Evaluate

Evaluate

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

• Top data center infrastructure management software in 2024

  DCIM tools can improve data center management and operation. Learn how six prominent products can help organizations control costs, manage energy and track assets. Continue Reading

• A rundown of server hardware vendors and the server options

  Discover and compare the leading vendors in server hardware with these in-depth overviews of the blade, rack and mainframe computers available to see which may be best for you. Continue Reading

• Rack vs. blade server: What's the difference?

  Components in a physical data center are held in rack servers or blade servers. Learn the differences, what type of environment you need and which server uses work best. Continue Reading

• Dive into the history of server hardware

  Server hardware has consistently evolved since the first web server in 1990. Here's a look at major advancements in management, virtualization and green initiatives. Continue Reading

• 5 hyper-converged infrastructure trends for 2024

  Hyper-converged infrastructure is rapidly changing. Read what HCI has to offer and what projected growth it may have within the next couple years. Continue Reading

• Top 5 colocation providers of 2024

  Colocation companies offer a wide range of facilities and services that can help reduce costs of managing data centers. Compare providers to see which is best for your organization.Continue Reading

• Essential components and tools of server monitoring

  Server monitoring requires a list of the right tools to use and infrastructure components to watch. A workflow with these concepts ensures uptime and helps usage predictions.Continue Reading

• Modular data center vs. traditional: When to choose each

  Organizations have two options for using a data center: modular or traditional. Before deciding, companies should know how much power and cost can come from each option.Continue Reading

• Rocky Linux vs. AlmaLinux: Which is better?

  Rocky Linux and AlmaLinux are new distributions created after Red Hat announced the discontinuation of CentOS. These distributions plan to be 1-to-1 compatible with RHEL.Continue Reading

• Key themes emerge from Lenovo's 2023 analyst conference

  Enterprise Strategy Group looks at Lenovo's 2023 Global Industry Analyst Conference and how the company is taking a more holistic view, with a focus on AI and sustainability.Continue Reading

• Red Hat vs. SUSE: How do these Linux distributions stack up?

  Deciding between Red Hat and SUSE may not seem simple, but comparing training, pricing and certifications should help companies understand which would best suit their employees.Continue Reading

• Why IT leaders should deploy generative AI infrastructure now

  Organizations should seek to incorporate a generative AI product that is easy to use, flexible and on site. Nutanix GPT-in-a-Box is among the candidates with these options.Continue Reading

• Cloud vs. traditional data center: Which is right for you?

  Enterprises can choose to place workloads in the cloud vs. on-premises data centers, or take a hybrid approach. Check out the factors that can help make the decision.Continue Reading

• Assess the environmental impact of data centers

  Data centers have faced scrutiny about their environmental impact in recent years. Assess their impact to find ways to reduce the environmental damage.Continue Reading

• What is the best OS for Docker?

  Admins that want to run Docker containers can choose from Linux distros, including Ubuntu Core, RancherOS and others. Compare options for Docker OSes.Continue Reading

• Reimaging, innovating, securing cloud-native at SUSECON 2023

  At SUSECON 2023, SUSE announced cloud-native AI-based observability with Opni and alluded to more announcements this year. Leaders emphasized cloud-native tech and modernization.Continue Reading

• Dell Technologies World 2023 recap: Prepare for complexities

  At Dell Technologies World 2023, experts discussed the complexities organizations face when prioritizing technologies and the need to plan for the future of work to succeed.Continue Reading

• Compare two Linux security modules: SELinux vs. AppArmor

  Use SELinux or AppArmor to protect Linux servers, but examine the differences between them. AppArmor is easier to use but does not give admins as much control as SELinux.Continue Reading

• Differences between Green Globes vs. LEED for data centers

  Consider Green Globes and LEED certifications when building green data centers. Learn the differences in how the assessments are done, the costs and documentation needs.Continue Reading

• Explore the impact of quantum computing on cryptography

  When quantum computers become available, lots of encryption types will be vulnerable. Learn why, and what's being researched, to navigate post-quantum cryptography.Continue Reading

• What's involved in cloud repatriation cost calculation?

