Latest News from Greg Ness

Virtualization Will Cross the Chasm in Two Years

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST

The barriers that keep virtualization from becoming a de facto standard in production environments will become addressed in coming months as new teams of networking, virtualization and storage players form. The result will be a new age of IT economics.

Virtualization Will Cross the Chasm in Two Years

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST

It seems counterintuitive to suggest that the virtualization market hasn’t already crossed the chasm1. After all, over the last three years we’ve seen a stellar VMware IPO, Citrix’s heady acquisition of XenSource, and Microsoft’s much celebrated entrance into the virtualization market. VMware’s Q3 revenue was $490 million. What’s not to like? After all, virtualization has been [...]

Virtualization Will Cross the Chasm in Two Years

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST

Virtualization Will Cross the Chasm in Two Years

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST

IT's Groovy Time Flashback

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:30:00 EST

As virtualization-lite creates swarms of increasingly dense VLANs in the data center, the IT industry appears to be responding by consolidating into coalitions, including Arcadia (EMC, VMW, and CSCO); HP/COMS; and IBM/JNPR. Each coalition will likely produce its own "branded container" dedicated to the simplification and tactical orchestration of growing VLAN empires. This consolidation takes us back to the 70s when IBM and the BUNCH offered ever-shrinking choices to smocked IT decision makers. Years later the network evolved and disrupted the consolidation with new equipment categories, new solutions and emergent demands soon addressed by a mushrooming venture capital industry and hordes of tech entrepreneurs.

IT’s Groovy Time Flashback

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST

The Real Time Infrastructure Ultimatum

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST

As virtualization entered the data center it became an accidental standard bearer for network automation. The power of virtualization helped to drive a cultural (including x as a service) shift in expectations, just as Nicholas Carr was declaring war on traditional “old world” IT with the help of Google, Amazon and a host of other cloud (and not so cloud) players.

The Real Time Infrastructure Ultimatum

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:27:00 EST

For months the infrastructure 2.0 blog has talked about the automation of IT from a network perspective, including the automation of the network itself. While few may question the need for network automation most businesses today still run their networks like they ran their “supply chains” decades ago, before the network. This great irony is about [...]

IT Innovation Requires Network Innovation

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:30:00 EDT

A recent article by Larry Dignan about how IT has fallen behind the Tech Curve laments how slow and cumbersome enterprise IT has become relative to consumerized technologies. Larry covered a session at the recent Gartner Symposium and was advised by Gartner analysts that IT pros want the world to proceed in an orderly fashion and are weighed down by the legacy of previous choices. That's a fair statement. Gartner's solution, or at least that posed by analysts David Mitchell Smith and Tom Austin is for IT to simply let users buy their own gear:

IT Innovation Will Require Network Innovation

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 07:15:00 EDT

Changing Horses in the Cloud

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 05:30:00 EDT

As infrastructure 2.0 is turned on it will represent an irreversible transformation in the way IT services are delivered. The timing of product releases, investments and deployments could make all the difference for a range of companies and organizations. Those who could be impacted include the cloud vendors (including Google, Amazon, Rackspace and Savvis), the virtualization [...]

Prepare Thyself for Just in Time IT

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:33:29 EDT

First came virtualization. Then came cloud. Now prepare yourself for the rise of "Just in Time" IT. I first heard the term on a conference call with Arista's Gourlay and F5's Giesa. And it stuck after a pregnant pause on the call. It makes tremendous sense.

Ready for Just in Time IT?

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:11:34 EDT

In a matter of decades we watched the data network eliminate “middlemen” and arcane practices that had been around for centuries, only to see these practices re-emerge at the core of the network. Understanding this irony is pivotal to understanding what is about to take place within the network and its effect on the evolution [...]

Unleashing the Economic Power of Virtualization

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:45:00 EDT

As Cisco, HP, Juniper, F5, Amazon, Microsoft, Google and others circle the data center field of battle, one strategic ridge of high ground is in network automation, or the ability to move (or adjust/provision) IT assets at the push of a button without the need for extensive manual intervention. That manual intervention accounts for a sizable portion of the costs, risks and compromises of today's static networks.

