Tips

Tips

• Network virtualization services: Five things VARs need to know

  Network virtualization has been around for a while, but your customers will need some guidance as it gets put into practice more and more. Before you can offer network virtualization services, however, you must make sure that you are prepared. Check...  Continue Reading

• A cloud computing data security checklist for the channel

  Beth Cohen, president of of Luth Computer Specialists, Inc., reviews a list of business, financial, legal and technical guidelines that solution providers can use to help customers secure their cloud computing implementations.  Continue Reading

• Citrix XenServer license considerations

  Sure, XenServer is available for free now. But your customers still have to obtain a XenServer license for certain XenServer components.  Continue Reading

• Mistakes to avoid when providing virtualization services and support

  When offering virtualization services to your customers, there are four common mistakes that you need to look out for to provide the best virtualization support.  Continue Reading

• SSD vs. HDD when fixing performance problems

  Learn about using SSD vs. HDD to address customers' application performance problems and find out how to evaluate CPU utilization, queue depth and disk latency to determine if your customers can benefit from SSD.  Continue Reading

• VMware's standard and distributed virtual switches: What resellers need to know

  Understanding VMware's standard and distributed virtual switches is an important step for resellers planning to offer their customers network virtualization services and VMware virtual switches. Get a reseller-level explanation of the vSphere ...  Continue Reading

• Online backup services: How to participate in this data backup solution

  Value-added resellers (VARs) might fear that the move toward online backup services will box them out. But they shouldn't--there are multiple opportunities to participate in this data backup solution.  Continue Reading

• NERC CIP training: Understanding 'critical cyber asset identification'

  To pass Critical Infrastructure Protection standards, utilities must ensure that all critical assets and cyber assets are both properly identified and protected. Ernie Hayden explains how to get the process done right the first time.  Continue Reading

• Linux NAS: Does it make sense for you and your customers?

  Creating a Linux NAS system by coupling Linux with server and storage hardware that you select can help customers save money, but it might not be best alternative for a low-cost yet feature-rich NAS system.  Continue Reading

• Social networking security still a gray area for some customers

  While there are many companies today that have embraced the use of social networking sites, there are still some that are skeptical. No matter how customers view social networking, there are some inherent security issues that need to be addressed. ...  Continue Reading

• Resource Governor in SQL Server 2008 R2 manages customers' workloads

  SQL Server 2008 R2 Resource Governor helps you allocate customers' resources and manage their workloads, but it has its limitations.  Continue Reading

• Traffic Talk: Testing Snort with Metasploit

  Are your customers' network security solutions working as expected? Learn about testing Snort with Metasploit in this detailed tip from Richard Bejtlich, complete with code examples and step-by-step instructions.  Continue Reading

• Using Cisco Nexus 1000V to help network managers and VMware admins

  With network virtualization becoming more common across enterprise networks, the roles of server managers and network managers begin to collide and cause conflict. In this tip, solution providers will learn about helping server managers and network ...  Continue Reading

• VMware virtual machines in vSphere: Options and hardware

  You may already know how to configure VMware virtual machines in vSphere, but you should also know how to change the VM's resource settings and add additional hardware.  Continue Reading

• Creating a virtual machine and VM configuration in VMware vSphere

  In VMware vSphere, creating a virtual machine is pretty easy. By selecting the correct VM configuration and virtual hardware options, solutions providers can really benefit.  Continue Reading

• Virtual systems and server resource management best practices

  The recommended utilization rates and virtual system management tools outlined in this tip will help you with server resource management and optimization.  Continue Reading

• Need-to-know mobile device authentication methods

  Mark Diodati reviews how VARs, consultants and systems integrators can help customers implement SMS one-time passwords and other authentication methods that use mobile devices.  Continue Reading

• Comparing Hyper-V R2, vSphere and XenServer 5.5 pros and cons

  Comparing the pros and cons of Hyper-V R2, vSphere and XenServer 5.5 will not only help you recommend the right product, it'll also help you to optimize their virtual environments.  Continue Reading

• VM backup: VM-specific software vs. traditional enterprise data backup software

  VM backup is a thorny problem at many companies. Learn what factors should be considered when deciding whether to offer a VM-specific backup tool for customers or a traditional data backup software application.  Continue Reading

• Most useful Windows Server 2008 R2 and Hyper-V R2 features

  This overview of the key Windows Server 2008 R2 and Hyper-V R2 features has information on Live Migration, jumbo frames, cluster shared volumes, Remote Desktop Services and more.  Continue Reading

