Tips

Tips

• Evaluate ChatOps tools and bots for the right fit

  ChatOps is still a niche in IT operations and DevOps shops, but organizations that have set it up love it. That means you should join the fun and give it a try. Here's what you need to know about ChatOps tools.  Continue Reading

• Know when to implement serverless vs. containers

  Containers save resources and reduce deploy times. So does serverless. Containers are a great host for microservices. So is serverless. But the deployment options are more different than they are alike.  Continue Reading

• A good IT orchestration system saves time for users and admins

  Rather than fight with business workers about runaway IT resource consumption and complex demands on tight deadlines, let an orchestration platform control the process.  Continue Reading

• Explore Docker vs. LXC through the lens of a three-tier app

  Containers are not small VMs, and they're not all the same under the hood. Understanding the nuanced differences between container types is the key to smart deployment choices.  Continue Reading

• Know the ins and outs of an enterprise application project

  It's not just developers and operations admins who need to plan an application launch or update together -- bring in every connected department to ensure nobody gets caught by surprise.  Continue Reading

• Two Ansible playbook examples illustrate config management

  Configuration management enables automation for many operations tasks. Ansible uses a simple structure and a dynamic language to enable admins to easily complete jobs, once they get the hang of a playbook.  Continue Reading

• Centralize Ubuntu server management on Landscape

  Canonical Landscape brings centralized server management to Ubuntu on physical and virtual machines, as well as cloud systems. See how it works, and explore features such as tagging.  Continue Reading

• Cloud Foundry BOSH could be your ticket to a private PaaS

  Cloud Foundry's open source tools give IT ops sophisticated technologies for internal PaaS management, but the undertaking also requires new skills and DevOps collaboration.  Continue Reading

• Get serious about patch validation and deployment -- fast

  Zero-day exploits are more dangerous than ever, but so is applying an untested patch to live systems. Without a strategy to quickly validate patches -- outside of production -- you're playing with fire.  Continue Reading

• Cloud configuration management services prevent reformats

  IT organizations with configuration management set up for on-premises workloads can add public cloud without changing much, or they can make use of native services from cloud vendors.  Continue Reading

• Use every available tool for cloud application monitoring

  If your organization hosts applications in the cloud, IT ops pros need to see what's going on. A mix of cloud vendor and traditional monitoring tools -- even Twitter -- makes for a comprehensive support and warning system.  Continue Reading

• IT capacity planning takes new shape in the cloud

  Migrating applications off premises to the cloud requires a new capacity planning approach: Develop a detailed cloud strategy, and carefully track upgrade schedules.  Continue Reading

• Infrastructure as code benefits those willing to learn

  When an auditor asks to see how the entire application stack is configured, you'll be glad you took the time to learn and implement infrastructure as code.  Continue Reading

• The application runtime environment is as important as the app

  To avoid cascading failures and never-ending troubleshooting, take the time to understand the software and hardware -- the runtime environment -- that keeps an app ticking.  Continue Reading

• How to select, build and protect container images

  Development and operations teams need to work together on container images going to production and be alert when security vulnerabilities appear.  Continue Reading