Networks and Moving Data Centers

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:17:08 EDT

Virtualization and the Future of the Network – Slides Now Available

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:05:57 EDT

A special thanks to the speakers and attendees at today’s webinar on Virtualization and the Future of the Network: Nemertes Andreas Antonopoulos, Cisco’s Chris Hoff, VMware’s Mark Thiele and Richard Kagan from Infoblox. You can view the slides here. Works best with IE 6 or higher. Of course, you may want to watch the on demand webinar which will [...]

Virtualization's Golden Spike

Sat, 19 Sep 2009 08:15:00 EDT

It only makes sense that the steam locomotive existed before the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. One breakthrough created the need for another. The power of the VM (virtual machine) introduced unprecedented mobility and flexibility, albeit within the confines of a VLAN container. That mobility and flexibility has created new demands for larger, unified and intelligent network infrastructures or infrastructure 2.0.

Virtualization’s Golden Spike: An Historical Context

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:42:48 EDT

Lori MacVittie: Young Turk of Infrastructure 2.0

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 18:42:57 EDT

Lori wasn’t able to represent F5 Networks at the first Infrastructure 2.0 Working Group but has been perhaps the most prolific contributor with some incredible thoughts on how networks must evolve. Erik Giesa from F5 was on the Future in Review panel on I2.0 that inspired the formation of the Working Group. So F5, Lori [...]

Virtualization and the Future of the Network – Next Week Live

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:33:07 EDT

One week to go. Nemertes co-founder Andreas Antonopoulos leads an expert-packed webinar on virtualization and the strategic importance of the network. Speakers: Mark Thiele from VMware, Chris Hoff from Cisco and Richard Kagan from Infoblox. Register Here for this online live webinar 8AM Pacific, September 23, 2009.

Cambrian Cloud Explosion

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 09:31:29 EDT

You don't have to be a geologist or paleontologist to understand the implications of the word "Cambrian" for IT.

Cambrian Cloud Explosions

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:40:18 EDT

My recent podcast on infrastructure 2.0 with John Willis reminded me of some recent banter about my use of the term “Cambrian explosion” to talk about where IT is headed when infrastructure 2.0 becomes a reality. In short, today we have a classic preconditions scenario when automated systems are connected with automated networks. Synergy is [...]

Infrastructure 2.0 Podcast with John Willis

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:27:00 EDT

I had the distinct pleasure of talking to the Bob Dylan of Infrastructure 2.0, John Willis earlier. The result was this podcast on infrastructure 2.0. John has a great IT Management and Cloud Blog. You can follow his Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/botchagalupe. John used the term infrastructure 2.0 about 2 years ago to talk about [...]

Virtualization Driving the Network Revolution

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 07:15:00 EDT

Today virtualization is creating new demands for another tech disruption. Perhaps the first shots in this revolution were fired last week at an all day working session of networking legends and “Young Turks” at the SRI Infrastructure 2.0 meeting. Time will tell, but the level of interest and discussion was exhilarating and timely. Vint Cerf, Bob Grossman and Dan Lynch did an incredible job setting up the session with the help of SRI.

Hoff: Infrastructure 2.0 Young Turk at SRI

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:15:00 EDT

Attending the first Infrastructure 2.0 Working Group was a powerful, albeit surreal experience. Watching Dan Lynch, Bob Grossman and Vint Cerf make the case for a revolution in networking and moderate a team of industry giants was more memorable than I could have ever imagined. Yet I was also impressed with the comments and exchanges between [...]

Virtualization is Creating New Demands for Another Tech Disruption

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 08:45:00 EDT

Welcome to the IT Revolution

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 18:02:55 EDT

There is a revolution coming in the network equipment industry and it was awe-inspiring to recently be in the presence of the revolutionaries. They represented some of the best and brightest minds in the network industry, assembled for a full day at SRI in the heart of Silicon Valley. The Infrastructure 2.0 Working Group held its [...]

Preparing for the Cloud: Is Your Team Strategic or Tactical?

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 02:45:00 EDT

During a lunch with Peter Coffee last May at Interop Peter made a comment that really stuck with me. He said that tech marketers are essentially anthropologists. Our conversation wandered around a bit, from our upcoming Interop panel on cloud computing to the advantages of various approaches to cloud; yet his comment really stuck as I navigated through Interop briefings and single malts before heading to San Diego for the Future in Review Infrastructure 2.0 panel. How true. Tech marketers are indeed like anthropologists. Well said, Peter. Then James Watters at Silicon Angle said the equivalent of the same thing last week during an upcoming video podcast on infrastructure 2.0. He observed that cloud computing could have a bigger cultural impact on IT than it ever has from a technology standpoint. Well said James. In many ways the evolution of technology parallels the evolution of culture. Some cultures stress continuity and tradition as a survival or success strategy while others emphasize innovation and risk taking. Individuals with different capabilities are often rewarded differently based on culture and incentive.

