In a recent blog post entitled Is Logical Data Modeling Dead?, Karen Lopez (b | t) comments on the trends in the data modeling discipline and shares her own processes and preferences for logical data modeling (LDM). Her key point is that LDMs are on the decline primarily because they (and their creators) have failed to adapt to changing development…

Home Is Where the Heart (and Compute) Is Selecting the proper Azure virtual machine (VM) size is not unlike trying to find the right fit for your family when purchasing a house or finding an apartment. If you have a family of six, with four kids, that one-bedroom condo near the city center might be conveniently located…

The performance of your applications is a complex, multi-layered puzzle. Performance can be negatively impacted at the application layer or even by remote calls to networked services. However, the most common bottleneck for applications is the data storage layer. The most common data storage tier for applications is a relational database, whose performance can vary…

One of the easiest ways to increase query performance in SQL Server is to make sure it can quickly access the requested data as efficiently as possible. In SQL Server, using one or more indexes can be exactly the fix you need. In fact, indexes are so important, SQL Server can warn you when it…

Database administrators are all too familiar with the frustration of receiving an endless stream of calls about slow online performance. Instead of trying to resolve each individual issue as it arises, a better solution is to undertake database performance tuning activities that will improve online performance for all your end users. These activities can help…

Mapping your network is vitally important for staying informed on its performance, pinpointing bottlenecks or network issues, and effectively troubleshooting problems. However, approaching this process manually can quickly become overwhelming, particularly if you have a large or complex network. I’ve found using a network mapping tool is a much better approach—especially if it can map…

A well-optimized network is the backbone of any successful organization. Whether you’re running a small business or managing a large enterprise, network optimization plays a pivotal role in ensuring that data flows seamlessly, applications perform efficiently, and your users remain satisfied. In this article, we will delve into the world of network optimization, exploring what…

In this post, we’ll consider the best desktop connection manager tools, judging from some key indicators, which will be discussed later in the post. Best Remote Desktop Managers (for Teams) 1. SolarWinds Dameware Remote Support 2. SolarWinds Dameware Remote Everywhere 3. ManageEngine Remote Access Plus 4. LogMeIn 5. AnyDesk 6. TeamViewer 7. Zoho Assist Best…

Collecting log data is an important part of network and system management, but more data isn’t always better. Excess data can overwhelm what you’re trying to accomplish, which is to detect errors or issues with your system. When you’re sorting through a mountain of logs, you can easily miss problems or fail to see major…

Protection against cybersecurity threats is critical for companies of all sizes. Tripwire is one option for this, providing both open-source and enterprise versions of host-based intrusion detection systems. This is far from the only choice, though. If you’re looking for a Tripwire replacement, this guide offers a comparison of several Tripwire competitors. Tripwire vs. OSSEC…

Network devices such as servers, firewalls, and routers generate logs about events and statuses, and trying to track all that information is challenging. Using syslog, in tandem with a syslog server such as SolarWinds® Kiwi Syslog® Server, provides a way to easily review and manage those logs. This guide will go into more detail about…

Any successful team in the business world must have enough information about the product or service they deal with. Building efficient knowledge base software for your products or services and self-help resources for your customers and employees is a huge investment. A number of knowledge base tools exist in the market today, and any modern-day…

Sybase, the high-performing, enterprise-level Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) by Sybase Inc., is known for its efficiency, robustness, and scalability. This all-star database system is instrumental in managing large amounts of data while delivering high availability and security. But why is monitoring Sybase crucial? What are the best tools to get this done? Let’s jump…

Understanding the difference between a standard SQL query and an Oracle view is an important aspect of performance tuning. This article will outline the basics of Oracle view performance tuning and explain how SolarWinds® Database Performance Analyzer (DPA) can be used to speed up Oracle view performance. What Are Oracle Views? Simple Views Complex Views…

Software developers may use a relational database management system (RDBMS) to create, read, update, and delete back-end data, and they can work with and change these systems with custom SQL statements. However, there are several RDBMSs to choose from, and each one is designed with particular use cases in mind and differs in features, pricing,…

Edited: 10/12/2023 10:45 AM As an IT professional, navigating the intricate web of your organization’s IT infrastructure can be daunting. This complex network involves numerous elements, including hardware, software, databases, and the relationships between them. So, how do we streamline the management of all these components? Enter the best CMDB tools. Read what such software…

A robust monitoring strategy can help you keep local area networks (LANs) running in a streamlined and efficient way. By implementing a LAN monitoring tool, you protect your network from lags, congestion, and downtime. A LAN monitor like SolarWinds® Network Performance Monitor is designed to provide you extra insight into highly complex LAN environments, which…

While we might like to think our IT networks are perfectly maintained and documented, the reality is sometimes we lose track. In some cases, your network can grow so quickly you may have trouble keeping up. The solution to this issue is using a network discovery and monitoring tool to ensure your network structure is…

You have numerous options when it comes to data loss prevention (DLP) solutions. Investing in the right one for your company will help you to strengthen the security of your business and better ensure the trust your customers place in you is justified. In this article, I review the best DLP software available on the…

Databases in healthcare sectors provide a proper system for storing, organizing, and managing critical health statistics such as labs, finances, billing and payments, patient identification, and more. This information must remain confidential to the public, but easily accessible for the healthcare professionals who use this data to save lives. The importance of database technology in…

Oracle performance tuning is a crucial step in ensuring speedy application function and data retrieval. Here’s what you need to know to improve database performance.  All database administrators (DBAs) are familiar with the onerous task of increasing database performance. To accelerate application function, DBAs have to expedite query response time, which means DBAs must have…