Technology News: Sysadmin

Burn the Silos and Jump Into the Data Pool
March 21, 2010

Improved data center productivity now appears to be a natural progression from converged infrastructure. Many enterprise data centers have embraced a shared service management model to some degree, and now converged infrastructure applies the shared service model more broadly to leverage modular system design and open standards, as well as to advance proven architectural frameworks.

Rethinking Failsafes for Critical Linux Systems
March 19, 2010

The Linux operating system is highly compatible with two hot computing trends: virtualization and cloud computing. Just as the 2001-2002 recession helped usher in Linux as a mainstream solution, virtualization may accelerate Linux usage during and after the current recession. Linux already has a powerful presence in the database and ERP realms.

Managing Enterprise App Performance With an Iron Fist
March 18, 2010

Aberdeen surveyed over 100 organizations between December 2009 and February of 2010 to identify the best practices enterprises are using that improve application performance management solutions' impact on end-user productivity and the business benefits of a "lifecycle" approach to application performance management.

Extreme Cloud Computing, CERN Style
March 17, 2010

What are the likely directions for cloud computing? Based on the exploration of expected cloud benefits at a cutting-edge global IT organization, the future looks extremely productive. In this podcast we focus on the thinking on how cloud computing -- both the private and public varieties -- might be used at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research in Geneva.

Encryption: Why Stop With Laptops?
March 16, 2010

Over the past few years, it seems like there's one technology that almost everyone is deploying: laptop encryption. All over the industry, in nearly every vertical, it seems like everybody has either just deployed, is deploying, or is about to deploy some type of encryption technology to protect laptop data. When you think about it, it really isn't all that much of a surprise.

Cloudgazing: What Does the Rebound Have in Store for IT?
March 14, 2010

Let's hone in on some predictions for IT industry growth and impact, now that the recession appears to have bottomed out. We're going to ask our distinguished panel of analysts and experts for their top predictions for IT growth through 2010 and beyond. To help us gaze into the IT trends crystal ball we are joined by our panel.

The Shaky Dance of SOA and SaaS
March 10, 2010

We assembled a panel to examine service-oriented architecture and cloud computing -- the relationships, the inter-reliance and the realities. Three years ago, the IT transformation poster child was SOA, and now we're well into the hype curve around cloud computing, but has one actually given way to the other?

Thin Is In: The Enterprise Virtualization Inflection Point
March 07, 2010

The growing interest and value in PC desktop virtualization strategies and approaches has its roots in both technology and economics. Recently, a lot has happened technically that has matured the performance and economic benefits of desktop virtualization and the use of thin-client devices.

Citrix Adds IT Management to GoTo Line
February 24, 2010

Citrix Online, a division of Citrix Systems, announced on Wednesday the acquisition of Paglo, a remote support service provider. The purchase signals Citrix Online's entrance into the IT management sector. Citrix Online has relaunched the Paglo service as GoToManage. That service is an integrated Web-based platform for monitoring, controlling and supporting attended or unattended IT infrastructure anywhere.

Does VPN Make Sense for a Small Biz?
February 23, 2010

Virtual private networks, or VPNs, have been around for about a decade. They provide a secure data exchange between two locations using an encrypted connection. VPN technology has changed little over the years. A newer version of VPN software, known as SSL-VPN, taps into the common IP circuitry of Web browsers to make secure connections with less reliance on third-party software.

The 3 Factors That Decide Virtualization's Fate in Your Enterprise
February 21, 2010

Because companies generally begin their use of server virtualization at a tactical level, there is often a complex hurdle in expanding the use of virtualization. Analysts predict that virtualization will support upwards of half of server workloads in just a few years.

Mobile Enterprise Strategies: We're All in This Together
February 18, 2010

As organizations enter 2010, it is no longer sufficient to simply provide mobile devices to employees and expect concrete business value to somehow magically appear. With the emergence of new mobile platforms, IT and operations departments are under intense pressure to support the business benefits of enterprise mobility.

Bringing Storage Virtualization Out of the Shadows
February 17, 2010

You've heard a lot about server virtualization over the past few years, and many enterprises have adopted virtual servers to improve their ability to manage runtime workloads and high utilization rates to cut total cost. But as a sibling to server virtualization, storage virtualization has some strong benefits of its own.

Before Making the Leap, Check Cloud Security - and Check Your Own
February 16, 2010

Most of us are probably familiar with safe deposit boxes -- you know, the secure storage areas that banks and post offices provide to keep things like jewelry and important documents secure. Even if you've never rented one yourself, chances are you're probably familiar with the concept.

Web Data Services in the Real World
February 14, 2010

Today, we examine a fascinating use-case for Web data services with Deutsche Borse Group in Frankfurt, Germany. An innovative information service recently created there highlights how real-time content and data assembled from various online sources scattered across the Web provides a valuable analysis service.

Google's Enterprise and Mobile Plans: Killer Buzz or Buzzkill?
February 10, 2010

While the technosphere was busy Tuesday pitting Google's new Buzz service against Facebook and Twitter in some kind of social media steel-cage deathmatch, the search giant's executives were hinting at what they see as the real winning uses for Buzz -- within the enterprise and out and about in the mobile arena.