Untold Secrets of the Efficient Data Center - Key Points
The results for Futuriom’s “Untold Secrets of the Efficient Data Center,” released this week, reveals that data-center managers, networking, and technology professionals are looking for smarter, more efficient data center networks that can support virtualization better as an alternative to adding more bandwidth and service processing power.
There are several reasons for this. One is that new cloud applications are putting more demands than ever on data centers, due the phenomenon known as "East-West" traffic, in which traffic being sent among servers inside a data center far outstrips the traffic communicating with the outside world. For this reasons, networks need to scale to support hundreds or even thousands of servers that may be communicating with each other. It also means that networks are a key place to target improved data-center performance, rather than brute-force approaches such as adding more servers and bandwidth.
Untold Secrets of the Efficient Data Center details these trends as well as the many technologies that are changing the face of data-center technology, including SmartNICs (Smart Network Interface Cards), AI and machine learning (ML), hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI), and software-defined network (SDN) and security. End users see many potential benefits in upgrading the network for data centers. These benefits include faster application performance (64%), stronger security (59%), greater flexibility (57%), and application reliability (57%).
The new report is based on Futuriom’s Data Center Network Efficiency Survey targeted, which targeted 218 IT professionals about their views on networks in the data center (DC).
(Disclosure: The research for this report was sponsored by Mellanox, although all research was conducted independently.)
Vitualization, SmartNICs in Demand
The survey shows that end users have broad interest in virtualization and data-center optimization techniques. Network optimization technologies are in high demand from IT and networking professionals and they are seen as a key way to improve DC performance.
One of the technology groups that draws the most interest is SmartNIcs and processor offload, which can speed up existing network connections and processing power. For example, respondents were asked to rank different technological approaches to improving data center performance. “Improve the efficiency of networks using techniques such as processor offload and SmartNICs,” got the highest average ranking of 2.77, and “Improve the efficiency of application code” got the second-highest ranking, with an average of 2.85. “Deploy more servers,” had the lowest ranking of 3.45 (respondents were asked to rank the technologies from 1 to 5, with 1 being the highest).
The pyramid chart below shows the technology approaches ranked from highest (top of the pyramid) to the lowest (bottom of the pyramid), with the average ranking displayed (1 was being the highest).
Network and IT professionals that were surveyed are looking to take virtualization techniques from the cloudscale world to implement in their data centers. Some of the biggest trends in IT today are the mass adoption of cloudscale technologies such as software-defined anything (SDx), containers, and hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI).
Futuriom DC Network Efficiency Survey results confirm that many of these technologies are being embraced across the board. For example, when the respondents were asked, “What are the most important aspects of the virtualized infrastructure to improve data-center efficiency?” results were quite evenly distributed across a range of software-defined technologies, including server virtualization (41%), SDN (39%), SD storage (40%) and SD security (36%). (Multiple responses were allowed.)
SmartNIC Use Cases
SmartNIC technology, which adds network packet-processing power to the network interface card (NIC), can be used to offload some of the computing power that might otherwise be consumed by central processing units in servers. This technology came out on top of a list of optimization technologies.
Looking deeper into attitudes toward SmartNICs, survey respondents see them having a diverse range of use cases. When they were asked which use cases for SmartNICs appeal to their organizations, top responses included improving the efficiency of VMs and/or containers (56%), virtualizing and sharing flash storage more efficiently (55%), isolating and stopping security threats (47%), accelerating hyperconverged infrastructure (50%), and enabling SDN (54%). As a side note, SmartNICs appear to be widely understood by IT professionals, with only 10% saying they don’t know what a SmartNIC is.
Building an efficient network for the data center can have large benefits in ROI. It’s clear that survey respondents seen optimizing the network as an alternative to adding expensive servers and other hardware. Adding network efficiency can have significant benefits to lowering operating expenses (OpEx) and capital expenses (CapEx).
