Not much to blog about in terms of my day, it has been heads down writing the report, and will be for the next two weeks.
Vmware ditch the Green agenda
Vmware announced this week that they have voted Dianne Green out as CEO and president, to be replaced by an ex Microsoft and EMC SVP. The key question is why and what does this mean for virtualisation and Vmware in particular.
My view is that Dianne, as nice as she was, was destined to be moved out because Vmware have become increasingly isolated in the virtualisation market, or to be exact they are loosing the marketing war on interoperability of virtualisation. I like most others assumed Dianne would be given time to show how Vmware was going to react to the Microsoft Hyper-V entry to the market.
I guess the vote indicates that the board did not believe her approach would address the issue of increased competition in the market. Her replacement, being from EMC, and an ex Microsoft executive, is an interesting choice, and indicates that EMC is taking a more hands-on approach to Vmware than is visible.
I would expect Vmware to start to be more vocal about its partnerships, and begin to build more open links with the likes of Citrix, Microsoft and others. The virtualisation market is still in a state of flux, and just because Vmware is dominant today, does not mean it will be in three years time. To maintain its lead Vmware must re-invent it’s self, and be the champion of interoperability between hypervisors. By doing this, it will increase the potential market size, and therefore increase its share of the revenues.
An area that remains potentially very fertile is that of desktop virtualisation, in this space Vmware has made some strides, but with Citrix having a massive install base of terminal services customers, Vmware must work hard to build on its brand name.
These are I believe interesting times for Vmware, they have every thing to gain, and every thing to lose, so must walk a certain line if they are to remain the face of virtualisation. What now for Dianne, well I would expect her and some colleagues to begin a new start-up in an adjacent market, and try to once again become a dominant figure on wall street.
About Me
- Roy Illsley
- A Senior Research Analayst for a leading firm, with a focus on infrastructure management and virtualisation
Showing posts with label Microsoft. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Microsoft. Show all posts
Friday, 11 July 2008
Wednesday, 25 June 2008
Chaos rules
Last few days have been mad, I am heads down on the report and to be honest getting stuck on some of the more complex models, but drawing pictures helps.
Yesterday was a write off, I had the dentist, doctors for the kids jabs, British Gas doing an inspection, school. And the day was trashed because the nurse got up late, was behind with her work. That small thing made my whole day one of catch-up, and re-assign appointments. The Journalist were OK, and I made the vendor briefing, but I do not want another day like that.
Hyper-v worth the Hype?
I thought the 2nd August was 180 days for when Hyper-v will be released, but I am picking up noises that suggest it is next month, but I may be wrong on that. Hyper-v is a basic hypervisor, and as such lacks some of the more advanced features that Vmware, Citrix (XENserver), VirtualIron, etc have. I believe that the link up with Citrix demonstrates that Microsoft is going after the SMB sector with Hyper-v and leaving XenServer to complete in the enterprise market with VMware, while it works on making Hyper-v as technically capable as its rivals that is.
Vmware with it price bundles is attempting to move into the SMB space, however, what Vmware provides in terms of capability it lacks is a clear understanding of the market, and how to deliver to the SMB sector. Smaller vendors such as VirtualIron and Parallels have created a good reputation in certain SMB markets, but they lack the funding to raise virtualisation profile. Therefore, I believe that as Microsoft winds up its PR message, this can be used by the smaller vendors to ride on the coat-tails and enjoy more success.
Windows server 2008, is a very good product and I think this will become more widely used as the business case evidence is released to support Microsoft's claims of reduced management time and hence cost savings. As for Vista, well 2008 and Vista desktop is an argument from a support perspective, but with talk of Microsoft seven (vista replacement) due in 2009 time frame I think many may hold fire (if they can), which will mean organisations if their refresh is due in 2009, 2010 will have a dilemma use Vista or stay on XP. Evidence is mixed on this, but I believe Vista will more widely adopted in conjunction with 2008, but not in every case.
Yesterday was a write off, I had the dentist, doctors for the kids jabs, British Gas doing an inspection, school. And the day was trashed because the nurse got up late, was behind with her work. That small thing made my whole day one of catch-up, and re-assign appointments. The Journalist were OK, and I made the vendor briefing, but I do not want another day like that.
Hyper-v worth the Hype?
