Data Center Relocations are far more than just Disconnecting, Packaging and Moving Equipment

April 5, 2011 · Posted in Hardware · Comment 

There is both a science and art to making server rooms run smoothly, and anyone involved knows how quickly things can get complicated if not engineered and executed correctly. Similarly, data center relocation are far more than just disconnecting, packaging and moving equipment.

Proper planning is key to relocation success. And a central step in any executable plan is a thorough, careful asset inventory – both before the move and after a move.

Here’s why:

1. Lost equipment

Just think about what could be lost. Everything you’re moving to the new data center needs to be inventoried, whether its part of the server network or the power and cooling systems. Misplaced cords, cables, trays, tools, nuts and bolts can all slip through the cracks, throwing a major kink in your operational capacity.

At worst, major losses like server equipment can cause enormous disruptions to your business and dents in your bottom line. Inventories also prevent against theft, and make it easy to respond more effectively to an unplanned calamity (fire, auto-accidents, etc.).

2. Lost time

What takes longer – numbering, color-coding, and taking apart a 10,000-piece puzzle in a coordinated way, or putting back together that same puzzle after its been crumpled up and dumped back into the box?

Server room down time is money down the drain – both from any business disruptions the migration might cause, and from the labor costs you’ll be spending while trying to sort out and put back together a disorganized, un-inventoried mess. Conducting a careful inventory before you move does take time, but not nearly as much as you’ll waste with a hastily-performed account of everything needing to be moved.

3. Lost opportunity

Let’s say you decide that a thorough inventory just isn’t worth the time and effort, or that a haphazard approach to pre-relocation planning is sufficient. Even if you somehow manage to avoid losing any of your assets in the big move to a new data center, a failure to conduct a careful inventory still comes with enormous opportunity costs.

In other words, there’s probably not going to be a much better time to thoroughly asses and account for all the little pieces that make up your operation than before and after a data center migration. During normal working times, you’d have to shut down at least parts of your operation to properly ensure that all the pieces are still in place. If you conduct an inventory when your relocation is already underway, you’re basically killing two birds with one stone.

You’ll arrive at your new facility confident, fully accounted for, and ready to move forward.

CCTV Systems Help You Protect All of the Valuable Things in Your Life!

March 12, 2011 · Posted in Security · Comment 

If you’ve experienced in a burglary in the past, you know how damaging it is to your home, business, and anywhere else you store precious assets. However, what you might not realize is that there are steps to prevent these invasions from happening. One step that you can take right here, right now is to look into surveillance systems. Now, you might think that simply putting a surveillance system isn’t going to make much difference. However, you have to calculate in the average mentality of thieves. The easiest targets are what end up getting the most attention. If there’s any indication that there’s a system in place to actually monitor the premises, then they are going to choose another property that doesn’t have that type of monitoring. While it’s true that some thieves are determined to get into a property no matter what, most do not want the risk of being identified on camera, since that can be used as evidence against them.

When it comes to surveillance systems, you have to at least check out the wide selection of CCTV systems available. A good CCTV system can really help you track who is coming into your property, and who is leaving the property.

However, that’s not all you get with CCTV surveillance. You also get remote viewing of any property that you need to track, which makes it possible for you to still travel without having to always wonder what’s happening at your house or business. This is usually a standard feature, not something that you have to pay extra just to get.

The right system needs to be installed by a professional. While there are DIY CCTV system kits available, this is a job that’s truly best left to a security professional to take care of for you. This way they can make changes quickly if a stock system doesn’t meet your needs.

The time to get a CCTV system is definitely now — why not check out what’s available?

An SEO Consultant Is Exactly What You Need to Maximize Your Site Portfolio

March 2, 2011 · Posted in Internet · Comment 

If you’re thinking about building an extensive online website portfolio, you’re definitely in good company. It’s no long just “trendy” to go out and develop high end sites that make revenue on their own — it’s practically required if you really want to make real passive income. However, a lot of people that have signed onto this trend in the early stages still report that it’s difficult to make money.

Why? Here’s one reason: they haven’t practiced strong SEO web design principles. Rapid development is good, but strong SEO is really the key to maximizing your site portfolio’s visibility. Without this valuable characteristic, you will not make a strong return on your investment.

Does this mean that you will have to pour over pages of SEO techniques? You could, but why would you want to take time away from your core business operation? You need to get in touch with an SEO consultant that can handle these tasks for you.

Let’s say that you had some local Dallas portals. A Dallas SEO consultant can help you touch up these sites and get them visible to your local market, as well as the rest of the world.

Now, you might think that the expense of an SEO consultant isn’t worth it, but this is where you’re mistaken. You see, the time saved by actually contracting a skilled SEO consultant is worth far more than any fee charged for the service. If you’re really serious about building a real portfolio of online properties, then an SEO consultant is truly one of the most valuable assets your business could acquire.

