UPDATED 08:51 EDT / MARCH 30 2011

Cisco Flips the Big Switch, Optimizes Cloud Management

Cisco’s launched an overhauled version of its data center portfolio, which spans their switches, servers and storage networking protocols, as well as their data center management software.  It’s all part of Cisco’s fabric re-vamp for data centers, particularly in those that seek an a la carte format for networks, computing and management.  That covers a great many members of today’s enterprise, but Cisco’s really looking to improve rapid scalability options within private cloud computing systems, as well as extending its service offerings.

With the update, Cisco is adding FCoE support into the core Nexus 7000 (Ethernet only), as well as its MDS (an FC switch that adds an Ethernet module).  More importantly, Cisco now supports end-to-end FCoE for their high-end enterprise switch offerings.  For clients, it’s an improvement in the execution of the data center architecture, seeking optimization and expanding on initial availability.

It’s delivering on a promise Cisco made years ago, and a goal its competitors have been striving towards as well.  Juniper, HP and IBM are key players in data center architecture upgrades, with Cisco’s take centering around the network, fanning out into servers.  This strategy revolves around its fabric’s ability to be flexible–it’s become very clear in recent years that companies demand specialized approaches to the cloud and their data centers.

The process of converging disparate networks is something Wikibon analysts have been anticipating from Cisco for some time, as it becomes an inevitable necessity in growing one’s business.  The improvements around FCoE are key, enabling the common pipes around Ethernet connectivity can be shared for SAN, LAN and server-to-server traffic.

According to Wikibon analyst Stu Miniman, “The implication of this virtual switch functionality means organizations can logically carve out any part of a network as a separate resource and manage it independent of any other part of the network. For example data people can be looking after SAN traffic and networking people can manage the LAN independently using the same switching infrastructure. Notably, the addition of FCoE is a key enabler of this feature because the base infrastructure is Ethernet meaning common pipes can now be shared for SAN, LAN and server-to-server traffic.”

The big move by Cisco has large implications for the organization of data centers, exploring new options around converged networks.  It opens new options for clients, but also pulls Cisco out of its high-end switches rut, diversifying into new markets that address enterprise needs.  Cisco’s been facing scrutiny from all directions lately, even as competition around network optimization increases.

Cisco’s also been ramping up its strategic acquisitions, three of which took place in the last four weeks.  The newScale buy is among the most notable of the year, with a distinctive plan around cloud optimization and client services.   Wikibon Senior Analysts Dave Vellante and Stu Miniman discuss the large-scale implications of Cisco’s big move, which you can view below, or see here.


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