Virtualization and Cloud executives share their predictions for 2016. Read them in this 8th Annual VMblog.com series exclusive.
Contributed by Ken Rugg, CEO, Tesora
A Look Ahead at the Cloud, OpenStack, Database Landscape
Our company is the leading contributor to the OpenStack
Trove database as a service project, so that is the lens I look through every
day. With that in mind, here are some of my observations and predictions for
the year ahead.
1. More VMware
customers will use it to implement OpenStack clouds
Last year, my #1 prediction was that "more enterprises will
make plans to use OpenStack than VMware's cloud offerings." Based on the survey
data that the 451 Research Group gathered, it looks like I got this one
right. For 2016, I'm taking the next step
in evolution with this prediction and saying that new VMware deployments will
in effect be OpenStack deployments.
There are a number of forces that I believe are accelerating
the move towards VMware infrastructure getting deployed as OpenStack clouds. It
started in February with VMware
announcing integration with OpenStack cloud. With this development, VMware APIs for
OpenStack in essence make OpenStack clouds a superset of VMware-based
infrastructure so users can leverage their investments in VMware while still
taking advantage of the standard, open APIs of OpenStack. I predict that this will be a combination
that a LOT of VMware customers will start to turn to in 2016.
2. We'll see 80% of
enterprises using Database as a Service - up from 68% currently
A survey
by 451 Research, sponsored by Tesora, reported 68% of enterprises are using
database technology in the cloud - whether a public cloud platform, private
enterprise cloud or some hybrid mix of those. Based on current trends, I see
that number climbing steadily to around 80%.
Incidentally, the survey included more than 200 database
managers and IT executives in North America who are large users of databases
with nearly 90 percent of respondents having more than 25 databases in
production at their enterprise.
3. AWS will add a
name brand NoSQL database, such as MongoDB or Cassandra
Today, on the NoSQL side AWS offers Amazon DynamoDB and Amazon
SimpleDB, a very simple non-relational data store that is well-suited to
smaller use cases. And, of course, there is Amazon Relational Database Service
(Amazon RDS) with options that include Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle,
PostgreSQL and Amazon's own proprietary MySQL variant, Aurora.
I believe we'll see the next step in this progression driven
by demand for NoSQL technology with either MongoDB or Cassandra offered.
4. We'll see another
AWS major announcement related to private cloud
Recognizing customers' desire for more control over their
infrastructure, it's logical that the leader in public clouds should move in
this direction.
As I was thinking about my predictions, AWS
announced availability of EC2 Dedicated Hosts where anyone can use their
existing software licenses. So, we're already seeing AWS taking steps in the
direction of virtual private cloud. Of course, this is moving closer to the
OpenStack model.
5. OpenStack
maturation and adoption will grow rapidly
The OpenStack platform is reaching critical mass both in market
adoption and its development. As evidence, the most recent OpenStack
user survey conducted in October showed that 60% of deployments are in
production nearly doubling the 32% reported in the survey two years ago. The
fact that the majority of deployments are in production speaks to the maturity
of its development, as well. We're on the downhill side gathering speed and
size and 2016 looks to be a big year of growth.
6. The OpenStack
Trove database as a service will focus on building out additional features
rather than adding support for new databases
Okay, I'll admit this one is pretty safe because we're so
intimately involved with the development of OpenStack Trove. At this point,
database and IT managers can manage 12 different
database technologies - a list that was built out aggressively in the past
year. The shift ahead into 2016 is adding depth of features for each and every
one of those databases - all managed in a simple, unified way with Trove.
7. The growth rate
for Azure will double AWS rate
Part of this is the smaller footprint for Azure today, but
we're definitely seeing Azure gaining hold with increasing numbers of
customers. In addition, the fact that you can run Azure in a private/hybrid
cloud environment is something that more enterprises see as a requirement.
8. The Docker market will continue to evolve at an
incredible pace, prematurely entering the "Trough of Disillusionment"
This is an exact copy of a prediction
I made last year. I got the first part right, but my prediction about
"prematurely entering the Trough of Disillusionment" was obviously way off. I'm
a big Docker fan, too, but I'm going to keep making this prediction until I get
it right ... it's only a matter of time.
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About the Author
Ken Rugg is a founder and the CEO of Tesora, the company
focused on delivering a database as a service platform for OpenStack. Ken has
20 years experience in strategic planning, business development, mergers and
acquisitions, product definition and development in high technology.
