Features

Features

• Windows 7 administrative tools: Creating shortcuts

  Windows 7 administrative tools such as the iSCSI Initiator may be under your radar, but you can use them to help customers more easily manage everyday tasks.  Continue Reading

• NAS clustering: What it is and how it's being used

  Find out about the different meanings of the term NAS clustering, how it's being used for scalability, its limitations and how it differs from file virtualization.  Continue Reading

• NAC security: Network access control policy, product best practices

  A network access control (NAC) policy can make or break the security of your customer's network. Learn about the benefits of NAC and implementation in this cheat sheet comprised of our best NAC security content.  Continue Reading

• VSphere management FAQ: Virtual machine host resources

  Get answers to your frequently asked questions about vSphere management, including information on virtual machine (VM) host resources and how to configure VM settings.  Continue Reading

• HA cluster configuration: Requirements and steps

  Consider these requirements and settings, such as admission control, prior to a HA cluster configuration and use the HA restart priority and isolation response post-configuration.  Continue Reading

• VMware HA implementation and ESX/ESXi host addition

  Implementing VMware HA, which offers automatic failover for virtual machines, requires you to ensure the DNS server is configured and to add ESX/EXSi hosts to a VMware HA cluster.  Continue Reading

• Using Microsoft Cluster Services for virtual machine clustering

  Microsoft Cluster Services are useful for the different virtual machine (VM) clustering scenarios that are available, such as cluster in a box, and help with cluster node creation.  Continue Reading

• Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor: Hardware, software compatibility

  Use this chapter excerpt to find out how to use the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor to test hardware compatibility, including printers and hard drives, and software compatibility.  Continue Reading

• Running Windows 7 applications: Using Windows Virtual PC, XP Mode

  This chapter excerpt offers information on how the Windows Virtual PC and XP Mode features can help Windows 7 applications to run smoothly.  Continue Reading

• Windows 7 compatibility: Solving Hardware, software issues

  Windows 7 compatibility has improved over previous Windows versions, especially when it comes to finding and installing hardware easily, and overcoming software incompatibilities.  Continue Reading

• Windows server backup in Windows Server 2008 R2

  Take a look at the best practices for Windows server backup in Windows Server 2008 R2, including configuring backup settings and performing system state and bare-metal backups.  Continue Reading

• How to restore system state backup in Windows Server 2008 R2

  Use this chapter excerpt to find out how to perform a bare-metal recovery and system state recovery in Windows Server 2008 R2, including how to use Windows system recovery tools.  Continue Reading

• SAS-2: Benefits and drawbacks of the newest Serial Attached SCSI version

  Learn about the latest version of Serial Attached SCSI, SAS-2, including which segment of the market it holds advantages for, how it compares with Fibre Channel and SATA, and its key drawbacks.  Continue Reading

• VCenter Server installation steps and components

  Take a look at this excerpt and learn the vCenter Server installation steps, including how to install a vSphere client and vCenter components such as vCenter Guided Consolidation.  Continue Reading

• VCenter Server installation requirements

  Properly preparing for a vCenter Server installation involves identifying hardware, operating system, database and networking requirements before implementation.  Continue Reading

• Cloud computing: Threat or opportunity?

  The channel can benefit from cloud computing if solution providers can turn virtual technologies into physical profits.  Continue Reading

• MED-V: Installing server and client components

  Learn the steps for installing and configuring the Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V) server and client components and check out MED-V's system requirements.  Continue Reading

• SSD firmware, performance measurements for Windows 7

  When moving clients from conventional hard drives to solid-state drives, it's vital to have the latest SSD firmware version and to compare performance before and after implementation.  Continue Reading

• Windows 7 SSD optimization tools and benefits

  For Windows 7 solid-state drive optimization, you must have extensive knowledge of SSD tools, including SSD Tweaker. Find out about other useful tools and the benefits of SSD.  Continue Reading

• Siemens Partner Program Checklist

  This Partner Program Checklist examines Siemens' partner program, including the different tiers and what partners can expect out of the program.  Continue Reading

