GNESS

Bringing Cloud Computing Down to Planet Earth

Mani:

Agreed. I think automation has thus far been focused on systems versus networks and that will make all the difference as virtualization and cloud spread.

Thanks for the comment.

Greg

The Dawn of Network Infrastructure 2.0

I think IBM may have an interest in some of SUNs technologies in addition to hardware. What's next? Will Cisco launch a branded OEM netbook? lol

Greg

The Dawn of Network Infrastructure 2.0

Thanks Jack. I also liked Larry Dignan's piece in case you haven't seen it: seekingalpha.com/artic...

G

Cloud Computing: Its Evolution Depends on Economics

Thanks Mario:

Cisco's Doug Gourlay recently shared data with me about the state of legacy data center infrastructure and the massive opportunity for leaps in economy, efficiency, energy savings etc. In addition to the obvious motive to invest in new infrastructure to address the demands of endpoint growth and network complexity and the emergence of VMotion he made a great case for bringing our installed IT infrastructure up-todate. That of course means automation and additional capacity.

CIOs will need to take a step back and a fresh look at how their IT is deployed and the extent of recurring costs (from electricity to labor and process delay) in addition to addressing the network effects of VMotion and cloud. Thanks for the comment.

Greg

Cloud Computing: Its Evolution Depends on Economics

Stephen:

Good point. Clearly there was huge growth in endpoints before the netbook. I just think that:1) the netbook will put disproportionately more strain on the network; 2) its yet another mobile device; and 3) it could eventually outsell PCs with hard drives.

Thanks,
Greg

Cloud Computing: Its Evolution Depends on Economics

Stephen:

Thanks for your comments and the points you raised about infrastructure and scale. Its interesting that more PC demands seem to be related to browsers versus hard drive-installed software these days. With netbook sales taking off one has to wonder if we'll see another even larger explosion in endpoints. Cisco has predicted about 10 billion I recall by 2010... and I wonder if they took netbooks into account.

Thanks,
Greg

Cloud Computing: Its Evolution Depends on Economics

Teutonic:

Thanks for asking. Infoblox solutions automate the core network services that TCP/IP networks utilize, thus making networks more resilient and more able to keep up with growth and an increased velocity of change. Virtualization increases the ease of change and cloud implies changes/movment over larger areas. I think it will be challenging, risky and costly for enterprises to deploy new automation initiatives (virtualization, RFID/supply chain, cloud) without automating core network services. Ultimately I see collaborations between Infoblox and others leading to other breakthroughs (including IF-MAP).

I joined Infoblox as Blue Lane was in the acquisition process. I was attracted by their sales success and the strategic role I perceived them playing in dynamic infrastructure. In a way, I saw once boring technology becoming strategic to most of the significant enterprise IT initiatives in an up or down economy.

Thx
Greg

Cloud Computing: Its Evolution Depends on Economics

Thanks Jeff. I think that core network service automation would certainly be on a shortlist... automating some of the kludge and reducing the expense of the network.

Greg

Cloud Wars Are on the Horizon

Bruce:

I agree that there are tremendous opportunities for those who are "designed in" to the cloud. Yet I think some vendors will still have to reinvent their business models and make susbtantial changes to their cultures in order to thrive in hte more dynamic environment. Some advantages may become disadvantages; while some disadvantages may become advantages.

Some networking vendors are still figuring out what virtualization means...

Thanks,
Greg

Cloud Wars Are on the Horizon

Phil:

I think everything is up in the air at this point. Bootom line: I think the network needs an OS for cloud to take off and fullfill the promise. As Peter Raulerson mentioned a few weeks ago the network is in the same shape today with cloud looming as IBM was before the advent of the PC OS. Thanks for your question. Network vendors promise to live in interesting times if they continue to rely upon kludgenomics. More on that later.

Thanks,
Greg

Cloud Wars Are on the Horizon

Rokjok:

Well stated. There are significant barriers to entry for the big cloud payoff.

Thanks,
Greg

Cloud Wars Are on the Horizon

Thanks Mac:

I could have named many more players but I think the head table of leaders will be at least MSFT, CSCO, F5, VMW, GOOG and AMZN. If VMW addresses the security with mobility issue they will become even more strategic to CSCO IMHO.

Greg

The Coming Network Revolution

Teutonic:

I think they are two distinct ideas with very similar perspectives. One is about the emergence of network intelligence based on enhanced application, endpoint and network feedback loops (e.g. this application and VM has moved to a new location and the security policy needs to remain in place, etc); the other seems more about a more sophisticated form of pattern recognition and analysis for web content. I'm not a Semantic Web expert but that is my best guess. Thanks for the comment and question.

Greg

The Coming Network Revolution

Richard:

That would be tough. I think Cisco may be in a more commanding position in the network at this point in time versus Microsoft in the cloud. Yet potential developments in the next 12-18 months pose multiple wild cards. I do like Cisco's recent moves with VMware, which suggest that they understand the network opportunity better than perhaps their peers. Microsoft has an uincredible footprint in the market and massive software expertise, not to mention server clout. For me... its a toss up or a question of who could monetize better...

Thanks
Greg

Peak IT - The Network Industry's Core Challenge

Neteng:

Plenty of organizations are investing greater sums to simply keep networks and data centers operating while investing less in productivity/automatio...

This is because per unit costs often rise with complexity. That creates a potentially vicious cycle of rising expenses and dropping productivity.

QED: kinda looks like a mountains peak....

Greg