November 25th, 2009

Does virtualization equal cloud computing?

Posted by Dan Kusnetzky @ 3:00 am

Categories: Cloud computing/SAAS/ISP Issues, Virtual machine software, Virtualization

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

I’ve been taking part in an online discussion of virtualization over on LinkedIn.  Stowe Spivey, Owner, Intermarket Solutions LLC, posed an interesting question “Is VM here to stay in and of itself or will it morph into, become a part of, the cloud?” That’s an interesting thing to consider.

From my vantage point, virtual machine software, one of five different types of virtualization technology found in the virtual processing layer, one of seven layers of virtualization technology found in my model of virtualization technology, is a useful tool in creating cloud computing environments, but may be used by itself.

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November 17th, 2009

SteelEye DataKeeper for Windows Server 2008 R2

Posted by Dan Kusnetzky @ 3:00 am

Categories: Clustering software, HA/Failover, Linux, Virtual machine software, Virtual processing software, Virtual storage, Virtualization, Windows

Tags: Microsoft Windows Server, Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V, Disaster Recovery, DataKeeper Cluster Edition, SteelEye DataKeeper Cluster Edition, Microsoft Windows Server 2008, Microsoft Windows, Servers, Operating Systems, Software

I’ve watched SteelEye for quite a number of years as they changed from a clustering/high availability software (LifeKeeper) supplier focused solely on UNIX to a supplier of a number of technologies for Windows, Linux and virtual environments.  Recently the company added DataKeeper for Windows Server 2008 R2 to their portfolio. It is clear that availability and reliability needs to be a focus for business critical applications.

Here’s how SteelEye describes DataKeeper for Windows Server 2008 R2

DataKeeper, a highly optimized data replication solution for Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008, is available in two versions. The first delivers data replication services as an extension to Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008, while a second version of DataKeeper Cluster Edition further extends the capabilities of Microsoft Cluster Services and Windows Server Failover Clustering. Both editions support real-time replication of Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V virtual machines between physical servers across either LAN or WAN connections.

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November 16th, 2009

Vik Desai of Liquid Computing on Unified Computing

Posted by Dan Kusnetzky @ 3:00 am

Categories: Cloud computing/SAAS/ISP Issues, Virtual machine software, Virtualization

Tags: Data Center, Customer, Computing, Liquid Computing, Data Centers, Storage, Hardware, Data Management, Dan Kusnetzky

I received a message conveying some thoughts on unified computing coming from Vik Desai, CEO of Liquid Computing. While I haven’t had the chance to actually chat with him about his opinions, I thought them interesting enough to pass along to you.

Vik Desai’s comments

Unified computing(UCS) is a compelling market that is heating up with all the major vendors jumping into the fray. However,the very benefits of unified computing get negated if customers have to invest in expensive hardware from big vendors with no open architecture. Liquid Computing’s solution on the other hand is a completely open solution that can support any combination of standard operating systems or virtual environments. This means that it can be seamlessly installed within any data center, and doesn’t require any special or proprietary drivers that can compromise the integrity of application performance.

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November 11th, 2009

Parallels launches Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac

Posted by Dan Kusnetzky @ 3:00 am

Categories: Desktop virtualization, Virtual machine software, Virtual processing software, Virtualization

Tags: Apple Macintosh, Parallels, Desktops, Microsoft Windows, Hardware, Operating Systems, Software, Dan Kusnetzky

Parallels recently launched an update to its popular Parallels Desktop for Mac. It appears that the company has done its best to make Windows and Mac OS X live in harmony on the same machine. The person using the system can make it appear as if the system is just another Windows system rather than a Mac or that Windows and Mac applications are running side by side on a Mac system.

My discussions with executives at various conference leads me to believe that Macs are increasingly popular with business executives for a number of reasons including the look of the systems, the performance of Mac OS X and the overall reliability of the systems. The sticking point, however, is that their organization has standardized on one or more Windows applications. Parallels appears to have spoken with many of the same people and is offering a product that directly addresses their concerns.

Parallels, however, is not alone in understanding the requirements of this market segment. VMware and Citrix both want to play here as well. The open source project, VirtualBox, also can address many of the same issues.

After having used both VMware’s Fusion and Parallels Desktop for Mac, I have to say that both products would be useful additions to an organization’s technology portfolio. VMware’s product seems to be more focused on supporting a Windows user finding him/herself in Mac land. Parallels seems to be more focused on Mac users wanting high performance Windows application support without having to learn a great deal about Windows. Parallels also offers tools to help Windows users become familar with Mac OS X.

