The most popular Data Center posts of the year ran the gamut
from virtualization to SDN to IP address management to DCIM. Here’s a rundown
of the pieces that garnered the most attention in 2013.

The top 10

1: How Linux is taking over the network

Is world domination by Linux a fanciful dream or could it be
a reality in ways we don’t expect? Scott Reeves discusses the signs.

2: Cheat sheet: What you need to know about 802.11ac

The newest wireless networking protocol is 802.11ac, and
it’s on the brink of ratification. Learn about the improvements and tradeoffs.

3: Breaking down an IPv6 address: What it all means

Nick Hardiman describes the seemingly arcane engineering of
the IPv6 address and explains what makes it tick.

4: What SDN means to the network administrator

Software-defined networking is new enough that pinning down
its practical use is still tricky. Here is some perspective on SDN from the net
admin’s point of view.

5: Seven reasons virtualization hasn’t fully taken off in the enterprise

Virtualization
is certainly not a new technology, but actual deployments have lagged behind
predictions.

6: Considerations for choosing a network monitoring solution

There
are several ways to go about procuring a network monitoring solution — buy,
build, or rent. Here is an example of a “buy” solution.

7: Has virtualization killed tape?

Rick
Vanover says he prefers disk-based systems for backups — but that doesn’t mean
that tape is completely out.

8: How to use IP address management in Windows Server 2012

IP address management is difficult for large organizations
with hundreds of networks. Windows Server 2012 has an IPAM feature that allows
for management and configuration from a database perspective.

9: 50 terms and acronyms for VMware that you should know

Rick Vanover lists the short definitions for 50 VMware terms
and acronyms you should be familiar with if you’re venturing into a VMware
project. (Also read: 50
more VMware terms and acronyms you should know.)

10: What you need to know about Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM)

What
exactly is Data Center Infrastructure Management? Is DCIM truly a new idea or
just a repackaging of the same old methods?

2014…

What data center topics would you like us to cover in the upcoming year? Share your suggestions below.