Data center careers, staffing and certifications
Many data center careers -- such as data center admin roles, data center facility worker roles and data center operator roles -- require certain certifications, trainings and understanding of a variety of standards. To optimize data center staffing, consider what data center staff need to know to work safely and efficiently in an IT environment.
Top Stories
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Tip
10 Oct 2023
Top 11 Linux certifications
Choosing among Linux certifications can seem daunting, but there are differences to all options that can help you decide which is best for you and your organization. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Oct 2023
Red Hat vs. SUSE: How do these Linux distributions stack up?
Deciding between Red Hat and SUSE may not seem simple, but comparing training, pricing and certifications should help companies understand which would best suit their employees. Continue Reading
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Definition
18 Dec 2023
digital leadership
Digital leadership is the strategic use of a company's digital assets and emerging technologies to achieve business goals. A digital leader is a person who guides this digital approach within an organization. Continue Reading
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Definition
07 Nov 2023
MCSA (Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate)
MCSA (Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate) was a certification program offered by Microsoft and intended for people seeking entry-level jobs in an IT environment. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Oct 2023
Top 11 Linux certifications
Choosing among Linux certifications can seem daunting, but there are differences to all options that can help you decide which is best for you and your organization. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Oct 2023
Red Hat vs. SUSE: How do these Linux distributions stack up?
Deciding between Red Hat and SUSE may not seem simple, but comparing training, pricing and certifications should help companies understand which would best suit their employees. Continue Reading
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Definition
29 Aug 2023
critical infrastructure
Critical infrastructure is the collection of systems, networks and public works that a government considers essential to its functioning and safety of its citizens. Continue Reading
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Definition
15 Aug 2023
assembler
An assembler is a computer program that takes in basic instructions and converts them into a pattern of bits that the computer's processor can use to perform basic operations. Continue Reading
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Definition
08 Aug 2023
Ubuntu
Ubuntu (pronounced oo-BOON-too) is a free, open source operating system (OS) based on Debian Linux. Continue Reading
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Definition
25 Jul 2023
intrapreneur (intrapreneurship)
The term intrapreneur is a portmanteau of 'internal' and 'entrepreneur,' referring to employees within a company who apply entrepreneurial skills like creativity, initiative and risk-taking to their roles. Continue Reading
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Definition
24 Jul 2023
innovation manager
An innovation manager is an employee whose responsibilities focus on the development of new products, services or processes. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Jul 2023
4 sustainability leaders reveal career path, challenges, goals
There's a demand for companies to create dedicated sustainability roles. Here are key insights and advice from four sustainability leaders on how to succeed in this career path. Continue Reading
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Definition
05 Jul 2023
network fabric
'Network fabric' is a general term used to describe underlying data network infrastructure as a whole. Continue Reading
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Definition
28 Jun 2023
COTS, MOTS, GOTS and NOTS
COTS, MOTS, GOTS and NOTS are abbreviations that describe prepackaged software or -- less commonly -- hardware purchase alternatives. Continue Reading
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Definition
23 Jun 2023
meter per second (m/s)
The meter per second (m/s) is the standard unit of speed and velocity in the International System of Units. Continue Reading
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Definition
22 Jun 2023
uptime and downtime
In computing, uptime is a measure of how long a computer or service is on and available. Downtime is the measure of how long it is not available. Continue Reading
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Definition
19 May 2023
vendor lock-in
Vendor lock-in is a situation in which a customer using a product or service cannot easily transition to a competitor's product or service. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 May 2023
5 steps for mainframe migration
The complicated task of migrating time-tested mainframe environments calls for careful assessment, attention to technical details and thorough project planning. Continue Reading
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Definition
24 Apr 2023
qubit (short for quantum bit)
A qubit (short for quantum bit) is the basic unit of information in quantum computing and counterpart to the bit (binary digit) in classical computing. Continue Reading
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Definition
18 Apr 2023
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)
The Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) is a certification that was offered by Microsoft for IT professionals who demonstrated expertise in designing, implementing, and administering Windows server infrastructure, as well as other Microsoft technologies. Continue Reading
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Feature
05 Apr 2023
6 ways to overcome data center staffing shortages
Retirements, skills gaps and tight budgets are all factors in recent data center staffing shortages. Focus on recruitment, training and other areas to attract more candidates. Continue Reading
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Definition
03 Mar 2023
hard skills
Hard skills are specific abilities, capabilities and skill sets that an individual can possess and demonstrate in a measured way. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Feb 2023
Use Cockpit for Linux remote server administration
Linux admins can use Cockpit to view Linux logs, monitor server performance and manage users. Use the tool to help admins manage servers, regardless of experience level. Continue Reading
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Definition
14 Feb 2023
heartbeat (computing)
In computing, a heartbeat is a program that runs specialized scripts automatically whenever a system is initialized or rebooted. Continue Reading
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Definition
14 Feb 2023
Fedora
Fedora, also known as Fedora Linux, is a popular open source Linux-based operating system (OS). Continue Reading
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Definition
14 Feb 2023
crontab
Crontab is a Unix command that creates a table or list of commands, each of which is to be executed by the operating system (OS) at a specified time and on a regular schedule. Continue Reading
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News
06 Feb 2023
Dell to lay off 6,650 workers, cites economy, slow PC sales
Dell joined Microsoft in cutting 5% of its workforce due to slowing PC sales. The company said the action will better position it for future growth. Continue Reading
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Definition
15 Nov 2022
null set
In mathematical sets, a null set is a set that does not contain any values or elements. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Oct 2022
How to build a Windows Server 2022 home lab and why
It's possible to get to learn about the features in the latest Microsoft server OS in a cloud environment, but there are a few reasons to stay grounded with this approach. Continue Reading
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Definition
17 Oct 2022
dot product (scalar product)
The dot product, also called scalar product, is a measure of how closely two vectors align with each other, in terms of the directions they point. Continue Reading
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Definition
09 Aug 2022
x and y coordinates
X and y coordinates are, respectively, the horizontal and vertical addresses of a point in any two-dimensional (2D) space, such as a sheet of paper or a computer display screen. Continue Reading
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News
08 Aug 2022
CHIPS and Science Act boosts U.S. technology investment
Agencies including the National Science Foundation will receive a significant increase in funding from the CHIPS and Science Act to research and develop new technologies. Continue Reading
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Definition
02 Aug 2022
mu
The lowercase Greek letter µ (pronounced mu) generally represents the prefix multiplier 0.000001, i.e., 10^-6 or one millionth. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Apr 2022
Guide to Windows Server Hybrid Administrator certification
The new accreditation takes a more focused approach with exams that require knowledge of deploying traditional infrastructure components and their Microsoft Azure equivalent. Continue Reading
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Definition
19 Apr 2022
TED talk
A TED talk is a recorded public-speaking presentation that was originally given at the main TED (technology, entertainment and design) annual event or one of its many satellite events around the world. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Mar 2022
Microsoft cloud certifications Windows admins should pursue
The surge in remote work means admins with skills with Microsoft's cloud technologies are in demand. You can prove your proficiency by acquiring these Microsoft certifications. Continue Reading
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Definition
22 Mar 2022
SMP (symmetric multiprocessing)
SMP (symmetric multiprocessing) is the processing of programs by multiple processors that share a common operating system and memory. Continue Reading
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Definition
07 Mar 2022
multicore processor
A multicore processor is an integrated circuit that has two or more processors attached for enhanced performance and reduced power consumption. These processors also enable more efficient simultaneous processing of multiple tasks, such as with parallel processing and multithreading. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Sep 2021
Top data center software certifications for admins
Certifications prove an admin has a specific level of expertise. Assess the top training courses and certifications in software systems for data center admins. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Aug 2021
Data center facility management team-building checklist
A good data center facilities team and strategy can ensure the rest of your company runs smoothly. Here are the steps you should take when putting that team together. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Jul 2021
What does a data center facility manager do?
