Cloud Security Presentation at SXSW March 19, 2012
Posted by wholmes in Cloud, Security.add a comment
I had a great experience last weekend presenting “Securing the Cloud – What’s Your Cloud Entry Point?” during the SXSW interactive conference in Austin, TX. Most people in the Virtualization community are not aware that SXSW includes a very large annual technology conference that attracts over 20,000 annually. This is in addition to a SXSW film and of course the SXSW music festival.
It was great to see a decent size audience attend on an uncharacteristically rainy cold Austin day, with over 200 attendees. This speaks to the fact that VMware, virtualization, and Cloud are gaining mindshare within more than just the typical infrastructure admin community. With technologies such as Cloud Foundry and vFabric at the PaaS Layer; Horizon Mobile, SlideRocket, Socialcast, and the upcoming Project Octopus and AppBlast at the SaaS and End-User-Compute layer to compliment our IaaS Cloud solutions, we have a large and growing number of products that allow for multiple entry points into the Cloud, each with their own security considerations.
Below is a link to my presentation (on SlideRocket) with audio the audio link. Feel free to leave comments within the SlideRocket Presentation. (One of the cool features of SlideRocket!).
Presentation Slides: http://portal.sliderocket.com/vmware/SXSW-2012
Audio: http://audio.sxsw.com/2012/podcasts/10-HIL-Securing-The-Cloud-Whats-your.mp3
Session Description http://schedule.sxsw.com/2012/events/event_IAP13577
Session Abstract:
The move to cloud computing is still froth with questions about the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data moved to the cloud. These questions, and their answers, differ depending on the cloud entry point chosen by the end-user. Potential cloud entry points include Infrastructure-as-a-Service, Platform-as-a-Service, or Software-as-a-Service (IaaS, PaaS, or SaaS) cloud computing solutions. This presentation will review the current state of affairs around cloud computing security, and delve into security considerations end-users should make for each of the differing cloud solution entry points
Are You Ready For Cloud? December 5, 2011
Posted by wholmes in Cloud.2 comments
The following VMware Cloud Readiness Self-Assessment consists of twenty questions in the following categories to gauge your organizations readiness in adopting cloud computing. Once submitted, a custom report will be generated, providing guidance and next steps in your cloud journey. Go here now to start the assessment, or view a sample report here.
- Strategy – Aligning business needs with IT capability.
- Process – Streamlining and automating processes to achieve business agility.
- Architecture – Establishing an enterprise architecture for this new IT infrastructure.
- Technology – Designing and deploying your technology infrastructure from virtualization to cloud.
- People and Governance – Creating the roles and skills necessary to ensure company-wide adoption, and the accountability framework and policies for stakeholder collaboration.
Are You Ready For Some vOdgeball!! August 26, 2011
Posted by wholmes in VMworld 2011.1 comment so far
VMworld 2011 is almost upon us, and with it comes the formation of the most elite group of vOdgeball players to ever grace the floor of the Las Vegas Sports Complex.
Even hurricane Irene could not stop the formation of the greatest collection of vOdgeball talent ever assembled.
So who are these mighty vOdgeball warriors? I would like to introduce the VMware vRammers. With five VCDXs, the Director of the VMware Center for Compliance, and a galactic star hero as members, this is a team that does not lack firepower. The vRammers are ready to take on all challengers.
Team Profile:
Wade “vHammer” Holmes – VCDX #15 – co-captain
John “vChewie” Troyer – Galactic Star Hero – co-captain
Thomas “vTerminator” Kraus – VCDX #32
Chris “Bring It” Colotti – VCDX #37
Ben “vSlayer” Lin – VCDX #45
Jason “#DCQuake” Langone – VCDX #54
George “vThug” Gerchow – Director, VMware Center for Policy & Compliance
Tony “vDunn” Dunn
Jordan “vMJ” Jeffery
So come out and support the VMware vRammers, and be sure to donate to the Wounded Warrior Project.
For more information on what exactly vOdgeball is, and for more details, see link below.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
My Media Events at CiscoLive 2011 August 16, 2011
Posted by wholmes in Cloud, Network.add a comment
Below is a guest blog post, interview, and video I participated in at CiscoLive 2011.
http://blogs.cisco.com/datacenter/your-cloud-for-the-human-network-vmware-at-cisco-live-las-vega-2011/
http://blogs.netapp.com/virtualstorageguy/2011/07/ciscolive-chat-with-abhinav-joshi-of-cisco-wade-holmes-of-vmware.html
Cloud Self-service May 28, 2011
Posted by wholmes in Cloud.add a comment
In a previous post and quick video, I spoke about Cloud (with an IaaS Cloud entry point being referred to) being defined as a means to allow for end-user self service to a multi-tenant environment. End-user self-service is critical when you look at public cloud architecture.However, for many enterprise organizations considering the benefits of a private cloud, enabling a self-service model requires significant operational changes that many comapnies may not be ready for. So if you are an organization that isn’t ready for self-service in the private cloud, does that mean Cloud is not for you?
At the heart of cloud is still multiple layers of abstraction, (typically provided by server, network and storage virtualization), consolidation, and the cap-ex and op-ex savings that these technologies provide. Even without a pure self-service model, the benefits of moving to a private cloud model are many. For some organizations, a pure self-service model may never be realistic. But the efficiency provided by the a private cloud model is almost universally applicable. When coupled with the ability to leverage public cloud resources through the formation of an hybrid cLoud (using technologies like vCloud Director and vCLoud Connector), adopting a private cloud model becomes even more enticing for the enterprise.
