Some of the more notable networking vendors have created quite the buzz around the extensibility of their network operating systems and availability of their software development tools (commonly and collectively known as Software Development Kits or SDKs). This scenario is the network equipment equivalent of the smartphone as a device, there only to deliver a service via an application to satisfy a users wants and needs. Manufacturers created the smartphone hardware and the operating system along with their smartphone SDKs and up springs an industry of applications developers. Now which is bigger, the platform business or the application business? One thing is certain, had companies not taken that approach, the smartphone would not be the device that it is (quite the understatement) and the associated application development industry… well, there wouldn’t be one. And, users? Using what? That is just one example of the power behind the open , extensible operating system approach.
Designers and developers of networking products have traditionally been a tight knit community of players producing closed architecture systems. It was, and to some extent still is, thought that these products are not candidates for third party development for a number of reasons, some good, some not so defensible. However, what has resulted is a system that although owned by the user, is entirely subject to the capabilities, limitations and priorities of the vendor. This in turn, causes network owner and users to bend their needs around the capabilities of the product, limit their services to those that can be delivered by a closed architecture operating system, wait extended periods of time for new features to be developed into the product and add more and more appliances/operating systems to the network to achieve any level of uniqueness. Most network system operators have learned to live with it…
Operating outside the norm, some networking platform vendors are starting to recognize that there is something to be said for opening up their operating system, in a controlled way, to feature implementation and custom application creation by a community of software development partners. This is a pretty powerful notion, in theory. Network system operators using these open system network products can now work with independent software vendors (ISVs) to accelerate feature implementation and/or create fully customized applications running on their networking (typically highly stable, redundant) platforms. This will allow network operators to offer unique services, reduce the number of adjunct appliances and management systems. This in turn, should reduce the most expensive aspect of running a network: operational cost!
With all of that said, the main point to be made is not that networking system vendors sell more product, when in fact they should. It is not that a bunch of ISVs will spring up and create an industry of third party networking software developers, yet there will be. The point isn’t even that network operators will run more effectively and efficiently. More to the point and the real crux of the issue; users of the resulting, focused and unique services will have a far more personalized and satisfying experience.
So time will tell if these seemingly visionary networking system vendors called this one correctly. If the other technology sectors are any indication, bets should go with a win for the open network system approach.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
High Performance Branch Networks
More than 80% of all workers are located outside of corporate headquarters yet require the same access to business systems and applications that their corporate counterparts have. Access to these services by branch personnel must be reliable and secure. Therefore the network infrastructure that delivers them must responsive, stable and impenetrable to malicious behavior. Additionally, the networks and branch systems must be fully capable of centralized management.
IT organizations are looking for integrated solutions to reduce the number of network appliances in the branch and will need to apply their own business applications and features to optimize and/or customize their functionality. For these reasons, IT organizations operating dispersed branch office networks will look for solutions from vendors who offer robust products that support multiple networking and security functions. This will reduce the number of hardware platforms and points of failure. Naturally, the multifunction, integrated nature of these platforms requires a single operating system, further reducing the complexity of the network and operational concerns. Tight coupling of the hardware and the operating system along with open system development tools will allow the networking components to be tailored to the needs of the individual, branch centric business.
IT organizations are looking for integrated solutions to reduce the number of network appliances in the branch and will need to apply their own business applications and features to optimize and/or customize their functionality. For these reasons, IT organizations operating dispersed branch office networks will look for solutions from vendors who offer robust products that support multiple networking and security functions. This will reduce the number of hardware platforms and points of failure. Naturally, the multifunction, integrated nature of these platforms requires a single operating system, further reducing the complexity of the network and operational concerns. Tight coupling of the hardware and the operating system along with open system development tools will allow the networking components to be tailored to the needs of the individual, branch centric business.
High Performance Service Provider Networks
In a day when Service Providers (SPs) and Managed Service Providers (MSPs) are under extreme pricing pressure due to decreasing average revenue per user and eroding margins, it is increasingly important for them to create new sources of revenue. Generally, this would come in the form of unique business specific services that are proven to provide real value for their customers.
Service Providers and Managed Service Providers need to create broad customization allowing them to capitalize on new high value service opportunities in the enterprise, entertainment and social media market. These customizations entail creating options that allow the customer to pick prepared services rather than buying a costly, fully customized alternative. The service must be experienced rather than used — providing core value in the user application relationship beyond merely delivering data.
Such services and mass customization will broaden the market opportunity service providers and managed service providers can address and will help shift the focus away from the current revenue erosion where today, they are providing the same network service just cheaper and faster.
