Gregory Ness

Reality Checks for the Billowing Cloud Computing Fantasy

Josh:

There are solutions that allow for desktops in the cloud. Yes, there is an OS. But the link between hardware and OS is more tenuous.

You can read the article to say that enterprise networks are not ready for private cloud because of security, management/addressing, throughput and storage issues.

You can also read the article (plus others) to say that cloud can decouple the tight relationship between the OS, hard drive and service... introducing new competition to the preload software business. With virtualization and cloud users will have more choices (both in OS and apps and services).

Thanks,
Greg

Reality Checks for the Billowing Cloud Computing Fantasy

Disappointed:

The issue is much bigger than "cloud complication." Its about risks and significant tech barriers to real enterprise adoption and the lack of preparedness for networks. Lets put it this way: if cloud isn't viable for the enterprise how viable will it be for SMB? Yes it can replace some apps (with thin apps and multi-tennant hosting); but if it isn't economical (the elastic intercloud that can follow the moon) and is really just larger VLANs with more VM density... then it won't live up to the "Big Switch" hype.

That issue may noty be that interesting to you, but its an important consideration for enterprises exploring cloud service (versus software as a service or infrastructure as a service, etc) models. And there is a sizable quantity of traditional servers powered up 24X7 (wasting energy) that could be replaced if the issues are properly addressed. If they're not, then we will go on longer wasting the energy used to power these servers while they're not be usied. According to the panel at FIRE, the amount consumed annually by those servers amounts to the entire amount produced by wind (I think it was about 5% that Gouraly mentioned).

Greg

Netbooks May Disrupt Cloud Computing

I think networks will have to me more intelligent, powerful and dynamic for them to replace the level of communications that takes place between apps and processors on the modern laptop.

Thx
G

New CIO Acronyms: DNS, DHCP, IPAM

John and anon:

About 8 years ago I was at VoiceCon with an IT director who presented a business case for enterprise VoIP deployment across about a dozen offices (I was with ShoreTel at the time). The moderator blasted the preso by saying that VoIP was a toy that would never be seriously deployed within the enterprise. He knew because he had more than a decade of experience managing legacy PBXs (he was in the mix and he knew better).

The tech world is particularly interesting because it is filled with a broad spectrum of personalities with an equally broad range of outlooks; and many of the champions of new technologies work for the companies enabling change. They vote with their feet by choosing a company, technology, team etc. They share their opinions with those who will listen.

I realize that there are plenty of techies who think the network is a dumb bus, a mere pipe. Some may even think IT isn't strategic anymore ala Mick Carr. Some will outsource their IT (they see it as a simple business case decision), others will embrace IT and transform it, carefully evaluating new technologies on a case by case basis.

Rather than lob generalizations that I only speak well of partners (F5 for example is not an Infoblox partner nor VMware, Citrix or Juniper), or practice the fine art of "gobbledygook" why not argue with the theme of my posts: that the network is strategic and will be more strategic as enterprises move to virtualization and cloud; and that network intelligence, automation and management will become more important as networks get more complex and endpoints and systems more mobile?

This came up during a panel I was on yesterday at Interop's Enterprise Cloud Summit. We talked about the downside risks of cloud (security, compliance, unplanned downtime, lock-in, etc) and many of these issues are relevant to the networking industry and how networks adapt to cloud architectures. This point will likely be made Thursday at the FIRE conference by VMware's (not a partner) Director of Operations.

BTW- I have nothing against HP; I think they're an excellent company now facing a new and more dynamic competitive landscape. I just don't see them as particularly visionary today when it comes to cloud computing, especially relative to Cisco (yes, a partner), F5 (not a partner) or Juniper (not a partner). I think Citrix (not a partner) is getting more interesting regarding the cloud.

But these are just my opinions. You can take them or leave them.

Thanks for your comments
Greg

New CIO Acronyms: DNS, DHCP, IPAM

User:

Some CIOs are more comfortable with keeping critical infrastructure in-house, especially if they can use dns appliances, etc to reduce costs and boost availability. If its not a big decision point (infrastructure = plumbing = boredom) then it might be worthwhile taking a new look. That being said you don't need my approval to outsource and dismiss DNS, etc as old news.

Thanks for the comment!

G

Three Technology Barriers to Cloud Computing

LA Tech:

Likely that cloud will continue to evolve along specialized vertical applications and into SMB versus "just in time IT" for the enterprise. I think it is thise confusion between the vertical and the ultimate vision where most of the confusion comes from... and yet the network impacts of virtualization and cloud gets obscured.

Thx
Greg

Three Technology Barriers to Cloud Computing

Lightway:

Yes... I agree. Thats why I think that the cloud business case will drive innovation in network monitoring, management and automation of core network servces as well as new levels of capacity/storage.

Its more than a big switch as Bittman says.

Thx
Greg

Who Will Monetize Cloud Computing and Why?

Barber:

One could argue that monetization means profitability when it comes to cloud. I don't think Google or Amazon derive much revenue from cloud... and perhaps very little, if any, profits. Now SUN execs (remaining) will be working with Ellison.

Thanks,
G

Enterprise IT at a Crossroad

Holder:

Check out Cisco's recent UCS announcement. If you think that the VLAN is the end game for virtualization think again. Sure, there are substantial technical hurdles to many types of cloud, but the economic incentives will foster innovation, as is already the case.

IT services will need to become more agile, regardless of whether they deploy cloud or not.

Thanks for eth comment
G

Enterprise IT at a Crossroad- Fortunes Hang in the Balance

Holdings- Long: Cisco

Cloud Computing: More Storm Clouds Ahead

Imagine a network of data centers around the world operating like your single DEC machine, with virtualization enabling point and click movement of a VM around the world chasing cheap electricity as the sun rises. Yes... cloud is being deployed within much smaller "containers" today with less ambitious impacts... but this world will drive new operational and capital savings from IT... eventually.

Peak IT - The Network Industry's Core Challenge

Bigmoney:

Thanks for your comment. Let me make the case for peak IT a bit more concise:

1) As IT infrastructure grows there is increasing evidence of rising per unit management costs (servers-IDC; IP addresses-Computerworld)

2) Cisco predicts robust growth in IP addresses (14 billion by 2010)

3) As IT becomes more expensive to maintain (on a per unit basis) many firms will be forced by tight budgets into investing less in management productivity etc- and that is when the downhill slide begins. Operations expenses crowd out productivity investments.

QED: Network vendors need to address this issue in order to sell more gear; CIOs need to address this issue in order to keep up with inevitable infrastructure growth; virtualization and cloud will need network automation in order to fully deliver on their promises.

G

Who Will Lead the Infrastructure 2.0 Boom?

Thanks for your comments Harley; and glad that you were connected with the team.

Sincerely,
Greg

Who Will Lead the Infrastructure 2.0 Boom?

A recent blog at Cisco: blogs.cisco.com/datace.../

Greg

Who Will Lead the Infrastructure 2.0 Boom?

I'm horrible at short term market predictions. For that I would recommend channel checks and/or analyst reports who follow shipments more closely.

Thanks for the comment.

Greg