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| Datatrend Newsletter: Q1 2009 |
President's Perspective
Diversified Commitment In Partnering
More than ever, reducing costs while meeting the demand of business and
user requirements, is a focus item for line of business and information
technology executives. This issue of TrendSetter highlights a diverse
set of cost savings opportunities.
[ read more ]
Four Tips to Optimize Your Data Center and Reduce Costs
Many companies recognize that their data centers are not as efficient
or streamlined as they could be. In a difficult economy, efforts to
improve performance and productivity and reduce the cost of operations
become more important than ever. [ read more ]
System x Virtualization Reduces Operating Costs While Increasing Flexibility
With the buzz about virtualization in the industry today, it should
come as no surprise that a discussion on leveraging technology to
reduce costs would include some recommendations on virtualization.
[ read more ]
POWER6 and AIX: Powerhouse Performers for the UNIX Environment
The UNIX® server platform boasts some of the highest server utilization
rates in the IT world, with rates over 70% not uncommon. This makes
UNIX an ideal environment for virtualization to reduce costs and
increase flexibility.
[ read more ]
Datatrend Meets Your Connectivity Needs
In today's economy, implementation of a network solution has to be
fast, efficient and accurate. Even existing networks can be greatly
enhanced by reducing the complexity of network cabling and components.
This reduces capital equipment and maintenance costs.
[ read more ]
The Cost of Infrastructure Inefficiency
Did you know that...
- By 2010, there will be 38 million physical servers - a 700% increase over
the past 15 years
- It costs 50 cents for power and cooling for every $1 spent on servers
- It costs $8 in maintenance for every $1 spent on new infrastructure
- The average cost for physical IT space is $1,000/square foot, $2,400 per server and $40,000 per rack
Source: IDC
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Tech Tip: Simple Linux Tips And Tricks
Confirming the integrity of your downloaded ISO source code is simply a good habit.
After downloading a source ISO file, validate the ISO files integrity
before burning the ISO file to a CD. This can be done using the md5sum value. The md5sum allows you to confirm that the ISO file has not been corrupted during the download process.
[ read more ]
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Trendsetter Archives and Subscriptions |
We publish this newsletter quarterly for our valued customers.
To review past editions or add colleagues to the distribution, click the links below:
[ archives ]
[ new subscriptions ]
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President's Perspective
Diversified Commitment In Partnering
More than ever, reducing costs while meeting the demand of business and
user requirements, is a focus item for line of business and information
technology executives. This issue of TrendSetter highlights a diverse
set of cost savings opportunities.
You can preliminarily explore each solution element presented
within this issue and work with Datatrend to assist you in the analysis
and business case development. We will work with you to develop
quantifiable payback metrics including the time line involved in
accruing benefits and realizing the savings.
Many vendors talk a good game in providing savings, but in these
economic times, it is important to have a solid review that proves the
benefits and identifies the low hanging fruit within your organization.
In many cases, savings projected to kick in down the road in 20 months
(as an example), can be realized day one in the form of a creative
packaging financing. Hard and soft assets, along with services, can be
packaged within a finance wrap whereby the monthly cost of the new
facilitation is less than the current (before action) cash outflow.
To clarify, some valid cost savings (payback) opportunities
yield a worsening of cash flow for a period of time before the
situation flips around and the cost savings kick in. This is okay when
an organization's budget allows for a longer term view...but in cases
where there also needs to be a positive cash flow improvement in the
short term, working with a partner that can package key project
investment components can make the difference as to whether the
improvement initiative is approved.
Certainly, it does not always make sense to pursue creative
financing, nor is it necessary in many instances. Merely having the
option and being able to consider structuring alternatives can enhance
the business case package presented to executive level authorities that
will want to see multiple considerations.
When pursuing infrastructure optimization initiatives that
good homework suggested would yield attractive cost reductions, it is
important to align with a partner that can demonstrate the given
service realm experience, but that can also supplement the project with
advocacy services and the ability to be nimble, flexible and creative
in the face of project surprises (not even in the vendor's
responsibilities). As an example, your organization may "own" a
workload with a complex solution stack and where the stack componentry
is made up of the given operating system, application layer, web
enablement layer, the RDBMS and a high availability pillar. An issue
can arise with one of the components in virtualizing (test validation,
or a support position, or a pricing policy) that despite all the
planning, a new and sudden position is being taken (by the component
supplier), that could lead to a material delay. A well-heeled and well
connected vendor with industry contacts and influence can advocate for
you and solve the matter quickly...getting the project back on time
table.