Service Providers and Managed Service Providers need to create broad customization allowing them to capitalize on new high value service opportunities in the enterprise, entertainment and social media market. These customizations entail creating options that allow the customer to pick prepared services rather than buying a costly, fully customized alternative. The service must be experienced rather than used — providing core value in the user application relationship beyond merely delivering data.
Such services and mass customization will broaden the market opportunity service providers and managed service providers can address and will help shift the focus away from the current revenue erosion where today, they are providing the same network service just cheaper and faster.
High Performance Networks in the Data Center
Data center operators are looking to contain their operational costs and get more return on their network infrastructure by offering expanded services through, for example, cloud based architecture. Networks are being redesigned to do so through consolidation and virtualization. Multiple data centers are being consolidated and centrally managed. Networks within these data centers are being simplified; reducing the number of networking devices required which in turn reduces their energy consumption and carbon footprint. Because these revenue generating services are delivered over the network infrastructure, it is paramount that highly reliable hardware and robust, extensible operating systems are deployed. Further, reducing the number of network operating systems simplifies operation and management and reduces operational costs.
Data center operators will look to network system vendors whose operating system spans all of their platforms that provide security, routing and switching. These operators will also seek out systems that are stable, with regular and predictable up dates. Additionally, they will require an ability to add their own features and applications mainstream to the network; it is important that networking systems are open, yet secure, for custom application development. This too reduces the number of appliances and potential bottlenecks in the network by allowing these applications to run directly on the network infrastructure.
Data center operators will look to network system vendors whose operating system spans all of their platforms that provide security, routing and switching. These operators will also seek out systems that are stable, with regular and predictable up dates. Additionally, they will require an ability to add their own features and applications mainstream to the network; it is important that networking systems are open, yet secure, for custom application development. This too reduces the number of appliances and potential bottlenecks in the network by allowing these applications to run directly on the network infrastructure.
High Performance Network Solutions
In this era, described as the Attention Age, the ability to access information and content is seen as a necessity, even critical, not just ‘nice to have’ and is the life blood of business, entertainment and social networking. Modern day networks are depended on to deliver this information in a highly available, highly reliable and highly secure way.
To further describe the high performance network, let’s start with what it is not… It isn’t one that is based on just how cheaply a network can be built, operated and maintained over the lifecycle of a system. It isn’t one that is based on the perceived status or purchasing decision safety of the logo masked on the front of the gear. It isn’t whether every appliance in the rack has the same consistent branding, end to end in the network. No… a high performance network is one that can deliver service reliably and securely at an operationally equitable price point to the provider and is a solid experience for the business, user or consumer.
To deliver on this performance and accessibility proposition, it is imperative that each item of hardware be proven rock solid in terms of availability and efficiency. And, the network operating system to run that hardware must be dependable, predictable and extensible. Not all network system vendors can make that claim with certainty, if at all.
Sure, some can claim that the capital expenditure for their networking products is a fraction of the competition, but the IT department ends up spending all their time and budget trying the manage an unstable network of hardware and software. Others may claim that they can provide all things for all situations, when in fact one really ends up dealing with vendor acquired products, with multiple operating systems, with unpredictable release cycles that offer no flexibility or ability for customization which can lead to a vendor captive network.
However, it is actually possible to place hardened products in the network, running a common operating system that is open to safe and secure customization providing the unique services users need to experience.
To further describe the high performance network, let’s start with what it is not… It isn’t one that is based on just how cheaply a network can be built, operated and maintained over the lifecycle of a system. It isn’t one that is based on the perceived status or purchasing decision safety of the logo masked on the front of the gear. It isn’t whether every appliance in the rack has the same consistent branding, end to end in the network. No… a high performance network is one that can deliver service reliably and securely at an operationally equitable price point to the provider and is a solid experience for the business, user or consumer.
To deliver on this performance and accessibility proposition, it is imperative that each item of hardware be proven rock solid in terms of availability and efficiency. And, the network operating system to run that hardware must be dependable, predictable and extensible. Not all network system vendors can make that claim with certainty, if at all.
Sure, some can claim that the capital expenditure for their networking products is a fraction of the competition, but the IT department ends up spending all their time and budget trying the manage an unstable network of hardware and software. Others may claim that they can provide all things for all situations, when in fact one really ends up dealing with vendor acquired products, with multiple operating systems, with unpredictable release cycles that offer no flexibility or ability for customization which can lead to a vendor captive network.
However, it is actually possible to place hardened products in the network, running a common operating system that is open to safe and secure customization providing the unique services users need to experience.
Friday, April 23, 2010
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