I thought the 2nd August was 180 days for when Hyper-v will be released, but I am picking up noises that suggest it is next month, but I may be wrong on that. Hyper-v is a basic hypervisor, and as such lacks some of the more advanced features that Vmware, Citrix (XENserver), VirtualIron, etc have. I believe that the link up with Citrix demonstrates that Microsoft is going after the SMB sector with Hyper-v and leaving XenServer to complete in the enterprise market with VMware, while it works on making Hyper-v as technically capable as its rivals that is.
Vmware with it price bundles is attempting to move into the SMB space, however, what Vmware provides in terms of capability it lacks is a clear understanding of the market, and how to deliver to the SMB sector. Smaller vendors such as VirtualIron and Parallels have created a good reputation in certain SMB markets, but they lack the funding to raise virtualisation profile. Therefore, I believe that as Microsoft winds up its PR message, this can be used by the smaller vendors to ride on the coat-tails and enjoy more success.
Windows server 2008, is a very good product and I think this will become more widely used as the business case evidence is released to support Microsoft's claims of reduced management time and hence cost savings. As for Vista, well 2008 and Vista desktop is an argument from a support perspective, but with talk of Microsoft seven (vista replacement) due in 2009 time frame I think many may hold fire (if they can), which will mean organisations if their refresh is due in 2009, 2010 will have a dilemma use Vista or stay on XP. Evidence is mixed on this, but I believe Vista will more widely adopted in conjunction with 2008, but not in every case.
Tuesday, 17 June 2008
BHX and a coffee, with the internet on the go
Off to visit Citrix today in Germany, so early start to the airport, this is the bit I like the best, short travel to meet vendors with an interesting story to tell.
Windows Server 2008 points the way to Microsoft’s future approach
Windows Server 2008 is a surprisingly diverse product, with some very small new enhancements that could be easily overlooked, and some large high profile additions that Microsoft is certainly not allowing anybody, including the media, to overlook. However, what is the balanced view on Windows Server 2008.
Firstly, it will have by 2 August an inbuilt Hypervisor – a Hypervisor enables the virtualisation of the commodity server hardware so that it can support the execution of multiple Virtual Machines. Hyper-V, as it is known, is not the most technically advanced Hypervisor on the market, that award goes to Vmware, but it is a very good basic Hypervisor with a couple of interesting features: The ability to execute a Xen based Virtual Machine, and the concept of synthetic device drivers – the synthetic device drivers are the new high performance device drivers that are available with Hyper-V, rather than emulating an existing hardware device Microsoft exposes a new hardware device that has been designed for optimal performance in a virtualised environment.
One of the smaller and easier to overlook features of Windows Server 2008 is the ability to have a finer grained password policy, which may sound dull, but consider the IT department that is supporting ‘C’-level executives who do not necessarily have the time, or inclination, to maintain a complex alphanumeric 10 character password that is forced to be changed every 30 days. This finer control allows for these users to have different rules to say a database administrator, which enables IT to ensure that password policies are designed appropriately for the role/purpose of the account.
The other big feature of Windows Server 2008 is the introduction of server core, a stripped down operating system. This according to Microsoft requires up to 40% less patches to be applied, and occupies significantly less disk space than for the full Windows Server 2008. I consider this to be a major advancement, which will enable organisations to install server core on systems such file and print servers, reducing the maintenance required, and hence the operational cost.
Other features that are worthy of a mention at this stage include; role-based installation of features, simplified clustering using the wizard concept, read-only domain controllers, modified boot process that brings the firewall up earlier and so reduces the window of vulnerability, and the use of Network Access Protection (NAP) so a health policy can be set for anything connected to the network.
I consider that unlike its code base cousin, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008 actually provides the system administrators with the capabilities needed to make their operational lives easier. I are not predicting a massive up-take for Windows Server 2008 this year, but I believe that as organisations plan to refresh its technology Windows Server 2008 will be selected because it has been designed to make management simpler, and hence reduce operational costs.
Windows Server 2008 points the way to Microsoft’s future approach
Windows Server 2008 is a surprisingly diverse product, with some very small new enhancements that could be easily overlooked, and some large high profile additions that Microsoft is certainly not allowing anybody, including the media, to overlook. However, what is the balanced view on Windows Server 2008.
