Monday, April 21st, 2014

Time	Event
1:11p	Dell Updates Storage and Systems for the Enterprise At the Dell Enterprise Forum EMEA 2014 last week in Frankfurt, Dell introduced new storage and systems management solutions designed to speed application response times, strengthen the ties among data center technologies and simplify IT operations. “IT leaders are facing the challenge of balancing costs with the need to provide bleeding-edge IT services to ensure businesses do not risk losing customers, revenue or productivity. The fact of the matter is handling an increased traffic of any kind puts strain on a data center – and many solutions currently in the market only address parts of the problem,” said Marius Haas, chief commercial officer and president, Enterprise Solutions, Dell. “By leveraging organic and inorganic intellectual property, Dell is accelerating the delivery of its enterprise vision and providing businesses with a unique workload acceleration solution that helps increase agility and be more responsive to their customers.” Storage and Fluid Cache for SAN Dell Fluid Cache for SAN helps organizations speed up access to data by pooling and utilizing Dell PCI Express Flash drives for low-latency data caching inside traditional servers. The solution has achieved 5 million random read input/output per second (IOPS), and Dell lab tests also revealed improved database average response times capable of 99 percent while allowing a more than six-fold increase in the number of concurrent users. Moving the frequently accessed data closer to compute resources enables numerous advantages. It can deliver results faster, boost transactional performance and reduce response times. It can enhance flexibility by expanding database and virtualization performance scalability on demand with a SAN-based solution that allows for the addition of drives and nodes to be added to an active cache pool as needed. “Dell Fluid Cache for SAN is an ideal solution for customers that have high IOPS and high performance needs,” said Peter Lonis, solution consultant, LeaseWeb. “The time needed for tasks like running database queries and deploying virtual machines is dramatically lower in this environment, which would allow our customers to work faster and grow their infrastructures more quickly.” New Dell Compellent Storage Center 6.5 array software extends the performance and tiering advancements of previous Storage Center release s while offering new enterprise features for customers. Storage Center 6.5 supports the ability to achieve, in one SAN, both impressive flash performance and super dense, low cost capacity storage that is enhanced with new block level compression. New enhanced security features self-encrypting drives (SEDs), which offer a highly secure solution for organizations pursuing data privacy or maintaining regulatory compliance requirements, such as those in finance, legal and healthcare industries. New new synchronous Live Volume capability lets customers restore data non-disruptively, keeping applications running during unplanned outages without the need to remap server configurations. Systems Management Dell has enhanced its systems management portfolio with new features that automate IT operations and improve efficiency, availability and reliability. Included in the portfolio are OpenManage Essentials and mobile, and iDRAC with Lifecycle controller. Essentials 1.3 is built for monitoring enterprise-class hardware, and now features data center protection through integration with Dell AppAssure for scheduled system backups of server data, operating systems, applications, files and databases, as well as discovery and monitoring of Dell SonicWALL security appliances. Dell also has enhanced its full suite of Dell EqualLogic Host Integration Tools software that enables efficient data protection and simplifies management of Dell EqualLogic storage arrays through tight integration with VMware, Microsoft and Linux server virtualization platforms and applications. The new generation of EqualLogic software, available for the new EqualLogic PS6210 Series and other PS Series arrays, offers improved and simplified SAN performance, streamlined management, and improved administrator efficiency to provide customers with a storage environment finely tuned for virtual computing environments. (Comment on this)
1:45p	Closer Look: 3M’s Boiling Liquid Cooling Earlier this month 3M unveiled a proof-of-concept for open bath immersion (OBI), a passive two-phase cooling technique which uses a boiling liquid to remove heat from a surface and then condenses the liquid for reuse, all without a pump. Here’s a closer look at the demonstration project at 3M’s lab in Minneapolis, which submerged ICE-X supercomputing hardware from SGI running Intel chips. The servers are immersed in 3M’s Novec, a non-conductive chemical with a very low boiling point, which easily condenses from gas back to liquid. (Photo: 3M) The vapor generated by the boiling Novec rises to a condenser integrated into the tank and cooled by waters, and then condenses back to liquid for reuse. (Photo: 3M) One of the big differences in immersion cooling involves maintenance. In this photo, a 3M technician wearing a rubber glove removes a server from, the pool of Novec coolant. (Photo: 3M) (Comment on this)
