virtualization

IBM, Virtual Bridges and Canonical Introduce New Linux-server Based Virtual Desktop

July 30, 2009 by Robin Wauters Leave a Comment

Virtual Bridges, IBM and Canonical announced today the immediate availability of the newest version of a Linux-server based virtual desktop with the release of Virtual Bridges’ VERDE 2.0 software.

The Open Virtual Client desktop is a combination of IBM’s Smart Client desktop software, Canonical’s Ubuntu Linux servers and Linux desktop, and Virtual Bridges’ VERDE Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI )offering.

VERDE 2.0 delivers several industry firsts, including:

· Addresses both private cloud and public cloud requirements.

· Meets both the needs of the connected user and the disconnected user.

· Simultaneously and seamlessly manages both Windows and Linux desktop sessions.

With today’s announcement, VERDE 2.0 goes beyond virtualizing the desktop to give users significant new functionality: providing them software access when the users are disconnected from the Internet. VERDE 2.0accomplishes this by integrating a lightweight, client-side hypervisor based on a new Self-Managing Auto Replicating Technology (SMART) protocol. The SMART protocol synchronizes a replicated cache running on the client-side hypervisor with the managed image on the server, the same image that is used to populate VDI sessions.

The Open Virtual Client desktop offers users of private or public clouds the ability to lower costs by deploying a Microsoft-alternative in either the whole organization or for particular user segments, and this can be done smoothly over time. Because VERDE supports both Linux and Microsoft Windows guest sessions, organizations can broadly realize the benefits of VDI , whether they move to Linux desktops or not. They can also gain additional cost savings that come from moving some user segments to Linux desktops. Introducing thin clients, where appropriate, can further increase cost saving opportunities.

The IBM Open Collaboration Client Solution (OCCS) includes open standards-based email, word processing, spreadsheets, unified communication, social networking and more, providing users with exceptional productivity application alternatives. IBM’s smart work client software is based on IBM Lotus Symphony, IBM Lotus Notes and Lotus applications. IBM Lotus Symphony supports the Open Document Format (ODF) standard, the basis for global document interoperability.

VERDE provides protection aginst viruses, malware and other damage while users are disconnected. If a session is corrupted by malware, the user can restart the session and the session is launched from the write-protected replicated cache of the managed image, on the local disk. This ability eliminates costly help desk intervention and makes the environment malware-resistant.

VERDE 2.0 offers the simplest licensing in the industry with a complete offering available for one simple, paid-up, per seat price. All of the components are included in this hassle-free licensing model. VERDE 2.0 is available from partners as an Open Virtual Client bundle. The VERDE 2.0 solution is also available directly from Virtual Bridges and its partners. VERDE pricing is $50 per seat for 1000 seats or more.

Rackspace Leverages VMware With Private Cloud Offering

July 30, 2009 by Robin Wauters Leave a Comment

Rackspace Hosting today announced its new Private Cloud offering, which allows customers to run the centrally managed VMware virtualization platform on private dedicated hardware environments. Rackspace recognizes the demand from enterprises for a more flexible and scalable hosting solution. Although multi-tenant cloud solutions are very flexible and cost-effective, they are not always right for every segment. The Rackspace Private Cloud’s single-tenant architecture offers increased control and security, while still maintaining the scalability, flexibility and resource optimization that make shared cloud offerings so compelling.

Rackspace Private Cloud is an evolution of its popular dedicated virtual server (DVS) offering within the managed hosting business unit. In the last year, revenue from virtualization solutions has grown substantially, driven mainly by the increased flexibility, improved asset utilization and lower capital and operating costs that VMware’s virtualization provides.

The new Rackspace Private Cloud offering provides new pricing and configuration options that further extend the value for customers. The savings for customers can be substantial and further cost reductions can be achieved by the ability to quickly provision, deploy and take down virtualized server instances, using only what is needed. As with all Rackspace products, Private Cloud is backed-up by Rackspace’s Fanatical Support.

Evolve Technologies CEO Dave Sobel Joins Server Virtualization Advisory Board

July 30, 2009 by Robin Wauters 2 Comments

Evolve Technologies, a company that specializes in providing information technology solutions for the small business, faith-based and nonprofit communities in the D.C. Metro area, announced today that CEO, Dave Sobel, has joined TechTarget’s new SearchServerVirtualization.com Server Virtualization Advisory Board.

Sobel was selected for his extensive knowledge on the subject including the recently published book, “Virtualization: Defined. A Primer for the SMB Consultant,” and his successful blog, SMBvirtualization.net. Sobel is an active member of the Heartland Technology Groups in the U.S. and Europe, serving as a founding member of HTG5 and a facilitator for HTG11.

As a member of the Server Virtualization Advisory Board, Sobel will provide guidance meant to focus the publication’s virtualization news coverage and expert tips.
The Server Virtualization Advisory Board consists of systems administrators and consultants specializing in server virtualization technology.
Other members of the board include: Jack Kaiser, Vice President of Business Development and Marketing, International Computerware; Rob McShinsky, Senior Systems Engineer, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center; CJ Metz, Senior Systems Administrator, Orange County United Way; Eric Siebert, Senior Systems Administrator, Boston Market; Shannon Snowden, Consulting Partner, New Age Technologies; and Rick Vanover, Systems Administrator and virtualization expert.

Release: Hyper9 Virtualization Optimization Suite

July 30, 2009 by Robin Wauters Leave a Comment

Hyper9 today announced the release of its flagship Virtualization Optimization Suite (VOS) giving IT managers and administrators better business insights into their virtual infrastructure. The product combines usability and dashboard features with in-depth analytics and reporting to help users find, reclaim and right-size virtual resources – and stem the tide of “VM Sprawl”.