• OpsMgr 2007 R2 hardware, software, security requirements

  This chapter excerpt offers information on understanding how to use OpsMgr 2007 R2. You'll also learn about OpsMgr component requirements, advanced concepts and securing OpsMgr.  Continue Reading

• Operations Manager 2007 R2: Using alerts, running reports

  Operations Manager 2007 R2 alert tuning can be a nuisance, but this chapter excerpt explains the best practices and how to schedule maintenance reports.  Continue Reading

• Choosing vSphere vs. Hyper-V vs. XenServer

  When comparing vSphere vs. Hyper-V vs. XenServer, there are many factors to consider, including the customers' environment and each hypervisor's features.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 features, requirements: Study guide

  Test your knowledge of Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 features, hardware and system requirements and find out how to benefit from new features such as Master Data Services.  Continue Reading

• Exchange Server 2010 requirements: Hardware, Active Directory

  You should know the hardware and Active Directory requirements for Exchange Server 2010 before deployment, including the memory needed and global catalog server placement.  Continue Reading

• Exchange Server 2010 role-based access control

  Exchange Server 2010 role-based access control allows you flexibility when configuring permissions and includes roles such as management role scope and organization management.  Continue Reading

• Exchange Server 2010 server roles, prerequisites, high availability

  When installing Exchange Server 2010, you need to have an understanding of server roles, prerequisites and high availability, which are all key topics in this chapter excerpt.  Continue Reading

• Cloud computing provider services and platforms

  Use this chapter excerpt to get definitions of the different types of cloud computing provider services, including application-as-a-service and integration-as-a-service.  Continue Reading

• PowerShell commands in Windows Server 2008 R2

  Use this chapter excerpt to learn about PowerShell commands for Windows Server 2008 R2, as well as other PowerShell uses, features, enhancements and command types.  Continue Reading

• Using PowerShell ISE and alias cmdlets

  This chapter excerpt details what PowerShell ISE can offer solutions providers, including command and script panes, and how to use alias cmdlets to administer new aliases.  Continue Reading

• PowerShell remoting in Windows Server 2008 R2

  Learn the best methods to enabling PowerShell remoting in Windows Server 2008 R2, including using cmdlets or the Server Manager to configure PowerShell remoting.  Continue Reading

• PowerShell profiles in Windows Server 2008 R2

  There are four different types of PowerShell profiles in Windows Server 2008 R2, including the all users profile, and you will learn the settings and uses of each of them.  Continue Reading

• Hyper-V tools vs. VMware vSphere and Citrix XenServer tools

  Find out the how Microsoft Hyper-V tools compare to those from its market rivals, VMware's vSphere and Citrix's XenServer, and why third-party tools are important to use.  Continue Reading

• Using an Exchange Server 2010 design document for upgrades

  An important aspect to planning your Exchange Server 2010 upgrade is creating the design document, which outlines and explains the decision-making process after an upgrade.  Continue Reading

• Using a migration document for Exchange Server 2010

  Using a migration document in Exchange Server 2010 helps you to properly perform an upgrade, because it provides an accurate migration timeline for customers.  Continue Reading

• Exchange Server 2010 upgrade: Defining scope and goals

  The initiation phase of an Exchange Server 2010 upgrade calls for you to define your customers' scopes and goals and examine how Exchange 2010's features will benefit them.  Continue Reading

• Using Remote Desktop Services Manager, RDS CAL

  Solutions providers can use the Remote Desktop Services Manager and its tab options to view user information and get expert advice on identifying and adding a RDS CAL.  Continue Reading

• Using Remote Desktop Services for Windows Server 2008 R2

  Learn about the different ways Remote Desktop Services (RDS) can help you in your service offerings and get a greater understanding the RDS processing model.  Continue Reading

• Adding Remote Desktop Services and RemoteApp programs

  There are factors that solutions providers need to consider when adding Remote Desktop Services, such as which role services to use, and steps to follow to add RemoteApp programs.  Continue Reading

• Remote Desktop Services: Server and client requirements

  In this article, you'll learn about Remote Desktop Services server and client requirements and how to retrieve information on the RDS server using the Performance Monitor tool.  Continue Reading