So as you refine your online site development strategy, just remember one thing: an SEO consultant is exactly what you need to maximize your site portfolio! Why not get started today?

The top free Malware Removal tool

February 9, 2011 · Posted in Software · Comment 

Gone are the days when the biggest threat to your computer was losing your back-up floppy disk. With pop-ups and ads becoming increasingly common fixtures on websites, the likelihood of unknowingly having malicious software on your computer is at an all time high. Spyware, adware and malware are just a few of the unwanted things your computer can pick up — well, anywhere. Downloading and using software to detect and remove these programs is the first line of defense in the battle against malicious threats. There are many free applications that can be found on the Web, but the best software removers have key features that make them stand our from the rest.

The top free malware removal tool is Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware. This application is known for being quick and effective with the ability to scan either multiple drives or individual files in minutes. This application also has a feature that none of it’s competitors do, FileAssassin, a tool capable of removing locked files. The free version doesn’t offer real-time protection. In order to keep your newly restored computer from being compromised in the future, you’ll need to upgrade for $24.95 or download another free application.

SUPERAntiSpyware promises to “remove all the spyware, not just the easy ones,” a promise it delivers. It is excellent at detecting and removing most spyware, adware, malware and other malicious threats that eek their way onto your computer. The free version is easy to use, extremely effective, offers full scanning and removal and is for people who are serious about keeping their computer and themselves protected. The paid version may be well worth the money as it offers real-time protection and the ability to schedule scans.

An old standby in malware removal is SpyBot Search & Destroy. It is fairly effective at scanning and removing threats, but it’s Immunize feature sets it apart from the others like it. The Immunize feature is designed to adjust the default browser settings to protect your computer from the more common types of spyware. While it may not be top in it’s class any longer, it is still an efficient and effective application that will keep you protected from the everyday threats associate with browsing the Web.

Another popular spyware remover is Ad-Aware Free Internet security. This program scans and removes threats from your computer, but it works a little slower than the others. For what Ad-Aware lacks in speed, it gains with the addition of anti-virus which makes it somewhat of a more complete solution. For real-time protection and the additional features such as rootkit removal, you must download another program or purchase the upgrade.

If an all-in-one is what you truly desire, than Avira AntiVir Personal is the software remover you’re looking for. AntiVir Personal tackles viruses, spyware, malware, Trojans and offers rootkit protection. The trade off for the package deal is having to click through some paid ads. If you can develop a blind spot for the annoying ads, then this application is likely to be the best for you. Additional features include the ability to customize your scans and easy removal of threats.

While any of these programs will help keep your computer protected and your files safe, take care not to test their efficacy by clicking on unknown links in emails, pop-ups or ads. Money spent on the program upgrades is money well-spent and taking the time to download the best software remover for you is time you will be appreciative of time and time again.

A few basic Trouble Shooting tips to fix your Xbox 360

February 9, 2011 · Posted in Games · Comment 

Is you Xbox 360 suffering from the dreaded red ring of death? In order to fix your Xbox 360. You have 2 options. One is to send it back to Microsoft and wait 2-3 weeks to get your Xbox back. Or can attempt a few at home remedies. You will want to check a few of these basic trouble shooting tips before you precede onto the next step.

One of the main causes of the RRoD (red ring of death) is having dust build up inside the console. The best way to resolve this is by taking your Xbox outside, you don’t want to get the dust everywhere inside, and take compressed air to blow out the dust inside the console.

Once you have completed this step be sure to place your Xbox back in a well ventilated area. Closets or in entertainments centers are not recommended because of the poor air flow.

Another possible problem that could be causing your RRoD is, the AV cable in the back might be loose or partially knocked out. This is a simple think to check for.

If this troubleshooting didn’t resolve your issue then your only option left would be to take apart your Xbox. This is not recommended as it voids the warranty on the Xbox. So only try this if your desperate for a quick fix or your warranty is already over/voided.

First you want to remove the hard drive and unplug your Xbox. next, take off the faceplate. To do this put your thumb in the usb slot and pull, it should pop right off. Next take off the bottom vent plate, which is gray. The tabs need to be released. There are 6 of them. Pull up on the plate while you release the table. The next step is to remove the top plate. It is just like the bottom plate. The only difference is that it is only held by 3 tabs. Once you remove this plate, the last step is to take the plate off that is across from the top plate.

After removal of the plates, the console may be opened. You will hear a series of clicks as the case is removed. This is normal, and is the sound of the tabs securing the case to the system being released. Removal of the lid will reveal the chassis. Simply remove the six screws and you have completed the disassembly of the Xbox 360.

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