Backing up Exchange

Like any other database, Exchange needs a little TLC if you want to recover from any downtime.

SQL Server: diagnosing and fixing performance issues

Many SMEs have applications that run on SQL Server. In the more recent versions, SQL Server 2005 and 2008 is largely self tuning so it may well run for months unattended. However, performance issues can still raise their ugly head.

Getting ISO27001 Certification

The requirement for information security certification is spreading from large organisations to small ones. What’s involved, and do you need it?

Netbooks: Networking and Managing a Linux portable

Linux netbooks are cheap, popular and probably on a customer site already. How can you connect them to an existing network and make them work with Windows servers and applications?

Saving power, saving money with a green energy audit: cut printer costs and create power plans

Cold mornings and the clocks going back are going to put up heating and lighting bills for businesses as winter draws in, but increasingly IT is putting up the electricity bill too. Power prices have increased significantly this year and it’s not yet clear whether they have peaked. Offer customers a power audit that covers printing, servers, desktop PCs, storage and peripherals or include it when you’re planning a new deployment to sweeten the deal — and try it out in your own office to find out how much you can save by managing IT power.

Do you get your cut from the cloud?

Cloud computing stands to be the most significant transformation for the IT industry in a generation. Analysts predict that within a few years, almost all companies will run at least some of their IT in the cloud; a minority will run all their computing that way.

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Setting up SANmelody to create your own Storage Fabric

Setting up SANmelody to create your own storage fabric

When you install the operating system on the storage server do not format the disks you will use for storage, just initialise them. The storage software will take care of everything else.

Encrypting backup tapes

Backup should be keeping your customer’s data secure as well as safe. Forget to encrypt data written to tapes and they run the risk of having to explain it to the auditor when a courier loses them.

Supporting Office 2007: top tips for compatibility and how to make the most of the Ribbon and Quick Access Toolbar

It was a shock when Microsoft unveiled Office 2007 at its Professional Developers Conference in 2005. The reason was the new ribbon user interface (officially called the Office Fluent User Interface), not supplementing but replacing the old drop-down menus. According to Microsoft, the new UI was the outcome of years of research, as described in detail by Group Program Manager Jensen Harris on his blog. Nevertheless, response to the ribbon has been mixed: some users love it, some never get used to it, and pretty much everyone experiences a period of frustration during which familiar features are hard to find.