• Virtual machine migration via Windows PowerShell scripts

  These Windows PowerShell scripts will help solutions providers to ensure that the process for both single and multiple virtual machine migrations will be completed quickly.  Continue Reading

• New virtual machine management using VMM, PowerShell

  Use this chapter excerpt to get tips for new virtual machine management, including how to add a managed host to Virtual Machine Manager by using PowerShell scripts.  Continue Reading

• Using Windows PowerShell scripts for task automation

  Solutions providers will find that executing Windows PowerShell scripts for task automation will make jobs, such as creating virtual machines or consolidating old servers, easier.  Continue Reading

• Windows 7 in-place upgrade vs. replace upgrade

  Take a look at the differences between a Windows 7 in-place upgrade and replace upgrade and find out what you need to know about Windows 7 automated installations.  Continue Reading

• VSphere virtual machine migration tools: vCenter converter

  Using virtual machine migration tools such as vCenter Converter will make converting customers' virtual machines to vSphere a smooth process for solutions providers.  Continue Reading

• I/O virtualization (IOV): Delivering cost and power savings to data center servers

  Find out how I/O virtualization (IOV) can cut costs and save power for data center servers, how it compares with other networking technologies, what IOV products are on the market, when and how to implement it, and what the main management concerns ...  Continue Reading

• Windows 7 system diagnostic reports: Using Performance Monitor

  Using the Performance Monitor, solutions providers can view Windows 7 system diagnostic reports to resolve performance issues and prevent problems before they occur.  Continue Reading

• IT systems management: Production acceptance, application deployment

  Read about the final stages of production acceptance and find out how to ensure proper application deployment with this chapter excerpt on IT systems management.  Continue Reading

• Windows 7 system monitoring: Performance Monitor counters

  Solutions providers can use the Performance Monitor to view a group of counters or individual counters to help them with Windows 7 system monitoring tasks.  Continue Reading

• Windows 7 system: Resource Monitor memory information

  The memory and CPU tabs in the Resource Monitor provide additional details for Windows 7 system monitoring, including resource consumption graphs and physical memory allocation.  Continue Reading

• Windows 7 system monitoring: Resource Monitor, Performance Monitor

  Help your customers get a handle on PC resource usage and bottlenecks with two built-in Windows 7 system monitoring tools: Resource Monitor and Performance Monitor.  Continue Reading

• Windows 7 system monitoring: Resource Monitor graphs and text

  The Resource Monitor's graphs and text can help you figure out which programs are eating up the most resources and aid you in other Windows 7 system monitoring tasks.  Continue Reading

• Windows 7 system monitoring tools

  This slideshow on Windows 7 system monitoring tools includes steps for viewing key information using the Reliability Monitor and Performance Monitor.  Continue Reading

• IT systems management: The production acceptance process

  This chapter excerpt on IT systems management explains how solutions providers can benefit from production acceptance and details the steps to effective implementation.  Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting Windows 7 hardware and performance issues

  Solutions providers need to be aware of the top methods for troubleshooting Windows 7 hardware and performance issues, including how to properly deal with error messages.  Continue Reading

• Resolving a Windows 7 crash or freeze

  This FAQ helps solutions providers give users the best assistance when Windows 7 issues arise, such as the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), crashes and random freezes.  Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting Windows 7 errors

  Use this FAQ when troubleshooting Windows 7 to get answers to commonly asked questions on Windows 7 errors and dealing with hardware problems.  Continue Reading

• Comparing a guest/host OS, hypervisor technology, emulation software

  This chapter excerpt compares guest and host operating systems, hypervisor technology from VMware, Microsoft and Citrix and emulation software, including Bochs.  Continue Reading

• Choosing between kernel virtualization methods

  Take a look at the different kernel virtualization methods presented in this chapter, including the pros and cons of shared kernel virtualization and the OpenVZ kernel.  Continue Reading

• Monitoring Xen network traffic and usage with network resources

  Learn the best practices when monitoring Xen network traffic, find out how to monitor network usage and why network resources are vital to shared hosting operations.  Continue Reading