• Benefits of XenServer 5.5 Active Directory authentication

  Find out how Active Directory support in XenServer 5.5 makes a XenServer implementation less complicated and user authentication more secure.  Continue Reading

• Installing Citrix XenServer 5.5 and XenCenter

  Solutions providers that are looking for alternatives to Microsoft Hyper-V R2 and VMware ESX or vSphere will find that installing Citrix's XenServer 5.5 is a painless process.  Continue Reading

• How to help customers maintain security vigilance after budget cuts

  Contributor Andrew Plato offers three more ways to help your budget-strapped customers.  Continue Reading

• Managed services, outsourcing offer relief during economic downturn

  Cutbacks and layoffs may lead to lax security procedures at your customers' companies. Solution providers can help customers maintain security by offering ways to work within their limited budgets.  Continue Reading

• How to integrate data storage platform software/hardware for DIY storage systems

  Learn how to combine storage platform software and hardware to create an integrated storage system for customers—with better profit potential than from reselling systems from the big storage vendors.  Continue Reading

• Mass. data security law changes: A risk-based compliance approach

  The Massachusetts data security law 201 CMR 17.00 has been revised since its first incarnation, and the changes may lead to more opportunities for solution providers. In this tip, learn what the law's new risk-based compliance approach means for ...  Continue Reading

• Windows 7 XPM improves application compatibility for your customers

  With Windows 7 XP Mode (XPM), you can help customers overcome the application compatibility problems that typically occur during operating system upgrades.  Continue Reading

• The best NAS strategy: Enhance customer systems by addressing three key problems

  The best NAS strategy for customers in 2010 is to enhance their environment by addressing three key problems: capacity growth, performance issues and power consumption. Find out how to deal with the problems.  Continue Reading

• Top three Windows 7 system monitoring tools

  When troubleshooting a Windows 7 system, it isn't always easy to diagnose problems. These system monitoring tools make it a relatively painless process.  Continue Reading

• Manage Windows 7 hardware with Device Manager

  Updating driver components and troubleshooting dicey devices gets easier with Windows 7 Device Manager, which helps solutions providers manage hardware, processors and disk drives.  Continue Reading

• XenServer 5.5 third-party tools for management and implementation

  Solutions providers should learn about XenServer 5.5 third-party tools from ToutVirtual, Hyperic and Novell to help customers implement and manage virtual infrastructures.  Continue Reading

• 8 Gbps Fibre Channel: Reasons to upgrade

  Customers haven't been rushing to upgrade their storage networking gear to 8 Gbps Fibre Channel. But there are solid reasons to upgrade. Find out why an upgrade to 8 Gbps Fibre Channel may be the best option.  Continue Reading

• New SQL Server 2008 R2 editions, features and licensing

  Become an expert on the features, functions, pricing and licensing models of the four new SQL Server 2008 R2 editions.  Continue Reading

• Getting to know the change control technology on the horizon

  Change control technology is poised to make a splash in the security management world, as evidenced by McAfee's acquisition of SolidCore Systems. Find out what change control technology is, what it does and how you can help educate customers on this...  Continue Reading

• How to address thin provisioning problems, perceptions during customer evaluation process

  Thin provisioning definitely can help customers looking to save money on storage hardware, but it does present problems and perceptions that need to be addressed. Find out about the challenges to thin provisioning and how to tackle them.  Continue Reading

• Primary storage data deduplication and data reduction: Motivators and market landscape

  Find out the two key factors driving customer interest in primary storage data deduplication and data reduction, and get details on the available products.  Continue Reading

• Leveraging new WLAN standards

  802.11n was finally ratified in September, and other new WLAN standards are enabling developments in enterprise voice, multimedia WLAN admission control, and wireless network management. WLAN solution providers can leverage customer demand by ...  Continue Reading

• Managing XenServer 5.5 resources with XenCenter 5.5

  Study the step-by-step process for creating virtual servers in XenServer 5.5, and find out how to manage your customers' existing servers using the XenCenter tool.  Continue Reading

• Best practices for EMR storage services

  If you're interested in getting in on the burgeoning market around EMR storage services, find out the four areas in which you cannot afford to fall short, for successful EMR storage services.  Continue Reading

• Helping customers achieve compliance in the cloud

  Compliance is one reason why some of your customers may not move their data into the cloud. In this edition of Patrolling the Channel, Jim Reavis, co-founder and executive director of the Cloud Security Alliance, discusses how solution providers can...  Continue Reading

