Server virtualization management tools and practices

How hypervisors dynamically allocate memory to improve VM performance

How hypervisors dynamically allocate memory to improve VM performanceFeature

transparent page sharing

Transparent page sharing (TPS) is a memory management technology in virtualization.Definition

Master class: PowerShell v3 cmdlets

Are you taking full advantage of Microsoft PowerShell? Check out this virtualization school for the latest advanced management techniques.guide

One Platform, Many Uses

Room for improvement: Where virtualization vendors are falling short

For all the recent improvements, virtualization vendors and third-party providers are still falling short of customer expectations in some areas.Advisory Board

Cloud performance monitoring: No one-size-fits-all solution

Top 5 ways to improve virtualized server infrastructure performance

Virtual host maintenance and enhancement strategies

Four mistakes that can kill virtual machine performance

Multi-hypervisor automation with the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit

The free Microsoft Deployment Toolkit automates OS deployments across multiple hypervisor platforms, saving IT pros countless hours and headaches.Tip

memory ballooning

Memory ballooning is a virtual memory management technique used to free unused memory.Definition

The iSCSI versus NFS debate: Configuring storage protocols in vSphere

For performance rivaling Fibre Channel, you can bet on iSCSI or NFS. But one protocol has the edge when it comes to ease of configuration in vSphere.Tip

Working with the limitations of SAN-based backups and backup tools

Neither SAN-based VM backups nor VCB can do it all. When you understand the scope of each method, you'll make a better disaster recovery decision.Answer

Determining what type of server is a good candidate for virtualization

There's no easy answer when it comes to deciding what type of server to virtualize, but there are important guidelines to help sway your decision.Tip

Easier cloud provisioning with new Red Hat storage features

The new storage features in RHEV 3.1 not only let you avoid VM downtime, but also increase flexibility needed for cloud provisioning.Tip

Virtualization storage innovations challenge market leaders

Startups are challenging established vendors with storage innovations, but will they be able to sustain their momentum as market leaders catch up?Tip

VHDResizer, PowerShell commands and other methods to resize VHDs

The Hyper-V disk management toolkit leaves much to be desired. Fortunately, you can use VHDResizer, PowerShell and other methods to resize VHDs.Tip

Physical-to-virtual conversion headaches: Shrinking virtual drives

Simply put, storage bottlenecks kill productivity. Avoid these issues by shrinking virtual drives during physical-to-virtual conversions.Tip

Cluster Shared Volumes and virtual storage provisioning decisions

Many data centers turn to Cluster Shared Volumes to manage resources. But proper virtual storage provisioning rests on multiple factors.Tip

A Red Hat training and virtualization quiz

Before you call yourself a virtualization pro, check your knowledge of Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization capabilities and features with this quiz.Quiz

Troubleshooting the top five virtual machine migration errors

It's not uncommon for a virtual machine restart to fail. Combat VM migration errors by learning to diagnose the error and prevent it from recurring.Tip

How hypervisors dynamically allocate memory to improve VM performance

How hypervisors dynamically allocate memory to improve VM performanceFeature

How to achieve optimal resource allocation and why that matters

Optimal resource allocation is a tricky tightrope act for even experienced IT pros, but you can ease the process by asking yourself a few questions.FAQ

Strike a common-sense balance when deciding what to automate

Consider the many factors that determine the potential return on investment when deciding when and what to automate.Advisory Board

How can I enable automated VM resource provisioning?

As with many other facets of virtualization, VM resource allocation is becoming automated. Find out what tools you can use for automated provisioning.ATE

Application benchmarking paints a true picture of VM resources

You try to avoid overallocating VM resources, but requirements aren't always obvious. This is when application benchmarking comes in handy.Answer

Five tips for building a VMware virtual infrastructure

Building a virtual infrastructure starts with good design and careful planning. These five tips will get you started with a VMware infrastructure.Tip

Use your PowerShell prowess to add VHD files to a Hyper-V VM

Need to import VHD files into Hyper-V, but don't know how to go about it? PowerShell to the rescue!Answer

Adding Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V hosts to SCVMM the easy way

If you're looking to speed up a deployment and add new Hyper-V hosts faster, ditch the graphical tool and use PowerShell to automate the process.Tip

SCVMM 2012 SP1 management: There's a PowerShell cmdlet for that

If you think you have to memorize 529 cmdlets to use PowerShell to manage SCVMM 2012 SP1, think again.Tip

Diagnosing the cause of failed VM snapshots

You've done everything right -- even quiesced the VM -- but you're still experiencing a snapshot error. What's causing the failure?Answer

What are the best backup methods and tools for my VMs?

Choosing the wrong VM backup methods and tools could cause major problems in your infrastructure. Avoid the headaches by remembering the basics.Answer

Heterogeneous virtualization shops aim to simplify management

Tools that plug in to native consoles can help VMware and Hyper-V shops tackle the challenges and complexities of multi-hypervisor management.News | 10 Apr 2013

How virtualization performance monitoring increases ROI

Virtualization infrastructure monitoring: Eating your veggies

Using virtual systems management to define server ownership

'Big data' analytics Software as a Service crowdsources cloud management

Early adopters of big data analytics Software as a Service like how it aggregates data to help them troubleshoot complex systems management problems.News | 20 Sep 2012

Why virtualization admins and desktop hypervisors should be BFFs

For time-crunched server virtualization admins, desktop hypervisors offer an ideal environment for troubleshooting, configuring and distributing VMs.Column | 20 Aug 2012

Multi-hypervisor automation with the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit

The free Microsoft Deployment Toolkit automates OS deployments across multiple hypervisor platforms, saving IT pros countless hours and headaches.Tip

Private cloud deployment made easy

To ensure a smooth private cloud deployment, it's vital that you learn the best practices and how to apply virtualization techniques in a new way.guide

Troubleshooting the top five virtual machine migration errors

It's not uncommon for a virtual machine restart to fail. Combat VM migration errors by learning to diagnose the error and prevent it from recurring.Tip

physical to virtual (P2V)

Physical to virtual (P2V) is a term that refers to the migration of an operating system (OS), application programs and data from a computer's main hard disk to a virtual machine.Definition

Determining what type of server is a good candidate for virtualization

There's no easy answer when it comes to deciding what type of server to virtualize, but there are important guidelines to help sway your decision.Tip

FAQs you should answer before starting P2V conversions

P2V conversions can trip up even experienced IT pros. Be sure you know the answers to these frequently asked questions before starting a migration.FAQ

VHDResizer, PowerShell commands and other methods to resize VHDs

The Hyper-V disk management toolkit leaves much to be desired. Fortunately, you can use VHDResizer, PowerShell and other methods to resize VHDs.Tip

Physical-to-virtual conversion headaches: Shrinking virtual drives

Simply put, storage bottlenecks kill productivity. Avoid these issues by shrinking virtual drives during physical-to-virtual conversions.Tip

Microsoft Virtual Machine Converter eases VM migrations

For admins managing both vSphere and Hyper-V in the data center, Microsoft Virtual Machine Converter may mean fewer VM conversion headaches.Tip

Mommy, where does VM sprawl come from?

VM sprawl creeps up on a data center. Before you can tackle the issue, it helps to understand how VM sprawl occurs and what it can do to an IT shop.Tip

Virtualizing applications and virtual server migration best practices

Virtualizing applications is great for ROI. With virtual server migrations and virtual appliances, you can recoup your investment even faster.Tutorial

Long-distance live migration moves within reach

Doing a long-distance live migration these days is a Herculean effort, but F5 Networks says it’s time is coming for mere mortals.News | 22 Nov 2011