• Using Xen PyGRUB, ionice to manage storage and disks

  This chapter excerpt teaches you how to use Xen PyGRUB to virtualize your customers' hardware and why ionice is essential for managing disk access and storage.  Continue Reading

• Managing Xen shared resources: Credit scheduler and Xen scheduler

  This chapter excerpt examines the advantages of Xen and the best ways to manage Xen shared resources, such as physical and virtual CPUs, the credit scheduler and Xen scheduler.  Continue Reading

• FAQ: Windows 7 system maintenance tools

  Our expert answers commonly asked questions about maintaining Windows 7 using Remote Assistance, determining which maintenance tools are most useful and how often they should run.  Continue Reading

• Performing an automated Ubuntu install using preseeding

  When performing an automated Ubuntu install, preseeding is an integral part of the process. Learn the different variables and settings necessary for a basic preseed configuration.  Continue Reading

• SSRS 2008 RDL and SharePoint integration enhancements

  This chapter excerpt offers information on SQL Server Reporting Services 2008 Report Definition Language (RDL), SharePoint integration enhancements and upgrade options.  Continue Reading

• SSRS 2008 ReportViewer and Report Designer enhancements

  Solutions providers should use SSRS 2008 performance tools such as ReportViewer, Report Designer or Report Builder 2.0 to develop reports and data for customers.  Continue Reading

• Understanding run-level scripts in Fedora 11 and RHEL

  Solutions providers can use run-level scripts in Fedora 11 and Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) to start certain services and execute various commands.  Continue Reading

• Scheduling system tasks in Fedora 11 and RHEL

  Solutions providers can learn how to schedule system tasks at specific times in Fedora 11 and Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) by learning to use the at, batch, and cron facilities.  Continue Reading

• SSRS 2008 Report Manager architecture and scalability changes

  Managing reports, models, data sources, subscriptions and permissions will be simpler with SSRS Report Manager's new architecture changes and scalability enhancements.  Continue Reading

• Monitoring VMware vSphere performance using alarms

  Find out how to create and manage alarms using vCenter Server and learn the steps to configuring vCenter Server for email and notifications.  Continue Reading

• Monitoring vSphere CPU and memory usage

  Use this chapter excerpt to learn how to create real-time graphs for virtual machines, CPU consumption and memory usage.  Continue Reading

• Monitoring vSphere performance with command-line tools

  Use this chapter excerpt to learn about VMware's command-line utilities that can help solutions providers with monitoring customers' performance and resource usage.  Continue Reading

• Monitoring vSphere performance with vCenter Server performance graphs

  vCenter Server's performance graphs provide solutions providers with detailed information on vSphere performance, including CPU, memory, disk, network and system data.  Continue Reading

• FAQ: Windows Server 2008 R2 performance monitoring

  Read through these frequently asked questions to learn about Windows Server 2008 R2 monitoring features and how to monitor system activity and create data collector sets.  Continue Reading

• FAQ: Using Windows Server 2008 R2 performance reports

  Knowing how to view log data reports with the Performance and Reliability Monitor will ensure that you keep your customer's server operating system running at peak performance.  Continue Reading

• Setting Windows 7 environment variables

  This chapter excerpt can teach you how to use Windows 7 environmental variables to locate your customers' system files and folders.  Continue Reading

• Windows 7 command-line tools and programs

  Learning how to use Windows 7 command-line tools and programs can help solutions providers perform maintenance, configuration and diagnostic tasks for customers.  Continue Reading

• Installing and managing Hyper-V on Windows Server 2008 Server Core

  Follow the necessary steps to install Hyper-V on Windows Server 2008 Server Core and learn how to remotely manage your customers' Hyper-V environments.  Continue Reading

• SQL Server 2008 hardware and software requirements

  Solutions providers can use this chapter excerpt to learn about the various hardware and software requirements for SQL Server 2008 in 32-bit and 64-bit environments.  Continue Reading

• SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services for high-availability deployment

  Solutions providers can use this chapter excerpt to learn about highly available Reporting Services installations and high-availability deployment considerations.  Continue Reading