Firstly, it will have by 2 August an inbuilt Hypervisor – a Hypervisor enables the virtualisation of the commodity server hardware so that it can support the execution of multiple Virtual Machines. Hyper-V, as it is known, is not the most technically advanced Hypervisor on the market, that award goes to Vmware, but it is a very good basic Hypervisor with a couple of interesting features: The ability to execute a Xen based Virtual Machine, and the concept of synthetic device drivers – the synthetic device drivers are the new high performance device drivers that are available with Hyper-V, rather than emulating an existing hardware device Microsoft exposes a new hardware device that has been designed for optimal performance in a virtualised environment.
One of the smaller and easier to overlook features of Windows Server 2008 is the ability to have a finer grained password policy, which may sound dull, but consider the IT department that is supporting ‘C’-level executives who do not necessarily have the time, or inclination, to maintain a complex alphanumeric 10 character password that is forced to be changed every 30 days. This finer control allows for these users to have different rules to say a database administrator, which enables IT to ensure that password policies are designed appropriately for the role/purpose of the account.
The other big feature of Windows Server 2008 is the introduction of server core, a stripped down operating system. This according to Microsoft requires up to 40% less patches to be applied, and occupies significantly less disk space than for the full Windows Server 2008. I consider this to be a major advancement, which will enable organisations to install server core on systems such file and print servers, reducing the maintenance required, and hence the operational cost.
Other features that are worthy of a mention at this stage include; role-based installation of features, simplified clustering using the wizard concept, read-only domain controllers, modified boot process that brings the firewall up earlier and so reduces the window of vulnerability, and the use of Network Access Protection (NAP) so a health policy can be set for anything connected to the network.
I consider that unlike its code base cousin, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008 actually provides the system administrators with the capabilities needed to make their operational lives easier. I are not predicting a massive up-take for Windows Server 2008 this year, but I believe that as organisations plan to refresh its technology Windows Server 2008 will be selected because it has been designed to make management simpler, and hence reduce operational costs.
Tuesday, 3 June 2008
Systems Management is set to get hot
Just packed my bags, as I am heading off at lunch to meet a vendor in London, then stop over for a speaking event tomorrow, when that finishes it is over to Paddington to catch the train to Bristol. Another stop over, and then tour the HP labs Thursday. I should be home about 9pm Thursday night.
Between now and lunch I am writing two pitches for the magazine, these are evaluated by the editorial committee, so if your pitch is not accepted you get to write somebody else’s, so that is motivation enough to put in good pitches.
ASG to make a significant acquisition?
ASG the ITSM and BSM vendor has been rumoured to be about to make a significant acquisition. A few years ago the rumour mill had ManagedObjects as a potential, but this time round the rumour mill is quiet, probably because it got it wrong last time.
If the rumours this time as true and they came from Mr Allen himself reportedly this time, then this will signify that the systems management market is becoming more competitive. If the rumoured acquisition is of a rival, i.e. little technology transfer then it can be taken as it is about market share and customer numbers; however, if it is a new technology then this should be to fill the current gaps in ASG’s solutions as compared to its rivals, such as IT Governance, Enterprise Asset Managagement, or automation. Either way it shows ASG is serious about breaking its label as the ‘best kept secret in systems management’ and certainly over here in Europe will become a serious contender to the likes of HP, IBM, CA, BMC, and now Microsoft.
Between now and lunch I am writing two pitches for the magazine, these are evaluated by the editorial committee, so if your pitch is not accepted you get to write somebody else’s, so that is motivation enough to put in good pitches.
ASG to make a significant acquisition?
ASG the ITSM and BSM vendor has been rumoured to be about to make a significant acquisition. A few years ago the rumour mill had ManagedObjects as a potential, but this time round the rumour mill is quiet, probably because it got it wrong last time.
If the rumours this time as true and they came from Mr Allen himself reportedly this time, then this will signify that the systems management market is becoming more competitive. If the rumoured acquisition is of a rival, i.e. little technology transfer then it can be taken as it is about market share and customer numbers; however, if it is a new technology then this should be to fill the current gaps in ASG’s solutions as compared to its rivals, such as IT Governance, Enterprise Asset Managagement, or automation. Either way it shows ASG is serious about breaking its label as the ‘best kept secret in systems management’ and certainly over here in Europe will become a serious contender to the likes of HP, IBM, CA, BMC, and now Microsoft.