Data center facility managers are responsible for the data center at large -- from the outside of the building to the infrastructure it houses. Continue Reading
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Definition
09 Jul 2021
supervisor call (SVC)
In computers, especially IBM mainframes, a supervisor call (SVC) is a processor instruction that directs the processor to pass control of the computer to the operating system's supervisor program. Continue Reading
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Definition
23 Jun 2021
Mathematical symbols
This table contains mathematical symbols and links to definitions of what they represent and how they are used. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Feb 2021
Private cloud certificates to build up your tech skills
Private cloud deployments require a variety of skills to run smoothly on any infrastructure. Expand your technical knowledge with training from Amazon, Google, Dell EMC and HPE. Continue Reading
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Feature
03 Sep 2020
COVID-19 puts IT infrastructure spending in flux
As the pandemic continues, research firms state that organizations must realign IT budgets to support projects that maintain operations and put nonessential initiatives on hold. Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Mar 2020
Top vendor SDDC certification programs for admins
If you decide to grow your knowledge of software-defined data center technologies, VMware, Nuage Networks and Microsoft offer courses and certifications to get you up to speed. Continue Reading
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Feature
24 Feb 2020
Plan for a successful ITIL implementation
Corporate buy-in and training are essential for organizations that decide to adopt the ITIL framework. Admins should also help decide if the library is the right service option. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Jan 2020
Make the case for a technology refresh strategy
A good portion of IT budgets are spent maintaining aging hardware. Energy efficiency, failure rates and potential downtime costs are all ways to justify regular hardware updates. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Jan 2020
Top data center skills admins can use in 2020
The 2019 tech job sector saw consistent growth and job availability. In 2020, admins should develop expertise on cloud architectures, edge computing deployments and automation. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Aug 2019
Flexible consumption models lower IT overhead, help investments
Flexible consumption lets you track infrastructure usage and decrease tech investment overhead. It may seem similar to the as-a-service model, but there are differences between the two. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Jun 2019
How to cultivate the ideal IaaS agreement
As you expand your infrastructure, you might use service providers for certain components. Make sure you get a comprehensive SLA that addresses responsibilities, costs and security. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Apr 2019
Build a comprehensive outline for your data center budget
Including all necessary data center expenses during budget planning can be daunting. IT managers can start with costs for software licenses, hardware upgrades and cloud migration. Continue Reading
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Opinion
19 Mar 2019
Can IT admins benefit from a DevOps environment?
Admins might wonder if they need to pay attention to DevOps, but collaboration with developers helps minimize bad code and optimize processing hardware. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Feb 2019
Data center budget process should review business goals first
Discover four factors data center managers should evaluate when allocating financial resources and areas to address to ensure funding requests meet execs' business goals. Continue Reading
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Definition
13 Feb 2019
data center administrator (DCA)
A data center administrator monitors systems, installs equipment and cabling, and participates in change processes and everyday procedures that support information technology. Continue Reading
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Opinion
06 Feb 2019
Hone these top 5 data center skills in 2019
As data centers become more software-based, admins should prepare themselves by learning about the cloud, containers, DevOps and artificial intelligence. Continue Reading
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Feature
04 Dec 2018
Admins now require data center skills 'a mile wide'
The role of a data center professional is changing in the face of cloud, the internet of things and evolving security. One hiring manager talks about the changes and why admins need broader skill sets. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Sep 2018
Top 7 system administrator interview questions and answers
To land any IT job, you need to master the interview. Here are seven questions to expect in your next sysadmin interview and how to ace the answers. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Aug 2018
How to keep your data center skills up to date
It can be tough to pick the skills to develop when there are so many certifications to choose from. Data center industry trends can give you insight into what skills to pursue. Continue Reading
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Answer
10 Apr 2018
Do I need an information systems management degree?
