Cisco has integrated itsVFrame Data Centrevirtualisation
appliance withVMware's Virtual Infrastructureto
help network managers allocate physical resources for
virtualisation.
VFrame Data Centre links computer and network resources as
virtualised network services and allows automated physical changes
to be made in cases of outages, for example. Changes can also be
controlled by external monitoring systems.
The integration enables VFrame to load
VMware ESX Server onto bare metal computers and configure
network and storage connections that ESX needs.
According to Cisco, VFrame can now provision all network
services from a single graphical user interface-based template.
This includes firewalls, content load balancing, switch and server
trunks and access control lists.
"Because the network is uniquely positioned to be the platform
for the datacentre, we are investing in innovations to help our
users transform their datacentre for improved efficiency and
increased business productivity," said Cisco CEO John Chambers.
"VMware users are used to being able to rapidly provision and
configure virtual infrastructure," said Brian Byun, vice-president
of global partners and solutions at VMware. "Now, with Cisco's
integration of VFrame Data Centre, users can also get similar
benefits for their physical infrastructure."
According to research from Gartner, 70% or more of IT budgets
are now dedicated to maintaining existing infrastructure rather
than funding new projects. The analyst firm has also forecast that
from 2006 to 2008, as many as 50% of all large datacentres will
need to undergo a major overhaul to address this growing
challenge.
"IT organisations must improve the operational efficiency and
utilisation of datacentre resources, while releasing funds for new
projects that generate revenue," said Gartner research
vice-president, Will Cappelli.
"At the same time, datacentre managers need a resilient
infrastructure that protects applications and services against
disruptions, while not introducing more risk into the
equation."