  The costs associated with cloud repatriation go beyond the migration itself. IT managers must account for any new hardware, backup requirements and available skilled personnel.Continue Reading

• 10 companies building quantum computers

  Many companies big and small are building quantum computing capabilities in the software and hardware space. Here's what some offer and what they're building for the future.Continue Reading

• 5 steps for mainframe migration

  The complicated task of migrating time-tested mainframe environments calls for careful assessment, attention to technical details and thorough project planning.Continue Reading

• How to install Cockpit for Linux

  Linux admins will need to use some of these commands to install Cockpit and configure firewalls. Admins can also connect to one or more servers through Cockpit via these steps.Continue Reading

• Examine the benefits of data center consolidation

  Many data centers have too many assets. Data center consolidation can help organizations make better use of assets, cut costs, and improve security and compliance.Continue Reading

• The era of the sustainable data center

  Sustainability in product design is becoming important to organizations. In the age of sustainability in the data center, don't forget about energy efficiency in your messaging.Continue Reading

• App modernization, mainframe, microservices: IBM event recap

  At the recent IBM Infrastructure Analyst Event, IBM announced advances in IBM zSystems for AI, app architecture and other areas to help businesses achieve their goals.Continue Reading

• Will data centers become obsolete?

  Many organizations want to simplify or scale down their data centers -- but they won't disappear. Admins can examine as-a-service options and cloud to offload some applications.Continue Reading

• A primer on hyperscale data centers

  Hyperscale data centers can hold thousands of servers and process much more data than an enterprise facility. However, they can be difficult to build and maintain.Continue Reading

• Explore 7 future potential quantum computing uses

  Organizations stand to benefit from the compute power of quantum computing as it develops. The tech has potential uses in supply chains, financial modeling and other areas.Continue Reading

• Words to go: 6 key data center sustainability metrics

  When organizations go green in their data center, they will have to measure the facility's efficiency and environmental impact. Use sustainability metrics to get started.Continue Reading

• Use ISO 50001:2018 as a guide for green data centers

  Data centers use a lot of energy, and it can be difficult to navigate how to reduce energy use. ISO 50001:2018 provides guidance to create energy-saving plans and use targets.Continue Reading

• Key differences between BICSI and TIA/EIA standards

  Data center standards help organizations design facilities for efficiency and safety. Organizations can use BICSI and TIA standards as guidance for data center design.Continue Reading

• The implications of blockchain in the chip shortage

  Blockchain has been a significant contributor to the global chip shortage. Explore the role this rising technology has played.Continue Reading

• Quantum computing market sees new partnerships, progress

  From Infineon and Oxford Ionics' partnership to Cambridge and Honeywell's merger and QCI's new Entropy Quantum Computing, explore the major new leaps in the quantum market.Continue Reading

• Words to go: Learn basic Linux terminology

  What is a distro? What does swappiness mean? How are Xen and KVM different from one another? Familiarize yourself with basic Linux terminology for beginner users.Continue Reading

• Understand the rise in leaf-spine architecture

  Leaf-spine networks can help cut costs, reduce carbon footprints and optimize network traffic for data centers. Learn why this network architecture is on the rise.Continue Reading

• Notes from Lenovo's ISG analyst summit

  Lenovo is more than just a PC company. In its recent analyst summit, the company revealed its goals with AI, edge, cloud services, HCI as well as growth in foreign markets.Continue Reading

• What's the current state of quantum computing?

  As quantum computing comes closer to being a reality, learn how this style of computing can coexist with traditional computing. Discover major players and key use cases.Continue Reading

• Key takeaways from Red Hat Summit 2022

  At Red Hat's 2022 Red Hat Summit, the organization announced changes to edge strategy, Linux admin skill gaps and hardware and software modernization.Continue Reading

• How to design and build a data center

  Designing an efficient data center is no small feat. Review data center facility and infrastructure components and different standards before you begin.Continue Reading

• Liquid cooling vs. air cooling in the data center

  The quest to maintain operating temperatures for increasing computing densities has firms transitioning from air cooling to liquid cooling. We assess both methods.Continue Reading

• How much energy do data centers consume?

  High energy consumption continues to be an issue in the data center, but organizations are moving to energy-efficient systems to manage and reduce their power usage.Continue Reading

• The global state of data center sustainability

  Review green initiatives in the world of data centers: sustainable designs and practices, what other organizations are doing and where IT falls short.Continue Reading

• Recent data center advancements include AI, new CPUs

  Recent advancements in data center technology and staffing models reflect organizations' desire for increased IT agility, efficiency and flexibility.Continue Reading

• What do GPUs do in your data center?