A recent survey of Hyper9 customers concluded that at least 20 percent of existing VMs are deemed superfluous – and that organizations are spending significantly more than necessary on their virtualization strategy.

Lack of visibility into the virtual infrastructure, manual processes that circumvent best practices and standardization, multiple disconnected management tools and data sources, and undetected elements of VM sprawl – such as suspended VMs, VMs that are powered on but not being used, orphaned files, redundant snapshots, out of compliance software licenses and thin provisioning – are all contributing factors to the escalating costs and inefficiencies in virtual environments.

Hyper9’s Web-based Virtualization Optimization Suite provides a tops-down, cross-functional view into the virtual infrastructure by inspecting myriad data sources and displaying the results according to what a specific user – or group of users – cares about most. Key features and capabilities include:

Targeted Insights — My Environment and At-a-Glance views into the virtual infrastructure, such as VMs, VCs, hosts, guests and clusters
Hyper9 Active Links — one-click access to data, out-of-the-box reports and common tasks, such as “find VMs”, “run reports”, and “solve VM sprawl”
Hyper9 VMDNA — analyzes historical performance and configuration data, including visual comparisons of VMs over time and to each other
Workspaces — helps users organize and share content, and gain visibility into VMs and their usage
Visual Launch Pad and Tutorials – step-by-step guides and processes to solve virtualization challenges, such as VM sprawl
My Content — ability to build, save, organize and bookmark searches and reports for reuse
Customized Searches – for drilling down into the virtual infrastructure, including pre-built filters that support further data segmentation
Automated Monitoring and Alerting – proactively track changes, rogue VMs, VM sprawl and other key events
Community Support – provides access to resources, answers and advice from virtualization industry experts

“2009 Cloud Consensus Report” Shows Federal Government Cloud Computing Progress

July 30, 2009 by Robin Wauters 1 Comment

MeriTalk and the Merlin Federal Cloud Initiative (an alliance with Merlin International, NetApp, Riverbed, and VMware) today announced the results of its study, the “2009 Cloud Consensus Report – Bringing the Cloud Down to Earth.” The study reveals that though cloud computing is considered the hot technology topic today, neither the private nor the public sectors have a clear understanding of what cloud computing fully encompasses. Only 13 percent of private- and public-sector IT executives report that their organization or agency is using cloud computing, while 44 percent report using applications that rely on the cloud.

The “2009 Cloud Consensus Report” provides snapshots of industry and government cloud progress, details the issues stalling the Federal cloud transition, and provides recommendations to enable agency cloud-readiness. On track with industry, most Federal agencies claim to be in cloud learning mode, which presents an opportunity for the Federal government to lead by creating a unified cloud definition and standards that can be universally employed across all agencies and into industry. While government and industry are in early adoption, the future looks promising. Forecasting ahead, 76 percent of IT and government managers believe that the cloud is here to stay.

Federal Civilian and Department of Defense agency respondents cited savings as the top benefit to cloud computing – 63 percent of all Federal respondents believe this technology is the key to reducing IT expenses. Today’s economy, the increased emphasis on agency cost savings, and President Barack Obama’s technology initiatives of transparency, collaboration, and participation all make the promise of the cloud appealing to those looking for the panacea for Federal IT woes. The new administration is placing special emphasis on transitioning to the cloud to tap into the cloud’s potential to allow agencies to save without sacrifice. The National Institute of Standards and Technologies (NIST) has offered a working definition of cloud computing. But what is holding up the transition?

Seventy-eight percent of respondents claimed that concerns over security in the cloud are the biggest barrier to cloud adoption, while 41 percent also cited privacy concerns. To build cloud confidence, Federal IT executives need security assurance and examples of cloud implementation success stories to clear the way for widespread cloud adoption. In the interim, agencies can take advantage of the benefits of the private cloud to centralize and virtualize their IT infrastructures and comply with Federal mandates, such as continuity of operations (COOP).

TheAdmins Introduces 24×7 Tech Support On All Things Citrix, Microsoft, VMware and Cisco

July 30, 2009 by Robin Wauters Leave a Comment

TheAdmins, a value-added reseller (VAR) providing virtualization, application delivery, data security, network infrastructure and storage/business continuity services, today announced the introduction of its Continuous Support Offering (CSO).

TheAdmins CSO is a service level agreement (SLA)-based support service designed to supplement IT services staff in resolving technology-critical issues with select Citrix, Microsoft, VMware and Cisco products.

Traditionally, companies have purchased IT services support agreements directly from manufacturers to serve as a lifeline in the event of an emergency. However, the reality is that many of these agreements serve as a mere insurance policy, and if unused, result in lost fees – only to be renewed again the following year. Also, manufacturer support is typically limited to the manufacturing company’s product line only – resulting in very specific and restricted support.

Products currently supported through TheAdmins CSO include:

All Citrix products
Microsoft (Active Directory, Messaging and Windows Server)
VMware Virtual Infrastructure 3 (VI4 support coming soon)
Cisco (routing and switching)

Service level agreement response time is as follows:

One-hour for telephone support
Four-hour for on-site coverage for New Jersey, New York City and Philadelphia

TheAdmins CSO is available now to new and existing TheAdmins customers. The cost of the service is $6,250 annually for 25 support hours, which can be used for telephone or on-site support seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

Upon depletion of the purchased hours, replenishment options are available. Any time remaining at the end of 12 months may be used for other TheAdmins IT services, such as projects, staff supplementation, system management and troubleshooting.