IT systems management and monitoring
Learn about the tools and technologies that enable more visibility into IT infrastructure, integration between IT management tools, tailored alerts for IT professionals and new areas of performance monitoring and management.
Top Stories
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Tip
28 Nov 2023
Hybrid cloud connectivity best practices and considerations
Private and public clouds stress networks in different ways and don't always play well together. Here's what to know to set up a cost-effective hybrid cloud network architecture. Continue Reading
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Opinion
17 Nov 2023
Security highlights from KubeCon + CloudNativeCon 2023
KubeCon + CloudNativeCon provided valuable insights for security teams supporting cloud-native development, including securing GenAI, platform engineering and supply chains. Continue Reading
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News
14 Nov 2023
Microsoft halts 3 zero-days on November Patch Tuesday
Microsoft addresses 67 vulnerabilities, including six critical, and shuts down four bugs in the Exchange Server email platform this month. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Nov 2023
What should admins know about Microsoft Entra features?
Microsoft Entra combines new and existing cloud-based products and packages them under a new name. Learn how this change affects identity access management in your organization. Continue Reading
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News
08 Nov 2023
Intel exec affixes OpenSSF, CNCF open source security efforts
Intel's Arun Gupta, now governing board chair of both the CNCF and OpenSSF, discusses his plans to bring all three organizations together to improve open source security. Continue Reading
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Opinion
02 Nov 2023
Emergent observability topics at KubeCon 2023
New use cases like cost management, sustainability and scalability will lead observability discussions in the North American KubeCon + CloudNativeCon 2023 conference. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Oct 2023
Assign GPUs to virtual machines with VMware vGPU mode
Resource delegation across an IT system can be troublesome, but it doesn't have to be. Follow this guide to assign the right amount of GPU to support virtual machines on VMware. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
24 Oct 2023
How to use ChatGPT with PowerShell to write code for admins
Use of artificial intelligence tools is on the rise in many industries, and administrators can tap into these digital helpers to improve their scripting attempts. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Oct 2023
How to work with the new Windows LAPS feature
Microsoft updated this automated method to manage and back up passwords for local administrator accounts on Windows desktop and server systems. See what's new with Windows LAPS. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Oct 2023
How to source AI infrastructure components
Rent, buy or repurpose AI infrastructure? The right choice depends on an organization's planned AI projects, budget, data privacy needs and technical personnel resources. Continue Reading
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News
10 Oct 2023
Microsoft tackles three zero-days for October Patch Tuesday
The company releases fixes for several products affected by the HTTP/2 "Rapid Reset" vulnerability to help curb widespread Distributed Denial-of-Service attacks. Continue Reading
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Opinion
26 Sep 2023
Observability, security unity in Cisco's Splunk acquisition
As more organizations merge security and observability, Cisco's acquisition of Splunk adds another intriguing element for IT shops to consider in their toolkits. Continue Reading
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Opinion
25 Sep 2023
What Cisco's Splunk acquisition means for app modernization
Cisco's networking prowess and Splunk's data analytics power will now be under one roof. Here's what can IT teams expect with this mega acquisition between two tech giants. Continue Reading
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Opinion
22 Sep 2023
Cisco makes big splash with Splunk
The integration of Cisco and Splunk could result in a full-stack offering that provides comprehensive visibility across enterprise locations and AI-driven insights. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Sep 2023
The benefits of uniting product management with DevOps
If organizations can bring product managers deeper into the DevOps lifecycle, it can offer a competitive edge. But they must navigate through the initial challenges. Continue Reading
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News
21 Sep 2023
IT pros react to blockbuster $28B Cisco-Splunk deal
Cisco goes through with its long-rumored acquisition of Splunk for security and observability. But the two aren't necessarily a perfect fit, according to some industry observers. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Sep 2023
What's new in Microsoft Graph PowerShell v2?