  Though developed to handle complex graphics rendering calculations, GPUs now handle a variety of tasks in the data center. Learn what they can do for you.Continue Reading

• 3 colocation trends to consider in 2022

  Key developments in the data center services market include smaller, more flexible deployments, AI optimization and a continuing focus on sustainability.Continue Reading

• Key data center trends in 2022

  In 2022, data centers will introduce a variety of new technologies. Expect a focus on hybrid cloud, solid-state storage, DCIM and sustainability measures.Continue Reading

• Why hyper-converged infrastructure simplifies IT management

  As fractured data center landscapes shift to HCI environments to consolidate IT operations, learn the many advantages, disadvantages and challenges of hyper-converged deployments.Continue Reading

• The top hyper-converged systems and composable infrastructure of 2021

  These Products of the Year winners offer the flexibility and scalability that make hyper-converged systems an excellent choice for companies of any size.Continue Reading

• Assessing colocation vs. cloud for hybrid IT infrastructure

  When transforming operations to a hybrid IT environment, there's one other option to consider beyond the premises, public cloud and hybrid. Learn the many advantages of colocation.Continue Reading

• Hidden colocation cost drivers to look out for in 2022

  These unexpected charges and fees can balloon colocation costs for enterprise IT organizations.Continue Reading

• What to consider when selecting an IaaS provider

  A good IaaS should act like a partner, tailored to your infrastructure. Keep these criteria in mind when selecting a provider for your organization's IaaS.Continue Reading

• Data center backup generators for mission-critical loads

  To select the correct backup generator for your mission-critical data, learn the fuel, cost and efficiency considerations you should take into account.Continue Reading

• What is edge computing? Everything you need to know

  Edge computing is a distributed information technology (IT) architecture in which client data is processed at the periphery of the network, as close to the originating source as possible.Continue Reading

• Get started with green energy for your data center

  Running a sustainable data center requires organizations to consider factors such as facility sustainability, efficient storage and servers, and outsourcing options.Continue Reading

• Common Kubernetes terminology you should know

  What are pods and nodes? How do namespaces differ from volumes? This list of common Kubernetes terms can give you a basic understanding of the container management platform.Continue Reading

• What does a DPU do?

  Learn the basics of data processing units: What they are, what they do, who's making them and who's adopting them. Then decide whether your data center might use one someday.Continue Reading

• Evaluate air cooling vs. liquid cooling for your data center

  Air cooling and liquid cooling for data centers offer different benefits and drawbacks. To decide which best suits your organization, consider the pros and cons of each.Continue Reading

• Can green colocation help orgs meet sustainability targets?

  Colocation providers prioritizing sustainability draw customers seeking to offset carbon emissions. But many orgs can also take steps to address sustainability issues in-house.Continue Reading

• Learn the major types of server hardware and their pros and cons

  Servers protect data, centralize resources and enable remote worker productivity, but buyers must understand which server types works best for their data center.Continue Reading

• Learn about ambient temperature sensors for data centers

  Ambient temperature sensors can help you keep track of environmental factors such as temperature, humidity and airflow in your data center so you can avoid downtime.Continue Reading

• Explore the evolution of Intel and AMD server processors

  Intel and AMD server processors are used in a variety of systems, including converged and hyper-converged infrastructure. Explore the improvements in their technologies.Continue Reading

• A Red Hat Hyperconverged Infrastructure deep dive

  Hyper-converged infrastructure is a popular platform for compute, storage and networking. So where does Red Hat fit in with its variety of HCI offerings?Continue Reading

• Evaluate edge computing software for device management

  Managing a variety of devices at the edge can create a complex challenge for organizations, but software-based edge management platforms can help.Continue Reading

• Data processing units accelerate infrastructure performance

  DPUs often run on networking packets to move information in the data center, instead of supporting processing workflows. Get an overview of the technology and the main vendors.Continue Reading

• Nvidia vs. AMD: Compare GPU offerings

  Chip vendors Nvidia and AMD each offer GPUs optimized for large data centers. Compare the two to decide which best suits your business requirements.Continue Reading

• CRAC design upgrades simplify HVAC maintenance

  CRAC/CRAH hardware updates make data center cooling more efficient. And these new systems are easier for admins to maintain and they reduce dust accumulation across infrastructure.Continue Reading

• Top hyper-converged systems and composable infrastructure of 2020

  Dell EMC, Scale Computing and SmartX win praise for multifaceted, edge-friendly and high-performance applications, respectively, to lead the way in the hyper-convergence category.Continue Reading

• Enterprise technology trends for 2021 shaped by COVID-19

  Explore IT infrastructure and storage-related software, hardware and services that will likely be embraced in the coming year, and how the pandemic has influenced their use.Continue Reading

• Why and how to adopt a data-centric architecture

  Data has become one of the most valuable assets in the enterprise. IT teams must make changes -- both culturally and technically -- to ensure their strategy reflects that.Continue Reading

• IaC tools comparison shows benefits of automated deployments

  Learn how these infrastructure as code tools can help streamline application development and deployment by reducing many of the headaches associated with manual processes.Continue Reading

• Top 5 data center technology trends to watch in 2021

  2020 changed how IT pros managed and provisioned infrastructure. In 2021, organizations must find ways to support automation, AI and data analysis in the data center.Continue Reading

