DevOps

What is SRE in DevOps and how do they work together?

Site reliability engineering and DevOps share a close relationship -- but it's not always clear what, exactly, that relationship is. Walk through the basics of SRE, and its place in DevOps methodologies. Continue Reading

A day in the life: What does a site reliability engineer do?

Site reliability engineering is still a relatively new job role, and it's challenging to get a clear picture of the day to day. Learn what one SRE's role looks like with this profile. Continue Reading

Geek gifts 2020: Kits and gadgets for holidays at home

The holidays in 2020 are sure to be like no other. Our geek experts recommend ways to keep them entertained while keeping their distance. Continue Reading

3 DevOps antipatterns to avoid at all costs

A DevOps initiative is not a single task, but an evolution of an organization's technology, processes and culture -- and without a collaborative mindset, it will likely fail. Continue Reading

Build a DevOps culture using these key principles

Is your organization ready to adopt DevOps practices? There's a lot to it, so don't try to accomplish everything all at once. Start with these key ideas. Continue Reading

5 DevSecOps best practices to prioritize

Successful DevSecOps isn't just about secure code -- it's securing the flows of data through code, methods and tools. Review these five security tips to button up your DevOps work. Continue Reading

DevSecOps strategy mimics cloud shared responsibility model

Real-world DevSecOps centralizes IT security around the CI/CD pipeline but defines separate roles that each IT constituency plays in securing apps and infrastructure. Continue Reading

16 DevOps books to level up your skills

Is your organization and IT staff ready to tackle DevOps, from culture to strategies and toolchains? Start with these 16 books from learning DevOps basics to fine-tuning specific DevOps skills and practices. Continue Reading

Top 15 DevOps blogs to read and follow

The DevOps community is big, but here are some of the top DevOps blogs to read that cover everything from tips for beginners, the latest news and how-tos. Continue Reading

How the DevOps model will build the new remote workforce

What IT pros expect from remote work post-COVID-19, and ways the DevOps model for collaboration and incident response can address its human and technical problems. Continue Reading

Open source license issues stymie enterprise contributions

Business and ethical pressures have given rise to new types of open source licenses in the last year, presenting challenges to enterprises that want to contribute to projects. Continue Reading

Open source contributions face friction over company IP

Software engineers who want to contribute to open source projects must convince conservative corporate legal departments it's worth the potential risk to corporate IP. Continue Reading

Walk through 5 essential DevOps pipeline stages

A DevOps pipeline won't look the same in every organization, but the five phases outlined in this video play a prominent role in most software development and delivery lifecycles. Continue Reading

It's time to dismiss these 7 DevOps collaboration myths

DevOps is taking root in IT organizations across the globe -- but that doesn't mean it's well understood. Misconceptions persist, but they can be conquered. Continue Reading

Craft a DevOps transformation roadmap around these 5 milestones

As organizations embark on a DevOps journey, they can use these five milestones to ensure team members stay on track -- and collaborate efficiently along the way. Continue Reading

Outsourced DevOps brings benefits, and risks, to IT shops

Lack certain DevOps skills? Consider outsourcing as a way to fill the gaps, but be sure to understand the potential risks, which vary with each DevOps pipeline stage. Continue Reading

COVID-19 remote work forces shift on SecOps strategy

Security risk was mostly an afterthought as businesses scrambled to support remote work in response to COVID-19, but SecOps is now at the top of IT shops' priority lists. Continue Reading

Coronavirus forces switch to remote work for DevOps teams

The new coronavirus pandemic will force most DevOps teams to work remotely and may also interfere with work schedules. Experts share advice on how to weather the disruption. Continue Reading

Understand the role of infrastructure as code in DevOps

Infrastructure as code plays a prominent role in enterprise DevOps shops. Use this chapter excerpt to understand why -- and to learn the basics of some common IaC tools. Continue Reading

Build a DevOps feedback loop with these CI/CD tools

From Azure DevOps to Jenkins, DevOps teams can choose from a number of CI/CD tools to enable and maintain a continuous loop of feedback. Continue Reading

