During the Partner Super Session at Cisco Live US 2013, Trey Layton, VP and CTO of VCE took the stage to share his insights on the march towards convergence from the data center, parachuting in with a Cisco switch on his back for vsat satcom projects, to big data, to next generation apps, and more. The Partner Super Session was also streamed live and the Q&A session was available via mobile devices.
As expected, the Partner Super Session covered a range of topics. The Q&A also reflected these topics and more then continued the conversation even after the Partner Super Session concluded. Below are key excerpts from the Partner Super Session Q&A. The full list of Q&A is available from the Cisco Live Mobile App.
Q: Can you repeat the value proposition for VCE? I caught 48 hours for implementation, what was the first part?
A: VCE Vblock Systems arrive within 30-45 days and are commissioned for use in under 48 hours. Roll it in. Power it. Network it. Log into vCenter 🙂 #GAMEON
Q: Partner enablement plans into the sp market where cisco does not utilize a partner model?
A: VCE is committed to growing the partner ecosystem. VCE will explore all adjacencies in the channel to support traditionally SP oriented markets as well as emerging SP models. For more information visit http://vce.com/partners/type/service-providers/
Q: What is the difference between Vblock and VSPEX?
A: Vblock Systems are manufactured pre-engineered, pre-validated, and pre-tested converged infrastructure solutions that utilize Vision Intelligent Operations software from VCE. Vblock Systems are lifecycle planned units of workload capability delivered in a deterministic form factor of power, weight, cooling, and geometry. VSPEX is a reference architecture that is published by EMC.
Q: While there is a lot of interest in M2M; the short-term value seems to be more from the SP perspective. With individual products Nest and wireless light bulbs, etc….do you see most of the value of M2M coming from ECO-Systems they provide that we would need to consent too. 2) in tying in with the point on monitoring the willingness to allow/share this information
A: Indeed. If one considers software defined radio and a proliferation of remote sensing and telemetry systems there will still need to be a way to isolate the trends and relevant (action related) portions of the growing corpus M2M will represent. A new paradigm of software design will be required to anticipate and operate at this data scale. Specifically, I would look at Pivotal as one such example of the next-generation frameworks to draw or map feedback loops that improve conditions. If technology is the response to a perceived need and if science is that which explains and predicts, there will be several technology moments as we favor a paradigm shift to usher in a science in the areas of M2M. In short, everything relating to the infrastructure will have to simplify greatly. The developers of tomorrow will demand whim based infrastructure to capture and channel the deluge of information M2M represents and to package that for human benefit on a global, regional, local, and personal aspect.
Q: what are the skills that network engineers will need to focus on to become gurus of the programmable network?
A: Adopt a mentality of continuous deployment — even if it is a long term goal that requires off hours education due to the posture of your current environment. It’s going to be an increasingly portmanteau world. Scripting awareness is a good start with an emphasis on understanding how to quickly use published APIs of any variety as a generalist. Also consider a start with a regimen of courses (most freely available btw) on agile methods, devops, and explore any interviews or internships within teams and companies compelled by new mandates to be increasingly agile operators for all things IT related and business aligned. Generalists are going to find their own niche but for the next few years there will be a demand for applying business aligned goals to the outcomes achieved through increasingly programmatic approaches.
Q: How many Vblock Systems can fit on the head of a unicorn horn?
A: 42 😉