Tuesday, September 28, 2010

CloudFucius Councils: Cloud’s Love/Hate Relationship

Konfuzius-1770 I’m afraid so….let’s get more!  I don’t like it and….here’s a check.  I’m not safe….but I need another.  I’m so sick of you….give me a big hug.  As I’ve mentioned on a few occasions, it seems like a new cloud computing survey gets released on a weekly basis and often the results make me want to scratch my head.  One says that cloud is growing and folks love the benefits while another claims fears are holding companies back and cloud adoption could be in trouble.  We really need The Cloud Computing Love/Hate Relationship Survey with conditional type questions like: If all your fears were removed, would you jump head first?  Surveys can always be tricky – the way the questions are asked, in what context, the questions themselves and of course, the actual respondents answering the questions.

Now to the data.  First up, we got the 2010 State of Cloud and Virtualization Survey conducted by Zenoss, a privately held company and the corporate sponsor of the cloud-based networking/management project Zenoss Core.  Responses came from the 207 members of the Zenoss Open Source community and comprised of IT management, generalists, and network operators.  Security was the number one hindrance, with management and monitoring as the other top concerns.  When asked for reasons for using virtualization technology, 43% favored the flexibility and another 33% liked the hardware savings.  The overall number one goal of using virtualization was cost savings (64.7%) followed by deployment control.  Almost 71% said they wanted a tool that managed all their infrastructure rather than a solution that just focused on virtualization.

Next is Gartner’s survey that focused primarily on budgets and spending on external IT resources, specifically IT spending trends and spending on cloud computing.  This was a worldwide survey covering 40 countries and questioned 1,587 respondents who managed IT budgets (CIOs, IT VPs, IT directors, IT managers, etc).  484 of those also answered detailed questions about their plans for cloud computing.  39% said they have allocated IT dollars specifically for cloud computing.  A third was a continuation of last year’s budget, another third said this was additional spending new to the budget and 14% said the additional spending was being taken from a different budget category in the previous year.  Of those with budget allocated, 46% indicated that they plan on increasing the use of cloud services from external providers.  More respondents (43%) said the spending would go toward private/internal clouds than external/public use deployments (32%).  Overall, 10.2% of IT budgets are expected to be spent on external cloud service providers – a shift from traditional data center assets to utility services in the cloud.

Another recent survey, this one conducted by PhoneFactor, asked more than 300 information technology professionals from a variety of industries about the role of security in cloud computing adoption.  This survey also asked about their organizations’ current and planned use of cloud computing, what perceived benefits are driving adoption, along with which concerns are limiting embracement.  Overwhelmingly, security was the top concern with 73% saying such.  Compliance (54%) and Portability/Ownership of Data (48%) came in with silver and bronze.  42% said that security concerns have prevented their adoption of cloud computing, 30% unsure and only 28% bragged that security was not a deterrent.  Of the security concerns, preventing unauthorized access to company data was the biggest hurdle.  According to the survey, encryption (84 percent), multi-factor authentication (81 percent), and intrusion prevention (80 percent) are vital to securing the cloud.  On the positives, reduced cost (65 percent), scalability (62 percent), and rapid implementation (50 percent) make cloud computing attractive to organizations.  Another positive sign is that 87% affirmed that they are planning to at least evaluate the use of cloud services.

Lastly, in a survey from Sterling Commerce (an IBM Company) and conducted by Edge Research, looked at the business concerns of 301 IT, sales and supply chain decision makers in the manufacturing and logistics industries.  This one was more about the economic environment and managing volatility within the supply chain.  The main focus in 2011 will be focusing on implementing solutions that are more precise and automated, allowing them to reduce risk.  Pertaining to cloud computing, the survey uncovered that manufacturers will continue to invest in cloud computing with 60% of respondents already implementing cloud solutions and 36% implementing two or more cloud solutions.  Survey results revealed that order management, supply chain visibility and warehouse management are the most commonly used cloud solutions among manufacturers today.

All these surveys show that while there is a huge interest in cloud services and companies understand and in many cases are realizing the benefits; concerns about security, control and management are holding some back.  Most seem to be testing the waters with less than critical business applications and are anxious about the future.  Anxious both in terms of anticipation and fear.  They want it…but need some issues ironed out.  They see the benefits….yet some risks are too great.  They love the design….but hate the color.  Certainly, many obstructions are related (or at least that’s what they say) to security, I also wonder if that many of the security responses might have to do with the fear giving up control themselves.  They cite ‘security’ since that will help them keep control.  To quote a colleague, ‘it’s going to take a while for cloud to take hold.  It’s got a toe in the door right now….and that’s a little toe.’