IT and Culture: Where Does your Team Stand?

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 20:36:16 EDT

Virtualization and the Network’s Future

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:37:00 EDT

The blog buzz on virtualization and the network has been gathering steam, including a recent Network World blog tying the issues together. Virtualization, it seems, could be a big win for network equipment vendors (and pros) if they only understood the network impacts of virtualization. After all, what is a cloud without an infrastructure 2.0 [...]

Virtualization and the Future of the Network

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:30:00 EDT

A series of blogs began a speculation about the impact of virtualization on the network. It's certainly fair to suggest that the network has had little impact on first stage VLAN virtualization, or virtualization-lite. The real question, however, is whether or not virtualization (or VMotion specifically) will stay contained within ever denser VLANS. F5 Networks MacVittie blogged about it recently, suggesting that VM density was becoming the standard measure of IT efficiency. We all know how that story will end.

Will Virtualization Neutralize the Network?

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 05:15:00 EDT

A series of blogs began a speculation about the impact of virtualization on the network. It’s certainly fair to suggest that the network has had little impact on first stage VLAN virtualization, or virtualization-lite. The real question, however, is whether or not virtualization (or VMotion specifically) will stay contained within ever denser VLANS. F5 Networks MacVittie [...]

Virtualization and the Network

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:15:00 EDT

Multiple network and virtualization bloggers are addressing concerns about the impact of virtualization on the network, as networking experts prepare to meet at SRI in early September.

Virtualization and the Network: Key Voices and Events

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 15:44:38 EDT

As I ranted about how networks today resemble yesterday’s factories I think I inadvertently stirred up an even larger issue. My buddy Doug Gourlay pushed the implications a bit further in his Network World blog, suggesting that the network could be at a kind of turning point: My fear, that may be unfounded – but worth [...]

Today's Networks Resemble Yesterday's Factories

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 18:30:00 EDT

Many of today's large enterprise networks are burning cash and are overly dependent upon layers of manual processes (like DNS, DHCP and IPAM for starters) to stay available and secure. Networks were created this way from the start; we architected networks to work just like the environments networks were about to transform. From those early days until today they have replaced populations of "middle men" and paperwork with streaming electrons racing between larger populations of endpoints. They drove incredible IT innovation and productivity gains.

Todays Networks Resemble Yesterday’s Factories

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:00:30 EDT

Many of today’s large enterprise networks are burning cash and are overly dependent upon layers of manual processes (like DNS, DHCP and IPAM for starters) to stay available and secure. Networks were created this way from the start; we architected networks to work just like the environments networks were about to transform. From those early days [...]

Virtualization's Next Big Step: New Datacenter Economics

Sun, 16 Aug 2009 07:00:00 EDT

Just as VoIP started with eager trials and challenges, virtualization is growing in production environments as VMotion remains confined to VLANs. Infrastructure 2.0 will unleash the power of VMotion and could re-energize the networking industry.

Virtualization’s Next Big Leap

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 22:34:00 EDT

Virtualization and cloud computing have generated plenty of buzz because of their potential to reshape the economics of information and technology. Yet most of that potential is still “cooped up” in the VLAN, driving impressive gains in server management, yet within strict confines. The promise of VMotion across VLANs or even facilities and national borders in [...]

Google's Mid-Life Crisis?

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 21:00:00 EDT

Last weekend Chris O'Brien (San Jose Mercury News) referred an "identity crisis" at Google, which immediately reminded us of a litany of technology companies which have ended up dabbling in too many markets for their own good. Breadth ultimately undermined synergy. It isn't hard to see where Chris is coming from when it comes to the multitude of Google grand visions and their implications. Google is a great company. One of the greatest. They are unlikely to fall victim to the myopic adventures that have eroded market caps at other companies, yet one has to wonder just how far Google can stretch its domination of online advertising into online applications, telephony and even cloud computing. How much distance is there between its grand visions and what it can deliver competitively, free of massive (ad revenue) subsidies?

Is Google Facing a Mid-Life Crisis?

