Evaluate
Weigh the pros and cons of technologies, products and projects you are considering.
Evaluate
Weigh the pros and cons of technologies, products and projects you are considering.
Red Hat adds a new focus to cloud computing with changes in RHEV 3.3
With the majority of costumers sticking with VMware vSphere, Red Hat has changed its tune with RHEV 3.3. Continue Reading
IT orchestration can help bridge gaps to unite divided business units
IT orchestration can help data center administrators lend their expertise to other business units and vice versa. Continue Reading
Server virtualization trends to expect in 2014
Vendors released many important products and features over the last year, but what's in store for server virtualization trends in 2014? Continue Reading
-
Car assembly plants can teach a valuable lesson in IT automation
To stay relevant, your business needs to leverage IT automation, taking a lesson from the high efficiency of car assembly plants. Continue Reading
Hardware and software approaches to improve virtual server reliability
Careful selection of hardware and software technologies can improve virtual server reliability and ease the additional risks virtualization adds. Continue Reading
Virtual data center challenges and management tools that help conquer them
Constant refinements and upgrades can cause virtualization challenges -- such as VM sprawl -- but management tools can help smooth the process.Continue Reading
You might be paying too much for Windows Server licensing
If you're still taking a traditional approach to Windows Server licensing in your virtual data center, you're leaving money on the table.Continue Reading
Drop everything and jump on the SMB 3 bandwagon
Windows Server 2012 is picking up momentum, spurred on by SMB 3 improvements. But, could a simple network share change the VM storage game?Continue Reading
Five steps to choosing the best hypervisor for your company
Now that Microsoft has closed the gap with VMware, IT pros have a difficult decision when it comes to choosing the best hypervisor for their needs.Continue Reading
The nitty-gritty of VMware NSX
VMware NSX has become a point of pride for the vendor. Before you jump on the network virtualization bandwagon, get all the facts.Continue Reading
-
When you need more than bare bones KVM management tools
Built-in KVM management tools don't give you the advanced functionality of RHEV or oVirt, but sometimes a bare-bones approach is all you need.Continue Reading
Tackling virtual server security and compliance challenges
Today's data centers face many unique virtual server security and compliance challenges. Our Advisory Board weighs in on how to solve them.Continue Reading
Should you use CredSSP or Kerberos authentication for Live Migration?
Hyper-V admins need to choose between CredSSP or Kerberos authentication for Live Migration. Find out which is more secure and easier to use.Continue Reading
The 'what, where and why' of VMCS shadowing
When performance issues strike systems hosting multiple VMMs, VMCS shadowing comes to the rescue.Continue Reading
Can RHEV 3.3 change public perception on open source hypervisors?
Red Hat released RHEV 3.3 this week, with features comparable to VMware and Microsoft. Does the open source hypervisor stand a chance in the market?Continue Reading
Not lost, just recalculating: VMware's route to a VDC-OS has been long
For years, it seemed VMware was taking us on the scenic route to the software-defined data center, but VMworld 2013 shed new light on the roadmap.Continue Reading
VMware VDP 5.5 improvements expected to drive down competitor pricing
VMware vSphere Data Protection Advanced 5.5 offers functionality improvements and competes with products from Veeam, which could drive prices down.Continue Reading
Lowering the cost of private cloud software
Don't pay more than you need to for private cloud software. These tips will help you navigate the market and implement cost-saving policies.Continue Reading
Three reasons you'll want to employ open source cloud software
VMware vCloud and AWS have the lion's share of the cloud market, but given the right circumstances, open source may be the better choice.Continue Reading
Rethinking high-availability architecture: Scale out to save money
Organizations can save money by rethinking high-availability architecture, relying more on scale-out servers and a load balancer.Continue Reading
Data center mapping, server tags offer easy monitoring and management
Efficient virtualization management is often a struggle, but new data center mapping technology could be the innovative solution admins need.Continue Reading
Local data storage or SAN: How storage location affects VM performance
Do the performance advantages of local storage outweigh the management benefits of a storage area network?Continue Reading
VMworld news quiz: Fresh products and features you should know
If you couldn't make it to VMworld or were just too busy to keep up with everything, here's your chance to catch up and test your news knowledge.Continue Reading