Dynatrace monitoring faces market ambivalence in NoOps push

Dynatrace is gung-ho about NoOps with training services and an open source tool for CI/CD automation, but may face skepticism from a wary enterprise IT audience. Continue Reading

How to achieve continuous feedback in DevOps pipelines

Continuous feedback is critical to optimize DevOps processes. While tools can enable feedback loops, DevOps teams still must reduce unnecessary noise and continually measure success. Continue Reading

Say 'yes' to NoOps with the right technology and team structure

Before embracing a NoOps model, be sure IT team members have a clear understanding of how the methodology changes the technologies they'll work with, along with their day-to-day roles. Continue Reading

DevOps security shifts left, but miles to go to pass hackers

DevSecOps has gone mainstream as companies bake security automation into app development, but experts say the toughest cybersecurity challenges remain unsolved. Continue Reading

Acquire best practices with this system administration handbook

Often, books published about IT are obsolete the moment they hit the shelves: modern technology moves too fast for physical publishing. However, this particular volume aims for longevity. Continue Reading

Gene Kim explores DevOps transformation in 'The Unicorn Project'

This chapter excerpt from Gene Kim's 'The Unicorn Project' touches on one of the book's core themes: Roadblocks occur when developers, ops and business leaders are misaligned. Continue Reading

Add shadow IT applications to the official DevOps toolchain

Sometimes developers and other IT team members install unapproved apps to fill a gap in the DevOps toolchain. These shadow apps are risky -- but give them a chance. Continue Reading

How to create a successful DevOps organizational structure

To build a DevOps organizational structure for speed and quality, align various skill sets with shared goals -- a process that requires a revolution, or evolution, of the status quo. Continue Reading

BizDevOps tools await enterprise maturity

PagerDuty, Splunk and other vendors have added BizDevOps features to their IT management tools, but if they build it, will enterprises come? Continue Reading

When you create a DevOps workflow, avoid these missteps

How can DevOps help? And how can you apply it correctly? These are important questions to consider before you attempt to create a DevOps pipeline. Continue Reading

Avoid chaos with an IT crisis management playbook

A minor IT issue can quickly snowball into a major catastrophe without a carefully constructed crisis management plan, but just what details should an organization include? Continue Reading

Elastic SIEM woos enterprises with cost savings

Elastic SIEM gains interest from former Splunk users, with the promise of cost savings and the prospect of centralized security analytics and IT monitoring data repositories. Continue Reading

5 DevSecOps interview questions employers are likely to ask

To land that DevSecOps dream job, prepare to answer questions not only about specific IT and security tools, but about DevOps team culture as a whole. Continue Reading

AI help desk software frees IT ops to take on SRE skills

A financial services company will retrain its help desk staff to be app developers and SREs, while AI handles the grunt work for the company's call center employees. Continue Reading

DevOps for networking hits chokepoints, tangled communications

NetOps complements DevOps in enterprises that need to scale application delivery efforts up and out. Networking tools -- and teams -- need to advance to find their place in CI/CD pipelines. Continue Reading

Change your application support process to juggle cloud and legacy IT

Legacy IT and cloud app architectures demand different application maintenance and support activities, but with some abstraction and automation, they coexist. Continue Reading

The DevOps paradigm shift: Avoid obsolescence in IT

DevOps is an appealing paradigm shift in IT, part and parcel with app componentization and containers. But despite the hype, IT pros still face a few hurdles to actual implementation. Continue Reading

Adapt IT operations skills for QA roles

IT admins who want to transition into a QA role can lean on their existing skill sets around data analysis, documentation and more, but the move still presents a learning curve. Continue Reading

ICYMI: Advice for aspiring site reliability engineers

IT ops pros looking to land an SRE job can use these four articles to absorb the key responsibilities and challenges that site reliability engineering entails. Continue Reading

Adjust IT operations roles and responsibilities for cloud

More organizations migrate to the cloud with each passing day. Learn how embracing soft skills can smooth the transition of dedicated ops staff to cloud industry roles. Continue Reading

