Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

• How do I avoid a hard-disk failure?

  When you're depending on a JBOD array to keep the business running, there are several ways to further the longevity of its drives.  Continue Reading

• What are the guidelines for a better Active Directory backup?

  Administrators should have a regular Active Directory backup schedule and be sure to remove outdated backups to avoid storage issues.  Continue Reading

• Can I restore Active Directory to different hardware?

  I need to restore Active Directory to a different hardware platform. Which backup method should I use to avoid problems?  Continue Reading

• Can I use third-party tools to back up Active Directory?

  Although Windows Server has a built-in backup tool, third-party tools offer useful capabilities, such as reporting and alerting features, to help admins back up Active Directory.  Continue Reading

• How to plan an Active Directory backup and restoration

  I need to back up Active Directory, but I'm not sure which method to use. What are my options for a painless backup and restoration effort?  Continue Reading

• What third-party Azure management tools should I use?

  SCOM 2012 is Azure's native monitoring platform, but these third-party cloud management tools give IT shops more control over their Azure environments.  Continue Reading

• How should we use SCOM 2012 for Azure management?

  Our organization uses Azure for cloud services, but we need a way to monitor health and performance. Can we use SCOM 2012 for Azure management?  Continue Reading

• Should in-house staff or consultants handle Windows Server 2016 upgrades?

  Is it better to approach a potential Windows Server 2016 upgrade using in-house staff, or should we seek the help of consultants?  Continue Reading

• How can we make a Windows Server 2016 upgrade painless?

  Companies exploring Windows Server 2016 wonder how disruptive upgrading will be. The first step to a pain-free move is to get IT teams up to speed.  Continue Reading

• Two ways to authenticate a Hyper-V live migration

  When performing a Hyper-V live migration, what are the options for authenticating a system sign-on before the migration begins?  Continue Reading

• How can I optimize Hyper-V live migrations?

  When we perform a Hyper-V live migration, it bogs down our system. How can we reduce the size of the migration and optimize data transfer performance?  Continue Reading

• How secure are Hyper-V containers in Windows Server 2016?

  Container engines like Docker can compromise an entire root OS because of a lack of isolation. What steps can admins take to secure Hyper-V containers in Windows Server 2016?  Continue Reading

• How do Windows Server containers affect applications?

  Windows Nano Server is a lightweight OS that runs on containers. Learn how it works hand-in-hand with the recent developments in containerization.  Continue Reading

• What's the deal with Windows containers?

  Windows Server 2016 will support Docker containers native to Hyper-V. What are the benefits of using Docker containers with Windows?  Continue Reading

• What is the best way to set up certificate pins?

  Certificate pinning helps prevent man-in-the-middle attacks. Here's how to get started, and learn about its potential drawbacks.  Continue Reading