November 2nd, 2009

Oracle's Virtualization Story

Posted by Dan Kusnetzky @ 3:00 am

Categories: Application virtualization, Clustering software, Managing virtualized environments, Marketing, Security in virtualized environments, Virtual machine software, Virtual processing software, Virtual storage, Virtualization

Tags: Oracle Corp., Virtualization, Cloud Computing, Storage Management, Server Virtualization, Utility Computing, Tools & Techniques, Hardware, Storage, Servers

Oracle has been part of the virtualization software market for quite some time. I’ve been following their efforts since they developed technology to support Digital Equipment Corporation’s VAXcluster technology. Their Real Application Cluster (RAC) has been a good example of processing virtualization and their Oracle Cluster File System is an example of storage virtualization. Oracle’s Adam Hawley, Direct of Product Management for Oracle VM, brought me up to date on Oracle’s efforts in the areas of virtual machine software (Oracle VM), their implementation of the XEN virtual machine software project. My quick take is that Oracle’s offerings in the area of virtualization technology will be well received by Oracle’s installed base.

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September 11th, 2009

Risk management and cloud computing

Posted by Dan Kusnetzky @ 10:00 am

Categories: Cloud computing/SAAS/ISP Issues, Security in virtualized environments, Virtualization

Tags: Risk Management, Cloud Computing, Virtualization, Financial Planning, Financial Services, Strategy, Security, Hardware, Finance, Management

I just read an interesting blog titled “Risk Management and BI Cloud Computing – Will It Work and Who’s in Charge?” authored by an old IDC colleague, Bill Peterson. He makes some very valid points, but doesn’t really describe how they should be addressed.  I suspect that is because of space limitations he faced when writing the post.

In my view, security is a critical component of a successful cloud computing implementation regardless of the company size, the vertical market it plays in or what workload or application is living in the cloud.  In the world of business intelligence, this translates to risk and risk management.

Security is one of the four pillars of cloud computing in The 451 Group’s CloudScape Codex.

August 18th, 2009

Waking up to the full extent of virtualization options

Posted by Dan Kusnetzky @ 3:25 am

Categories: Access virtualization, Application virtualization, Managing virtualized environments, Network Virtualization, Security in virtualized environments, Virtual processing software, Virtual storage, Virtualization

Tags: Software Technology, Environment, Cloud Computing, Virtualization, Storage Management, Utility Computing, Hardware, Storage, Dan Kusnetzky

While doing my morning expedition through the wilds of news sites, blogs and, of course, comic strip sites, I came across something by Laura McCabe, a partner at Hurwitz and Associates, titled “What is Virtualization, and Why Should You Care?” While Laura’s comments are useful, she didn’t try to present a model of virtualization technology that is comprehensive.

Several important categories, such as storage virtualization, security for virtualized environments and management for virtualized environments were not mentioned at all. Processing virtualization, which is far more than merely virtual machine technology, was only lightly touched upon.  I suspect this is more related to space limitations than a limitation in Laura’s understanding of the environment. Let’s look a bit deeper, shall we?

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August 7th, 2009

Virtual Machine Software Blinders

Posted by Dan Kusnetzky @ 3:00 am

Categories: Access virtualization, Application virtualization, Consumer use of Virtualization, Managing virtualized environments, Network Virtualization, Security in virtualized environments, Virtual processing software, Virtual storage, Virtualization

Tags: Virtual Machine, Cloud Computing, Virtualization, Storage Management, Utility Computing, Hardware, Storage, Dan Kusnetzky

Is it me, or is it true that suppliers and organizations have become infatuated with the concept that virtualization is solely and only equal to the use of virtual machine software to create virtual servers or virtual desktops/clients/users?

It seems that almost every time I speak with a supplier, that’s the implied, unspoken definition they’re working with. This, of course, is a very, very narrow view that gets in the way of an organizations ability to create a workable, useful architecture of virtualization deployment.

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July 30th, 2009

Layer 7 Technologies Security in the Cloud

Posted by Dan Kusnetzky @ 3:00 am

Categories: Cloud computing/SAAS/ISP Issues, Security in virtualized environments, Virtualization

Tags: Layer 7 Technologies Inc., XML, Security, Software/Web Development, Web Development, Dan Kusnetzky

Paul Rochester, CEO, and Scott Morrison, VP Engineering and Chief Architect, of Layer 7 Technologies, dropped by virtually to introduce me to their company’s technology and the philosophy behind their products. After a while, I was able to understand the approach they were taking and how extensible and flexible it is. Thanks for the fun conversation Paul and Scott.