Enterprise DevOps growth evident in CI/CD, container data

CI/CD tool sets combine with containerization development to create fertile ground for IT organizations to grow into DevOps practices. Continue Reading

Site reliability engineer shift creates IT ops dilemma

Aspiring SREs find it hard to move away from tactical tasks to focus on strategic projects. Veteran SREs say the path to less toil begins with prioritization and automation. Continue Reading

How ops teams stay relevant during a shift left in DevOps

IT operations administrators should not perceive the shift left in DevOps as a threat to their relevance, but rather as a catalyst for a change in their priorities. Continue Reading

Hone your skills to be an IT infrastructure architect

IT architecture relies on most skills that sys admins have picked up already but also demands a few more. Learn the responsibilities and the requirements for this advancement. Continue Reading

Without DevOps metrics, forget about DevOps glory

DevOps doesn't provide easy comparison points to quantify improvements. So how do you know if you're on the path to success or just spinning your wheels? Continue Reading

Without DevOps metrics, forget about DevOps glory

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Align KPIs for IT with corresponding business goals

It's easy for IT KPIs to take a back seat to those of the business or vice versa. Instead, explore these ways to maintain a working balance. Continue Reading

Gifts for geeks in 2018: analog edition

Gifts for geeks don't have to be digital. This year's suggestions feature a decidedly analog theme. Continue Reading

Does DevOps for operations mean learning how to code?

What do operations folks need to know before they dive into DevOps? Automation is the key to a responsive environment, and users are your guiding light. Continue Reading

SRE model requires technical, organizational optimization skills

Practitioners categorize SRE job descriptions two ways -- by distributed systems architecture design that evolves rapidly, and also by the ability to optimize human workflows. Continue Reading

DevOps to DevSecOps adjustment banks on cross-group collaboration

It takes collaboration across several levels -- between the C-suite and in cross-functional teams -- to successfully move to DevSecOps and meet compliance requirements. Continue Reading

Get into DevOps with cross-functional skills and culture

There's no well-traveled path to a DevOps career. But it's not rocket science. Learn how to explain DevOps and master skills, such as CI/CD, and you'll be on your way. Continue Reading

Most jobs in the IT industry pay well, but skills matter

A survey of tech professionals identified which IT skills are most in demand. Find out how salaries compare from region to region, and how expertise affects compensation. Continue Reading

Emotional intelligence in the workplace makes a difference

Technologists need to know people as well as they know their craft. Applying emotional intelligence in the workplace helps convey ideas and change organizations. Continue Reading

Most jobs in the IT industry pay well, but skills matter

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Atlassian HipChat shutdown surprises enterprise IT pros

IT pros had been skeptical about Atlassian's Stride, but HipChat's disappearance leaves them with lingering questions about licensing and support. Continue Reading

Workplace culture is about cultivating behaviors, not beanbags

To really do DevOps, organizations will have to address and cultivate more effective workflows. It's not as easy as bringing in beanbags and pingpong tables. Continue Reading

Is the CTO the new standard for a DevOps leader?

For DevOps initiatives to work, they need support from the C-suite. With more companies focusing on products, not services, is the CTO the flagbearer of DevOps leadership? Continue Reading

Forget the DevOps mindset, and change habits and behaviors instead

DevOps is not a state of mind, but rather a series of behaviors and practices. Expert Rob Lambert explains how a focus on habits can be a DevOps game-changer. Continue Reading

DevOps goes to Washington: How DevOps in government works

From procurement to compliance and security, the federal government will face enormous challenges as it brings DevOps on board. Here's how what to expect. Continue Reading

Why personal alignment is the secret sauce in top DevOps teams

It's not magic, exactly, but there is a little-known secret at the heart of successful DevOps teams. Try personal alignment to improve team performance. Continue Reading

DevOps is a culture, but here's why it's actually not

What DevOps needs today isn't more culture or more technology. It needs standards to help companies do a better job with implementation. Expert Aymen El Amri explains. Continue Reading

