-
AMD Ryzen and EPYC Processors a Threat?
So, I wanted to at least touch base with everyone on the “scandal” of the week. Is it fake news? New ways for stock gouging? New ransom type embankments? Corporate espionage? I waited until at least some of the dust had settled to write this post. I wanted to be able to make accurate judgment calls and present a…
-
You Want Me to Do What? Getting Ready for Your Certification Journey
Some folks find a profession early in their life and that’s what they do until they’re old and gray and ready to retire. Other folks find themselves switching careers mid-way. Me? I’m on the third career in my working life. I know a thing or two about learning something new. Why do I bring this up? Because if you’re in the…
-
New Geek Speak webcast this Thursday
On Thursday we're hosting a webcast on "How Network Management Systems Work. We'll cover technologies including SNMP, WMI, SSH, MIBs, Syslog, Traps, and more. To sign up visit: http://www.solarwinds.com/register/index.aspx?Program=823&c=70150000000DhqJ&CMP=ILC-ILC-GeekPg_HNW_Webc We'll also be doing some giveaways and of…
-
Monitoring Tips for Your Container Environment
Containers are here to stay. According to the SolarWinds 2019 IT Trends Report, 41% of federal and public sector survey respondents ranked containers as a top technology priority over the next three to five years. The same survey showed 42% of the same respondents felt unequipped to successfully implement or manage this…
-
The Actuator - February 19th
This edition of the Actuator comes to you from my kitchen, where I'm enjoying some time at home before I hit the road. I'll be at RSA next week, then Darmstadt, Germany the following week. And then I head to Seattle for the Microsoft MVP Summit. This is all my way of saying future editions of the Actuator may be delayed.…
-
Monitoring and Safeguarding Your Agency’s Cloud Environment
Omar Rafik, SolarWinds Senior Manager, Federal Sales Engineering From the government’s recently released Report on IT Modernization, calling for agencies to identify solutions to current barriers regarding agency cloud adoption, to the White House’s draft release of a new “Cloud Smart” policy, which updates the “Cloud…
-
Favorite IT Metaphors,Sayings and Aphorisms
In my Linkedin Profile, I write that I’m a fan of “elaborate IT Metaphors” yet, in a very literal way, I’ve never actually written a list of my favorites. Listing out my favorite IT metaphors, sayings, aphorisms and such is risky. Too much pithiness, and I risk not being taken seriously. Too much cynicism and no one wants…
-
Details on DISA’s Infrastructure “Hardening” Rules
Omar Rafik, SolarWinds Senior Manager, Federal Sales Engineering Here’s an interesting article by Brandon Shopp about DoD’s not-so-secret weapon against cyberthreats. DISA has created technical guidelines that evolve to help keep ahead of threats, and this blog helps demystify DISA STIGs. The Defense Information Systems…
-
Database 102 - Why Is My Query Slow?
As a database administrator (aka DBA, or Default Blame Acceptor) throughout my career, I’ve worked with a myriad of developers, system administrators, and business users who have all had the same question—why is my query (or application) slow? Many organizations lack a full-time DBA, which makes the question even harder to…
-
The Actuator - February 12th
This week's Actuator comes to you from Austin, as I'm in town to host SolarWinds Lab live. We'll be talking about Database Performance Monitor (nee VividCortex). I hope you find time to watch and bring questions! As always, here's a bunch of links I hope you find useful. Enjoy! First clinical trial of gene editing to help…