Jeff Jaffe’s Blog

In my last posting, I outlined the significance of cloud computing and Novell’s architecture to provide infrastructure for the cloud. Herein I will provide some detail for the piece called connecting to the cloud via devices enabled by Moblin.

Novell’s Cloud Architecture

To reprise our cloud architecture, we discussed five key elements.

• Connect
• Secure
• Manage
• Develop
• Collaborate

Connecting to the Cloud

Everything will connect to the cloud. Every client will need services from the cloud and every server will interact with the compute cloud. So when we talk about connecting to the cloud, we are not referring to a unique new communications protocol or specialized device.

Rather, we are focused on the operating environment for a device whose primary function is to access services from the network; the Web; or the compute cloud. That is why we refer to Moblin as the key component for connecting to the cloud.

The cloud introduces the need for a new family of devices to be used by consumers and enterprise users alike. These devices have as their primary role to connect to these services. Some of these devices are more capable—approaching PC class in nature, others are strict communicators.

Intel has taken the lead in designing the operating environment most suited for these devices. Logically, they are leveraging Linux since key ingredients such as openness and low cost are critical. Intel’s variation of Linux—Moblin—further optimizes for devices whose primary role is connectivity. Optimization helps drive lower power chip sets and small screen sizes. It allows simplification of the user interface since it is not a general desktop.

Travel in Asia—Feel the Excitement

I spent the last two weeks in Asia—Taiwan, China, and India—and being in a different part of the world focused my attention on the value of cloud computing. You can see the potential. Powerful communicators / computers will open up computing to a new class of users. In these new “segments”—people will get their first introduction to computing via services from the cloud. In our industry, every time that we open up computers to a new class of users it drives change in our system design. Thus, desktop Linux will succeed in this new environment because it can flex to this design point.

No wonder that it was at Computex in Taipei earlier this month that Moblin made such a big hit.

Novell and Moblin

Novell has announced that we will support a SUSE version of Moblin and make it available on netbooks. We announced our Taiwan laboratory in May and followed it up with our Computex demo in June. We are contributing to Moblin and leveraging it. Moblin is a key infrastructure for cloud computing where Novell will play a large role as part of our cloud infrastructure strategy.

Much has been written about computing in the “cloud”. Within these pages references include “Software delivery models and SAP” and “Service-Driven Data Center“. Today is the first of several blogs where I give a comprehensive view of Novell’s approach.

The Significance of the Cloud for IT

Every so often there are sufficient changes in technology and customer buying patterns that the entire industry turns on its end.

In the 1960s, mainframes dominated and provided the first broad platform for computing.

In the 1970s, minicomputers proliferated. Computing became available for small businesses and departments. New companies rose to take advantage; new languages were popularized; and there was an explosion in professionals in the industry.

After the introduction of personal computing in the 1970s the 1980s saw mass adoption of PCs. New applications such as personal productivity and consumer related applications resulted from this shift. The paradigm of client/server and sharing within departments became prominent. Novell’s NetWare played a key role (which continues with Open Enterprise Server).

As we rolled into the 1990s the Internet and World Wide Web became the model for public access to data, and related intranet technologies were used inside of companies. Wide access to information became commonplace and programming technologies adapted to feeding information into people’s browsers.

Cloud computing is next. It will be equally transformational. The web provided clicking for “information” and cloud computing will provide clicking for “information resources”. Over time this will revolutionize every part of IT.

Within the rubric of cloud computing, IT organizations have different attitudes about how to optimize information technology. To address this, there are variations on cloud computing, including Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). Each has their own value and solves its own problem. A user that needs instant access to a capability may employ SaaS, a developer looking for a platform may employ PaaS, and someone in search of capacity may employ IaaS.

Novell and the Compute Cloud

With Novell’s position in core infrastructure, Novell intends to play a major role in cloud computing. Several technology choices for the cloud are favorable to Novell— Linux is the favored operating system used by cloud providers; XEN—which we have discussed often— is the favored virtualization technique. Moreover, Novell’s strength in technology areas such as management and security is relevant.

Novell has key technologies but also has the right attitude. The compute cloud will democratize computing by utilizing open interfaces and avoiding platform lock-in. This is harmonious with our brand promise of “Making IT Work as One”. It is also characteristic of Novell as a company who is passionate about Open Source, yet willing to work on interoperability with vendors who are committed to proprietary platforms. No surprise that Novell is a supporter of the Open Cloud Manifesto.