• Monitoring Hyper-V performance and utilizing System Center VMM

  See the benefits of monitoring Hyper-V performance and utilizing System Center Virtual Machine Manager, including centralized management and organized placement of virtual machines.  Continue Reading

• Using Hyper-V Manager to create virtual machines and hard drives

  Using Hyper-V Manager to create virtual machines (VM) and hard drives while utilizing the VM Connection tool and Integration Services is crucial to new application deployment.  Continue Reading

• SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services for Internet deployment

  Solutions providers can use this chapter excerpt to find out about the various Internet deployment options available when using SQL Server Reporting Services.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 installation steps

  Installing Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 is a complex procedure, and this chapter excerpt covers every step of the process, including how to check prerequisites.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 pre-installation tips

  This chapter excerpt gives tips on figuring out which Windows components you'll need for SCCM installation and how to upgrade the site database to SQL Server 2008.  Continue Reading

• Configuring Windows Server 2008 Server Core

  This chapter excerpt shows you how to make the necessary configuration changes in Windows Server 2008 after installation and details the best ways to install roles and features.  Continue Reading

• Windows Server 2008 Server Core installation

  This chapter excerpt explains Windows Server 2008 Server Core installation options, how to determine your customer's need for Server Core and how to extend their software evaluation period.  Continue Reading

• Windows Server 2008 Server Core management options

  This chapter excerpt explains how to implement the Windows Server 2008 Server Core management options, including Terminal Services, TS RemoteApp, Remote Shell and MMC Snap-ins.  Continue Reading

• FAQ: Upgrading to the Windows 7 operating system

  This FAQ has tips for helping customers that are considering Windows 7 upgrades and explains two different installation methods and various licensing options.  Continue Reading

• FAQ: Windows 7 hardware requirements and compatibility

  Use this FAQ to learn about Windows 7 hardware requirements and notebook compatibility factors, and find out when you should recommend 32-bit vs. 64-bit architecture.  Continue Reading

• WIndows 7 dual monitor not working? Read these tips

  Use this chapter excerpt to get rules, tips and troubleshooting advice for setting up dual monitors in Windows 7 and adding a secondary display adapter.  Continue Reading

• Adding and removing Windows 7 hardware

  Use this chapter excerpt to become an expert on adding PnP and non-PnP hardware. You'll also get tips on providing drivers for hardware, troubleshooting and removing hardware.  Continue Reading

• How Windows 7 hardware upgrades affect licensing

  Find out how you can optimize and upgrade your customers' Windows 7 hardware without compromising Microsoft's End User License Agreement.  Continue Reading

• Installing, configuring and testing a UPS for Windows 7

  This chapter excerpt teaches you how to choose a UPS for multiple Windows 7 workstations and provides step-by-step processes for UPS installation, configuration and testing.  Continue Reading

• Upgrading to Windows 7 hardware for maximum performance

  Find out how to upgrade your customers' Windows 7 hardware to meet performance demands by using ReadyBoost, changing BIOS settings, adding RAM and upgrading their hard disks.  Continue Reading

• Key concepts for server, storage and client virtualization

  This chapter excerpt explores the different aspects of IT virtualization, such as server, storage and client virtualization, and covers virtual servers and virtual data storage.  Continue Reading

• Measuring green data center energy efficiency

  This chapter excerpt explains the importance of measuring your customers' data center efficiency and outlines the key elements to measure, including energy usage and carbon.  Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting Windows 7 problems by determining the root cause

  Here's a series of questions to ask when you're troubleshooting Windows 7 that will get you to the source of the issue.  Continue Reading

• Windows 7 troubleshooting tools and tips

  Use this chapter excerpt to learn about Windows Diagnostic Infrastructure troubleshooting tools and to learn about disk diagnostics, resource exhaustion detection and more.  Continue Reading

• Windows 7 performance monitoring tools

  Use updated tools such as Performance Monitor, Resource Monitor or Task Manager to focus on specific performance aspects and capabilities while enhancing and measuring system performance.  Continue Reading