• Smart UPS features for better backup power

  Vendors now offer UPSes with functions that help regulate voltage and maintain battery health. Before you upgrade, evaluate costs and confirm infrastructure compatibility.Continue Reading

• Main factors that can guide your UPS selection process

  To choose the right UPS, be sure to figure out business needs, power supply size requirements and how long your backup systems must last during downtime.Continue Reading

• Guide to colocation and how to choose a provider

  It's important to thoroughly evaluate facilities, pricing and contract terms before choosing a colocation provider. Also, consider the challenges that come with going colo.Continue Reading

• Deep dive into NetApp Converged Systems Advisor for FlexPod

  Converged Systems Advisor from NetApp helps FlexPod customers better manage their converged infrastructure deployments. Dive into its features to see if it is right for you.Continue Reading

• Surveying top hyper-converged Kubernetes container platforms

  See how VMware, Cisco, Nutanix, Red Hat and Google -- along with NetApp, HPE and Dell EMC -- make Kubernetes integration in HCI possible and what IT advantages that engenders.Continue Reading

• 4 data center UPS vendors to evaluate

  UPSes are crucial components to any backup power system. Use power ratings, infrastructure voltage requirements and the UPS type to guide the selection process.Continue Reading

• Composable disaggregated infrastructure right for advanced workloads

  Composability provides the agility, speed and efficient resource utilization required to support advanced workloads that continue to grow ever-more sophisticated and comprehensive.Continue Reading

• Your primer to colocation pricing and rack space rightsizing

  Even with structured pricing methods, there's a lot to consider when making colocation infrastructure purchases. Account for future hardware needs and spend flexibility.Continue Reading

• How to negotiate a fair data center colocation agreement

  It's critical to business operations and your overall budget to know what a good colocation SLA covers, what it doesn't and how to negotiate one for your organization.Continue Reading

• NFV systems converge virtual network services at the edge

  Explore functions, products and use cases that illustrate how NFV and edge computing trends combine SD-WAN endpoints and other network services on single pieces of hardware.Continue Reading

• Colocation pricing guide: Understanding data center costs

  Colocation facility costs can include anything from power fees and bandwidth service charges to connectivity expenses, change fees and support costs.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

• 9 considerations for a colocation data center selection checklist

  Use this data center selection checklist to make fair and comprehensive comparisons between colocation data center providers before making a decision.Continue Reading

• Retail colocation vs. wholesale data centers: How to choose

  One offers more control, while the other offers more flexible space. If you're considering a colocation facility, how do you decide between wholesale and retail?Continue Reading

• 7 benefits of colocation for your business and 4 challenges

  Colocation is not a silver-bullet solution for everyone. Discover the benefits and drawbacks that come with allowing a third-party to manage your IT equipment.Continue Reading

• What is database refreshing?

  IT testing and software development constantly requires fresh data. It's easy to run a database refresh and generate new data for sandbox or production tasks.Continue Reading

• Extend your power lifecycle with Li-ion data center batteries

  Backup system batteries are critical in any infrastructure. Developments in Li-ion technology can bring more power, lower TCO and a longer component lifespan.Continue Reading

• Hybrid cloud infrastructure design for AWS, Azure, Google Anthos

  Learn about infrastructure for tightly coupled hybrid clouds and delivering AWS Outposts, Microsoft Azure Stack and Google Anthos from an on-premises data center.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

• Transform your infrastructure to support parallel processing

  Quick, real-time data analysis is a boost to any organization's operations. With the right hardware and software, you can support parallelization in your data center.Continue Reading

• Post-acquisition strategy and why storage mergers go bad

  NetApp-SolidFire and HPE-SimpliVity cuts illustrate some of the pitfalls awaiting large vendors when they spend hundreds of millions and even billions of dollars on acquisitions.Continue Reading

• The state of data center convergence: Past, present and future

  Discover if CI, HCI, dHCI or composable technology is right for your environment and workloads, and how the converged data center continues to evolve.Continue Reading

• Software-defined power offers benefits, but lacks popular interest

  Virtualized power systems promise to ease deployment and maintenance, but the market is still in its nascency.Continue Reading

• 7 must-have cloud infrastructure automation tools

  Learn how organizations can use automated provisioning tools to automate the configuration, deployment and management of their cloud-based infrastructure.Continue Reading

• Do you know how HPE GreenLake services work?

  IT infrastructure hardware and services delivered through HPE GreenLake takes the cloud Opex spending model and brings it on premises. Test your GreenLake acumen with this quiz.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

• Infrastructure for machine learning, AI requirements, examples

  AI, machine and deep learning infrastructure has component and configuration requirements. See what hardware you need and how it goes together in an HCI or high-density system.Continue Reading