• Infrastructure consolidation projects: FCoE and backbone implementation

  Learn the steps of an infrastructure consolidation project, including determining whether customers are good candidates for an FCoE or backplane implementation project, ROI analysis and initial design.  Continue Reading

• How to use user-agent strings as a network monitoring tool

  User-agent strings, elements of HTTP headers, can be used as a network monitoring tool to reveal information about client networks without affecting network performance or privacy. Learn more in this tip by Richard Bejtlich.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft Management Console Remote Server Administration Tools

  The Remote Server Administration Tools in Microsoft's Management Console helps VARs create customized Windows platform services to suit their customers' needs.  Continue Reading

• Configuring Microsoft Management Console in Windows 7

  Using the Microsoft Management Console in Win 7 has certain benefits, including error notifications and help with administrative tasks.  Continue Reading

• Offering fixed mobile convergence services benefits WLAN solution providers

  Offering fixed mobile convergence (FMC) services can help wireless LAN solution providers add considerable value by helping customers reduce total cost of operation, improve reliability and increase business productivity.  Continue Reading

• Developing a security vendor certification strategy

  With so many security products and companies out there, it can be difficult to decide which vendor certifications are worth your company's time. Developing a security vendor certification strategy can help ease some of this difficulty and end up ...  Continue Reading

• Steps to FCoE readiness

  FCoE-compliant products are shipping, and there are problems in the data center that could be solved by the technology. Find out what steps to take to get your company and your customers ready for FCoE and what projects are good candidates for it.  Continue Reading

• Three setbacks when designing Hyper-V R2 High Availability

  Deploying Hyper-V R2's High Availability feature requires the expertise of a solutions provider, and knowing about its drawbacks will save you time during the deployment process.  Continue Reading

• Citrix XenServer 5.5 hardware requirements

  Finding out the Citrix XenServer 5.5 hardware requirements before you begin implementation can save your customers' money on additional hardware purchases.  Continue Reading

• Two inroads to cloud data backup services

  Beyond hosting your own cloud data backup services or helping customers implement it, there are two other good ways to get involved in cloud data backup services.  Continue Reading

• How to diagnose and solve customers' storage performance problems

  While it may seem counterintuitive in a difficult economy, many customers are willing to spend money to solve storage performance problems. Find out how to diagnose and solve those problems with a combination of monitoring tools, SSD and automated ...  Continue Reading

• Loss leaders: Security products and services to get a foot in the door

  Maintaining relationships with current customers and winning new business can be daunting challenges for security solution providers. Loss leaders serve as a way to get a foot in the door and can lead to more lucrative opportunities down the road, ...  Continue Reading

• Storage encryption: Leaving compliance out of the discussion

  Find out why compliance concerns should be left out of the discussion when selling storage encryption technologies to customers – and which arguments actually will be fruitful.  Continue Reading

• Mitigating zero-day vulnerabilities in customers' environments

  Zero-day vulnerabilities enable attackers to penetrate a network infrastructure without warning. Solution providers can offer a valuable service by helping customers mitigate zero-day vulnerabilities. But it's not as simple as it sounds. In this tip...  Continue Reading

• Upgrading virtual machines for vSphere implementation

  When implementing vSphere, it's essential that you upgrade VMware tools and your customers' virtual hardware. Find out how you can do this manually or through the Upgrade Manager.  Continue Reading

• Upgrading to VMware vSphere 4

  Get a step-by-step approach to the three main phases of vSphere implementation -- upgrading vCenter Server, performing the ESX Server migration and upgrading the virtual machines.  Continue Reading

• Storage opex savings via monitoring, analyzing and automating

  Find out how to deliver operating expense (opex) savings to customers via tools that allow them to monitor, analyze and automate their storage and server environments.  Continue Reading

• Using Perl to script backup jobs

  Find out how one consultant uses Perl scripting to control the backup jobs of a financial services client's Exchange database and EMC Celerra storage system.  Continue Reading

• How to deploy NetFlow v5 and v9 probes and analyzers

  Session data from NetFlow is useful for network intrusion detection and collecting network security monitoring data on your customers' networks. It's Cisco's preferred method for providing session data, although the open source community provides ...  Continue Reading

• Efficient storage provisioning: Capex and opex savings

  Find out how efficient storage provisioning techniques through the use of storage virtualization, thin provisioning and storage domains can cut capital expenses (capex) and operating expenses (opex) for customers.  Continue Reading

