In just a few short recent years the idea of software-defined networks (SDN) has moved from a theoretical academic concept to a real-life practical proposition for making the world’s telecommunications networks more efficient, cost-effective, easier to manage and resilient. The SDN concept really started to take shape around 2008 [1], Google and Facebook have already implemented important features of SDN in their own networks. Now most major carriers are planning to move in the SDN direction, for example Deutsche Telekom [2, 3] and more recently AT&T [3] to reduce high operational costs while the over-the-top providers (e.g., Google, Amazon, etc.) impede the carriers’ ability to grow their revenues.
Put simply, the SDN idea is to separate out the control functions of the network into a cloud-like management layer leaving network elements in a data-forwarding layer. This means the smart component of networks can be made more efficient and less expensive by making use of the concepts of abstraction, modularity and virtualization that are already common in the IT world. At the same time the basic network building blocks – essentially the bit-carrying hardware – can be less expensive because they will become simpler and dumber.
Monthly Archives: October 2013
Cloud Expo: Cloud Shifts the Burden of Security to Development
The move to the cloud brings a number of new security challenges, but the application remains your last line of defense. Developers are extremely well-poised to perform tasks critical for securing the application – provided that certain key obstacles are overcome.
In his session at the 13th International Cloud Expo®, Wayne Ariola, Chief Strategy Officer at Parasoft, will explore three ways to help development bear the burden of security that the cloud places on them:
Use penetration testing results to help developers determine how to effectively “harden” the most vulnerable parts of the application.
Apply the emerging practice of “service virtualization” to provide developers the test environment access needed to exercise realistic security scenarios from the development environment.
Implement policy-driven development to help developers understand and satisfy management’s security expectations.
Vidyo Receives Top Ranking
Vidyo, Inc. has been cited as having the “the best overall video quality and performance” by Forrester Research, Inc. The company also received top ranking for its technology partners among all vendors in addition to being ranked as a “Strong Performer,” overall. Forrester invited 10 vendors to participate in its September 2013 report, The Forrester Wave™: Desktop Videoconferencing, Q3 2013. A complimentary copy of the report is available here.
Vidyo Receives Top Ranking
Vidyo, Inc. has been cited as having the “the best overall video quality and performance” by Forrester Research, Inc. The company also received top ranking for its technology partners among all vendors in addition to being ranked as a “Strong Performer,” overall. Forrester invited 10 vendors to participate in its September 2013 report, The Forrester Wave™: Desktop Videoconferencing, Q3 2013. A complimentary copy of the report is available here.
Cloud Expo: The Next Generation IT Department – Must Have Hybrid Cloud
Compelling consumer applications are created every day. Are you ready for the IT implications both internally and externally? As your datacenter needs more capacity, the cloud will be critical to success. What are the key considerations to help plan for the needed capacity over time? And how can the cloud best work with your existing applications?
In his General Session at the 13th International Cloud Expo®, Brian Jawalka, Sr. IT Strategist at Rackspace, will discuss how a hybrid approach can add agility, flexibility and speed-to-market for your organization. This session will potentially open conversation to talk about the SaaS consumer apps that are forcing IT to evolve.
Day 2 Keynote at Cloud Expo | How to Maintain Relevancy in a Cloud World
Let’s face it, developers rule. They have instantaneous access to technology resources that can be spun up easily without your knowledge. It is this pressure that is driving the inevitability of Cloud adoption across enterprise IT. If you still think of your IT organization as a cost center – presiding over a hefty annual budget and responsible for doling out dollars to the developers – then it’s time to rethink and re-imagine the business of IT.
If IT continues with the same old tired cost models and budget planning cycles, some of the best, most creative and most ingenious innovations in technology will never see the light of day. It’s a true dilemma for developers and innovators – why spend time creating, when your next great idea or project doesn’t meet the initial business case requirements for funding? But that was the old world of IT. The hard truth is that IT organizations are faced with a fundamental choice: resist or transform. CIOs can either accept the fact that they are now service providers competing with external vendors for budget dollars, or become impediments to change and lose relevance. Those choosing to become service providers are finding they need to develop a new operating model for IT, one that requires new platforms, processes, and skills.
Plexxi to Exhibit at Cloud Expo Silicon Valley
SYS-CON Events announced today that Plexxi, provider of the first and only affinity-driven networking solution, will exhibit at SYS-CON’s 13th International Cloud Expo, which will take place on November 4–7, 2013, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA.
Plexxi is the creator of the industry’s first affinity-driven networking solution. Plexxi’s products – Plexxi Control and the Plexxi Switch – create an optimized network that dynamically helps applications perform better. The company has raised $48+ million in venture financing from Lightspeed Venture Partners, Matrix Partners and Northbridge Venture Partners. Headquartered in Cambridge, Mass., Plexxi also has offices in Nashua, N.H. and San Francisco.
Virtualize SAP Landscapes with EMC and VMware
Reduce infrastructure costs, ensure service quality, and improve SAP user experience so SAP runs better! Today, with the latest generation of cloud technologies and leverage of global EMC and VMware partners, SAP customers can capitalize on the benefits of virtualization while reducing risk and unlocking the highest levels of value from their SAP application investments. Read the top five reasons and the results customers have experienced with EMC and VMware.
What Are WebSockets?
WebSockets provide new protocol between client and server which runs over a persistent TCP connection. Through this open connection, bi-directional, full-duplex messages can be sent between the single TCP socket connection (simultaneously or back and forth). Because it is an independent TCP-based protocol, it doesn’t ideally require HTTP tunneling (similar to Netflix and other streaming services), allowing for simplified communication when sending messages.
WebSockets come after many other technologies that allow servers to send information to the client. Web applications that use Comet/Ajax, push/pull and long polling all do this over HTTP. Other than handshaking the Upgrade Header, WebSockets is independent from HTTP.
Weekend Special: Cloud Expo Keynotes and Expo Pass
Register here today using coupon code “VIPKeynotesExpo” and attend Cloud Expo® Silicon Valley as our guest!
Listen to top Industry Thought Leadership Keynotes and visit the bustling Cloud Expo® Silicon Valley (Nov 4-7) Show Floor for FREE – it’s the surest way to get yourself and your company fully “Cloud-ready.” Just register here using the code “VIPKeynotesExpo”
Cloud Expo® 2013 Silicon Valley, November 4-7, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA, will feature technical sessions from a rock star conference faculty and the leading Cloud industry players in the world.