continue Reading

• Programming thread-safe mainframe applications with the CICS ENQ command

  Thread safety in mainframe applications means better vertical integration. Take full advantage with the CICS ENQ command.Continue Reading

• When to use Linux memory swap to solve server performance problems

  Adding physical memory may seem like the best way to solve a Linux server's memory shortage. But that's not the only way, so troubleshoot first.Continue Reading

• Analyzing and optimizing Linux power consumption with PowerTop 2

  The PowerTOP tool tracks power consumption in Linux servers. You can tweak servers and applications to consume less power if you understand PowerTOP.Continue Reading

• Do you have the IT skillset for these five hot data center jobs?

  With technologies such as cloud computing in the limelight, data center pros need to upgrade their skillsets to catch the latest wave of innovation.Continue Reading

• Five data center upgrade strategies to modernize your facility

  These five data center upgrade strategies can revitalize older data centers and stave off expensive construction projects.Continue Reading

• The basics of selecting server memory

  Understanding modern memory helps IT professionals make the best choices for selecting a server memory configuration and upgrades.Continue Reading

• A deeper look at memory ranks, channels and types

  Looking for new server memory? Learning about memory ranks, channels and types is a good step to making the right choice.Continue Reading

• Five steps to take when the server is down

  Companies rely heavily on websites to transact business and stay in contact. Here's how to fix Web server issues and prevent future problems.Continue Reading

• Issues with SELinux preventing virtual machine from accessing files

  Here's how to solve the problems when trying to access files via a virtual machine in SELinux.Continue Reading

• Are blade servers obsolete?

  Blade servers maximize compute density on racks, but are their days numbered?Continue Reading

• The basics of selecting server memory

  Understanding modern memory helps IT professionals make the best choices for selecting a server memory configuration and upgrades.Continue Reading

• A deeper look at memory ranks, channels and types

  Looking for new server memory? Learning about memory ranks, channels and types is a good step to making the right choice.Continue Reading

• Cut-through versus store-and-forward in Ethernet switch architecture

  Switches in the data center can push frames using either store-and-forward or cut-through. Is one Ethernet switch architecture better than the other?Continue Reading

• Three questions on ASHRAE standards for data centers

  Evolving ASHRAE standards for temperature and humidity allow data center owners to save money on power and cooling demands.Continue Reading

• Setting traps with SLIP, king of the mainframe debugging tools

  How to use SLIP, one of the best mainframe debugging tools, to set traps for annoying bugs.Continue Reading

• Tweak Linux swap to improve server performance

  Many administrators ignore or underutilize the Linux swap settings but making the proper adjustments will make for better system performance.Continue Reading

• It’s an easy fix to clean up a GRUB error on your Linux server

  A GRUB error will stop a Linux server cold, but following these steps should get you back on track.Continue Reading