3:30p	Toward Cloud Security: Understanding Your Control Levels Winston Saunders has worked at Intel for nearly two decades and currently leads server and data center efficiency initiatives. Winston is a graduate of UC Berkeley and the University of Washington. You can find him online at “Winston on Energy” on Twitter As adversaries have become better organized and more aggressive, threats to sensitive data have increased. In addition, the security of cloud computing is a growing concern as more data moves from traditional data center environments to cloud-based services. A recent study by Georgia Tech found that few businesses engage security measures beyond those provided by the cloud provider. While a fire-and-forget model may be sufficient for less sensitive data, it’s appropriate to ask and even re-ask whether protections in all data environments are adequate to prevent undesired outcomes. Security Depends on the Type of Cloud In-house data centers and private cloud data centers provide direct visibility to the controls that are in place because ownership is clear. In public cloud environments, the situation may be very different. And since there are generally multiple control levels to consider, even asking “who owns what level” can be important to understand. The U.S. Federal Government FedRAMP program articulates multiple security considerations in selecting a cloud services. For the sake of this article, I’ll just focus on understanding the implications of two of them: the type of cloud service planned and accountability. The table illustrates how the choice of cloud service model affects (and may cloud) responsibility for important aspects of security. For instance, physical security is a countermeasure to attacks resulting from physical access to the server or network itself. Theft, unauthorized operation, side channel attacks (PDF), and insertion of malicious files or devices are just some of the physical attacks to worry about. In a business risk assessment, both the likelihood of such an attack and what control the user requires are important consideration in selecting the type of cloud solution. Similar arguments can hold for the other categories. For workload and data protection, a concern might be what encryption standard is implemented who controls it. Depending on the sensitivity of data, ensuring encryption standards provide adequate protection is certainly a key consideration. One can write paragraphs on each all of the line items above. Indeed they may make for interesting blogs if there’s interest expressed in the comments. But I think for now the point is made. A table similar to this one was introduced to the WG4 Cloud Computing Standards discussion at the ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 27 Meeting In Hong Kong, 7-15 April 2014. While the table simplifies responsibilities it highlights the complexity of roles and responsibilities in security in cloud computing. Where you may have previously selected a cloud service based on price, future needs will include selection on security posture as well. Understanding what you control in that equation will a big part of that choice. Whether you are in the U.S. Government or not, understanding FedRAMP controls is a good start to understanding risks. But only your own full risk assessment can select the right service for your needs. Industry Perspectives is a content channel at Data Center Knowledge highlighting thought leadership in the data center arena. See our guidelines and submission process for information on participating. View previously published Industry Perspectives in our Knowledge Library.   (Comment on this)
6:09p	How Mobility Has Become the New Normal Take just a second and realize the medium you’re using to read this article. Is it a laptop? Maybe a tablet? Or, maybe you’re on an airplane with GoGo Inflight Internet reading this from your smartphone. If you’re an IT person, and you’re reading this from your desk – take a look at around. How many devices do you have which connect into the cloud (Internet) and give you access to your data? The point is that we are now entering the Internet era. We are all vastly interconnected and completely reliant on powerful technologies which keep us all running efficiently. In fact, the entire end-user and data center “compute” model is evolving. And who’s leading the flagship? Google. Globally, they’re the most utilized mobility operating system. They’ve got hardware, software, APIs, end-points, and everything in between. The really interesting part is how Google is actively re-defining the end-user compute model. The Chromebook platform aims to decouple the desktop from the user. Their Chrome “browser” basically becomes your “desktop.” With that in mind, your end-point becomes your gateway to the cloud. Instead of traditional operating systems, you now have the opportunity to work with a compute model capable of dynamic content delivery. The Evolution Away from Desktop toward Mobile Here’s an important point to understand: The traditional desktop model, as we know it, is going away. Lighter end-points are presenting data and applications through powerful delivery mechanisms. The cool part is the ecosystem being built around this platform. Both Citrix and VMware are actively developing and deploying technologies capable of living (and thriving) on the Chrome environment. The idea is to deliver applications and data – securely – all while creating an optimal user experience. So how is Google creating this type of next-generation platform? Very creatively. Clientless – secure – computing. The future of the compute model is going to be quite different than it is today. Google gets it. They’re creating end-points which act as cloud aggregates for your applications, data and cloud personality. The idea is to deliver very rich content without the need for a client; all while doing so securely. The backend infrastructure can be flexible as well. You can host your apps with Google, or, deploy your own cloud platform with Citrix of VMware – while still having Google at the end-point. Now you present a similar, powerful, user experience regardless of where the user is or what type of device they’re accessing. Which brings is to the next point. The device doesn’t really matter. Let’s really abstract the user from the device. The reality is that the device doesn’t matter at all. The modern user really wants their information fast and reliably regardless of what they’re using. Whether it’s a phone, tablet, Chromebook or even a PC – as long as the browser is available, you have cloud access. Here’s another shift in thought that’s happening: is it really just a browser? Google Chrome – abstracted from the physical Chromebook devices – is actually an interactive gateway for cloud data and application processing. You’re not just “browsing” any longer. Now, users are pulling apps, resources, and even directly interacting through hangouts. It’s not so much a browser – as it is