Aligning with a vendor with the partnership philosophy whereby
commitment to serve, willingness to advocate, and the desire to apply
creativity to out of scope occurrences is a major differentiator when
taking on projects that are suppose to yield benefits and where timely
and successful conclusion is essential. Datatrend has many client
references, associated with each service and technology offering
highlighted in this issue of TrendSetter, that will speak to our
unusual degree of project commitment and flexibility. If you are
interested is investigating such a testimonial, send me a specific
request via email at mark.waldrep@datatrend.com. Enjoy this issue and let us know if you would like to explore our credentials and client testimonials.
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Four Tips to Optimize Your Data Center and Reduce Costs
Many companies recognize that their data centers are not as efficient
or streamlined as they could be. In a difficult economy, efforts to
improve performance and productivity and reduce the cost of operations
become more important than ever. As you begin to review your data
center operations for cost savings or efficiencies, here are four areas
that should be at the top of your list.
1. Rationalize your application portfolio.
One of the easiest ways to begin to simplify your infrastructure is
through a careful evaluation of your applications to eliminate
redundancy and any applications that are no longer needed. Migrating to
common applications and sharing applications is a relatively easy way
to enhance efficiency.
Before you begin, you will want to get an accurate understanding of the following:
- What applications do you have?
- Where do they reside? How do they work together?
- What databases do they access?
- What are their critical up-stream and down-stream dependencies?
A thorough data center assessment should provide a complete inventory
(servers, applications, utilization rates, etc) that will help you
create a road map for optimization.
2. Increase utilization and/or reduce the number of servers in your infrastructure.
Are your servers taking over, hogging your data center space, breaking
your budget and running up your energy bill? Many decision makers now
consider virtualization and consolidation the solution to server
sprawl. But you may still have concerns and questions. The procurement
process for a virtualization and/or consolidation solution can be
fraught with costly mistakes, as many IT organizations have discovered.
All too often, they end up with servers that are too big, too small or
simply not configured for what they need.
Datatrend's expertise can help your organization tap
into the enormous advantages of server virtualization. From strategy
planning to implementation, we'll provide as much – or as little – help
as you need. Through a combination of virtualization technology and the
application of our deep knowledge in this area, we have helped many
clients realize some very impressive outcomes, such as a 30% to 50%
decrease in hardware costs; a 70% to 80% reduction in data center
space; a 40% reduction in application load times; and overall IT
efficiency gains of 25%.
3. Simplify your network cabling infrastructure.
A scalable network infrastructure can improve business productivity by
enhancing the delivery of application and services, enabling real-time
collaboration tools, and providing more efficient implementation of
business processes.
IP-based voice, wireless, and security are among a new
wave of advanced applications that are changing the ways in which
businesses operate. Understanding and utilizing these new tools can be
a key to improving your productivity.
Reducing the complexity of your cabling and other
networking hardware can free up floor space and enhance the efficiency
of your operation. This also reduces the need to replace cables or
other components, reducing your capital expenditures going forward.
4. Automate manual processes.
IT
automation is the key to cutting costs and increasing effectiveness in
your data center. Data center automation solutions can help you address
the explosion in IT costs and growing complexity of IT management.
Automating data center processes may help you diagnose problems more
quickly and improve system performance and uptime, while making system
administrators more productive and reducing costs.
Most companies recognize the value of taking these
steps. Actually undertaking a project to gain efficiency, however, may
seem daunting. At Datatrend Technologies, we understand what you're
going through because we've worked with many companies that share your
concerns, questions and uncertainties. We have helped a diverse group
of organizations realize their optimization goals, whether the
initiative involves x86 servers, UNIX operating system, storage,
desktops or other elements of their computing environment. From an
initial review of your existing system to help you identify
opportunities to installation of a final solution, Datatrend would like
to be your partner in achieving the cost reductions that will help you
succeed in troubled economic times and set the scene for continued
growth and profitability in the future.