And one from Confucius: Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles.

ps

The CloudFucius Series: Intro, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23

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F5 BIG-IP APM and Oracle OAM Integration - Part 2

A demonstration of how BIG-IP Access Policy Manager and Oracle Access Manager are integrated along with steps on how to configure the BIG-IP APM. 
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Friday, September 24, 2010

Oracle OpenWorld 2010 - The Blooper Reel

We always have a great time shooting video and Oracle OpenWorld 2010 was no different.  Of course, there were some flubs and while Dick Clark made bloopers famous, we're not above sharing our own fun mistakes. I especially like the Mic Outtake/adlib about halfway through. Thanks to Chris Akker, Ron Carovano, Calvin Rowland, F5 Booth Staff, Oracle and everyone involved with Oracle OpenWorld.

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The Oracle OpenWorld 2010 Videos:

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Thursday, September 23, 2010

Oracle OpenWorld 2010 - Final Thoughts, Thanks & Wrap

As Oracle OpenWorld 2010 winds down, F5's Peter Silva wraps up the week. Special thanks to F5's Chris Akker, Ron Carovano, Calvin Rowland, Pat Chang, Cecile de Leon, Heidi Schreifels and the rest of the F5 booth staff along with Oracle's Shankar Jayaganapathy, and Mark Veatch.

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Oracle OpenWorld Videos:

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Oracle OpenWorld 2010 - F5 and Oracle Partnership

I discuss the F5/Oracle Partnership with Oracle's Shankar Jayaganapathy, Director Partner Strategy & Services and Mark Veatch, Director Targeted Partner Strategy. F5/Oracle deep integration is highlighted.

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Oracle OpenWorld 2010 - PeopleSoft Acceleration

I again visit with F5's Chris Akker to discuss & whiteboard F5's solution to Accelerate and Optimize PeopleSoft with BIG-IP Web Acceleration.

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Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Oracle OpenWorld 2010 - F5 and Oracle Integration

I chat with F5's VP of Application Partnership Programs, Calvin Rowland about the tight integration between F5 and Oracle solutions.

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Technorati Tags: F5, infrastructure 2.0, integration, Pete Silva, security, business, education, technology, application delivery, cloud, virtualization, oracle, oow

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Oracle OpenWorld 2010 - Optimize Oracle Database Replication

Peter Silva visits with F5's Chris Akker to discuss & whiteboard F5's solution to Optimize, Accelerate, Secure and Offload Oracle Database Replication with BIG-IP LTM and the WAN Optimization Module (WOM).

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Oracle OpenWorld2010 - Day Two Preview

I preview Day Two of Oracle OpenWorld 2010 in San Francisco.

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Technorati Tags: F5, infrastructure 2.0, integration, Pete Silva, security, business, education, technology, application delivery, cloud, virtualization, oracle, oow

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Audio White Paper: Distributing Applications for Disaster Planning and Availability

Managing applications in multiple data centers in real time can be a challenge, especially when the data centers are geographically distributed. F5 products such as BIG-IP Global Traffic Manager, BIG-IP Link Controller, and BIG-IP WAN Optimization Module help you manage and distribute applications between data centers.  Running Time: 25:31  Read full white paper here.  And click here for more F5 Audio.

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twitter: @psilvas

Technorati Tags: F5, infrastructure 2.0, integration, cloud connect, Pete Silva, security, business, education, technology, application delivery, intercloud, cloud, context-aware, infrastructure 2.0, automation, web, internet

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Monday, September 20, 2010

Oracle OpenWorld2010 - F5 Oracle Application Ready Solutions

I visit with one of my favorite F5 Solutions Engineer, Chris Akker as he whiteboards some of the F5 Application Ready Solutions for Oracle.

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Oracle OpenWorld2010 - F5 Completes the Oracle Red Stack

I interview Ron Carovano, Sr. Business Development Manager at Oracle OpenWorld 2010. Ron talks about our partnership, new announcements and how F5 competes the Oracle Red Stack.

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Oracle OpenWorld2010 - Find F5 Networks

In what has become a tradition recently at Trade shows, I guide you through the booth maze to the F5 Networks booth 1427 at Oracle OpenWorld 2010.

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Friday, September 17, 2010

CloudFucius’ Road Trip: Oracle Open World

Konfuzius-1770 You might not know (not that you really care) that I moved recently.  I used to live in San Jose and visiting Moscone for the variety of technology shows held there was an easy drive up the 280 and a nightmare on the 101.  Now that I live in Sothern California, it’s a ‘6 of 1, half dozen of the other’ scenario when it comes to ‘car vs. air’ travel time and cost – at least from where I am.  Couple weeks ago I did the trip for VMworld and I have to say, it wasn’t too bad and I had a vehicle!  So I’ll be doing it again this weekend to attend Oracle OpenWorld 2010 in the City by the bayeeeeaaay

Oracle OpenWorld is the largest conference for Oracle technologists, business users, and partners and F5 Networks will, of course, be there.  The exhibits run Monday thru Wednesday and I encourage you to visit Booth #1427 to learn more about all the amazing solutions and deep integration F5 has with Oracle.  We’ll be highlighting our Oracle Access Manager integration with BIG-IP, Oracle Data Guard sync over the WAN with F5 BIG-IP, Oracle RMAN replication with F5's BIG-IP WOM, PeopleSoft with F5's BIG-IP Web Acceleration & WAN Optimization, and a few others.

We will also be shooting more video including some whiteboard episodes along with the various interviews I like to conduct with partners, customers and F5 employees.  Those should be posted throughout the week so either check back here or visit our YouTube Channel for news hot off the floor.

There are also a few sessions that have a F5 flavor to it:

Hope to see you there, if not you’ll see me here.

And one from Confucius: The firm, the enduring, the simple, and the modest are near to virtue.

ps

The CloudFucius Series: Intro, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22

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Thursday, September 16, 2010

Audio White Paper: Understanding Advanced Data Compression

Nearly all WAN optimization appliances store and use previously transferred network data to achieve high compression ratios, while leveraging advanced compression routines to improve application performance. How they achieve these gains, and the limitations of certain routines, vary widely and can significantly impact the improvements and benefits associated with WAN application delivery services.  This White Paper describes how F5's BIG-IP WAN Optimization Module and TDR technology improves application performance.  Running Time: 16:55  Read full white paper here.  And click here for more F5 Audio.

 

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twitter: @psilvas

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Oracle RMAN Replication with F5's BIG-IP WOM

In this side by side demo, you will see an Oracle database duplicated using the RMAN process, both with and without Wan acceleration from F5. How to accelerate Oracle Recovery Manager database duplication using F5's Wan Optimization technology.

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PeopleSoft with F5's BIG-IP Web Acceleration & WAN Optimization

How to accelerate Oracle PeopleSoft for remote users with both WAN and WEB optimization from F5's BIG-IP.  In this side by side demo, you will see PeopleSoft users accessing the Human Capital Management application, both with and without acceleration from F5.

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Wednesday, September 15, 2010

CloudFucius Confused: Cloud Costing Companies?

Konfuzius-1770 You heard that right.  Yeah, I know – wasn’t cloud computing supposed to save money?  All that economies of scale, pay-as-you-go, shared infrastructure, reduced CapEx and OpEx and so on has gotten real cloudy according to a recent survey.  Research company Vanson Bourne, commissioned by Compuware, found that large European companies are losing £600,000 a year due to poor performance of cloud based applications – that’s close to $1 Million USD!  These are e-commerce sites and Internet based business applications.

They surveyed 300 European IT Directors and found that 57% are slowing down, stopping or even shutting down cloud based applications until they can solve this issue.  They noted that while many organizations have large investments in cloud based systems, cloud performance management may hamper or slow the adoption rate moving forward.  84% said that they expect more accurate SLAs than simple availability especially with business critical apps.  Many respondents have experienced degraded performance to their site when a neighboring customer has a huge surge in demand.  There is finite resources available and when one customer grabs a bunch of it, everyone else can suffer. 

Organizations need to look at end to end performance from an end user perspective and not just what the cloud provider is telling them.  There are many variables when determining availability and sometimes it’s difficult to determine if it’s the cloud provider, the customer’s own infrastructure or the Internet itself.  Compuware's Richard Stone said, "Security concerns are obviously still important but it's clear that performance is now becoming the 'day in, day out' business inhibitor that has to be solved,"…"The good thing is people are aware of the issue and understand that the end-user experience can't be compromised."  In another recent survey from Gomez, statistics show that almost one-third of consumers will abandon a slow site within 1 or 5 seconds.  I could relate this to an impatient society but I’d have to include myself.  That same survey found that 39% said speed rather than functionality was more important to a web site.

