Articles by Joe Farsetta

Scruples

Wed, 21 Aug 2002 00:00:00 EDT

Scruples. Business integrity. Honesty. Dealing in a fair and open manner. Trustworthiness. Mutual respect. These words and phrases all describe a mindset that's crucial to the long-term survivability of any services industry. Since IT is primarily a services industry, these words affect the way we do business and the way we're perceived by our clients. It's that simple.

Out of the Blue: Things to know when installing WebSphere Portal

Wed, 31 Jul 2002 00:00:00 EDT

In the past, I've written about operational readiness and operational excellence as performance models for data center environments. I'm an ops guy; a gear-head; the imperious overlord of all things within my domain. I'm the person you typically hand your space, equipment, applications, and business models to, and say, 'Make it all work, then manage it.'

Electrical Supply Versus Demand

Fri, 24 May 2002 00:00:00 EDT

Power. Electrical power, that is. The very lifeblood of any functioning data center. It doesn't matter if it's the electricity that keeps your server at home running, or the electricity that keeps your employer in business, power is probably the single most important necessity in any IT process. You see, it doesn't matter how well you've developed the application, or how powerful your processing engines are; without electricity to run them, they may as well be boat anchors.

Putting Your Money Where Your Mouth Is...

Thu, 23 May 2002 00:00:00 EDT

Pervasive computing. Sounds awesome, doesn't it? But, what is pervasive computing, exactly? Well, IBM defines it as the ability to manage information easily. More specifically, it will enable people to accomplish an increasing number of personal and professional transactions using a new class of intelligent and portable devices giving them convenient access to relevant information anywhere, anytime. Wow. What a mouthful!

The New Math: Application Survivability + Operational Readiness = Business Continuity

Tue, 12 Mar 2002 00:00:00 EST

Business continuity. A new and exciting catchphrase? For some, perhaps. Traditional business continuity planning involves many aspects of corporate activities, from call center rerouting and alternative raw material suppliers to policies requiring executives to fly on separate planes.

Building An Application Server Data Center

Fri, 22 Feb 2002 00:00:00 EST

Your latest assignment includes building those applications and application servers that will propel your firm's business to the next level. Where to physically locate these new servers is the question, though. So, it's up to you to help design or evaluate new or existing data center space. Not sure of how to do this? It's not an insurmountable task if you know the basic building blocks which go into every comprehensive data center. This article will steer you through the many options available, and the factors that affect a data center's design.