November 10th, 2009

VMware's desktop moves

Posted by Dan Kusnetzky @ 3:00 am

Categories: Access virtualization, Cloud computing/SAAS/ISP Issues, Desktop virtualization, Managing virtualized environments, Professional Services, Virtual machine software, Virtual processing software, Virtualization

Tags: Desktop, Desktop Virtualization, VMware Inc., VMware View 4, Ecosystem Press Release, Virtualization, Hardware, Dan Kusnetzky

VMware made a “cluster announcement” of a number of products and services related to desktop virtualization including VMware View 4, PCoIP Support, a partnership with Affiliated Computer Services and the availability of a set of new reference architectures. It is clear that VMware wants to make adoption of their version of desktop virtualization, whether supported locally or via cloud computing, easy.

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November 5th, 2009

Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization for Servers

Posted by Dan Kusnetzky @ 3:00 am

Categories: Virtual machine software, Virtualization

Tags: Hypervisor, Red Hat Inc., Server, Virtualization, Open Source, Cloud Computing, Storage Management, Utility Computing, Hardware, Storage

Red Hat launched Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization for Servers on November 3rd. Although KVM isn’t currently in a leading position in the market, it offers a number of features, including performance, that many find attractive.

What Red Hat had to say about its new products

In September 2009, Red Hat delivered the foundation of Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization with Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.4, which offers next-generation Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM) virtualization technology.

Today (November 3rd), Red Hat delivers the next phase of the portfolio with the availability of Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization for Servers, which includes the following components:

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November 4th, 2009

Cisco, EMC and VMware Announce Alliance

Posted by Dan Kusnetzky @ 2:00 am

Categories: Cloud computing/SAAS/ISP Issues, Virtual machine software, Virtual processing software, Virtualization

Tags: Alliance, Environment, Industry Standard, VMware Inc., Cisco Systems Inc., EMC Corp., Intel Corp., Vblock Infrastructure Packages, Acadia, Virtualization

Cisco, EMC and VMware announced an alliance/coalition/joint venture with the hopes of pushing forward the use of virtualized environments in general and cloud computing in specific. If nothing else, this move is likely to recast partnerships and alliances throughout the IT industry. It is a bold move that changes the environment in a major way. This move is not without risk for these partners. Now that they’re offering complete system solutions, it may be more difficult for them individually or as a group to play well with others.

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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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October 16th, 2009

VMware facing challengers on all sides

Posted by Dan Kusnetzky @ 3:00 am

Categories: Managing virtualized environments, Virtual machine software, Virtual processing software, Virtual storage, Virtualization

Tags: Environment, Xen, VMware Inc., Xen Community, Virtualization, Cloud Computing, Storage Management, Utility Computing, Hardware, Storage

It is clear that VMware is facing significant challenges from at least four different sectors. Citrix, Microsoft, the Xen community and Red Hat are all hoping to push the VMware off of the throne and assume the title of “King of Virtual Machine Technology.” The stiff challenge is causing the hypervisor itself to become a commodity and, as my colleague Greg Zwackman pointed out in a recent report “Virtualization Software: Market Sizing and and Forecasts Overview,” suppliers will be forced to look to other segments of the overall market for virtualization technology for increased revenues and profits.

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October 14th, 2009

Apptis Technology Solutions, an eGenera Partner

Posted by Dan Kusnetzky @ 3:00 am

Categories: Cloud computing/SAAS/ISP Issues, Consumer use of Virtualization, Managing virtualized environments, Virtual machine software, Virtual processing software, Virtualization

Tags: Egenera Inc., Apptis Inc., Apptis Technology Solutions, Dell/PAN Solution, Data Centers, Storage, Cloud Computing, Hardware, Data Management, Dan Kusnetzky

I like to present the views of people actually using technology as well as examining the moves of the suppliers of that technology. Jim Smid, of Apptis Technology Solutions, answered a few questions for me about his organization’s use of technology from eGenera and Dell.

Please introduce your organization and tell us about your role there.

Jim Smid, Director, Data Center Practice for Apptis Technology Solutions.

Apptis Technology Solutions is a technology solutions provider and value-added reseller for government and industry. We offer advanced and secure solutions for data center, unified communications, network infrastructure and client computing. Our interactive approach, engineering expertise and product knowledge provide customers with secure solutions that are precisely aligned with business and budget requirements.

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