a Cloud Operating System which is personalized for your experience. Complete cloud delivery. Along the same thought process – the Chrome and Chromebook experience is designed to allow you to delivery everything through the cloud. By using technologies like HTML5, entire desktops and remote applications can be delivered without a client. Are you using Citrix right now? Ever have to deal with that little blue client in the corner tray? Now, imagine being able to launch data center applications directly from a Chrome browser on any machine that’s running it. And, if you need another app or desktop – just open a new tab and the resource is there. Folder redirection, printer mapping, content delivery, and security are all supported in this type of delivery model. Here’s the cool part – this architecture supports legacy applications. Imagine that you have some older apps in your environment. Now, you wrap them up in a Citrix infrastructure and present them through their Storefront portal technology. Then, from the Google device or browser, you’re able to pick up that portal (remotely or on premises) and pull down applications wrapped in HTML5 – still without a client. Organizations of all sizes are now looking at this type of compute and delivery model. With hardware refreshes coming up for many shops – it many cases it makes sense to adopt mobility alongside the industry and the user. Empowering the user and enabling the organization. Business and IT have been closely intertwined for a few years now. In fact, organizations are now directly building their business models around the capabilities of IT. With that in mind – the evolution of the end-user is clearly moving towards mobility. Let’s look at three important statistics from the latest Cisco Visual Networking Index: By the end of 2014, the number of mobile-connected devices will exceed the number of people on earth, and by 2018 there will be nearly 1.4 mobile devices per capita. By 2018, more than half of all traffic from mobile-connected devices (almost 17 exabytes) will be offloaded to the fixed network by means of Wi-Fi devices and femtocells each month. By 2018, over half of all devices connected to the mobile network will be “smart” devices. These sorts of numbers clearly indicate a migration towards mobile computing, fast data access, and dynamic resource delivery. Google is facilitating mobility as the new normal by enabling both the organization and the end-user. They’re presenting powerful technologies which can still be controlled by the organization through security, user, and data policies. All the while – the user is able to utilize mobile technologies which empower them to be more productive and happier with their computing experience. There are direct benefits around adopting mobility as well. Collaboration improvements, enhancing your go-to-market speed, and keeping up with the progression of the industry are all ways a mobile infrastructure can help. It’s an exciting time to be in the cloud world. Organizations like Google are paving the way for the next-generation end-user experience. Although these changes won’t happen overnight, already large enterprises are actively looking at the Chromebook option for their next big hardware refresh cycle. As compliance and regulations continue to open up and become cloud-friendly, large enterprises will look to the cloud for more deployment options. Through all of this – IT directors are keeping their end-users (and themselves) in mind. The goal is to ensure a productive and happy end-user. Mobility can become the means for your productive, next-generation end-user and business model. (Comment on this)
6:21p	IBM Launches New SoftLayer Partner Program Initiatives to Help Partners Drive Cloud Demand This article originally appeared at The WHIR. IBM is continuing its cloud push by launching a series of initiatives aimed at business partners of SoftLayer. The initiatives announced on Friday include new sales incentives, marketing programs and training courses to help partners improve margins and drive demand for cloud services. According to IBM, SoftLayer Business Partners who have transitioned to the cloud are seeing more than twice as much revenue growth as partners who have not. “Cloud computing is transforming the relationship between Business Partners and their clients, creating unprecedented opportunities to enter new markets and sell new services,” Tom Blair, Senior Vice President, Global Sales, SoftLayer, an IBM Company said. “SoftLayer recognizes that our Business Partners are evolving to meet the needs of their customers and we are committed to building a world class support program for them to tap into as they transition to this new era of computing.” The partner program combines best practices from SoftLayer’s partner program and IBM PartnerWorld, and the new initiatives come as IBM has added new disaster recovery and managed security services for SoftLayer cloud customers. IBM is offering SoftLayer Business Partners earned-volume discounts without requiring upfront commitment, and is creating a new SoftLayer Services & Solution Provider program, which sets out to streamline the SoftLayer hosting reseller and strategic partners program. The goal there is to clarify the eligibility requirement and benefits of the program. Another initiative is co-marketing as part of PartnerWorld to help SoftLayer Business Partners generate demand for services and improve marketing skills. These partners will have access to campaign design tools and customizable campaign templates. Finally, IBM is expanding the technical training courses for both SoftLayer and IBM Business Partners. The courses are free of charge and offer two-days of hands-on activities to build skills to meet client demands. Classes are held in 21 locations including markets where IBM is expanding its network of cloud hubs including Japan and India. This article originally appeared at: http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/ibm-launches-new-softlayer-partner-program-initiatives-help-partners-drive-cloud-demand. (Comment on this)

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