Data Center Strategies for the CIO
Access "Introducing the software-defined data center"
This article is part of the October 2012, Volume 1, Issue 1 issue of Cloud computing, data center trends: If you can't beat 'em, join 'em
A few years ago, someone asked me what I thought about the future of storage in the data center. At the time, I quipped that we'd eventually just have giant piles of solid-state memory, and software would differentiate vendors. Look around the data center today and you see it happening, not only in storage but other areas as well. Custom application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) in network switches are being replaced by "merchant silicon," a fancy name for commodity processors from Intel and AMD. The core features of servers among vendors are becoming indistinguishable. And the storage arrays are really just Intel servers themselves, often running Linux or embedded Windows, with a lot of network interfaces and drives. It's the software, stupid So what distinguishes one vendor from another? It's software. Software is what implements incredibly fast, low-latency networks on top of commodity processors as exemplified by companies like Arista Networks. Intelligent software is what enables storage vendors to eschew expensive "enterprise" solid-state disks ... Access >>>
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What's Inside
Features
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One-on-one with Randy Bias: Cloud standards and the battle for control
by Lauren Horwitz, Executive Editor
When discussing open source cloud and standards, Randy Bias argues it's only a matter of time before dominant cloud standards prevail in IT.
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VDI performance still falls short of PCs
by Bridget Botelho, News Director
Despite vendors' best efforts, virtual desktops still can't hold a candle to PCs -- and it might take until 2014 for VDI performance to catch up.
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Anything as a Service, Everything as a Service explained
by Stephen J. Bigelow
As cloud providers diversify, Anything as a Service and Everything as a Service become interchangeable in the cloud landscape.
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One-on-one with Randy Bias: Cloud standards and the battle for control
by Lauren Horwitz, Executive Editor
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Tackling cloud concerns from the front lines
by Steve Gunderson, Contributor
Cloud may be the hottest technology for data centers in years, but abandoning traditional IT processes can cause cloud issues and set a company back.
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Microsoft tries 'kitchen sink' method for Windows Server 2012 upgrade
by Ed Scannell, Senior Executive Editor
With the Windows Server 2012 upgrade available, Microsoft experts analyze the risks and rewards of the feature-rich release.
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Tackling cloud concerns from the front lines
by Steve Gunderson, Contributor
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Columns
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Introducing the software-defined data center
by Bob Plankers
The software-defined data center is here to stay, but what does that mean for IT pros?
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Five examples of doublespeak from cutting edge technology vendors
by Adam Hughes, News Editor
The terms used by vendors to describe cutting edge technology are often colorful. Here are five examples and the truth behind the tech.
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Introducing the software-defined data center
by Bob Plankers
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