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September 24, 2009

Comments

Chad Sakac

Chuck one clarification (just because already getting FUDed by FUDees).

The Cisco/VMware paper was authored based on solution work prior to Cisco Live this year. That used CX and V-Max, but no storage methods to accelerate the question of relocating the data between sites. Basically, a stretched LAN/SAN coupled with VMotion and the work focused on the VMware-level behavior.

At the time, key Cisco and VMware folks were already disclosed on our NDA technology which applies to this challenge. After Cisco LIve (where much of the question surrounded "well, what about the storage?"), we indicated that we felt that the time was right to start to share design goals, and solution integration testing data incorporating storage technology in the problem/solution with the world.

It was a 2 month period between Cisco Live and VMworld. We extended the same test harness and added "Storage Vmotion before Vmotion characterization", and then also our advanced active/active geographically dispersed technology.

This data was shared at VMworld 2009 in session TA3105, which certainly DID leverage "our storage functionality".

Now, there are several ways to do this today, but most are confined to relatively short distances (works in only some geos), require very high bandwidth/VERY low latency links (works for only some customers), and general involve "bounding" performance or lowering availability at each site (splitting an active/passive cluster). That's not to say they are bad - every technology has strengths and weaknesses.

If people look at TA3105, you can see what we think the storage requirements for this use case are (at least the customers we talk to).

Just want to draw a distinction between the Cisco/VMware whitepaper, and the three way solution data discussed at VMworld 2009 in TA3105 (shown here: http://virtualgeek.typepad.com/virtual_geek/2009/09/vmworld-2009-long-distance-vmotion-ta3105.html)

Thanks!

Chuck Hollis

@chad -- thanks for the clarification.

You are quite correct, my comments regarding use of storage functionality applied only to the Cisco white paper, and not to your session at VMworld.

However, I don't think we're ready to completely spill the beans on the "advanced storage functionality" you refer to, even though we're all itching to do so.

Here's to hoping that FUDers learn to spend their time on making their products better and meeting customer needs, rather than just needlessly muddying the water.

Thanks again!

shiningarts

Distance has been a real challenge for human beings ever since we occupied this planet. We have to be liberated from time to overcome the distance problem since time and distance are like two sides of the same coin. Speaking of coin-sides, the difference between liberty and tyranny is paper thin. Although we currently enjoy undivided liberty since the inception of this country, tyranny has always been but a hairsbreadth away.

I know tyranny intimately since I spent my early younger years in South Korea before I came to the States. If we allow ourselves to get complacent and ignorant at any time, the liberty of our seemingly invincible and indivisible Republic can quickly become but a distant memory in the face of a very real tyranny.

“Overcoming Distance” or “Private Computing” is great way to optimize the computing resources efficiently. Imagine you can utilize the IT resources from India, China, or wherever else in a moment’s notice and exchange the resources whenever you want. However, these great schemas have a fundamental and critical weak link: the geopolitical factor.

If we were prohibited from using the network due to any uncertain geopolitical influences, whether they are here in the States or overseas, the great cloud computing could become a true disaster. If you don’t make provision for this eventuality, the essential function of all of the great organizations that are heavily depending on the up-and-coming cloud computing on a global scale could be jeopardized overnight. The great “Overcoming Distance” organization that seemingly overcame the geographical distance somehow would become the “Unbecoming Distance” one in an instant.

Nuno Souto

Chuck, in line with "overcoming distance" we are interested in implementing something similar to this EMC publication:
http://www.emc.com/collateral/hardware/technical-documentation/h2981-emc-clariion-cx3-80metro-rcvry-sql-svr-ra.pdf

Now, the question I'd like to pose you.

That document reads very nice, but it has very little technical substance, in terms of "exactly how". Is it possible to talk to someone at EMC that has actually implemented this or is up to date on the technical minutiae?

We've tried the local EMC office but unfortunately all we got was more marketing-speak.
We want techno-speak.

Preferably from the folks who wrote the paper.
Can you lend a hand?
Thanks heaps in advance.

Chuck Hollis

@nuno

Sorry for the frustration ... I've routed your interest to another group here at corporate who did the work. You should be hearing from someone before long.

If you don't, please drop me a line at hollis (underscore) chuck (at) emc (dot) com.

Thanks!

John F.

Hi Shingarts,

그건 재미있는 역사이다. 나는 한국에서 그것을 이해하고 충분한 시간을 보냈습니다.

John F.

The comments to this entry are closed.

Chuck Hollis


  • Chuck Hollis
    SVP, Oracle Converged Infrastructure Systems
    @chuckhollis

    Chuck now works for Oracle, and is now deeply embroiled in IT infrastructure.

    Previously, he was with VMware for 2 years, and EMC for 18 years before that, most of them great.

    He enjoys speaking to customer and industry audiences about a variety of technology topics, and -- of course -- enjoys blogging.

    Chuck lives in Vero Beach, FL with his wife and four dogs when he's not traveling. In his spare time, Chuck is working on his second career as an aging rock musician.

    Warning: do not ever buy him a drink when there is a piano nearby.

    Note: these are my personal views, and aren't reviewed or approved by my employer.
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