Latest Jobs
-
- IAM Product/ Project Manager
- Belgium
- Upto €80,000 plus benefits
-
IAM product/project manager is need for this expanding service provider to help develop their IAM (CIAM) strategy roadmap. This role will have two main functions, to work between the front end digital team and the backend IAM development team to ensure that the current deployment of the solution runs smoothly and is fit for purpose, the Second function is to look at the business’ future digital offerings and to understand how the IAM/CIAM solution will develop with the new digital strategy, you will be looking at the future technology and the ensuring the IAM solution is fit for purpose. The business is an agile environment and you will require agile experience. This is a great opportunity to help shape a key product within the future digital strategy of this expanding service provider. We are looking for someone with both IAM and strong product management experience Project management experience would be beneficial. If you are interested speak to Robert Anderton on 0044 (0) 7957 493501 and he will be able to discuss the role in more details IAM product/project manager is needed for this expanding service provider to help develop their IAM (CIAM) strategy roadmap. This role will have two main functions, to work between the front end digital team and the backend IAM development team to ensure that the current deployment of the solution runs smoothly and is fit for purpose, the second function is to look at the business’ future digital offerings and to understand how the IAM/CIAM solution will develop with the new digital strategy, you will be looking at the future technology and the ensuring the IAM solution is fit for purpose. The business is an agile environment and you will require agile experience. This is a great opportunity to help shape a key product within the future digital strategy of this expanding service provider. We are looking for someone with both IAM and strong product management experience Project management experience would be beneficial. If you are interested then speak to Robert Anderton on 0044 (0) 7957 493501 and he will be able to discuss the role in more details
-
- Cyber Incident Manager, Proactive planning and management. SC
- London
- N/A
-
Cyber Incident Manager, Proactive planning and management. Cyber incident Manager needed to join a large and complex business to help them prepare for a cyber related incidents. SC clearance will be required. Current or the ability to achieve. This role does not require specific current hands on technical Incident response experience, but this background would give a distinct advantage. The role has two key functions: to help the business prepare for an event and to steer them through when / if that happens. The Cyber Incident response managers role will include, but not be limited to; working with internal stakeholders to develop a security incident management plan along with its and supporting policies. Developing plans and implementing strategies on how incidents are detected, reported, assessed and responded to. Engaging with leadership teams both internal and external, proactively mapping out this large business to identify and engage the various other stakeholders and their teams. Build out and document incident scenarios and their processes, ensure incident management procedures are updated, playbooks and key training etc. You should have experience working with both internal teams and external suppliers. The role will also focus on liaising with the various teams to ensure the security incident response plan is delivered effectively. CCIM, GCIH, CIPR (NCSC-Certified Cyber Incident Planning & Response) Looking to interview immediately.
-
- SOC Manager. SC Clearance. Immediate opportunity.
- Unknown
- N/A
-
Permanent SOC Manager. SC cleared / clearable, London / Birmingham. SOC Manager needed to replace a SOC contractor I placed into a client who is due to complete their assignment at the end of March. The ability to achieve SC clearance is essential. Looking for someone that is a blend of strategic stakeholder engagement with strong technical skills. The role will sit in a relatively new SOC environment. The position is to setup, implementation and management of resources to help with the initial and on-going stages of a new SOC. Experience engaging with and managing client stakeholder relationships as well as 3rd party relationships is critical. The role will involve; setting up, implementing and fine tuning the various initial stages of a SOC environment. Experience establishing and building out technical process / operational capability, managing of technical teams (analysts, engineers and architects, creation of policy / playbooks, fine turning is key. SPLUNK is the tooling of choice… Interviewing immediately. Set up a call with me today on https://calendly.com/chris-holt/arranged-call-with-chris-holt-soc-manager-role Direct contact details Chris.Holt@dclsearch.com or 07884666351
-
- Security engineer. Financial Services. UK. Permanent
- Unknown
- N/A
-
CH7863 Security engineer. End User . Financial Services Security Engineer needed to monitor and manage a security suite of tools within an End User environment. The Security Engiener will be responsible monitoring, configuring, fine tuning, incident management and generally improving the security tool capability. Specific experience with CyberArk, Tripwire Log Center and Tripwire Enterprise is highly desirable). Current experience with Vulnerability management and penetration testing is highly desirable. Specifically the ability to effectively manage 3rd party pen tests. You will be working within a specialist security team reporting to the CISO. Experience working within an end user environment within financial services is highly desirable. Flexible location. This is an exclusive role to DCL Search & Selection. To book a call please use my Calendy link https://calendly.com/chris-holt/arranged-call-with-chris-holt-soc-role-