• Getting to know the NERC CIP standards

  Recently imposed security regulations on the electric grid have electric utilities scrambling to become compliant. Solution providers can offer a valuable service to these utilities by becoming familiar with the North American Electric Reliability ...  Continue Reading

• Social media security policies: Helping customers understand the threats

  In this edition of Patrolling the Channel, Daniel P. Wallace, a Detroit, MI-based information security consultant, discusses how security solution providers can assist customers with secure social media use. Learn how to craft a social media ...  Continue Reading

• How to help customers choose a network access control product

  Learn how to help customers choose the most appropriate NAC product for their environment. David Jacobs explains some variables to consider when choosing a network access control product, including what some large vendors' NAC products have to offer...  Continue Reading

• Optimizing SQL Server 2008 performance

  This tip details the key areas that solutions providers should focus on when implementing SQL Server 2008, including memory capacity, storage configuration and disk alignment.  Continue Reading

• Managing Hyper-V with Citrix Essentials vs. Microsoft SCVMM

  If you're trying to figure out whether to manage Hyper-V with Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager or Citrix Essentials, this tip pegs the essential selection criteria.  Continue Reading

• Upgrading customer network fabric for 10 gigabit Ethernet

  Upgrading customer network fabric to support 10 gigabit Ethernet, combined with data center consolidation, is a complex process. Learn how as a VAR or solution provider you can assist customers in the network upgrade process, beginning with analysis...  Continue Reading

• How to resell cloud storage services

  Find out what the two main options are for resellers who want to get involved in cloud storage services but don't want the risk and cost involved with developing their own services.  Continue Reading

• How to help customers write effective security RFPs

  Customers may struggle with writing a security RFP that garners the type of submissions they're looking for. Solution providers can offer a valuable service by helping customers craft effective security RFPs that successfully address all security ...  Continue Reading

• How to become a cloud storage services provider

  Find out what steps to take to become a cloud storage services provider, including making decisions around business scope and infrastructure, whether via a turnkey system or a build-your-own approach.  Continue Reading

• Using System Center Configuration Manager 2007 tools

  Solutions providers can put the SCCM toolkit to work -- as well as available community tools -- helping them with installations, troubleshooting and performing updates.  Continue Reading

• Maximizing VMware vSphere 4 performance

  Achieve optimal vSphere performance through resource allocation by using VMware tools and examining activities on a guest operating system.  Continue Reading

• Tuning vSphere 4 hardware for optimal performance

  If your customers want to implement vSphere 4, this tip tells you how to advise them on hardware, achieve maximum performance per host and suggests recommendations for disk I/O.  Continue Reading

• Backup design: Source-side considerations

  Proper backup design involves a lot more than just the backup target. Find out how the backup source, the network connection, backup software and the backup server impact backup design.  Continue Reading

• The intersection of security and disaster recovery

  Security and disaster recovery go hand in hand, and solution providers should consider getting involved in this potentially lucrative business venture. Learn exactly what you need to know about security and disaster recovery in this edition of ...  Continue Reading

• Upgrading from Exchange Server 2007 to 2010

  Performing Exchange Server 2010 upgrades can create new business opportunities for solutions providers and deliver new features to customers.  Continue Reading

• FCoE: How to prepare customers for it

  Find out which customers are better suited for Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) and how you should prepare them for the specification, now that it's been ratified.  Continue Reading

• Analyzing data in a virtualized server environment

  You may know the basics of a green data center, but this chapter excerpt provides actual data that compares a virtualized server environment with a regular server environment.  Continue Reading

• How to manage EMC, NetApp arrays with Perl scripting

  The more pieces of hardware you have, the more complicated managing them becomes. Find out how one consultant simplifies management of EMC Symmetrix DMX and NetApp arrays using Perl scripting.  Continue Reading

• How to secure primary storage for life outside the data center

  While tape encryption is standard fare at customer sites, there's another inroad to storage security: primary storage encryption. Find out why primary storage is at risk even though it spends most of its life inside a secure data center.  Continue Reading

• Web application firewalls: How they can help protect customers

  Web application firewall appliances and software are becoming a vital part of any customers' network security. There are many ways in which a Web application firewall can assist in protecting your customers' environments. Learn how Web application ...  Continue Reading

• Data reduction for disk archiving: Hardware vs. software approaches

  Learn techniques to perform data reduction for disk-based archiving, for customers interested in both archiving data off primary storage and reducing the amount of space it takes once it gets there.  Continue Reading

