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January 07, 2014

Comments

Henry Johnson

Chuck,

It is obvious to most people in the industry that convergence is relevant today and the way of tomorrow but the separation of software and hardware convergence is an interesting thought. We see solutions like VIPr converging the software layer and solutions like VBlock converging both the hardware layer and software layer but which will be the first adopted? In the consumer electronics world first adoption was software (Windows) but it is the complete convergence of both software and hardware that is winning today (Apple). Will we see the same progression for enterprise IT? If so which is the right direction to take today for a vendor? Can you afford to play the short game of winning SDDC and loose the long game of completely converged infrastructure? Only time will tell but it will be interesting to watch.

Chuck Hollis

Hi Henry

The comparison with consumer electronics is a good one, but I think it has its limits. If we consider smartphones, we can see both models in play today: converged software/hardware (e.g. iPhone) and hardware-agnostic (e.g. Android). Both seem to be doing well.

But enterprises (especially larger ones) are motivated differently than we as consumers. And -- for most -- having more choices is better, all things being equal. Once of those choices could potentially be a converged hardware platform -- independent of the desire for a software-converged environment.

What I didn't get in to here -- but would like to -- was the evolution of standard, commodity server hardware into what looks very much like a converged hardware platform.

Thanks for the comment.

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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