Why management thinks your DevOps implementation is great

Tech choices and testing are hard in DevOps, according to GitLab's 2018 Global Developer Report. But it turns out DevOps makes management happy. Here's why. Continue Reading

Chasing Grace Project spotlights women in tech

Poet Lauren Zuniga is featured in Episode 1 of the Chasing Grace Project, a documentary series about women in tech. Photo by Beth Pariseau, TechTarget Diversity Luncheons have popped up with ... Continue Reading

It's time to convey the value of DevOps to your CFO

Take the DevOps lead and turn your CFO into your organization's strongest DevOps supporter. It's not as daunting as you think. DevOps aligns with business interests. Continue Reading

Embrace change to make the DevOps operating model succeed

Operations pros have more to gain and less to lose from DevOps than they understand. Brian Kirsch offers the reasons why ops needs to get on board with DevOps. Continue Reading

Embrace change to make the DevOps operating model succeed

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Seven steps to move a DevOps team into the ML and AI world

Artificial intelligence and machine learning can bring a lot to the software development and deployment table. But patience and experimentation will be key to make it work in an enterprise. Continue Reading

IT's application support model depends on everyone outside IT

IT wants to reduce application outages, boost performance and make users more productive. The best way to achieve these goals is to welcome outsiders onto the app support team. Continue Reading

'Accelerate' with the DevOps Research and Assessment team

DevOps success will require a focus on learning and an expectation of high-performance. The DORA team explains in its new book, 'Accelerate: The Science of DevOps.' Continue Reading

In Google Hangouts Chat, DevOps pros see ChatOps latecomer

Google Hangouts Chat could lead to interesting AI chatbot technology eventually, but G Suite users are already loyal to competitors, such as Slack. Continue Reading

DevOps incident management turns sys admins into SREs

DevOps practices begin with collaboration on application releases, but it's not until something goes wrong with those apps in production that true transformation takes place. Continue Reading

Want a true DevOps culture change? Start with innovation

The more you fail, the more you learn. That's the secret of really innovative companies and it's the secret to DevOps, too. Expert David Savage explains. Continue Reading

No roadmap? Become your team's DevOps specialist

DevOps should boost delivery and stability. Without a clear roadmap and strategic deployment of DevOps tools though, your organization won't enable continuous delivery. Continue Reading

Help ops to begin a DevOps implementation the right way

DevOps can be difficult to get right, even with lots of experience. For those forging ahead for the first time, however, the hurdles can seem enormous. Stephen Bigelow explains. Continue Reading

Rely on the DevOps methodology to avoid disaster

DevOps concepts rely on both developers and operations to uphold the stability of applications in production. One side can't do it alone. Continue Reading

Could the DevOps process work better under a different name?

Intent-based DevOps is a small name change designed to bring development and deployment back to basics. Two industry experts offer their interpretations and suggestions. Continue Reading

Rely on the DevOps methodology to avoid disaster

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Why not every DevOps strategy is worthy of your attention

DevOps advice is plentiful today. Some, like Cameron McKenzie, would say it is too plentiful. Here's his advice for weeding out the unworkable from the sensible. Continue Reading

Forget grassroots: Why the CIO must be today's DevOps leader

DevOps from the ground up sounds like a great idea. Too bad it won't work, at least in an enterprise. David Savage explains why the CIO must lead the DevOps journey. Continue Reading

Want a DevOps success story? Try employee net promoter score

The more likely an employee is to recommend an employer to a friend, the more likely the company is healthy and successful. Here's how to apply that practice to DevOps. Continue Reading

IT monitoring strategy, org discipline polish Nasdaq DevOps incident response

At Nasdaq, IT monitoring unified different teams' views of infrastructure, but cultural blocking and tackling are equally important to improve incident response. Continue Reading

Are DevOps responsibilities in production unfair to developers?