IS management degrees are table stakes for many IT job seekers. Hands-on experience and specific certifications make applicants more desirable. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Feb 2018
IT support and service contracts ripe for savings
If you don't pay close attention to IT support, service and maintenance contracts, start now. Chances are your organization is paying more than it needs to. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Jan 2017
Five data center certifications admins need to know
Data center certifications, including those from VMware and Cisco, can provide a career boost for admins. Consider taking one of these five exams to expand your knowledge. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Aug 2016
Before leaving a system administrator job, don't burn any bridges
Leave on good terms from your system administrator job to avoid burning bridges and to keep a good reputation in the industry. Here are some things to consider before your move. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Jun 2016
Construct a winning data center project plan
Before embarking on new data center projects, such as an upgrade or move to the cloud, clearly define all goals and expectations -- and not just for IT. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 May 2016
New IT roles to put on your hiring radar
The shifting nature of the IT industry doesn't just influence new technology; it's spawning some noteworthy changes in IT staffing, especially around big data and cloud. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Apr 2016
Tips to ace tough IT operations interview questions
Few things career-wise are as nerve-wracking as job interviews. Knowing what to expect going into that first meeting for a Web or app administrator role can quell some uneasiness. Continue Reading
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News
17 Sep 2015
HP Enterprise to cut up to 30,000 jobs ahead of split
A leaner, more nimble HP Enterprise will have as many as 30,000 fewer employees after the company splits in November. Continue Reading
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News
14 Sep 2015
IT jobs surge in upper Midwest, Rockies, led by Java
IT jobs are being filled at the highest rate away from some of the traditional technology hotspots -- including many Midwestern states. Continue Reading
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Answer
09 Mar 2015
How do I size the physical server to host virtual machines?
I want to convert a physical machine to a virtual machine. How can I select and size the right server infrastructure to host VMs? Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Dec 2014
This data center cost calculator keeps you on budget
Calculating every data center expense can be challenging, but with the right spreadsheet -- and formulas -- you will accurately assess the total cost. Continue Reading
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Definition
02 Sep 2014
wetware
Wetware refers to programmers, developers, systems administrators, cloud and IT architects and other employees that directly affect how servers, applications, networks and the rest of an IT system functions. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 May 2013
Do you have the IT skillset for these five hot data center jobs?
With technologies such as cloud computing in the limelight, data center pros need to upgrade their skillsets to catch the latest wave of innovation. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 May 2013
Five data center upgrade strategies to modernize your facility
These five data center upgrade strategies can revitalize older data centers and stave off expensive construction projects. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 May 2012
How to balance three-phase power to maximize UPS capacity
Apply these techniques to balance the three-phase power load and avoid unnecessarily buying a costly new UPS. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Apr 2012
Work from the ground up with a data center raised floor
A raised-floor design is costly, so proper planning and installation is the key to maximize your investment. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Oct 2011
Changing vendors: Avoiding pitfalls, IT vendor contract negotiations
Negotiating IT vendor contract terms is crucial for protecting business continuity, physical property and intellectual assets when contracts end. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Aug 2011
Server refresh options: When to rent a server vs. when to buy
Companies looking to replace old hardware must consider long-term goals and evaluate financing options when deciding whether to buy or rent a server. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Oct 2010
Making the most of server maintenance contracts
When trying to obtain the most value from your servers, watching terms and doing homework on server maintenance contracts can save at the negotiating table. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Feb 2007
Do dual-corded servers connected to separate uninterruptible power supplies draw power from both?
Dual-corded servers are intended to share the load from UPS systems for overload protection. But do they really work? Expert Robert Macfarlane discusses dual-corded equipment and why data center managers need to be careful when shopping for them. Continue Reading
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News
09 Feb 2005
HP CEO Fiorina resigns
Hewlett-Packard dumps CEO Carly Fiorina as it struggles with its storage and server strategy. Continue Reading