Stories by Paul Venezia

Fundamental Oracle flaw revealed

Over the past two months, InfoWorld has been researching a flaw in Oracle's flagship database software that could have serious repercussions for Oracle database customers, potentially compromising the security and stability of Oracle database systems.

By Paul Venezia | 18 January, 2012 09:24

Tags: twitter, software, security, Patch management, oracle, data security, data protection, data management, Database Administration, applications

Migrating from T1 to fiber WAN

Back in the old days, the only realistic way to connect multiple remote sites was by T1 or T3 delivered either point-to-point or via Frame Relay. These were either slow and expensive or fast and unbelievably expensive. Then came MPLS, which dispensed with the need for point-to-point circuits from site to site, but was still bound by high expense. You got what you paid for. These circuits were not only reliable, but if a T1 or T3 circuit dropped, you could generally count on the carrier to jump on the problem quickly and resolve it with some expediency.

By Paul Venezia | 08 December, 2011 02:16

Tags: Wide Area Networking, Verizon Communications, networking, freemium

First look: Dell Opteron server cranks up the cores with AMD 'Interlagos'

It's an odd juxtaposition. The Dell PowerEdge R715 sits in a rack just below a recently decommissioned 2U, two-socket server that cost about as much when it was new five years ago. The difference? The older server has a total of two CPU cores, one per processor. The R715 has 32 cores, running at the same clock speed. If that's not progress, I don't know what is.

By Paul Venezia | 14 November, 2011 22:02

Tags: VMware, servers, Red Hat, processors, Microsoft, Intel, hardware systems, dell, Data Center, Configuration / maintenance, Computer Hardware, Components, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD)

Synology RackStation: Virtualization storage on the cheap

My lab is dotted with Synology NAS devices providing a wide array of services, from disk-based backup to general file sharing to shared storage for small virtualization build-outs. In all the years I've had these boxes spinning, they've never once let me down. In fact, I have a four-year-old Synology DS409 that is still performing perfectly. It hasn't lost a disk yet.

By Paul Venezia | 07 November, 2011 22:06

Tags: storage, netgear, iomega, hardware systems, Data Explosion, Data Center, Configuration / maintenance

Set up your office network for telecommuting

There comes a time in most businesses when circumstances dictate that one or more users work from home either full- or part-time. In other cases, it may simply be convenient for business owners and employees to be able to use company resources from home or (unfortunately) while on vacation.

By Paul Venezia | 30 September, 2011 05:12

Tags: WAN, networking, LogMeIn, LAN

First look: VMware vSphere 5 looms large

As we rapidly approach yet another VMworld conference and the general release of VMware vSphere 5, it's clear that VMware hasn't been resting on its laurels. The newest version of vSphere builds on the strong foundations of vSphere 4.1, showcasing new management and automation features and levels of scalability.

By Paul Venezia | 23 August, 2011 20:10

Tags: VMware, Virtualization, server virtualization, Red Hat, private cloud, Microsoft, internet, hardware systems, Data Center, Configuration / maintenance, cloud computing

Virtualization shoot-out: Citrix XenServer

Citrix XenServer is a commercial implementation of the open source Xen virtualization solution. Citrix has extended the base Xen engine with management tools and tightened up various components related to implementing and managing Windows and Linux virtual machines, not to mention integrating the whole shebang with the company's virtual desktop initiative, as well as its foundational server-based desktop and application delivery solutions.

By Paul Venezia | 14 April, 2011 00:22

Tags: Virtualization, Citrix Systems

Rack-mount QNAP storage server packs a wallop

There's an area of the NAS landscape where the lines between consumer and corporate use are blurred. While high-end NAS arrays cost plenty of money, they also provide essential features like redundant power supplies and superior performance. At the lower end are the truly consumer-grade devices that might seem like they'll work in a corporate environment but fall short of meeting the essentials critical to infrastructures. They are, however, very cheap.

By Paul Venezia | 23 February, 2011 02:47

Tags: western digital, Storage Server, storage, network storage, network-attached storage, freemium, Data Explosion

How to move from a physical to virtual infrastructure

After finally getting the go-ahead to proceed with a project to virtualize a small business infrastructure, it may seem that the hard part is actually making it all happen. In many cases, however, the hardest part is getting the budget together to acquire all the hardware and software necessary -- actually making the switch is the easier task.

By Paul Venezia | 20 November, 2010 11:21

Tags: Web-based Applications, Internet-based applications and services, internet

Cisco SA 520 firewall disappoints

There are two ways to look at the Cisco SA 520 network security appliance. On one hand, it offers a solid array of features: 65Mbps IPSec VPN throughput, 100Mbps overall throughput, integrated firewall (limited to 100 rules), built-in filtering for common services like IM and P2P networking, SSL VPN, IPS, DDNS, and multi-WAN support. On the other hand, it has nearly no relation to the rest of Cisco's security solutions.

By Paul Venezia | 10 November, 2010 03:28

Tags: security, firewalls, Cisco Systems

New MacBook Air: The best ever

After all the hype about the new MacBook Air releases last week, all the oohing and aahing over the engineering that slipped a significant amount of power and capability into such a tiny package, I was ready to be somewhat disappointed by the new 13.3-inch MacBook Air that arrived on my doorstep earlier this week. I've used every MacBook Air since it was originally released, and I still use an 18-month-old Air for hours and hours every day. What could impress me about the new one? As it turns out, plenty.

By Paul Venezia | 29 October, 2010 21:14

Tags: Telecommunication, Platforms, Other Mobile Devices, Mobilize, mobile, Microsoft, MacBook series, Mac, laptops, hardware systems, hardware, desktop pcs, Apple

Dell AIM automates today's data center

Corralling the myriad physical and virtual servers that exist in IT shops of any size is a daunting task, and management tools that ease the burden are in hot demand. Naturally, all of the big guys are out to win this "adaptive infrastructure management" sweepstakes. HP threw its hat into this ring with HP BladeSystem Matrix in the first half of 2009, and Cisco entered the fray with Cisco UCS later in the year. Now it's Dell's turn.

By Paul Venezia | 30 September, 2010 05:44

Tags: software, hardware systems, dell

Dell's VIS vision takes shape

Dell's Advanced Infrastructure Manager (AIM) is designed to automate a wide variety of common administration tasks, from server provisioning to failure management. Thus, it stands to reason that Dell also aims to reduce the overhead of service procurement, but that is not a job for AIM alone.

By Paul Venezia | 29 September, 2010 20:10

Tags: VMware, Virtualization, server virtualization, networking, internet, dell, Data Center Automation, cloud computing

Five-year plan: 8 problems IT must solve

There's a reason that so many businesses create five-year plans: If they're reasonable, they're achievable. Setting goals within that timeframe allows room for prioritization and opportunities to deal with the unexpected.

By Paul Venezia | 27 September, 2010 20:08

Tags: Tech Industry Analysis, business issues, business, Adventures in IT

Making the leap to virtual desktop infrastructure

The utopian vision of a fluid and easily managed desktop infrastructure has floated around IT since the dawn of the desktop era. There have been many attempts at corralling the desktop hydra, but none have provided a universal solution. Microsoft Terminal Services, Citrix XenApp, and a host of others have found markets, but the quest for desktop salvation continues.

By Paul Venezia | 16 September, 2010 20:12

Tags: Virtualization, Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), Microsoft, desktop virtualization

 
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