First came virtualization; now comes management

Network/Systems Management This newsletter is sponsored by Fluke Networks Live Webcast VoIP&MPLS Making it Work for You MPLS-based networks and VoIP are two of the hottest topics for networking professionals worldwide. Join Fluke Networks for an in-depth discussion on understanding the impact of real-time VoIP requirements on traditional data networks and viewing performance for all locations with an any-to-any infrastructure architecture...and more. Network World's Network/Systems Management Newsletter, 09/10/07 First came virtualization; now comes management By Denise Dubie The race to manage virtual environments is on. For quite some time, the analyst community has been voicing its opinion that the wonders of virtualizing x86 server environments will be cut short if data center managers don't also calculate adequate management into their plans. And now with desktop virtualization gathering its own steam, the floodgates have opened and a slew of start-ups are pouring into the market with new approaches to reining in the virtual world. As VMware hosts VMworld 2007 in San Francisco this week, technology newcomers plan to make a splash with their tools targeted squarely at ESX Server, VMware Infrastructure 3 and even some Xen and Microsoft virtual wares. Companies such as Dune Technologies, InovaWave, moka5, Opalis, Veeam and Vizioncore will be using VMworld as a platform to sing the praises of their innovative approach to reining in virtual servers and desktops. Network World Buyer's Guides Find the right products for your enterprise - fast. With seven categories - security, storage, convergence and VoIP, network infrastructure, network applications, wireless and LAN/WAN management - you can quickly pinpoint the hardware or software you need. With the side-by-side comparison tool you can evaluate product features and make the best purchase decisions for your enterprise. Click here to go to the Buyer's Guides now. For instance, start-up Veeam - founded in March 2006 by former executives of Aelita Software, which developed Windows systems management software and was acquired in 2004 by Quest Software - will tout the benefits of its FastSCP freeware application while pitching to attendees four commercial offerings targeted at managing VMware servers. And Vizioncore - a subsidiary of Quest Software - is expected to upgrade existing replication and back up tools, while introducing a new product to optimize virtual environments by reducing Microsoft and VMware virtual machine size by up to 80%, which the company says will improve portability and performance. Moka5 will also be on hand to show off its LivePC Engine, which lets IT managers import virtual images created with VMware or other platforms and distribute, manage and secure them via moka5's technology. Automation players Virtugo Software and Opalis plan to further extend their reach into virtualization separately by updating their products suites. Virtugo is adding capacity management, usage metering and virtual desktop capabilities to its VirtualSuite 6 set of applications, and Opalis is packaging processes and workflows typical to virtual machines to make it easier for customers to kick off automated tasks in their environments. Dunes Technologies will unveil two virtual appliances designed to help small and midsize companies manage their virtual environments. And InovaWave will demonstrate its VirtualOctane for ESX Server, a product designed to optimize virtual servers, at the show. While it's nothing new that a slew of vendors emerge following a disruptive technology going mainstream, it will be interesting to watch which of these vendors building their businesses on the virtualization boom will still be around. More interesting will be which of these innovative start-ups will get acquired when management heavyweights BMC, CA, HP and IBM decide their tools to manage virtual environments could use a bit of pizzazz often found new technologies.   What do you think? Post a comment on this newsletter

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Contact the author: Senior Editor Denise Dubie covers the technologies, products and services that address network, systems, application and IT service management for Network World. E-mail Denise. This newsletter is sponsored by Fluke Networks Live Webcast VoIP&MPLS Making it Work for You MPLS-based networks and VoIP are two of the hottest topics for networking professionals worldwide. Join Fluke Networks for an in-depth discussion on understanding the impact of real-time VoIP requirements on traditional data networks and viewing performance for all locations with an any-to-any infrastructure architecture...and more. ARCHIVE Archive of the Network/Systems Management Newsletter. BONUS FEATURE IT PRODUCT RESEARCH AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Get detailed information on thousands of products, conduct side-by-side comparisons and read product test and review results with Network World’s IT Buyer’s Guides. Find the best solution faster than ever with over 100 distinct categories across the security, storage, management, wireless, infrastructure and convergence markets. Click here for details. PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE You've got the technology snapshot of your choice delivered to your inbox each day. Extend your knowledge with a print subscription to the Network World newsweekly, Apply here today. International subscribers, click here. SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES To subscribe or unsubscribe to any Network World newsletter, change your e-mail address or contact us, click here. This message was sent to: networking.world@gmail.com. Please use this address when modifying your subscription. Advertising information: Write to Associate Publisher Online Susan Cardoza Network World, Inc., 118 Turnpike Road, Southborough, MA 01772 Copyright Network World, Inc., 2007