Friday, 30 May 2008
Vista's replacement first sightings
Today I am doing house-keeping, that is catching up on my expenses, sorting out my calendar, and generally doing all the stuff that you never get time to do. The big advantage of working from home is that you know what you must produce; you know how long you are allocated for that, so you can arrange your work accordingly.
New Microsoft Operating System
The first public news on Microsoft 7, as it is code named, was revealed on youtube. The replacement for Vista, which had very little new and compelling features, hence the slow up-take in the market, appears to be moving towards the Apple iPhone concept of touch screen, voice commands and jesters. However, Microsoft have been very secretive on this and very few people have been party to what they are thinking, but they need to get their skates on as the rumours suggest that it is due for release in the 2009/10 time frame.
Whatever, Microsoft 7 looks like the one thing it must do is provide the customer with the features that they want and do not yet know, they want and already know, and what they will need to compete in business successfully in the next five years. Therefore, it should be more like Server 2008, built to make out lives easier and increase productivity, security and collaboration.
New Microsoft Operating System
The first public news on Microsoft 7, as it is code named, was revealed on youtube. The replacement for Vista, which had very little new and compelling features, hence the slow up-take in the market, appears to be moving towards the Apple iPhone concept of touch screen, voice commands and jesters. However, Microsoft have been very secretive on this and very few people have been party to what they are thinking, but they need to get their skates on as the rumours suggest that it is due for release in the 2009/10 time frame.
Whatever, Microsoft 7 looks like the one thing it must do is provide the customer with the features that they want and do not yet know, they want and already know, and what they will need to compete in business successfully in the next five years. Therefore, it should be more like Server 2008, built to make out lives easier and increase productivity, security and collaboration.
Wednesday, 14 May 2008
What is Microsoft doing on the desktop
Another day working from home, today I am investigating ITIL v3.0 upgrade options for a customer who has FrontRange technologies deployed. I suspect this will take most of the day as the information will need to be collected and then combined in a written response. I much prefer to perform these subscriber enquires by doing a telephone call, as the question asked is not always exactly what they want answered.
SIMtone, have sent me a trial of their Virtual PC beta software to test, the only problem being the device has a US plug, so I need to buy a US to UK convertor first, as my convertors are all the other way, for obvious reasons. So any spare time will be spent setting that up.
Windows XP Service Pack 3
Windows Vista has received a bad press from the media and us analysts alike, the truth is that the number of deployments is increasing slowly, in-line with that of XP when it was launched. However, Microsoft by releasing XP SP3 are sending a very confusing message; on the one hand if SP3 was just bug fixes and security updates, then no body would argue, but by including NAP (Network Access Protection) in the release they are adding new functionality to a product they want people to migrate from.
The launch of Windows Server 2008 I believe will be the catalyst for Windows Vista migrations to accelerate in the corporate world: as Server 2008 and Vista are the same code base, and they have been designed so that deploying Server 2008 will make managing the desktop Vista client much easier. This I believe will be the big driver for organisations when they consider upgrading their server operating systems, which combining the desktop as well can yield management savings. However, only time will tell, but I for one am not writing Vista off just yet, although I am still on XP for all my work and home PCs.
SIMtone, have sent me a trial of their Virtual PC beta software to test, the only problem being the device has a US plug, so I need to buy a US to UK convertor first, as my convertors are all the other way, for obvious reasons. So any spare time will be spent setting that up.
Windows XP Service Pack 3
Windows Vista has received a bad press from the media and us analysts alike, the truth is that the number of deployments is increasing slowly, in-line with that of XP when it was launched. However, Microsoft by releasing XP SP3 are sending a very confusing message; on the one hand if SP3 was just bug fixes and security updates, then no body would argue, but by including NAP (Network Access Protection) in the release they are adding new functionality to a product they want people to migrate from.
The launch of Windows Server 2008 I believe will be the catalyst for Windows Vista migrations to accelerate in the corporate world: as Server 2008 and Vista are the same code base, and they have been designed so that deploying Server 2008 will make managing the desktop Vista client much easier. This I believe will be the big driver for organisations when they consider upgrading their server operating systems, which combining the desktop as well can yield management savings. However, only time will tell, but I for one am not writing Vista off just yet, although I am still on XP for all my work and home PCs.
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