RSSArchitectures
Time to Reconsider the Data Center
January 05, 2012
As enterprises push out data centers into cloud-based computing and virtual applications, traditional data center planning and practices haven't necessarily kept pace. Is it time to reshape definitions of classic brick-and-mortar data centers into a new computing concept with different performance and total-cost-of-ownership expectations? If nothing else, the business cases now driving data center services are beginning to demand it. "As a global organization, we know that we must not only provide 24/7 IT, but also enterprise-strength IT support on a follow-the-sun basis," said John Heller, CIO of Caterpillar.
Are We Lagging In SLAs?
November 09, 2011
Nearly 80% of the cloud service providers I have spoken with have told me that they either have very generic SLAs in place for their customers or that they don't have any formally stated SLAs for customers at all. On the other side of this equation, businesses engaging cloud services have also reported that, by and large, they simply sign and accept the contracts that the cloud service providers present to them. This begs the questions of whether SLA definition and adoption is lagging cloud services.adoption—and whether it is OK if it does.
Implementing Automation
October 24, 2011
Orchestration platforms have better chances of success now that vendors are offering APIs to effectively manage their products. Routers, virtualization platforms, firewalls and storage arrays are delivering core features to enable external administration using XML-based APIs.
The Case Against Orchestration
October 14, 2011
I outlined the case for orchestration. Now I want to answer "Why now? What's different?" After all, management platforms have failed to deliver automation and orchestration for the last 20 years, at least. Why would today's software be any more likely to actually work? Can we try for operational nirvana once again?
Is it Already Time To Reinvent the Cloud?
September 20, 2011
Although cloud computing persists as a top priority for CIOs, cloud is still in its infancy and already is undergoing significant revisions to improve its value proposition for more discerning customers. They are increasingly expecting cloud services providers to deliver solutions with the ability to make major operational and financial impacts on strategic areas of the business.
Automation and Orchestration
September 08, 2011
Now that virtualization is either implemented or under way at most organizations, vendors are focusing on orchestration and automation of their infrastructure to extract pounds instead of pennies from their customers. The vision that is espoused by vendors goes something like this: Companies are spending time and resources to build servers, script OS and application installations, make storage array and network configuration changes, deliver firewall rules etc., etc. If only we had some clever software that could help to perform these repetitive and expensive tasks.
Assessment: Brocade Network Subscription
September 01, 2011
Network Subscription is an acquisition model that lets companies pay for network ports when they are used. As monthly demand changes, the port count and costs rise and fall. This is a good model for companies with large differences between normal and peak usage, though subscribers pay more over time compared with a capital purchase. It is not a fit for companies with small variations in demand. Network Subscription doesn't include Fibre Channel ports. .
More Architectures
- Data Center Pricing Schedules: Driving Positive Vendor Behavior
- Datotel Uses CA Tool To Reduce Energy Consumption
- HP On Right Track With Two Network OSes
- ManTech International Cuts Maintenance Requirements With Tivoli Tool
- LV 1871: Taking Virtualization to the Next Level
- Bringing Customer Experience And Business Channel Development Together With IT
- Ohio Department Of Developmental Disabilities Taking Control Of Virtual Desktops
- SunGard Sheds Light On Private Cloud With Automation And Management
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