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:29:32 EDT

This weekend Chris O’Brien (San Jose Mercury News) referred to an “identity crisis” at Google, which immediately reminded us of a litany of technology companies which have ended up dabbling in too many markets for their own good. Breadth ultimately undermined synergy. It isn’t hard to see where Chris is coming from when it comes [...]

Will Cloud Computing Mean Stormy Weather for Some?

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 08:15:00 EDT

I moderated a Cisco panel last week at Cisco Live! and it was readily apparent that enterprise cloud still required plenty of work from vendors and enterprise IT. No one was ready to endorse either a centralized or decentralized architecture (a move to the powerful intercloud); perhaps it's because the network isn't ready for infrastructure 2.0 demands. When the cloud is ready for infrastructure 2.0 (or dynamic infrastructure) it will make all the difference. The Cisco Live panel wasn't that different from the three other panels I participated in since May. Not only is the enterprise cloud not ready, but it appears likely to experience multiple strategic waves of innovation that could materially change the returns on various architecture investments.

Webvan in the Clouds?

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 00:46:03 EDT

Thin Margins, Change and Differentiation As we watch the explosion of cloud events, press releases and panels is anyone getting a sense of déjà vu all over again? It wasn’t that long ago when Webvan was going to transform the grocery business with new technology and processes. After a flurry of announcements and expansions we learned that [...]

Hoff’s “Metastructure” and the Intercloud

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:21:23 EDT

The intercloud is the most interesting development in cloud computing (and perhaps the data center) since the migration of hypervisors into production environments. It’s a model for driving incredible scale and efficiency from IT systems and hardware, and it can be architected for both public and private clouds. The intercloud turns a global network of clouds [...]

See you at Cisco Live!

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:42:56 EDT

I’m moderating a panel July 1 on the data center of the future made up of a great team of executives from Cisco, Oracle, NetApp, VMware, EMC, APC, Emerson and Panduit. Hoping to catch up with a few friends after the panel. Drop me a line if you’re attending. [...]

The Intercloud Makes Networks Sexy Again

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:30:00 EDT

Two recent posts on Cisco's blog shed light into where they see cloud computing going for the enterprise. And my is it sexy.

Here Comes the Intercloud

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:43:15 EDT

I don’t know who coined the “intercloud” term, but it is a big step forward in defining the enterprise cloud endgame. See this Cisco blog and recent intercloud preso. As sexy and compelling an idea as it is, the Intercloud would probably today be a bane according to Mark Masterson, who created a brilliant presentation on [...]

Nick Carr's Cloud-Network Disconnect

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 04:30:00 EDT

Virtualization and cloud computing are promising to change the way in which IT services are delivered and, in effect, transform computing as we know it today. I think the promises are likely to come true, if and only if critical technology issues are addressed. Nicholas Carr told a recent audience at IDC Directions that "Cloud computing has become the center of investment and innovation." While he is not a technologist, his sometimes shocking insight into the transformation of IT have been prescient, even if he doesn’t sweat the details of how complex IT infrastructures can morph into the equivalent of today’s public utilities. To his credit Carr has predicted the rise of the cloud computing press release, multiple cloud conferences and panels and even the SaaS repositioning exercise. He also foresaw the rise in Amazon and Google cloud announcements, perhaps years ahead of profits and/or material revenue.

DNSSEC | Dan Kaminsky | Cricket Liu | Scott Rose | Webinar Slides Now Available

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:27:34 EDT

You can get the slides for today’s DNSSEC webinar with Dan, Cricket and Scott here. The version with audio and slides will be available at the dns security center and the DNSSEC solution section next week. You can follow Cricket’s answers to questions asked about DNSSEC at the new Cricket Liu blog. Tagged: Cricket Liu, [...]

Redmond: Netbooks are Disruptive

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:28:08 EDT

A few months ago I blogged about the Three Horsemen of the Coming Network Revolution. One of those “horsemen” was the netbook computer. Now Microsoft wants to rename it. Maybe it has something to do with the impact of the netbook on the hard drive PC market and the powerful relationship with robust, pre-loaded operating [...]

Fire Panel: Networks Aren’t Ready for Clouds

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 23:04:05 EDT

After Interop I moderated a Future in Review (FIRE) panel and had the pleasure of asking executives from Infoblox, Cisco, F5 Networks and VMware about their perspective on infrastructure 2.0. The first part of the panel talked about the problems with today’s static networks, including rampant manual labor and outdated management tools; the second part [...]