Let's get this straight: VM live migration
As live migration features have evolved over the years, the terminology around the technology has become more confusing. Let us help you sort it out.Continue Reading
The road to VMware Certified Professional exam success
When you're studying for your VMware Certified Professional certification, don't forget to learn these 20 crucial terms.Continue Reading
The smart shopper's guide to virtualization and cloud management tools
Choosing virtualization and cloud management tools should not be taken lightly. So, what's the most important factor to consider?Continue Reading
How to control private cloud costs
IT shops often operate on a tight budget, and increasing pressure to provide private cloud capabilities in the enterprise presents a fiscal challenge. How can companies that are faced with the prohibitive licensing and software costs involved in a ...Continue Reading
Meeting long-term business goals, avoiding seagull consultants
Many customers see consultants as greedy salespeople, but it's still possible to work together toward your long-term business goals.Continue Reading
Virtualization management tools can help reduce server power usage
Emerging virtualization tools that automatically migrate workloads to optimize data center resources help improve server power usage.Continue Reading
VMware shops say forget cloud, virtualize big data applications
Some VMware shops have experimented with running big data applications in the cloud or virtualizing big data workloads, with surprising results.Continue Reading
Breaking down barriers to virtualizing mission-critical applications
If a software-defined data center is in your future, you can't be afraid to virtualize mission-critical applications.Continue Reading
Looking up for success: Virtual management tools and the cloud
This chapter explores virtual management tools available from major platforms that can streamline management and prepare virtual data centers for the cloud. Even if a data center is virtualized, it's not necessarily ready for the cloud. A good ...Continue Reading
How to choose the best hardware for virtualization
Servers now offer more features than ever, which makes it hard to determine what’s useful and what’s just fluff. But this guide should help.Continue Reading
Buying server hardware for a scalable virtual infrastructure, part 2
Buying server hardware for a scalable architecture requires careful consideration. Here are three things to keep in mind.Continue Reading
Questions to ask before choosing an open source hypervisor
The vSphere vs. Hyper-V debate overshadows Xen vs. KVM, but open source hypervisor comparison requires the same deliberation.Continue Reading
Rise above the cloud hype to evaluate which apps should stay in-house
Cloud computing can be a real money saver, but it's not right for every workload. Know when to ignore the cloud hype and keep apps in-house.Continue Reading
CloudPhysics' IT infrastructure monitoring tool brings big data to vSphere
IT infrastructure monitoring startup CloudPhysics, backed by VMware's co-founders, uses big data to provide new insights into vSphere environments.Continue Reading
Buying server hardware for a scalable virtual infrastructure, Part 1
Part 1 of this series explores how trends in buying server hardware have been influenced by the scale-up vs. scale-out architecture debate.Continue Reading
Three scenarios when it's worth paying for third-party P2V tools
Third-party P2V tools are expensive, but there are some important use cases that make a robust P2V migration product well worth the expense.Continue Reading
At VMworld 2013, software-defined will be the next hated buzzword
Check out these five predictions for VMworld 2013, including how software-defined will replace cloud as the most overused phrase.Continue Reading
Am I the only one not broken up over the end of TechNet subscriptions?
Many IT pros are upset with Microsoft's decision to end popular TechNet subscriptions, but not everyone is complaining.Continue Reading
Analyzing syslog data with VMware's Log Insight tool
Follow these step-by-step instructions to view and monitor syslog data using VMware vCenter Log Insight.Continue Reading
Evaluating cloud platforms and tools
This chapter provides an overview of major virtual platforms and tools on the market with a focus on building a framework for the cloud. It explains how automation, VM templating, chargeback and other features define cloud computing. We explore ...Continue Reading
Face-off: Weighing the pros and cons of using multiple hypervisors
More companies are using multiple hypervisors, but do the advantages outweigh the challenges? Two experts give different opinions so you can decide.Continue Reading
Live Migration vs. vMotion: A guide to VM migration
VMware vMotion and Microsoft Live Migration offer similar capabilities. Find out how competing VM live migration features work in this guide.Continue Reading
As feature gaps narrow, how will we compare hypervisors in the future?
