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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News
05 Mar 2024
Sumo Logic offers free data ingest for log analytics
Data ingest is now free for new customers of Sumo Logic's SaaS log analytics product, as observability cost concerns and data volumes mount across the IT industry. Continue Reading
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News
15 Feb 2024
Dapr brings microservices principles to platform engineering
With microservices now mainstream -- and past the trough of disillusionment -- a framework developed for them appeals to platform engineers with shared services consistency. Continue Reading
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Definition
15 Feb 2024
on-demand computing (ODC)
On-demand computing (ODC) is a delivery model in which computing resources are made available to the user as needed. Continue Reading
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Definition
15 Feb 2024
ServiceNow
ServiceNow is a software company that provides a cloud-based, AI-driven platform for automating multiple management workflows in enterprises. The company specializes in IT service management, IT operations management and IT business management. Continue Reading
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News
15 Feb 2024
Dapr brings microservices principles to platform engineering
With microservices now mainstream -- and past the trough of disillusionment -- a framework developed for them appeals to platform engineers with shared services consistency. Continue Reading
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News
13 Feb 2024
February Patch Tuesday corrects two Windows zero-days
Administrators should focus on quickly deploying a critical vulnerability in Microsoft Outlook and exercising caution when applying an Exchange Server 2019 cumulative update. Continue Reading
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Definition
13 Feb 2024
RMM software (remote monitoring and management software)
RMM software (remote monitoring and management software) is a type of application that information technology (IT) service providers and departments use to maintain their clients' and business organizations' IT assets, infrastructure and systems. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
13 Feb 2024
How to find and customize your PowerShell profile
PowerShell is integral for many admins, and any way to streamline how they use the scripting tool is key. A PowerShell profile is one way to tailor a more streamlined approach. Continue Reading
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News
12 Feb 2024
Observe ties in Snowflake to slash observability costs
The emerging competitor to Dynatrace, Datadog and Splunk shuns AIOps, and its approach to data management and price tag intrigued one experienced customer. Continue Reading
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Definition
12 Feb 2024
guest operating system (guest OS)
A guest operating system is the operating system installed on either a virtual machine (VM) or partitioned disk. It is usually different from the host operating system. Continue Reading
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Answer
06 Feb 2024
How to set up a Windows Server 2022 domain controller
While the process to migrate from a legacy domain controller is not difficult, it does require advanced preparation to avoid connectivity issues and other problems. Continue Reading
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Definition
06 Feb 2024
API gateway (application programming interface gateway)
An API gateway is a software pattern that sits in front of an application programming interface (API) or group of microservices to facilitate requests and delivery of data and services. Continue Reading
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News
01 Feb 2024
TD Bank plans AIOps consolidation on Dynatrace SaaS
The dream of zero-touch autoremediation remains alive for the bank as it prepares to go all in on Dynatrace SaaS for observability-driven IT automation. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
31 Jan 2024
How to use the PowerShell extension for Visual Studio Code
Administrators who want to accelerate their automation skills can tap into the enhanced editing and debugging features of the Microsoft code editor. Continue Reading
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News
31 Jan 2024
Dynatrace adds price tier, data pipeline amid cost crunch
Dynatrace looks to accommodate observability data growth more affordably, but enterprise IT pros have many emerging alternatives to tackle this growing problem. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Jan 2024
Secure your machine learning models with these MLSecOps tips
By following MLSecOps best practices, companies can introduce AI and machine learning into development pipelines and processes without adding unmitigated security concerns, too. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
30 Jan 2024
Why you can benefit from using Always On VPN
The Windows Server feature gives administrators more flexibility to manage clients, while giving users a better overall experience when connecting to enterprise resources. Continue Reading
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Answer
29 Jan 2024
Do-While vs. Do-Until in PowerShell: What's the difference?
PowerShell scripts have several loop options to make automation easy. Learn the difference between Do-While and Do-Until loops and choose which one works best for you. Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Jan 2024
The definitive guide to enterprise IT monitoring
This comprehensive IT monitoring guide examines strategies to track systems, from servers to software UIs, and how to choose tools for every monitoring need. Continue Reading
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Definition
23 Jan 2024
managed detection and response (MDR)
Managed detection and response (MDR) services are a collection of network-, host- and endpoint-based cybersecurity technologies that a third-party provider manages for a client organization. Continue Reading
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Definition
23 Jan 2024
BYOD (bring your own device)
BYOD (bring your own device) is a policy that enables employees in an organization to use their personally owned devices for work-related activities. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Jan 2024
Top observability tools for 2024
Observability tools can help developers and IT administrators improve application delivery, performance, customer experience and troubleshooting. Continue Reading
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Definition
17 Jan 2024
OODA loop
The OODA loop -- Observe, Orient, Decide, Act -- is a four-step approach to decision-making that focuses on filtering available information, putting it in context and quickly making the most appropriate decision, while also understanding that changes can be made as more data becomes available. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Jan 2024
Log management discipline saves ERP company $3M
IT ops pros at a SaaS provider made a set of simple changes to log management over the last two years and reaped substantial cost benefits. Continue Reading
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News
16 Jan 2024
Ex-Datadog, AWS exec steers Elastic's observability strategy
Elastic's observability GM, hired away from Datadog in October, looks to tie the company's search analytics prowess in with generative AI and OpenTelemetry trends. Continue Reading
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Definition
11 Jan 2024
baseboard management controller (BMC)
A baseboard management controller (BMC) is a specialized service processor that remotely monitors the physical state of a host system, such as a computer, network server or other hardware devices. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Jan 2024
Cloud and observability tools help global first responders
How an NGO 'Uber for ambulances' service used observability tools from New Relic to improve AWS-based app performance under life-and-death circumstances. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Jan 2024
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
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News
09 Jan 2024
Microsoft starts year with a subdued January Patch Tuesday
