Data Center

Data Center Topic Center

Read news, analysis, opinions and more about data centers

Security program automatically tracks down missing patches

Secunia has updated its Personal Software Inspector (PSI) with the ability to silently download and apply patches from multiple vendors soon after their release. PSI 2.0 is now available in an open beta test.
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VMware users cast wary eye at Microsoft's virtualization tools

VMware customers attending VMworld are taking a look at Microsoft's Hyper-V virtualization software, but say it would be problematic to start over after investing heavily in VMware.

Update: Dell loses 3Par bidding war to HP

Dell on Thursday said it would not increase its most recent proposal to acquire virtualized storage vendor 3PAR, paving the path for rival Hewlett-Packard to acquire the company.

As Earl looms, tips to batten down IT

With forecasters predicting a very active hurricane season, experts say IT managers must review business continuity and disaster recovery plans to ensure they are prepared for potential power outages and data center damage.

Microsoft to VMware: Windows is still relevant in the virtualization era

Virtualization has not stripped Windows of its relevance, a Microsoft official said in response to VMware CEO Paul Maritz’s argument that operating systems are no longer the center of innovation in the IT world.

VMworld 2010: Virtualization, The Matrix, and the VMware/Microsoft rivalry

Ten highlights from VMworld, the massive virtualization conference.

Oracle suit vs. Google unlikely to prompt Java forking, expert says

Spring Framework founder Rod Johnson says fragmentation probably won't happen, though Oracle's behavior isn't helping

Salesforce.com rolls out contact-data service

Salesforce.com rolled out a new service on Wednesday that integrates business-contact information with its own CRM (customer relationship management) application and Chatter collaboration software.

Water cooling returns to IBM mainframe

IBM next week will add water-cooling to a mainframe offering for the first time in 15 years; the company has started offering the technology fror blade servers and supercomputers in recent years.

Dell presents its new modular data center

Dell has been relatively quiet about its modular data-center products, but on Tuesday it showed off a new design it has started selling to large "hyperscale" customers, which include big Internet firms like Microsoft and Facebook.

How to modernize your backup infrastructure

The technologies to vastly improve backup and recovery performance and reliability have arrived. Here's how to put them to good use

Eight great virtual appliances for VMware, free for the downloading

The combination of free open source and virtual machines is hard to beat; here are some of the handiest virtual appliances you'll find

IT Fuels Ford's Dramatic Turnaround

Ford's unified vision, facilitated by IT, is bringing the company back to profitability without a bailout.

Security-as-a-service growing

When you ask IT professionals if they use cloud computing or software-as-a-service, most start by saying "no". But if you ask some follow up questions, you will quickly find out about "that one application" that is a SaaS application.

Cutting Back to Get Ahead

Cutting costs and deploying virtualization are top priorities for CIOs

Bridging the Gap in Cloud Security

How Merit Medical protects off-premise data while offering users a single sign-on.

Cloud Storage: How it Helps Companies Expand Globally

Cloud storage can help companies get operations up and running quickly in a new location.

How the Cloud, Mobile Devices Affect Application Strategy

Delivering applications on any device-whether desktops or smartphones-and from any location calls for rethinking your enterprise architecture

What CIOs Look for in an Enterprise Architect

Enterprise architects need strong business and technical skills, and years of experience.

Moving a data center? Avoid these four career-limiting mistakes

Moving a data center is a major undertaking for most organizations. And a successful move is a nice resume builder for any IT professional. A successful move will showcase skills in large-scale project planning, project management, technology integration and interpersonal communications. The process provides a chance for exposure across the company, as virtually every department is touched by the IT organization (and affected by a data center move) in some way.