Growing feature parity will dramatically change the way we compare hypervisors, shifting the focus from what a hypervisor does to what it enables.Continue Reading
IT content and vendor engagement evaluation survey
When IT professionals, such as yourself, have an IT project at their organization, they often need to research multiple pieces of content from a variety of sources, including vendors, third-parties and experts. This survey will allow TechTarget to ...Continue Reading
A better environment management tool: Hyper-V Best Practices Analyzer
Most admins are familiar with Hyper-V Manager and SCVMM, but there's other useful info only the Hyper-V Best Practices Analyzer can give you.Continue Reading
Consider hiding the price tag when comparing vSphere vs. Hyper-V
While it might seem crazy to your CFO, comparing vSphere vs. Hyper-V without considering the price is a useful exercise.Continue Reading
VMware's free vCenter Certificate Automation Tool simplifies updates
VMware's vCenter Certificate Automation Tool is barely out of beta, but users are optimistic it will ease the nightmarish certificate update process.Continue Reading
Buying the next generation of hardware for virtualization
Virtualization is still changing how we use hardware. Here's what you should know about buying the next generation of hardware for virtualization.Continue Reading
Virtualization vs. cloud: Let's get this straight
Reports of clouds abound, but true clouds are hard to come by. Turns out, many don't know what separates virtualization vs. cloud. We're here to help.Continue Reading
Virtual data centers could use a fresh look at IT security policies
Often, the biggest challenge to virtual data center security is actually legacy IT security policies that prevent efficiency and aggravate employees.Continue Reading
Incorporating vCenter Orchestrator into your automation arsenal
Are you considering jumping into vCenter Orchestrator? Here's some expert advice on where to get started and how to use VMware's automation tool.Continue Reading
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.Continue Reading
Virtualization widens schism between server and networking teams
Virtual networking has revived tensions between server and networking teams within data centers, but it's a dynamic both sides must embrace.Continue Reading
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.Continue Reading
What to consider before virtualizing mission-critical applications
If they're not broken, why fix mission-critical applications by virtualizing? The same reasons you virtualize other apps: Efficiency and flexibility.Continue Reading
VMware's vCenter Certificate Automation Tool is too little, too late
VMware's vCenter Certificate Automation Tool aims to fix a perennial pain point for many admins, but one expert isn't satisfied with the new product.Continue Reading
Don't fear an automation tool--it may be your best bet at job security
Don't worry about automating yourself out of a job--the added value an automation tool brings may be the best kind of job security you can find.Continue Reading
Dry advisories leave many unsatisfied with VMware security updates
A recent survey reveals that many customers expect more from VMware security updates -- something Tom Howarth has been saying for years.Continue Reading
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.Continue Reading
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.Continue Reading
SCVMM PowerShell module trick: Skip the management tool install
Learn how to get the cmdlets you need to manage SCVMM from anywhere in the world by using Remoting to import a PowerShell module.Continue Reading
Guidelines for conquering virtualization project inertia
Switching hypervisors or deploying a private cloud can be a marathon struggle, but there is hope for successfully tackling a virtualization project.Continue Reading
Chapter excerpt and expert advice for getting started with Hyper-V
Curious about the newest version of Microsoft's hypervisor? In this Q&A, we talk with an expert about his advice for getting started with Hyper-V.Continue Reading
The Microsoft Hyper-V snapshot explained
Snapshots are an important management tool, but they aren't an alternative to backups. Find out how a Hyper-V snapshot works and how to use it.Continue Reading
CompTIA Cloud Essentials and other vendor-neutral certificates
Cloud certificates will soon be a must for today's IT pros. Now's the time to learn about CompTIA Cloud Essentials and other exams on the market.Continue Reading
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.Continue Reading
Comparing the subtle differences between vMotion vs. Live Migration
Both VMware and Microsoft now offer a shared nothing VM migration feature. Find out how they stack up in this vMotion vs. Live Migration comparison.Continue Reading
Puppet, VMware bring DevOps automation tools to vCenter
New automation tools from Puppet aim to introduce VMware admins to the world of DevOps, but programming knowledge remains a barrier for some IT pros.Continue Reading
Emerging trends: Vendors pushing the software defined data center
OVirt vs. RHEV: Are they interchangeable?