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System x Virtualization Reduces Operating Costs While Increasing Flexibility
With the buzz about virtualization in the industry today, it should
come as no surprise that a discussion on leveraging technology to
reduce costs would include some recommendations on virtualization. For
the x86 environment in particular, virtualization appears to be the
standard and for good reason. Virtualization offers better hardware
utilization, greater energy savings through reduced power and cooling
requirements, simplified management and often greater reliability. In
our work with clients, Datatrend has observed significant hard cost
savings through virtualization, such as a 30-50% reduction in hardware
costs, a 70-80% decrease in datacenter space, and significant
reductions in power and cooling expenses.
One key to the success of virtualization in the x86 environment is
IBM's System x platform. System x offers an ideal platform for managing
multiple business-critical applications or highly consolidated virtual
server environments. Its extreme density and simplified management can
have a huge impact on cost reduction strategies.
System x servers such as the x3950 M2 and x3850 M2, built on
the fourth generation of IBM X-Architecture, provide performance and
scalability up to 64 cores, making them excellent platforms for
consolidation and virtualization. An embedded VMware ServerESX 3i
hypervisor makes the x3850 M2 ready for virtualization right out of the
box. The x3950 M2 features the first Intel Xeon® processor-based
8-socket system to achieve 1,000,000 transactions per minute and
surpass that by more than 20%. This system also accelerates TPC-C
performance up to 40% over the Intel 7300 processor series-based
platform and provides up to 1.5 times better 8-socket TPC-H performance
for faster business decision analysis.
Downtime costs money. With multiple workloads running on the
same server, reliability becomes more critical than ever. System x's
intelligent design includes multiple layers of redundancy and memory
protection, combined with advanced availability tools, to keep systems
up and running.
Managing energy and reducing heat generation from servers are
key concerns in this era of rising energy costs and the move to "go
green." With System x servers, IBM has created technologies that help
increase performance per watt and help you budget, plan and control
power usage.
BladeCenter servers, part of the System x portfolio with capabilities
beyond the x86 space, are another technology designed to share
important resources, especially power and space, and achieve
scalability and parallel processing power within a relatively small
footprint. Multiple slim, hot-swappable blade servers fit in a single
chassis, allowing servers to share power, fans, floppy drives,
switches, and ports to maximize productivity while controlling
operating cost.
VMware software is another possible solution. VMware is used throughout
the enterprise, from the desktop to the data center, to minimize total
cost of ownership of computing infrastructure by maximizing its
manageability, flexibility and efficiency.
With today's tighter times, IT departments are challenged to
increase computing power while working with smaller budgets. System x
may be your route to achieve greater operating efficiency. For more
information, contact Datatrend today or check out our x86 Virtualization Best Practices Webinar Series.
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POWER6 and AIX: Powerhouse Performers for the UNIX Environment
The UNIX® server platform boasts some of the highest server utilization
rates in the IT world, with rates over 70% not uncommon. This makes
UNIX an ideal environment for virtualization to reduce costs and
increase flexibility.
In our experiences with our clients, Datatrend has been impressed in
particular with the IBM Power Systems platform (formerly System p and
pSeries) and AIX operating system. This team of products clearly
outperforms other UNIX platforms in terms of server utilization,
simplification of infrastructure, and systems management.
At the heart of the success of the POWER6 platform is the IBM POWER6
processor, which has been dubbed the "world's fastest computer chip."
This chip, which operates at 4.7 gigahertz, allows you to consolidate
servers and handle substantially larger workloads, doubling the
frequency and bandwidth of the POWER5 chip while using the same amount
of electricity as its predecessor for operation and cooling. In other
words, users have the option of increasing their performance by 100% or
cutting their power consumption in half.
One of the most successful UNIX virtualization strategies
leverages dynamic logical partitioning, micro-partitioning, and other
advanced functions of the POWER architecture and AIX operating system.
Live Partition Mobility (LPM) allows administrators to transfer
workload on the fly from one POWER6 server to another without
application downtime. Network connections are preserved, and
transactions that were in-process during the migration continue, so the
whole event appears seamless to the user. This lets you perform
hardware maintenance or upgrades seamlessly without interrupting
productivity. This technology also allows workloads to be redistributed
when computing needs increase. The bottom line: you can save as much as
50 percent of the cost of unplanned downtime over a five-year period
with Live Partition Mobility.
