Info-Tech Research Group1 Transform Utility Infrastructure into a Cloud Service A utility infrastructure for IaaS alone does not equal cloud.

Info-Tech Research Group2 A cloud management solution will not magically give you your own cloud, but it can be the final capstone in building an infrastructure service based on hardware standardization, process automation, and management abstraction. Introduction Highly virtualized, rapidly changing, multi-customer enterprises with large IT infrastructures that are focused on building their own compute cloud services. This includes service providers looking to build out cloud services. Enterprises that are looking long term toward potential hybrid internal-external cloud integration. Understand how a common cloud management platform might enable this integration. Any potential customer of a third-party cloud computing provider seeking more information on what makes a potential provider’s cloud service tick. This Research Is Designed For:This Research Will Help You: Understand where cloud management fits into your private cloud construction project. Evaluate the features and functions of cloud management solutions. Explore the emerging and diverse cloud management market. Map out your next steps in the journey from infrastructure consolidation and abstraction to offering full cloud services.

Info-Tech Research Group3 Its about service; these nine functions of cloud management promise to enable your own IaaS cloud 1.Performance Monitoring. Deep visibility into all resources (virtual and physical infrastructure) supporting a specific workload (application) for service level maintenance, application lifecycle management, and capacity planning. 2.Process Automation. Creation of new virtual machines and storage instances, mapping of more complex workflows for multiple servers, and mapping relationships for availability and recovery of services is fully automated. 3.Metering. For chargeback or “showback.” Users of the service get a precise accounting of the total compute resources they consume. Enables IT to account, monitor, and report costs associated with particular services. Users/group too are more accountable for infrastructure utilization through either fixed allocation or utilization-based costing. 4.Self-Service. Allow authorized users to instantiate services in the cloud (virtual machines, storage, multiple instance networks) as required. The internal business customer provisions their services through a self service portal. 5.Role-Based Access Control (RBAC). Services are controlled by policies set for different user roles. 6.Hybrid Private/Public Cloud Integration. Workloads can be provisioned and managed across internal and external clouds via a single cloud service (hybrid cloud). 7.Template or Image Library. Library of standard system images that can be deployed in one click. For fast and easy instantiation of new servers preconfigured for particular applications or services. 8.Hypervisor Agnosticism. Manage resources across different virtual infrastructures (VMware, XenServer, Hyper-V, Oracle VM) either in isolation or in a heterogeneous environment. 9.Hybrid Virtual/Physical Support. Expose (to the customer) and manage resources across both virtualized and non- virtual (bare metal) environments. Abstraction in utility infrastructure is largely seen as server and storage virtualization however management abstraction can include management of bare metal resources along with the virtual. Emerging solutions have some or all of these features:

Info-Tech Research Group4 Executive Summary Establish the Value of Cloud Management Cloud management is a capstone that enables orchestration, automation, and end user self-service. Increased virtualization leads to greater benefits, but it’s still early for broader cloud success. Start focusing on cloud management when the virtual infrastructure is advanced and management capabilities are mature. Hybrid cloud management is the future that bridges internal and external resources and makes IT a one stop service broker A Deeper Dive: Evaluate Emerging Cloud Solutions A broad view of cloud management landscape where solutions are clustered in three vendor groups – systems management, virtual infrastructure management, and pure play cloud management. A deeper look at seven example vendors in each of the clusters including: ◦ CA Technologies, Citrix/Cloud.com, and Eucalyptus Next Steps Wrap up the consolidation, standardization and virtualization to drive maximum value from a utility infrastructure. Don’t wait for the cloud to standardize service tier deliverables to internal clients. Establish longer term goals around external clouds and external/internal hybrid clouds. Document an internal cloud strategy. 1.A nascent market: Though there is a lot of buzz about clouds right now few enterprises have yet built full cloud functionality for their infrastructure. The cloud is a work in progress. 2.Only as good as its foundation: Cloud management is a capstone that adds value to a standardized, consolidated and abstracted utility infrastructure. 3.Not everyone needs one: Only build a cloud if the business case is there. A fully automated cloud service makes sense where there are many customers, high demand, and rapid change. Info-Tech Insight

Info-Tech Research Group5 Establish the Value of Cloud Management In This Section: See cloud management as a capstone that enables orchestration, automation, and user/customer self-service Prioritize private cloud development after developing virtualization and management maturity Identify the benefits at the different levels of consolidation, virtualization, and Infrastructure as a Service Identify key features for strong cloud management solutions Assess where you should be now to plan for the future Establish the Value of Cloud Management A Deeper Dive: Evaluate Emerging Cloud Solutions Next Steps Sections:

Info-Tech Research Group6 Like any sound construction project, a compute cloud must be built from the ground up with a firm foundation (consolidation & abstraction). The cloud management capstone is not the beginning but the crowning completion of the project. Implement cloud management as a capstone that enables orchestration, automation, and user/customer self-service Standardization/consolidation. The foundation of a cloud is typically a grid or aggregate of consolidated and standardized infrastructure. Beneath all the cloudiness (abstraction and automation) there needs to be a firm foundation of servers, networks, and storage with capacity to grow. Begins with Consolidation Fully Automated Cloud Service Utility Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) Cloud Management Standardization/ Consolidation Management Abstraction/ Virtualization Cloud management leverages the foundation of consolidated and standardized infrastructure plus management abstraction and virtualization to: Orchestrate all the services through management APIs; Automate the provisioning and scaling of processes and services; and Present services to end customers via a self-service portal. Management abstraction is about managing the infrastructure (for example, implementing a new server) as an abstraction rather than hardware. This is typically accomplished through leveraging virtualization of storage, network ports, and servers. This layer enables nimble “on-demand” provisioning, and also simplifies architecting of high availability and rapid recovery (for disaster recovery planning).

Info-Tech Research Group7 Implement cloud management for the key value-add of service and transparency for the cloud customer/tenant Cloud management enables a functional cloud through orchestration, automation, and presentation. The nine key features (see slide 3) all relate to this orchestration, automation, and presentation of your infrastructure.slide 3

Info-Tech Research Group8 Going from consolidated and virtualized infrastructure to private cloud is a logical, but not necessary, progression. Consider the following triggers. Who needs a cloud? Fully automated cloud services make sense when there are many customers & high demand Cloud Management Makes Sense If You… Have many customers (or potential customers) that demand new or increased capacity to host their applications and services. This could include: Internal business units looking for an agile environment for rapid deployment of apps and services to exploit new opportunities or automate processes. Developers looking to test new apps and changes and then move to a production environment. For service providers this could be potential customers of your own public cloud service offering, built upon your consolidated infrastructure. Have “Where’s our cloud?” strategic pressure from the senior levels of the business to make internal IT services more like public cloud services. This is essentially demand to provide a functional equivalent to the public cloud so that proper apples- to-apple comparisons can be made on services and costs. Case Example: Didn’t need a cloud A mid-sized manufacturer has recently completed their multi-year consolidation and virtualization project. About 90% of their server workloads are now running on virtual machines on a consolidated infrastructure based on blade servers and consolidated storage. The consolidation project has yielded benefits in reduced capital expenses, streamlined management of infrastructure services and better availability and recoverability thus reducing cost and complexity of business continuity planning. However, the company will not be pursuing cloud automation because: There are relatively few core apps. Little internal demand for changes or new apps. Capacity growth is predictable and well managed. Bottom Line: Nobody is asking for a self-service cloud and cost mitigation goals are being met without one. Focus remains on capital and management efficiency. Case Example: Didn’t need a cloud A mid-sized manufacturer has recently completed their multi-year consolidation and virtualization project. About 90% of their server workloads are now running on virtual machines on a consolidated infrastructure based on blade servers and consolidated storage. The consolidation project has yielded benefits in reduced capital expenses, streamlined management of infrastructure services and better availability and recoverability thus reducing cost and complexity of business continuity planning. However, the company will not be pursuing cloud automation because: There are relatively few core apps. Little internal demand for changes or new apps. Capacity growth is predictable and well managed. Bottom Line: Nobody is asking for a self-service cloud and cost mitigation goals are being met without one. Focus remains on capital and management efficiency. Risk of not responding to this demand: Shadow IT: Customers will explore other options, such as external public cloud. Alignment Failure: Business will see IT as failing in accountability for costs and service.

Info-Tech Research Group9 Use the Appropriateness Assessment Tool to plan for the future of the cloud in the enterprise Appropriateness is influenced by three criteria: 1. Percent of infrastructure virtualized, 2. Number of internal customers, and 3. Rate of business change and growth. The Info-Tech Cloud Management Appropriateness Assessment Tool will ask ten questions about your infrastructure, including:Cloud Management Appropriateness Assessment Tool The state of your customer base Current engagement with the public cloud Speed of business change and growth End user demand This tool examines and balances maturity and need, and provides recommendations for where you should focus your efforts in order to get to the cloud, or if you will be able to wait it out. Determine where you should be focusing your efforts on the road to the cloud.

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