The company overhauled the new version of its software development kit and updated PowerShell modules that replace legacy methods for managing Microsoft's cloud-based services. Continue Reading
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News
13 Sep 2023
Meet MLSecOps: Industry calls for new measures to secure AI
Open source security, already in the software supply chain spotlight, must expand to include AI models, according to the OpenSSF and DevSecOps vendor JFrog. Continue Reading
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News
12 Sep 2023
Microsoft solves two zero-days for September Patch Tuesday
Microsoft addresses 62 vulnerabilities this month, including a Microsoft Word flaw and a Windows bug that have both been exploited in the wild. Continue Reading
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News
12 Sep 2023
Cisco Full-Stack Observability draws on channel clout
Cisco's latest tie-in between app security and observability doesn't break new ground, but the vendor can use its network security cachet and partners to woo enterprise buyers. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Sep 2023
5 IT operations management best practices you need to know
ITOM staff play a vital role in IT platform performance, but limit human interaction and utilize tools and automation to keep everything running smoothly. Continue Reading
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Opinion
31 Aug 2023
New features show VMware Tanzu's impact on dev community
Despite questions of a sale, VMware Tanzu remains a strong influence in the developer community, especially with added features announced at VMware Explore 2023. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Aug 2023
How to configure shadow copies on file servers
When you enable the shadow copies service on your shared folders, you give your end users the flexibility to restore deleted files or revert a file to an earlier version. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Aug 2023
Managing open source components in the software supply chain
Software supply chain attacks are becoming increasingly common. There is no single measure that can stop attacks, but implementing security precautions can reduce risk. Continue Reading
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News
24 Aug 2023
VMware, Cisco prep generative AI for SecOps
Generative AI has the potential to go beyond identifying anomalies in known data to create new information, such as incident summaries or security policies -- as well as new risks. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
21 Aug 2023
How to set up PowerShell remoting over SSH
Microsoft recommends using WinRM to manage Windows machines remotely, but OpenSSH offers other advantages, particularly in organizations that also use Linux systems. Continue Reading
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News
17 Aug 2023
Vendor-led group vows to fork HashiCorp Terraform
HashiCorp Terraform is a flashpoint of contention in the wake of the vendor's move to a Business Source License, including allegations that it ignored open source contributions. Continue Reading
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Answer
14 Aug 2023
How to roll back Git code to a previous commit
Git reset and git revert can be lifesavers for developers. Follow these examples to see which command makes the most sense when mistakes arise during development. Continue Reading
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News
09 Aug 2023
Several Exchange Server flaws fixed on August Patch Tuesday
Microsoft addresses 74 vulnerabilities this month with the on-premises email server platform returning to the spotlight with corrections to close six security holes. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Aug 2023
How to use Reliability Monitor to manage servers
The utility gives administrators a way to look back over time to see what driver updates, software installations or hardware crashes might be related to the sudden instability. Continue Reading
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News
03 Aug 2023
IT pros mull observability tools, devx and generative AI
Observability as a common language for both developers and operations teams still has plenty of room for improvement in the era of platform engineering, according to experts. Continue Reading
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News
01 Aug 2023
Experts expect Sumo Logic match post-New Relic acquisition
New Relic and Sumo Logic were both taken private by the same firm, as consolidation -- and attrition -- continues among observability tools. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Jul 2023
Enterprises rework log analytics to cut observability costs
Organizations such as Netflix could be a harbinger of an observability cost crisis, where monitoring cloud-native apps comprises an untenable portion of operational costs. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Jul 2023
Tips and tools for collecting helpful Kubernetes metrics
Metrics are an integral part of any Kubernetes deployment. But teams often struggle with identifying the right metrics and choosing the right tools to gather the most helpful data. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Jul 2023
Industry tackles observability's data management problems
Enterprises and the vendors they buy from have begun to fundamentally rethink data management for observability, including a new startup with close ties to Cisco. Continue Reading
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News
20 Jul 2023
Dell Moogsoft AIOps buy could start filling gaps post-VMware
Dell's purchase of Moogsoft this week could help it regain some enterprise software appeal it lost when it spun out VMware. But the future is unclear for Moogsoft users. Continue Reading
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Opinion
20 Jul 2023
Why AIOps will look at generative AI tools to grow adoption
AIOps generally sees limited results in its current implementations, but generative AI can potentially help expand and monetize these processes for organizations. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Jul 2023
Exchange Online post-migration steps for admins