• Use multiple partner certifications to build business opportunities

  Acquiring multiple partner certifications can offer solution providers a bigger bang for their training buck by giving them expertise in both specific products and real-world technology scenarios. To make it work, solution providers need to shift ...  Continue Reading

• Comparing I/O virtualization and virtual I/O benefits

  How do you differentiate between virtual I/O and I/O virtualization? In this tip, Greg Schulz details what each method can contribute to server performance and infrastructure and also compares their distinct qualities.  Continue Reading

• Solution providers seek value of vendor-neutral network certification

  Vendor-neutral network certifications, such as CompTIA, may offer benefits for solution providers, but many question their value in an uncertain economy. Those certifications are more generic when it comes to knowledge of a vendor's particular ...  Continue Reading

• Automating SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 installation

  Automating installation of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 is easy if you know how to maneuver the AutoYaST tool. Get two methods for creating an AutoYaST configuration file.  Continue Reading

• How to develop a backup data reduction strategy for customers

  Deduplication can be a key component of a data reduction strategy, but it's important to consider a range of techniques to keep backup storage usage under control. Find out what two classes of products to consider.  Continue Reading

• EMC/Data Domain deal: How should VARs react?

  With EMC and Data Domain set to join forces at the end of this month, storage VARs will need to take action. But how you react will depend on your existing relationships with the two companies, as well as NetApp. Get advice on your next best move.  Continue Reading

• Tools for virtual machine-based disaster recovery

  Customers who want to leverage their virtual machine environment for disaster recovery need a tool to get their data to the secondary site in a usable form. Find out which tools work in which environments.  Continue Reading

• Managing and optimizing the Microsoft Hyper-V server

  In this chapter excerpt from "MCTS: Windows Server Virtualization Configuration Study Guide: (Exam 70-652)," you'll learn how to understand the configuration tools and techniques for Hyper-V and get an overview of System Center Virtual Machine ...  Continue Reading

• Offering SaaS for securing mobile devices

  The ever-growing popularity of mobile devices has created a significant revenue opportunity for solution providers. Securing mobile devices is an important service that will provide your customers with an added layer of security for their employees ...  Continue Reading

• MSPAlliance accreditation programs vet managed services firms and practitioners

  In this podcast, MSPAlliance president Charles Weaver talks about the continuing evolution of the group's Managed Services Accreditation Program (MSAP), and its most recent addition, Certified Managed Services Professional (CMSP) for individuals.  Continue Reading

• The green storage opportunity: Power savings in every project

  Find out why you shouldn't wait around for a green storage project to come along – and why you need hard data to back up your power savings proposals.  Continue Reading

• Thin provisioning risks vs. rewards

  If the risk of running out of space on a thin-provisioned system has turned you off to the technology, it's time to rethink that stance, build expertise in it and add value for your customers.  Continue Reading

• New features in Windows Server 2008 R2

  There are quite a few notable new features in Windows Server 2008 R2, including support for only 64-bit processors and the inclusion of Hyper-V R2.  Continue Reading

• Planning a SharePoint 2003 to SharePoint 2007 migration

  Instructor and author James Pyles outlines a step-by-step approach for developing a SharePoint 2003 to SharePoint 2007 migration plan, including testing the migration and migrating database services.  Continue Reading

• New features in Microsoft Exchange Server 2010

  Microsoft's beta of Exchange Server 2010 has new features that address connectivity, disaster recovery, compliance and other issues, according to two experts.  Continue Reading

• Addressing unstructured data growth with primary storage optimization

  Your customers have too much unstructured data on primary storage that's not being accessed, and it's growing quickly. To help them address that problem, you can approach them with a primary storage optimization project, which involves applying ...  Continue Reading

• Wireshark 1.2 tutorial: Open source network analyzer's new features

  Wireshark, the open source network analyzer, is useful for network solution providers or consultants who troubleshoot business networks. Find out about new features of Wireshark 1.2 in this tutorial.  Continue Reading

• Five actions that ensure SharePoint compliance

  Learn five different ways for ensuring SharePoint compliance with laws, regulations and industry standards.  Continue Reading

• Selling voice and unified communications (UC) consulting services

  With the rise of telecommuting employees and teleconferencing within branch offices, selling voice and unified communications (UC) consulting services can be quite lucrative. In this chapter excerpt, learn about selling UC consulting services with a...  Continue Reading