The potential of cloud computing is great, but it won’t happen overnight—just as the other paradigm changes did not happen overnight. There will be many participants in this all playing different roles. For example there will be companies that provide cloud computing, and others -like Novell—that provide infrastructure software that are used by cloud providers or enterprises. Many layers of the compute stack will change to support the move to the cloud. Novell will not invest in all of them—no one vendor can have that impact. However, in the cloud infrastructure Novell will play a key role.

Novell’s Cloud Architecture

There are numerous components that are required for the cloud. Some of the key components were mentioned above—the Linux operating system and virtualization. Many of the other key components intersect areas of Novell focus.

We have been investing in these areas leveraging the ideas of our technical leaders and looking at market input. Many of the most outstanding ideas came from our breakout move initiative, while others came from activities in and across our business units; listening to customers and partners. Here are some of the key areas. With space running out I will only itemize the areas here—look to future postings for elaboration:

• Connect. The first part of our architecture is to connect to the cloud. The nature of client devices and their appropriate operating environment will change as we move to the cloud. Our work in operating systems, including our work in Moblin will be critical here.
• Secure. This access must be done with security. We will leverage the technologies of our Identity and Security Management business unit.
• Manage. Clouds have a different paradigm for resource utilization so they need a different paradigm of managing these resources. Each previous revolution in computing also revolutionized how resources are managed. We will leverage our Service Driven Data Center approach.
• Develop. Applications needs to be developed for the cloud. The key technology stacks will continue to be based on Java and .Net. We will leverage our unique combination of skills—the LAMP stack available with Suse Linux and Mono for .Net to play an enabling role here.
• Collaborate. Novell has a strong portfolio of collaboration technologies. This will enable us to play a role here as well.

Part of Novell’s focus within IT Management Services is an intense focus on Data Center Management; particularly our Build, Manage, and Measure approach. Three recent events are proof points of both the broad IT Management Services as well as the Data Center focus.

1. Strategic Initiative with ACS

Last week Novell announced a strategic initiative with ACS. It is a broad partnership with benefits for each company.

Working with ACS in building out their ACS Management Platform (AMP) is advantageous for Novell. It allows us to validate our Service Driven Data Center (SDDC) vision. Recall the three key elements of SDDC:

• The Build component. We have included in this agreement that Suse Linux Enterprise is a key operating system platform.
• The Manage component. We have included PlateSpin to manage workloads in a heterogeneous, virtualized environment.
• The Measure component. We have included a Business Services Management capability.

Our benefits go beyond the inclusion of the three basic building blocks.

• The partnership allows us to explore advanced management features in a demanding environment. This includes workload management [link workload blog], automation, and virtualization. We instantiate these ideas in a fully integrated fashion.
• The partnership allows us to explore emerging operating environments. Not only are physical and virtual deployments of relevance but we have also included cloud computing as a focus area.
• To address critical security needs, identity management and security solutions will be prominently featured.

2. Codie awards

The agreement with ACS represents a key validation of our vision and strategy with customers and partners. Our systems management strategy also enjoys validation in industry groups.

• Last month, ZENworks Asset Management was recognized by the Software Industry and Information Association (SIIA) as the Best Asset Management Solution.
• Also, ZENworks Endpoint Security Management was recognized by SIIA in the Best Security Solution category.

3. ZENworks Configuration Management 10 SP 2

Less than one year ago we released ZCM SP1. Recall that this is dedicated to managing desktops in an interoperable environment with integration to Active Directory. For SP2, we are listening to what customers need to complete their migration to ZCM, and have addressed this. Included:

• Improved migration services
• Improved installability
• Broader platform support to reaffirm the ZCM commitment to interoperability.

Summary

This past month has been hugely successful in terms of validating all pieces of our management strategy. For long-time ZENworks customers, ZCM 10 SP 2 represents yet another demonstration of continued commitment to this platform. Elements of our desktop solution: asset management and endpoint security are recognized as award winners. Our Data Center management strategy has received a huge endorsement from ACS which will help us further develop and validate our strategy in the marketplace.