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July 23rd, 2009

Layer 7 Application Services Governance

Posted by Dan Kusnetzky @ 3:00 am

Categories: Security in virtualized environments, Virtualization

Tags: Web, Layer 7 Technologies Inc., Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA), Channel Management, Web Services, Security, Enterprise Software, Software, Marketing, Dan Kusnetzky

Layer 7 Technologies‘, CEO, Paul Rochester, and VP of Engineering/Chief Architect, K. Scott Morrison, stopped by telephonically to introduce their company, its philosophy and bring me up to date on their product portfolio. The company offers server appliances and virtual appliances that take on the tasks of firewall, compliance enforcer, and service oriented architecture management.

The main message is that security, compliance and several other important functions can be achieved by controlling the messages sent into and coming out of virtual and physical environment rather than being forced to install agents on each and every system in the network. Let’s look into what the company has to say about itself.

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July 15th, 2009

Altor Networks Altor VF 3.0: VMsafe Virtual Firewall

Posted by Dan Kusnetzky @ 2:00 am

Categories: Security in virtualized environments, Virtualization

Tags: Firewall, Hypervisor, Network, Environment, Altor Networks, Altor VF, Security Policy, VM, Virtualization, Security

Security in virtual environments can be a challenging area because there are so many different entities needing protection. In a virtual server environment, layers of security are needed for the underlying hypervisor and for each of the virtual servers. If not implemented correctly, security could become an awful load for the environment. Altor Networks has recently begun to offer a new product, Altor VF 3.0: VMsafe Virtual Firewall with Intrusion Detection, designed to help. Their approach appears to offer an interesting solution to the problem of providing enough protection while also minimizing the overhead.

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April 28th, 2009

Partnership for Families - a Virtual Computer NxTop user profile

Posted by Dan Kusnetzky @ 3:00 am

Categories: Consumer use of Virtualization, Managing virtualized environments, Security in virtualized environments, Technical support, Virtual machine software, Virtual processing software, Virtualization

Tags: Partnership, Computer, Computer NxTop, Virtual Computer, John, Business Structures, Finance, Dan Kusnetzky

I’ve spoken with the good folks of Virtual Computer on several ocassions (see Desktop virtualization according to Virtual Computer and Virtual Computer NxTop Beta). This time, I had the opportunity to speak with  John Cook, Systems Administrator at Partnership For Strong Families. Thanks John for taking the time to chat!

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April 17th, 2009

Notes from the VMware Partner Event - Virtualization a tool for difficult times

Posted by Dan Kusnetzky @ 3:07 am

Categories: Access virtualization, Application virtualization, Consumer use of Virtualization, HA/Failover, Managing virtualized environments, Network Virtualization, Professional Services, Security in virtualized environments, Virtual machine software, Virtual processing software, Virtual storage, Virtualization

Tags: IBM Lotus Notes, VMware Inc., Tool, Virtualization, Cloud Computing, Storage Management, Utility Computing, Hardware, Storage, Dan Kusnetzky

Earlier in the week, I had the opportunity to attend one of VMware’s partner events. The event was held in Orlando, a short drive away from my office. Stratus had invited me to present a paper at the event. I really enjoyed speaking with my hosts and learned a great deal about what they’re doing today to create environments that are, as they say, “continuously available.”

While at the event, I had the opportunity to speak with a good number of representatives of VMware partners. Here’s a quick summary of what I heard:

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March 23rd, 2009

More comments on Cisco UCS launch

Posted by Dan Kusnetzky @ 3:00 am

Categories: HA/Failover, Managing virtualized environments, Network Virtualization, Security in virtualized environments, Virtual machine software, Virtual processing software, Virtual storage, Virtualization

Tags:

It was just last week that Cisco announced its Unified Computing System (UCS). As a reminder, the announcement included a Cisco switch, the UCS B-Series blade server, virtual machine software from VMware and other products from Cisco and third-parties. Cisco hopes that this will entice organizations to move from their current suppliers of technology to a Cisco developed and controlled environment. Since that time, a number of company executives have come forward to give me their views about this announcement.

Here are comments from Christine Crandell, EVP Marketing for Egenera.

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