And one from Confucius: Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.

ps

The CloudFucius Series: Intro, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21

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Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Audio Tech Brief - Authentication 101

Authentication is a growing requirement in this new era of heightened technology security. What is authentication and how can it be implemented in your environment to meet all of your application needs?  Running Time: 20:32  Read full white paper here.  And click here for more F5 Audio.

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twitter: @psilvas

Technorati Tags: F5, infrastructure 2.0, integration, cloud connect, Pete Silva, security, business, education, technology, application delivery, intercloud, cloud, context-aware, infrastructure 2.0, automation, web, internet

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Friday, September 10, 2010

CloudFucius Is: Ready for Some Football

Konfuzius-1770 With the opening game of the NFL season in the books and a Sunday (and Monday) of Week 1 matchups filling our living rooms, home team stadiums, fantasy leagues and mobile devices, I was curious just how the NFL and sporting events in general are using cloud services.  Technology used within the professional sporting realm has always fascinated me from statistics giant Stats Inc to the 1st down graphics from the likes of Sportvision, Princeton Video Image and SportsMEDIA to Skycam, the cable suspended camera giving you a bird’s eye view of the action and of course, the NFL banning Twitter during games.  Media companies are jumping all over cloud computing for the elasticity of services (jump in traffic), digital content, storage and to optimize communication and collaboration of workflows of content production, post-production and delivery.

Last week, IBM announced that it was bringing cloud computing to the US Open.  This allows the US Tennis Association (USTA) to scale up capacity during the event.  They can also take real-time and historic sports data, merge them on a common platform and deliver it to their various consumers: media, officials, fans and the players themselves no matter what the platform – web, mobile, broadcast, social media and so forth.  They can also analyze data from the courtside radar guns, the umpire systems, the court statistician and TV feeds.

The annual NFL Scouting Combine is when college players ‘audition’ for spots on NFL rosters.  They are tested for physical performance like the 40 yard dash along with their mental and problem solving skills to determine if they will make it in the NFL.  All the information (data) is collected and then evaluated by owners, coaches, scouts, medical staff and team executives.  The amount of data is huge and in years past, it was done with paper and pencil and then entered into computer systems or burned to CD’s and then mailed.  there were entry errors, delays and the systems were potential targets for breaches.   Now, the capturing, collecting and distribution of player data is done in the cloud making it much more efficient.  The data is merged with a master database using a secure connection and then a secure website is provided to the NFL teams to login and view content, download collateral and subscribe to feeds.  Pretty cool.

When the NFL wanted to extend it’s brand to an international audience, they created NFL360, an interactive media site with videos, game history, player profiles and many other goodies available for fans around the world.  Here they deployed a system with Digitaria using technology based on cloud computing.  The site also has games and other activities for the NFL fan.

NY Jets owner Woody Johnson is testing some cool technology in the skybox this year.  He’ll have a touch-screen device to keep track of all the game day operations from his device and get a view of the entire stadium's data flow.  From concessions to merchandise to ticket info to the traffic jam in the Meadowlands parking lot, he’ll have access to it all.

I’m excited to see the Dolphins win the AFC East and my fantasy team kick butt this year.  The cloud will be there too, domed stadium or not.

And one from Confucius: He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good..

ps

The CloudFucius Series: Intro, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20

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Technorati Tags: F5, infrastructure 2.0, integration, cloud connect, Pete Silva, security, business, education, technology, application delivery, intercloud, cloud, context-aware, infrastructure 2.0, automation, web, internet, blog

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Wednesday, September 8, 2010

VMworld2010: The Video Outtakes

We shot a lot of video at VMworld2010 and it wasn't always perfect. Here are few of the fun outtakes that made the cutting room floor. Heck I even spelled outtakes wrong on the intro to this video. Special thanks to: Chris King (SpringCM), Sanjay Alyagari (VMware), Mandar Ghosalkar (Byer), Chris Ward (GreenPages), Sasha Kipervarg (Mindjet) & Zeus Kerravala (Yankee Group) for appearing with us during VMworld2010.  I got a few more videos to edit and post so stay tuned.

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