Career Move February 20, 2011
Posted by wholmes in Career.10 comments
No, I am not leaving VMware. Quite honestly, there is no technology company I can think of that I rather work for than VMware. As stated by my esteemed colleague Massimo, I find it very motivating to work for a company that is shaping the future of IT.
So what is this career move? After joining VMware a little over a year ago as a Senior Consultant in the Professional Services organization, I am transitioning into a new role, officially titled Technical Solutions Architect-Partner Cloud. This new role will allow much closer interaction with VMware product engineering, product management, and the cloud practice team. I will also be working closely with our friends over at Cisco. My main responsibility will be to work closely with the Cisco service provider business unit and VMware cloud practice teams in designing and validating cloud solution architectures. I will be responsible for working with both VMware and Cisco product management and engineering organizations to provide guidance, development and integration support for joint solution engagements.
This transition is very exciting to me, and a milestone in my career for many reasons. For the first 14 years of my career I have been a member of a services organization in one form or another. I started with IBM Global Services, where I spent 8+ years, then transitioned to a couple smaller consulting firms, and then to VMware Professional Services. So this will be the first time in my career that I will no longer be a billable consultant. While I loved working in VMware’s awesome NYC PSO group, it is exciting to be able to focus on developing new solutions that will impact the future of IT.
In reflecting on my IT career so far, I always feel grateful that I am actually in the career, and have a position that I always dreamed of having as a kid (yes, I suppose I was a nerdy kid). As a kid in the 80′s, I used to read Computer Shopper magazine (remember those huge 300+ page mags), wishing to buy an x86 computer. I could not afford one at the time, but I could spec out an 8086, 80286 or 80386 system like nobody’s business 
. When I finally did build my own PC, I immediately knew IT was the place for me. I dreamed of being in some type of IT architect position, building solutions and solving problems with the amazing capabilities provided by rapidly advancing technology. So yes, I feel very grateful because how many people can actually say they have the job they dreamed of having as a kid?
So were you a nerdy kid like me, and feel you would like to join the VMware team? Is your virtualization kung-fu strong? Want to join a winning team with really smart, motivated people? VMware is hiring for a number of positions worldwide. (if you are in the NY tri-state area, there may be an open PSO Consultant role available 
Checkout http://www.vmware.com/company/jobs/
If you have an questions, feel free to contact me on twitter, @wholmes.
Why Private Cloud? December 15, 2010
Posted by wholmes in Cloud, VM101.Tags: vCD, VMware vCloud Director
4 comments
In talking to many people in IT, it seems that the concept of the private cloud, and the value a private cloud architecture brings is still not clear to many people. Below is a quick 5 minute video I created earlier this year, explaining the value of the private cloud. Please note, this video was made before the official release VMware vCloud Director (vCD), as it is mentioned by it’s pre-release name.
Average VCDX Age November 12, 2010
Posted by wholmes in Uncategorized.1 comment so far
A comment was made on Twitter wondering who the youngest VCDX is. That made me curious also, as I believe one of the biggest indicators for whether someone will be successful as a VCDX candidate is a combination of breadth and depth of experience. And that breadth of experience usually grows with age…. So i decided to put up this totally unscientific poll. If you are a VCDX, please feel free to participate in this anonymous poll. Obviously, if I see more than 61 65 70 respondents, I will know something is awry.
vSS/vDS Static LACP Support? November 10, 2010
Posted by wholmes in Network.add a comment
There seems to be some ongoing confusion around LACP support in VMware vNetwork Standard Switch and vNetwork Distributed Switches (vSS/vDS).
I have heard multiple references to “static LACP” support for vSS/vDS.
As of vSphere 4.1, only the Nexus 1000v truly supports LACP (Link Aggregation Control Protocol) port groups. For link aggregation using vSS/vDS, ports must be configured as static link aggregation groups (called static EtherChannel in the Cisco world, AKA static LAG or just static 802.3AD depending on the switch vendor) as vSS/vDS does not support LACP frames.
The terms EtherChannel and LACP seems to be incorrectly used interchangeably by some, and they are not the same. Any references to vSS/vDS support of “static LACP” is inaccurate. LACP is a specific protocol that is dependent on LACPDU frames to form the link aggregation group between ports. Only the Nexus 1000v supports sending LACPDU frames. If you see the term “static LACP” support used in relation to vSS/vDS configuration in any official VMware documentation, please comment below on where these references exist.
And just to make things a little more confusing, LACP and Port-Channels are no longer defined in IEEE 802.3AD, the definition has been moved to the IEEE 802.1AX standard.
This pdf shows features supported by vSS/vDS/Nexus1000v in vSphere, including the type of link aggregation supported by the differnt swithces. While it states vSphere 4.0 update 1, it is still applicable up to the current release, vSphere 4.1.
VMware Ionix acquisition March 2, 2010
Posted by wholmes in Uncategorized.add a comment
VMware has purchased some of the technology and IP under the EMC Ionix portfolio. So what exactly did VMware purchase? See below.
· FastScale technology simplifies application and server stack management and optimizes deployment for physical, virtual and cloud infrastructures – allowing data centers to run up to three times more virtual machines without downgrading performance.
· Ionix Application Discovery Manager provides continuous discovery and mapping of applications, their dependencies, and configurations with respect to their underlying infrastructure in data center environments.
· Ionix Server Configuration Manager collects, stores, and manages configuration settings from servers and workstations, across physical and virtual environments.
· Ionix Service Manager is a 100 percent Web architected solution that automates IT Service Management (ITSM) processes in enterprise organizations. The solution is independently verified to the highest level of ITIL compatibility for Incident Management, Problem Management Change Management, Release Management, Configuration Management, Service Level Management and Availability Management.