A move to the hosted email platform is an opportunity to streamline how users work with other Microsoft 365 services. But it requires IT to stay current with the product roadmap. Continue Reading
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News
19 Jul 2023
Chainguard automates SBOMs, but has Images-based agenda
Container images, that is. Chainguard Enforce now automates SBOMs, but execs and an early customer say they aren't the ultimate answer to software supply chain security. Continue Reading
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Opinion
19 Jul 2023
Sessions at FinOps X highlight FOCUS, sustainability
Costs and sustainability are two hot topics in the FinOps world. Sessions at the FinOps X conference in June focused on these areas and how teams can make better buying decisions. Continue Reading
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News
18 Jul 2023
Splunk AI update adds specialized models for SecOps tasks
Splunk AI updates this week included specialized models for SecOps that detect and automatically respond to common issues such as DNS exfiltration and suspicious processes. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Jul 2023
8 benefits of data center virtualization
Organizations with virtualized data center components can save on hardware, comply easier with regulations and increase speed. Consider virtualization for your infrastructure. Continue Reading
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News
11 Jul 2023
Microsoft repairs 5 zero-days for July Patch Tuesday
The company addressed 130 vulnerabilities and provided additional instructions to fully resolve several bugs, which will require extra attention from IT this month. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Jun 2023
Cued by breach postmortems, fintech refines zero trust
In a quest to continuously improve, Mercury's security leader takes inspiration from other companies' lessons learned, then updates tools and practices accordingly. Continue Reading
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Quiz
20 Jun 2023
10 WebAssembly questions to test your Wasm knowledge
Test your knowledge of WebAssembly with this tough, ten-question quiz on the benefits and applications of the new Wasm standard. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Jun 2023
Explore Red Hat's bring-your-own-subscription model for RHEL
Many organizations use pay-as-you-go models with public cloud providers to run their Red Hat products in the cloud. Explore how bring-your-own-subscription differs. Continue Reading
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News
15 Jun 2023
CISA SBOM standards efforts stymied by confusion, inertia
Efforts to establish SBOM standards and guidance have progressed, but unanswered questions persist -- including how the federal government plans to enforce its own requirements. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Jun 2023
When and how to run databases on Kubernetes
Deciding whether to move your database onto Kubernetes requires careful consideration, especially when choosing among deployment options. Here's what to keep in mind. Continue Reading
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News
14 Jun 2023
HashiCorp Vault trims SaaS; Boundary hooks up Enterprise
HashiCorp Vault's appeal to a broader field of users gets a boost from a new entry-level cloud service, while a new Boundary Enterprise targets the high end of the market. Continue Reading
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News
14 Jun 2023
June Patch Tuesday settles two Exchange Server bugs
Microsoft's plans for upcoming security hardening in Kerberos and Netlogon protocols will have admins busy with testing over the next several weeks. Continue Reading
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Opinion
08 Jun 2023
ESG study reveals benefits of modern IT service management
ITSM's evolution from a traditional help desk model to an integrated, automated approach has notable benefits for organizations, according to research by Enterprise Strategy Group. Continue Reading
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News
08 Jun 2023
Sysdig CNAPP runtime threat detection wins over BigCommerce
Sysdig's fast, comprehensive data collection, now part of a larger CNAPP product, sealed the deal with the e-commerce company. Next, it might replace vulnerability management tools. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Jun 2023
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
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News
05 Jun 2023
Atlassian cloud preps threat tool as security boss departs
Atlassian Beacon shores up cloud security as it adds transparency around security issues, but the chief trust officer role at the company is also changing hands. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
30 May 2023
Manage IT infrastructure with NSX's multi-tenant features
VMware NSX now supports multi-tenancy, which can help admins manage complex IT environments. Explore what's new and get started with this step-by-step walkthrough. Continue Reading
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Feature
25 May 2023
Learn about the Azure Stack HCI benefits for admins
The hyper-converged infrastructure offering promises to reduce the headaches associated with running virtualized workloads on hardware sourced from multiple vendors. Continue Reading
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News
24 May 2023
Event-Driven Ansible early adopters share lessons learned
Beta testers of the new Event-Driven Ansible tool from Red Hat said expanding automation and moving toward self-healing systems requires fresh skills and organizational shifts. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 May 2023
How CXL 3.0 technology will affect enterprise storage
Understand CXL 3.0 technology before its impacts on storage take serious effect. While the specification improves on previous generations, it could also demand more from storage. Continue Reading
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Conference Coverage
15 May 2023
Red Hat Summit 2023 news and conference guide
Use this Red Hat Summit conference guide to stay up to date on current trends, emerging technologies and information from keynote speakers and industry experts. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 May 2023