If you wonder about the difference between RHEV 3.1 and oVirt 3.1, you're not alone. We asked an expert to clear up any oVirt vs. RHEV confusion.Continue Reading
What's the best command-line shell: PowerShell vs. CMD vs. Bash
PowerShell is a relative newcomer among command-line shells, but it's easy to see why it's so popular when you compare PowerShell vs. CMD and Bash.Continue Reading
VHD vs. VHDX: Virtual disk format differences
Microsoft's new virtual hard disk format, VHDX, has some important advantages over the legacy VHD format, as this VHD vs. VHDX comparison describes.Continue Reading
Four tools for managing a heterogeneous environment
Not all heterogeneous environment management tools are created equal. Check out four popular options to determine which are worth a second look.Continue Reading
Aligning virtualization and cloud strategies with business goals
As cloud strategies become common practice for virtual data centers, be sure you choose the right one that will help you meet your business goals.Continue Reading
Crash course: Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V introduction
Looking for a quick Hyper-V introduction? We've got you covered with these tips highlighting important changes to Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V.Continue Reading
From VMware fling to supported tool: vCenter Multi-Hypervisor Manager
Take a look inside former VMware fling, vCenter Multi-Hypervisor Manager. Despite its name, the application may just be a way to prompt conversion.Continue Reading
RHEV vs. vSphere: The virtualization platform wars
In the RHEV vs. vSphere debate, which platform has the edge? Quiz yourself on the latest developments in RHEV 3.1 and vSphere 5.1.Continue Reading
How Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V is changing the virtualization market
Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V is gaining traction in the virtualization market. Find out why one expert thinks now is Microsoft's time to shine.Continue Reading
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.Continue Reading
CloudPhysics' resource management tool studies virtual infrastructures
A new service from startup CloudPhysics may have admins rethinking resource management. Would you send data to the cloud for analysis and comparison?Continue Reading
Social media: Coming to an enterprise near you
Social media in the data center may not be far off, as vendors and emerging technology trends point to increasing use of social networking in the enterprise.Continue Reading
Emerging trends: Vendors pushing the software defined data center
Virtualization vendors have expanded operations well beyond servers. Their focus lately is on an entire software defined virtual infrastructure.Continue Reading
How to save money with application-level high availability
Enterprise-level high availability is complex and costly. Using application-level HA could actually save you a buck.Continue Reading
VMware Tools
VMware Tools is an optional, free set of drivers and utilities that enhances both the performance of a virtual machine’s guest operating system and interaction between the guest and the host.Continue Reading
VMware news quiz: Product updates and snafus
Take this VMware news quiz to see if you're up to date on the latest product updates and compatibility problems that could affect your organization.Continue Reading
High-availability architecture: Redundancy vs. abstraction
Storage arrays for virtualization: Proprietary vs. nonproprietary
Testing high-availability software options from vendors
Virtualization storage provisioning: Improving storage performance
Virtualizing mission-critical applications
How virtualization drives business application updates
Lifecycle management: Physical vs. virtual machines
Virtualization makes big data analytics possible for SMBs
Big data isn't just for large companies with fat wallets. A virtual Hadoop deployment lets budget-conscious SMBs benefit from big data analytics.Continue Reading
Configuring and provisioning production-ready SMB 3.0 storage
Yes, SMB 3.0 can go beyond test environments. But before you can take SMB 3.0 storage into production, there are a few things you need to tackle.Continue Reading
The original free Hyper-V backup tool
Prevent downtime with Dell's AppAssure software
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.Continue Reading