Bhardwaj also directed our attention to the fact that growth in the low end is unlikely to be FCIP--that will be used to hook remote servers to SANs and to handle SAN-to-SAN linking over a WAN or MAN. Rather, iSCSI will be the system of choice for low-end users, and with its GUI, iSCSI is relatively easy to configure.
One area in which we completely endorse Cisco's approach to the low end is in education of IT staff before implementing storage networking. As smaller shops begin to use more SAN technology, it would be nice if they could architect a long-term plan instead of throwing a NAS or iSCSI device on the network and assuming they're done. When these shops outgrow the capacity of that device, they'll need to do something more complex, and if the users have training beforehand, they can make decisions that will work for them now and in the future.
Come Together
When we asked about the convergence of IP and SAN traffic and support for blade servers, Bhardwaj and Ross again pointed out Cisco's successes in both the IP and SAN markets as proof that it's on top of convergence. Ross added that the company already supports the unique storage needs that blade servers meet through partnerships with blade-server vendors, including IBM.
Overall, we feel Cisco is on the ball in the storage market. It has the background and the talent to compete in an arena that is becoming increasingly network-oriented. It also has a ready-made market, with its dominant installed base of data networking gear. And because the company supports your SAN regardless of which protocol you choose to implement, it's also appealing for merger and acquisition purposes.
Bob Friday, Chief AI Officer for Juniper Networks, explains how the advanced technology is transforming operations.
Contact center leaders from 8x8, Awaken Intelligence, and 360insight discuss the importance of agent experience.
AI may force enterprises to rewire parts of their data centers so they are fully optimized to run such workloads. The question is do you use Ethernet or InfiniBand?