Follow these steps to decommission Exchange Server
An Exchange Server migration includes a lot of moving parts but it's important to cover the training aspect to make sure your users aren't left behind. Continue Reading
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News
10 May 2023
Cloud repatriation vs. multi-cloud: IT seeks cost relief
Amid fiscal worries, IT orgs reassess cloud investments. Whether they go back on-premises or expand to multi-cloud, they face similar distributed computing management challenges. Continue Reading
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News
09 May 2023
Light May Patch Tuesday will weigh heavily on Windows admins
A zero-day that targets the Secure Boot feature will require extensive work from sysadmins to protect Windows systems from the Black Lotus bootkit. Continue Reading
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News
03 May 2023
Observability maven 'cranky' about AIOps embraces GPT
Honeycomb's observability tools will add natural language queries via OpenAI's GPT API, a departure from its co-founder and CTO's broader stance on AI in IT ops tools. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Apr 2023
Get a grip on your infrastructure with a custom MMC
Microsoft provides great administration tools, such as PowerShell and Server Manager. But don't neglect the venerable Microsoft Management Console for its flexibility. Continue Reading
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Opinion
28 Apr 2023
At KubeCon 2023, observability and FinOps high on the agenda
With data sprawl increasing as IT budgets shrink, observability and FinOps were hot topics at KubeCon Europe 2023. Get an industry analyst's perspective on trends to watch. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Apr 2023
Tips to avoid a bumpy Exchange 2010 migration to Office 365
Now that Exchange Server 2010 and Exchange 2013 are legacy products, administrators should make the push to migrate to avoid becoming the next ransomware target. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Apr 2023
Manage complex IT environments with AIOps and observability
As IT environments grow in complexity, AIOps and observability tools can provide valuable insights and identify problem areas -- but prepare for adoption hurdles along the way. Continue Reading
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News
11 Apr 2023
Microsoft mends Windows zero-day on April Patch Tuesday
What's old is new again as multiple security updates from the past made a comeback this month to push the total number of vulnerabilities addressed to 102. Continue Reading
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News
29 Mar 2023
Comcast subsidiary survives March Madness with AIOps
AIOps alert reduction brought order to a chaotic environment at TV advertising specialist FreeWheel just in time for a big test of its resiliency during a wild NCAA tournament. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Mar 2023
Deploy WebJEA to empower your users with PowerShell
Give your automation scripts a GUI that makes it easier for end users to get the information they need with a more streamlined approach. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
27 Mar 2023
How to secure passwords with PowerShell
Storing passwords in plain text is bad, but what methods are good? Try one of these approaches, such as secure strings or the SecretManagement module, to encrypt passwords. Continue Reading
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Answer
24 Mar 2023
Beyond metrics, network SLAs should measure business ops
Enterprises need to ensure network service-level agreements provide a comprehensive view of network service performance to support business operations. Continue Reading
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Opinion
22 Mar 2023
Is observability as code overhyped?
Is observability as code as transformative as vendors claim or just another IT buzzword? Learn what to keep in mind when evaluating this emerging approach for your organization. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Mar 2023
Improve IT efficiency with a PowerShell self-service portal
You can jump over the technical barriers that impede automation efforts in your organization by exploring how to deploy a web-based portal that hosts your scripts. Continue Reading
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News
20 Mar 2023
HPE to acquire OpsRamp for GreenLake IT ops tools
IT automation specialist OpsRamp will become part of HPE's GreenLake portfolio, adding hybrid cloud visibility and notification tools to the IT conglomerate's SaaS offerings. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Mar 2023
Boost cluster security with Kubernetes vulnerability scanning
Performing vulnerability scans on Kubernetes clusters can help keep container environments secure and running smoothly. Learn what risks to look out for and compare tool options. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Mar 2023
How to prepare for the next version of Exchange Server
The Exchange Server roadmap charts several twists and turns that shows Microsoft deviating from its typical course with the server-based email platform. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Mar 2023
Configure NIC teaming in Windows Server
NIC teaming maximizes network bandwidth and provides redundancy benefits. These steps guide users through NIC teaming configuration in Windows Server with GUI and PowerShell. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Mar 2023
How to approach data loss prevention in virtual servers
As security risks evolve, organizations are turning to data loss prevention tools and methods to combat external and internal risks. Learn how to get started with DLP. Continue Reading
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News
14 Mar 2023
Microsoft stops two zero-days for March Patch Tuesday
The company corrects actively exploited vulnerabilities that affected Microsoft Outlook and the Windows OS in this month's batch of security updates. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
09 Mar 2023
Build a PowerShell performance monitoring script step by step
A PowerShell performance monitoring script defines and keeps track of system metrics. Learn to set up and query performance counters and use the results to build an HTML report. Continue Reading
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News
08 Mar 2023
White House cybersecurity plan collides with SecOps reality
The White House Cybersecurity Strategy sets lofty goals. But recent market research suggests a significant number of enterprises don't follow existing SecOps best practices. Continue Reading
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News
01 Mar 2023
SBOM graph database aims to be cloud security secret sauce
An open source consortium that includes Google plans to release a deployable beta of the GUAC project this month, a possible milestone for cloud-native SBOM. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Feb 2023
Use Cockpit for Linux remote server administration
Linux admins can use Cockpit to view Linux logs, monitor server performance and manage users. Use the tool to help admins manage servers, regardless of experience level. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Feb 2023
Compare Azure DevOps vs. Jira for IT ops project management
Azure DevOps and Jira can both be effective project management tools for software development and IT ops teams, but the two differ in terms of benefits, features and limitations. Continue Reading
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News
16 Feb 2023
Dynatrace security AI roots out Log4j, sets tone for roadmap
Dynatrace must prove itself beyond application security, but its AI's effectiveness against the Log4j vulnerability has some customers receptive to its product expansion plans. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Feb 2023
How to filter Security log events for signs of trouble
Certain accounts, such as company executives, will draw unwanted attention from hackers. Learn how to catch these targeted attacks by checking Windows event logs. Continue Reading
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News
16 Feb 2023
Dynatrace users make headway with AIOps
Dynatrace's aggressive NoOps vision hasn't come to fruition, but some customers have begun to see real-world results with root-cause analysis and automated rollbacks. Continue Reading
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News
15 Feb 2023
Microsoft remedies three zero-days on February Patch Tuesday
The company releases its security updates to shut down the vulnerabilities threat actors have been actively using for attacks in the wild. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Feb 2023
Considerations when getting started with distributed tracing
Distributed tracing has advantages over traditional logging and monitoring, especially for microservices, but it can also affect application performance through added complexity. Continue Reading
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Opinion
08 Feb 2023
Why Wasm is the future of cloud-native app development
Just over a month into 2023, the popularity of WebAssembly is already on the rise. An industry expert explains why Wasm will have far-reaching effects on cloud-native development. Continue Reading
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News
07 Feb 2023
Cisco samples OpenTelemetry-based observability tool blends
Updates set to ship this week and next quarter will unify data collection for Cisco's observability and security tools and catch them up with full-stack competitors. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Feb 2023
Speed up onboarding with Active Directory user templates
Active Directory account templates are not difficult to make. But it helps to know how to use certain shortcuts, like variables, to create home directories and roaming profiles. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Feb 2023
Kepler project aims to help curb Kubernetes energy waste
Running Kubernetes clusters can lead to high costs and energy use. The researchers behind the Kepler project hope the tool will help IT pros track and curb cluster energy waste. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Feb 2023
What's new with the EXO v3 module for Exchange admins?
Microsoft made several significant improvements in the Exchange Online PowerShell v3 module for added reliability and performance when managing the hosted email platform. Continue Reading
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Podcast
31 Jan 2023
ServiceNow workflow can smooth ERP edges with partner help
ServiceNow vice presidents Jeff Gore and Kirsten Loegering explain what's involved in implementing the platform to improve the employee experience on ERP and HR systems. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Jan 2023
EDR tools for Windows Server compared
Windows Server 2022 comes with native security technologies to protect the enterprise. But endpoint detection and response tools can be worth the price of admission. Continue Reading
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News
25 Jan 2023
OpenSSF GM talks funding, legal software supply chain issues
The OpenSSF leader lays out plans fund open source software supply chain security in a slowing economy and to speak out against the EU's Cyber Resilience Act. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Jan 2023
Reduce Kubernetes spend with these 10 Kubecost alternatives
IT teams have several options other than Kubecost to monitor Kubernetes spending, from dedicated Kubernetes-specific tools to full-fledged cloud management platforms. Continue Reading
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News
24 Jan 2023
IT budgets under pressure spur tool consolidation
As the tech industry suffers layoffs and slowing growth, IT organizations such as Boeing are handing some of their IT vendors pink slips of their own. Continue Reading
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Opinion
19 Jan 2023
Will developers become archaic? Analyst predictions for 2023
Organizations must continue innovating and optimizing to keep up -- but these advances could set developers up for extinction. Explore an industry analyst's predictions for 2023. Continue Reading
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News
19 Jan 2023
Data pipelines feed IT’s observability beast
Amid data growth, cloud complexity and demand for advanced automation, the data pipelines developed to satisfy the appetites of AI apps also serve observability tools. Continue Reading