For the second month in a row, Microsoft had no zero-days and relatively few vulnerabilities for administrators to address. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
08 Jan 2024
Deploy OpenTelemetry to improve Kubernetes observability
Deploying OpenTelemetry on Kubernetes can give teams a leg up in observability monitoring. It only takes a few simple steps to get the tool up and running. Continue Reading
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Definition
03 Jan 2024
configuration management database (CMDB)
A configuration management database (CMDB) is a file -- usually in the form of a standardized database -- that contains all relevant information about the hardware and software components used in an organization's IT services and the relationships among those components. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
28 Dec 2023
Understand PowerShell splatting with these examples
Give this PowerShell splatting tutorial a closer look to see how to simplify complex commands to make your code more versatile, which can be a boon in team environments. Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Dec 2023
Top enterprise hybrid cloud management tools to review
The techniques used to build hybrid cloud architectures have come a long way, but managing these environments long term is plenty more complex without the right software. Continue Reading
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Definition
21 Dec 2023
business process outsourcing (BPO)
Business process outsourcing (BPO) is a business practice in which an organization contracts with an external service provider to perform an essential business function or task. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Dec 2023
Top 8 benefits of hybrid cloud for business
Why choose between public cloud and private systems when you can have both? With hybrid cloud, enterprises can address workload requirements, business demands and budgetary needs. Continue Reading
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Definition
19 Dec 2023
supply chain risk management (SCRM)
Supply chain risk management (SCRM) is the coordinated efforts of an organization to help identify, monitor, detect and mitigate threats to supply chain continuity and profitability. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Dec 2023
What do admins need to know about the CLI for Microsoft 365?
The options to manage the Microsoft 365 platform are seemingly endless, but the CLI for Microsoft 365 offers distinct advantages for admins in the enterprise. Continue Reading
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News
12 Dec 2023
Microsoft delivers light December Patch Tuesday for admins
IT operations teams should prioritize deploying the Windows cumulative update to dispatch a critical MSHTML bug affecting Microsoft Outlook. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Dec 2023
The pros and cons of a layered architecture pattern
Layered architecture patterns provide a consistent and secure way to organize code when implemented correctly. However, the way those layers interact should remain a top concern. Continue Reading
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Feature
12 Dec 2023
Multi-cloud vs. hybrid cloud: The main difference
As businesses digitally transform across increasingly distributed environments, know the benefits, challenges, similarities and differences between hybrid cloud and multi-cloud. Continue Reading
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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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Definition
16 Nov 2023
platform engineering
Platform engineering is a specialized discipline within software development that focuses on designing, building, maintaining and improving the toolchains and workflows software developers use. 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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Definition
01 Nov 2023
digital
Digital describes electronic technology that generates, stores and processes data in terms of positive and nonpositive states. 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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Definition
18 Sep 2023
Windows Sysinternals
Windows Sysinternals is a collection of 70 freeware utilities that Microsoft offers IT administrators and developers to help them monitor, manage, diagnose and troubleshoot Windows systems and their applications. 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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Definition
05 Sep 2023
email security
Email security is the process of ensuring the availability, integrity and authenticity of email communications by protecting against unauthorized access and email threats. 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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Definition
24 Aug 2023
RSAT (Remote Server Administration Tools)
RSAT (Remote Server Administration Tools) refers to a set of tools from Microsoft that enable IT administrators to remotely manage roles and features in Windows Server from a computer that is running Windows 11, Windows 10 or Windows 7 Service Pack 1. Continue Reading
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Definition
22 Aug 2023
Microsoft SCOM (System Center Operations Manager)
Microsoft SCOM (System Center Operations Manager) is a set of tools for infrastructure monitoring and application performance management. Continue Reading
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Definition
21 Aug 2023
Local Group Policy Editor
Local Group Policy Editor is a Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in that provides a user interface for managing local Group Policy settings on a Windows computer. 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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Definition
18 Jul 2023
Resultant Set of Policy (RSoP)
Resultant Set of Policy (RSoP) refers to all the group policies applied to a user and computer. 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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Definition
18 Jul 2023
proportional control
Proportional control is a control system technology in which the response (output) is proportional to the difference between a setpoint value and the current value of a process variable. Continue Reading
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Definition
18 Jul 2023
flash memory card
A flash memory card -- sometimes called a storage card -- is a small storage device that uses non-volatile semiconductor memory to store data on portable or remote computing devices. Continue Reading
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Definition
18 Jul 2023
real-time monitoring
Real-time monitoring is the delivery of continuously updated data about systems, processes or events. Continue Reading
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Definition
17 Jul 2023
Microsoft System Center
Microsoft System Center is a suite of software products designed to simplify the deployment, configuration and management of IT infrastructure and virtualized software-defined data centers. Continue Reading
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Definition
14 Jul 2023
System Restore (Windows)
System Restore is a Microsoft Windows utility designed to protect and revert the operating system (OS) to a previous state. 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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Definition
10 Jul 2023
server hardware degradation
Server hardware degradation is the gradual breakdown of the physical parts of a server. Continue Reading
- Definition 05 Jul 2023
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Definition
30 Jun 2023
Alpine Linux
Alpine Linux is a small, security-oriented, lightweight Linux distribution based on the musl C standard library and BusyBox utilities instead of GNU. Continue Reading
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Definition
29 Jun 2023
blade server
A blade server, sometimes referred to as a high-density server, is a compact device containing a computer used to manage and distribute data in a collection of computers and systems, called a network. 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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Definition
22 Jun 2023
uptime and downtime
In computing, uptime is a measure of how long a computer or service is on and available. Downtime is the measure of how long it is not available. Continue Reading