On the server side, IBM is racing Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE: HPQ)
and Sun Microsystems Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW) to make grid computing a reality.
IBM began virtualization on the switch side last year by tailoring a version of SAN Volume Controller to work with Cisco MDS 9000 switches. IBMs virtualization allows customers to dynamically provision storage from the Cisco switches without taking servers or storage systems down. An IBM spokeswoman says Big Blue plans to offer SAN Volume Controllers virtualization features on switches from other vendors, but did not say when they will show up on switches from Brocade Communications Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: BRCD), McData Corp. (Nasdaq: MCDTA) and others.
Bottom line? IBM has staked its claim to a piece of the action in at least two key elements of future networks -- the servers and storage. It faces lots of competition, however, and the virtualization of open SANs is clearly a work in progress.
Dave Raffo, Senior Editor, Byte and Switch
Bob Friday, Chief AI Officer for Juniper Networks, explains how the advanced technology is transforming operations.
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