What do Virtualization and Cloud executives think about 2010? Find out in this VMblog.com series exclusive.
Contributed Article By Stephen Brown, Product Marketing Manager, Network Instruments
Virtualization Matures in 2010 as will Network Management Tools
If you look at the two largest trends changing IT over the last few years, adoption of virtualization and cloud-based software services have largely been driven by a recession-minded desire to slash costs, consolidate resources and reduce the size of the IT footprint. While the conservative approach to new investments will remain through 2010, the technologies will receive greater investment by companies as a part of a long-term strategy to ensure competitiveness by optimizing service delivery and cutting costs.
Shifting to the Desktop
Because so much is already being written on server virtualization, let's focus on an emerging trend of virtualization shifting to the desktop. With network teams looking to save time and money managing users, extending virtualization out to the user's desktop just makes sense.
The increased use of mobile devices for business and personal activities and rising number of telecommuters are forcing network teams to consider virtual desktops as an easy way to secure and manage access to company data and applications. Second, widespread implementation of Quality of Service (QoS) and WAN acceleration technologies ensure remote users have quick and reliable application and data access.
In addition to remote users, virtualized desktops offer an easier way to grant, manage and terminate employee application and data access. In a year of continued downsizing, companies relying on contractors and consultants should consider virtual desktops to provide an effective access management solution.
Analysis Goes Virtual
Another area virtualization greatly impacts is performance management. Over the last three to four years, the push for network teams to manage both network and application performance has forced network management tools to become application-aware. Likewise, virtualization is forcing these same tools to provide visibility of communications and applications in both virtual and physical networks.
Network teams implementing virtualization need to verify the ability of their analyzers to provide full access to virtual traffic on the wire, between hosts and between virtual machines within a single host. Lacking proper visibility creates blind spots on the network.
In 2010, virtualization will mature greatly as a technology, offering more niche applications and benefits that extend well beyond IT. As companies expand their virtual environments, they'll need to be sure their network management tools keep pace.
About the Author
Stephen Brown is the Product Marketing Manager for network analysis vendor Network Instruments with nearly a decade of experience in network management and security. Areas of interest include data loss prevention, network compliance, and VoIP management. Stephen is a member of InfraGard and graduated with a degree in Marketing from the University of Iowa.