When Nike.com gave developers live production support responsibilities, the shakeup unearthed fundamental questions about app design and support processes. Continue Reading

It's critical to create the correct DevOps team structure

With new-to-DevOps enthusiasm, some companies go too far when it comes to creating teams or dividing responsibilities. Chris Tozzi outlines the warning signs of too much DevOps. Continue Reading

IT ops pros predict routes to DevOps efficiency in 2018

Operations admins have a lot on their plates already, and they'll pile on more in 2018. These IT pros and analysts share what's coming and how to handle it. Continue Reading

The future of DevOps in 2018? More people, more integration

From DataOps to function as a service, DevOps adoption is going to mean acquiring some new skills in 2018. Contributor George Lawton asks the experts. Continue Reading

Be wary of DevOps evangelists preaching a culture change

There are many reasons to adopt DevOps, and there are many challenges involved in getting it right. But don't buy into the culture myth that many DevOps evangelists are selling. Continue Reading

Evaluate ChatOps tools and bots for the right fit

ChatOps is still a niche in IT operations and DevOps shops, but organizations that have set it up love it. That means you should join the fun and give it a try. Here's what you need to know about ChatOps tools. Continue Reading

With continuous security, SecDevOps deconstructs CI/CD

Nothing is set in stone when an organization follows a DevOps methodology -- a DevOps security model pushes developers and ops to constantly retune, slow down and speed up. Continue Reading

Systems thinking principles: Building a DevOps support model

It's time to embrace a DevOps support model. Everything we do has consequences, good or bad. We're interdependent. That's why no team should work in isolation. Continue Reading

To build or to buy? That is the DevOps toolchain question

An organization should assess its strengths and weaknesses before choosing a DevOps toolchain. A pre-made pipeline is simpler than individually collected tools, but it sacrifices flexibility. Continue Reading

ITSM processes must take this chance to help the business

ITSM implementations still have value in today's DevOps world, but only if admins can get their processes aligned with the grander business goals. Continue Reading

HashiCorp DevOps tools add Sentinel for IT policy management

As DevSecOps grows, policy as code will take over where infrastructure as code left off through new tools such as HashiCorp Sentinel. Continue Reading

An IT operations job description written for the future

Forward-looking IT ops jobs require more Python and less cable management. To reach valued positions in the IT organization, align your skills with these popular job requirements. Continue Reading

Early adopters of technology belong in every organization

In today's rapidly changing tech environment, avoiding new opportunities means falling behind. Thorough research into newly available tools leads organizations to success. Continue Reading

Rethinking your place on the early adopter curve

The best-run organizations will have a technology infrastructure in place to thoroughly support the business and all its goals. While most companies fall short of that perfection, even an operation that's close to the ideal should feel good about its technological capabilities. The trick is to not feel too good for too long.

An IT environment won't continue to perform at a high level without some help, so it's worth thinking about where you are on the early adopter curve. IT decision-makers should be open to deploying new products and services.

The cover story for this issue of Modern Infrastructure explores the questions around how an IT team should approach new technologies and strategies. The accepted wisdom in most organizations has traditionally been to let the risk-takers chase the latest, coolest thing hitting the market. It was wise, went this way of thinking, to let others figure out if a new product works -- or doesn't. If that tempting new thing proves its value, then the smart money would step up and give the go-ahead for implementation.

But now, as the pace of change in both business and IT continues to accelerate, the greater risk might be to implement a technology too late rather than too early. An organization that is willing to take some risk stands to gain an advantage, possibly a significant one, if it figures out how to capitalize on a fresh technology before its competitors do. For this reason, it might be time to rethink your position on the early adopter curve.

So even if your infrastructure is as good as it can be now, don't get too comfortable. What's true today might not be true tomorrow.

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Early adopters of technology belong in every organization

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Do ops skills fall into an IT engineering job description?

What are some ways to level up from an IT operations or administration role into an IT engineering one? Will my experience in IT operations translate into engineering tasks? Continue Reading

Are meetings part of your DevOps strategy? They shouldn't be

Your time is precious. An effective DevOps strategy makes use of all the tools and tricks to make sure you're not stuck in meetings instead of getting things done. Continue Reading

Why HR has a key role supporting DevOps skills

If HR isn’t hiring team members fluent in proper skills and familiar with the duties across the delivery chain, then successful DevOps will remain just an ideal. Continue Reading