Cisco UCS: A Tech Hangover

March 17, 2009 Leave a comment

Nearly 24 hours after Cisco officially released UCS to the world, I awoke to a “tech hangover.” My excitement of the prospect that “California” would redefine the datacenter for the next generation was shattered with the reality that it was simply a blade server wrapped with management capabilities. Furthering my hangover was the reality that Cisco’s datacenter vision is proprietary, exclusive, and filled with hubris.

To combat this tech hangover, Cisco is offering a marketing campaign, analyst coverage, and cutesy videos/data sheets of this groundbreaking solution. Furthermore, I am sure that Cisco University is busy writing books and papers in support of the eventual launch of certifications (CCIE-UCS).

In the end, Cisco will sell UCS-B systems, but to whom? Will server teams accept Cisco? Or, will UCS-B become the networking server (built for and designed with networking needs)? Is UCS simply a launch platform for Cisco’s software?

Cisco’s real challenge is competing against companies of equal or greater size and market power that represent a portion of Cisco’s overall revenue. Additionally, Cisco is betting the farm on VMware; will this bet pay-off?

As you enter the data center this morning, try to calm the nerves of your IBM BladeCenters, HP BladeSystems, AIX servers, HP-UX servers, and of course, the old man of the group, the obsolete mainframe. Oh, try not to disturb the Junipers, Brocades, or ProCurves because ignorance is bliss.

Filed under Cloud Computing, Management Tagged with , , , , , ,

Cisco UCS: A Let Down; All eyes on Big Blue

March 16, 2009 1 Comment

Today Cisco launched the third piece to their datacenter 3.0 strategy by unveiling Unified Computing System (UCS). UCS is a essentially a fancy name for a blade server built upon Intel’s new Nedhalem processor platform. Cisco believes by wrapping the datacenter in a web of UCS, Unified Fabric, and good old fashioned networking all managed by the UCS manager will redefine scalability, flexibility, and TCO within a a datacenter and beyond.

Perhaps the innovator’s dilemma has finally caught up with Cisco because I expected more from them then simply launching a blade system with the Cisco badge on the bezel. Why not truly unify switching, routing, server, and storage under a single chassis? Why not unify the backplane for speed and efficiency while offering breath-taking performance and value on a per square foot basis?

Instead it looks as if the old one-stop-shopping theory of purchasing is in full effect. Of course, you’ll be able to manage everything from the UCS Manager. If that was the case, why is BMC in the picture? As Cisco doesn’t have a great track record of software, is this any different?

Cisco is an amazing company with an extremely talented executive management and engineering teams. They are in a truly unique position to change the world as networking, storage, servers, applications, and transport all become one. However, the challenge is how to make this transformation without opening the door for their competitors as they move from the Catalyst to the Nexus. This announcement and product launch is too cautious for the risk taking Chambers we’ve all come to love or hate.

Now, let’s wait and see what IBM’s got up their sleeve to combat his new entrant to the blade market. Do they have another SNA up their sleeve?

Filed under Cloud Computing, Networking Tagged with , , , , , ,

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 270 other followers

%d bloggers like this: