Tips

Tips

Virtualization security and patch management

• Incorporate NIST security and virtualization recommendations

  Review NIST virtualization security recommendations with this overview of hypervisor security guidelines, including tips on VM lifecycles and hypervisor platform management.  Continue Reading

• Build an IT maintenance plan around infrastructure needs

  Don't delay maintenance reboots. It's easy to forget to reboot hosts, tools and drivers, so use a reboot schedule to ensure your infrastructure remains functional.  Continue Reading

• Support a guest security policy with endpoint hardening

  Guest security relies not only on a series of tools and best practices, but also on a security mindset that starts with endpoint hardening and follows the deployment of every VM.  Continue Reading

• Preserve Hyper-V security from Meltdown and Spectre vulnerabilities

  Protect Hyper-V VMs from Meltdown and Spectre security vulnerabilities, and install patches from Microsoft. Watch out for future revisions, performance impacts and recalls.  Continue Reading

• Address bulk VMM agent updates with PowerShell automation

  The SCVMM agent upgrade process is a regular, but sometimes laborious, part of VM management. Use PowerShell to make light work of bulk updates through commands and loops.  Continue Reading

• Strengthen security in virtualization with these best practices

  Prioritize security across your organization, and establish policies that employ best practices, like least-privilege tactics, security audits and update and patch automation.  Continue Reading

• Prepare for VMware patches as if they were firmware upgrades

  VMware patches, due to interconnections with the rest of your system, require as much coordination as firmware upgrades. Balance update scheduling carefully to maintain control.  Continue Reading

• Virtual patching trades convenience for increased risk

  Performance might not suffer too much when using a virtual patch, but there are reliability, quality and support concerns associated with this technology.  Continue Reading

• How to choose between replacing and upgrading servers

  Be sure to research the risks and rewards of either replacing or upgrading servers and virtualization hosts before deciding which option is the right choice for your environment.  Continue Reading

• Set a VM service window when it's time for a tuneup

  Finding the right time for VM maintenance has always been tough, but SCVMM servicing windows can help get everyone on the same page.  Continue Reading

• DHCP Guard and advanced Hyper-V network security features

  While not right for every situation, some advanced security features can add a layer of defense to prevent malicious intrusions and protect a virtualized environment.  Continue Reading

• Virtual server security concerns we all forget

  Keeping our environments secure is of critical importance, but all too often we lose sight of what availability and security really mean.  Continue Reading

• Virtual server maintenance tasks we all forget

  It's easy to forget basic server maintenance tasks that keep virtualization hosts updated and your data center healthy.  Continue Reading

• Focus on hypervisor security to keep your virtual data center safe

  A security breach on a single VM can mean a widespread outage, making effective hypervisor security a requirement for every virtual data center.  Continue Reading

• How to recognize and prevent a hypervisor attack to protect data

  A hypervisor attack can hand hackers the keys to your virtual kingdom. But, with the proper precautions and tools, you can minimize the risk.  Continue Reading