POWER6 has also been called the "world's most powerful
consolidation machine" because it can create up to 160 virtual servers
in a single box (up to 10 virtual machines on each of the sixteen core
processors) through a function called Micro-Partitioning™.
Micro-Partitioning runs workloads ranging from large scale database
transactions to web servers on the same server, while still meeting
user demands for spikes and drops in workloads on individual virtual
machines. This optimizes the work environment with maximum flexibility
and scalability, giving companies much more for their server investment
while controlling operating costs, for an impressively quick ROI.
Datatrend's experience with IBM Power Systems and AIX dates
back to 1987 when we became a charter member of the IBM AIX Developer
Program. Today Datatrend is one of fewer than 100 IBM Business Partner
Innovation Centers in the world. This relationship with IBM has allowed
us to gain access to top resources in the company, which we parlay into
added value for our customers. If you are considering virtualization in
the UNIX environment, give us a call. We would be happy to put our
expertise in POWER6 and AIX to work for you.
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Datatrend Meets Your Connectivity Needs
In today's economy, implementation of a network solution has to be
fast, efficient and accurate. Even existing networks can be greatly
enhanced by reducing the complexity of network cabling and components.
This reduces capital equipment and maintenance costs.
Datatrend Technologies specializes in full-service
design, installation, and maintenance of network projects across a wide
range of industries. Datatrend has a solid track record building
virtually every type of network, including voice, data, fiber, and
wireless environments. Our skilled, experienced consultants and
engineers work closely with your entire project team to develop an
optimal and cost-effective design and customize your project to meet
your particular needs.
From single-site installations to large-scale national
or global rollouts, our work adheres to national, state and local
codes, as well as the most rigorous industry and manufacturer standards
(BICSI, NEC, NESC, TIA, EIA, IEC, ANSI and CSA).
We also have expertise with many of the newer
technologies that have emerged to improve productivity. We have worked
with and installed digital video solutions, video surveillance/security
systems, digital signage, flat panel displays, self-service kiosks, as
well as IP-based voice, wireless, and security solutions.
As an added bonus, in addition to manufacturer's
warranties for hardware and software, Datatrend offers an extended
20-year warranty on every installation we perform. If we install it and
maintain it, we guarantee it.
Dealing with an experienced consultant such as
Datatrend can dramatically enhance the productivity of your network,
reduce administrative costs, help you accomplish your goals and realize
a return on your investment more quickly, and achieve all this with
minimal impact on your network.
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Tech Tip: Simple Linux Tips And Tricks |
- Confirming the integrity of your downloaded ISO source code is simply a good habit.
After downloading a source ISO file, validate the ISO files integrity
before burning the ISO file to a CD. This can be done using the md5sum value. The md5sum allows you to confirm that the ISO file has not been corrupted during the download process.
- Use the following command for verification:
md5sum -c linux.iso.md5
- The command to create an md5sum is:
md5sum linux.iso > linux.iso.md5
- To determine the size of all directories in the current directory:
find . -maxdepth 1 -type d -print | xargs du -sk | sort –rn
- To determine which directories are taking up the most space on the hard drive use the following:
du -sk * | sort -n
This will list the base-level directories in the current directory. It will also include the size of sub-directories.
- To list base-level directory sizes in the current directory , largest to smallest, enter:
du -S | sort -n -r | more
- To list all sub directories in the current directory, enter:
ls -alF | grep /$
- Use the nohup command to continue running the command after log out, example:
nohup program or nohup %1
- To return to your home directory:
cd ~ or cd
- To return to the previous directory location enter:
cd –
- If you encounter problems during an untar of a package and need to clean-up the files you can perform :
rm 'tar ftz nameofproblempackage-1.0.0.tar.gz'
- Use the import command to create an X windows screenshot, example:
import background.jpg
Make a box around the item you want to retain with your cursor and hit enter.
- To unzip more than one file simultaneously, use:
unzip "*" (quotes are required, unzip * does not work).
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Inc.
121 Cheshire Lane, Suite 700 Minnetonka, MN
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