Evaluate

Evaluate

Weigh the pros and cons of technologies, products and projects you are considering.

• Hyper-V 2016 features support shared storage alternatives

  Storage improvements, like support for file-based and block-based storage, help enhance Hyper-V 2016 features, including guest clustering and failover. Continue Reading

• Navigate the pros and cons of Windows Server Core

  Thin server OSes allow for reduced maintenance and overhead, but when you increase density to take advantage of excess capacity, you can face issues with failures and performance. Continue Reading

• Use open source Vagrant to deploy containers and VMs

  With a few scripts, you can create virtual instances using the open source tool Vagrant, which is a cross between a container orchestrator and a VM orchestrator. Continue Reading

• Hyperbole shades the perceived advantages of private cloud

  The private cloud promised a flexible and scalable alternative to public clouds, but in many cases, the concept fails to deliver. Continue Reading

• Take advantage of new functionalities for Hyper-V Generation 2 VMs

  Windows Server 2016 provides advanced security for VMs and enables the user to boot Linux VMs securely and to hot add and remove network cards and memory. Continue Reading

• Install XenServer and use XenCenter for configuration

  In the open source arena, there are many options for Xen, but XenServer includes the XenCenter management console. Read these expert tips before installing it.Continue Reading

• Choose the best Linux distribution for your enterprise Xen environment

  Ubuntu, Red Hat, SUSE and Oracle provide some level of enterprise support, but you should review these options carefully to determine the best fit.Continue Reading

• In the age of cloud, should you invest in a data center upgrade?

  Before you rush to replace servers with more of the same, consider your organization's long-term goals and whether a move to the cloud might be the better option.Continue Reading

• When should you deploy containerized applications?

  Cleanly divided and straightforward applications are good candidates for a container-based deployment, whereas complex applications pose more challenges.Continue Reading

• Xen open source project: Reports of my death are greatly exaggerated

  Under guidance of the Linux Foundation, the Xen project lives on as the hypervisor supporting major cloud providers and enterprises.Continue Reading

• Why and how to migrate cloud VMs back on premises

  Before migrating back on premises, do your research on potential expenses, like licensing costs and egress charges, and consider investing in a migration tool.Continue Reading

• Adopt a container platform that best meets your needs

  Container platforms, like Docker and Windows Server, all have their strong suits; be sure to research OS support, security, portability and community support before adoption.Continue Reading

• How should you use containers in your virtual environment?

  Container technology is good for workloads that require fast iteration and portability, but management, resilience and security are important challenges to take into account.Continue Reading

• Determine the right level of data center access for administrators

  If you hand out administrative access too freely, you risk leaving your data center vulnerable to rogue IT administrators and cyberattacks.Continue Reading

• Considerations for moving in-house VMs to Azure public cloud

  Migrating in-house VMs to Microsoft Azure ensures availability, but there are limits to subscriptions and storage that you need to consider before choosing Azure instances.Continue Reading