How to install/upgrade/increase RAM

How to install/upgrade/increase RAM: Every once in a while, I will be posting an easy-to-follow and easy-to-do computer hardware and software tips and tutorials. My main aim is to provide in my own little way some technical help and advice to those who are still lacking the know-how on fixing or doing the most basic computer related tasks.

So here is my first uncomplicated tutorial, and it’s about the proper way of installing RAM:

What is RAM?

RAM is short for Random Access Memory. It is the area where your computer stores programs that you are currently running and data that you are currently working on. RAM is different from disk storage, e.g. hard-drive. Each and every one of your programs and data are held by disk storage whether you are running them or not. The moment you turn off the computer, the contents of RAM will instantaneously disappear, but the contents of your disk storage will remain in tacked. RAM is also different from ROM. ROM (Read Only Memory) are memory chips that have had data stored on them which cannot be changed at all. ROM chips can be usually found on a computer motherboard.

Why upgrade or increase RAM?

The main reason for upgrading RAM is speed. More and faster RAM means quicker and more responsive computer performance. Upgrading RAM is considered as one of the cheapest if not the cheapest way to speed-up a computer.

When to upgrade or increase RAM?

When your computer is running sluggish while performing memory demanding tasks like video and graphics editing, CD/DVD burning, or while running several applications simultaneously, then upgrading RAM is one of the best available solutions.

How to install RAM?

Before adding RAM, be sure to read these important tips and reminders first:

*If you have a new motherboard, check the owner’s manual or manufacturer, this is the sure way to purchase the correct type when you're adding computer RAM.

*If you want to add RAM to your current motherboard, the easiest way is to see which type of RAM you currently have. First open your computer case. Remove your current RAM by pushing down on both of the retaining clips holding the RAM in place. Your RAM should have the type and speed printed on it. That's the type you need!

*You can mix different memory speeds and sizes but not of different types. Like a DDR and DDR2 cannot be used together.

*Stand on uncarpeted flooring to reduce static electricity. Touch as little as possible inside your machine and especially avoid touching any computer chips. Static damage, and even oil from fingertips, may cause a failure months later.

Instead of illustrating the procedures on how to install, upgrade or increase RAM myself, I'm going to refer you to these existing good tutorial sites that can be found here and here. If you have some questions or needed extra help, you can always ask me later thru a comment. And then there’s always Google, when all else fails.

Best Load Balancing Hardware

Best Load Balancing Hardware: A load balancing hardware is a device utilized for splitting the amount of network loads across different servers, somewhat the same way a softwareload balancer is used. It controls computers to respective servers in a network, built on conditions such as utilization of server processor, the number of server connections, and the total server capability. By using a load balancing hardware, one can reduce network downtime, effectively manage traffic prioritization, apply end-to-end application monitoring, supply user authentication, and provide protection or security against malicious attacks.

Load balancing works by sending network traffic to a shared IP (often called virtual IP or VIP), which is an address connected to the load balancer. The load balancer will decide on where to send the request from the VIP. The decision making is usually administered by a load balancing method or strategy, a server health check, and a rule set (in the case of a next generation device). The request is then sent to the associated server and will response if successful. The response will be relayed either back to the load balancer or straight back to the end-user relying on the kind of the device.

For performance, scalability, and reliability reasons, majority of websites with very high traffic uses some type of clustered server architecture. To equally appropriate the traffic to different web servers, a load balancing hardware solution should sit in the middle of the server cluster and the Internet. For additional level of dependability, it will also route traffic around a failed cluster node.

Here are some of the best and most popular load balancing hardware:

Cisco Systems Catalyst 6500
Cisco Systems is well-known for building networking infrastructure hardware that keeps the most demanding networks up and running. The best selling product of Cisco is the Catalyst 6500 system. It was made to handle with problems at layers 2, 3, and 4. Built on a modular chassis, the Catalyst 6500 is flexible to deal with everything from switching to firewall services to SSL and IPSec services.

Coyote Point E350si

Coyote Point provides the Equalizer line of products aimed at both the SME and higher-end markets. The E350si is its most popular product because it is loaded with features but comes at an affordable price. The layer 7 capability of the Equalizer makes it feasible to identify among users to direct them to the correct server. Other supported features include URL parsing, persistent cookies, and a virtual cluster technology that allows you to assign pools of servers to the highly or heavily utilized applications and services.

F5 Networks BIG-IP 6400

The BIG-IP line of products from F5 handles the application acceleration problem (or layer 7) and the network traffic management problem. Also, BIG-IP helps provide security and and protection against threat of network attacks such as denial-of-service (DoS) attacks. F5 started the concept of application traffic management with the BIG-IP product line. Version 9 of the BIG-IP systems provides a suite of application acceleration and optimization features. F5’s Traffic Management Operating System architecture is specifically made to increase network reliability while enhancing end-user performance.

If you have used or know other excellent load balancing hardware, please share them with us via comment.