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Running with One Shoe
Cloud technology isn't enough; we need to bring cloud economics as well to the enterprise
Last weekend was the first of three weekends on which an H1N1 flu shot day was held in Santa Clara, California. There was such an overwhelming demand for this shot that the net result was a massive shortage and long lines of residents eagerly awaiting shots for themselves and their children. So here I am spending my entire Sunday standing in a line that was literally a half-mile long. I got in around 9:00 a.m. and exited around 4:00 p.m. Some folks even arrived as early as 4:00 a.m. to grab a spot in line. It rivaled any Black Friday or Pearl Jam event.
On the first weekend, the County ran out of vaccine shots pretty quickly and had to turn away folks who had stood in line for quite a long time. On the second weekend, evolution kicked in - they allocated more vaccines, ensured a count of folks during the day, and issued tickets to manage the count. Once the count reached 5000 (the max capacity that day), they turned people away ahead of them actually spending time in line. Although this approach overall was an improvement, it didn't address the root cause of the problem - completely avoiding the six to seven hour wait is what we really needed.
This whole incident reminded me of how enterprise IT (and, in general, business) deals with capacity management, or the lack thereof. Inevitably, there are events, some predictable (the Christmas shopping season in online retail) and some unpredictable (catastrophic events being covered by media outlets), that cause spikes in demand. Traditionally, as we all know, enterprises have adopted the "give-room-to-grow" architecture, which I think could also easily have been called "let me pay for 70% of un-utilized resources." Obviously, the recent economic indigestion (mildly speaking) has changed all that.
Enter various dynamic capacity management techniques including virtualization, on-demand architectures, etc. All are driving towards improved utilization among other things. But the fact remains that one can never really predict demand. In fact, IT decision makers need to build in unpredictable demand into their business and technology model without the cost outlay.
So which business model has truly internalized this?
The cloud computing business model for one. A key component of the cloud model that one needs to realize is that seldom does a cloud provider build in upfront CAPEX. It doesn't matter if their technology can bend it like Beckham, the core underpinning of their balance sheet stems from the fact that when customers pay, they pay their vendors. When their customers scale, they grow and in turn the vendors grow. Period.
So why isn't something like this adopted for the enterprise?
First, DNA
o This is changing - no doubt the recent economic wakeup call has helped, but beyond that I believe CIOs, CFOs and their organizations are beginning to internalize that on-demand pricing is as critical as long-term support in the new decade.
Second, LEGACY
o Again, with the evolution of virtualization, and technology morphing to support an on-demand model, the footprint in enterprise IT is slowly but surely getting there. As an example, the number of deployments of Citrix XenApp that have been virtualized has increased more in 2009 than any prior year. In addition, desktop virtualization is forecasted to be one of the most widely-adopted technologies of 2010.
Third, ECONOMICS
o This is the hard problem, but also the most important to solve. Essentially, the core economic issue is not just how the technology is consumed (e.g., usage-based metering, etc.), but is dependent upon how the technology is procured, paid for and scaled up to align with business growth.
Getting the economics wrong, but the architecture right, is like running with one shoe - it's the worst of the options. So how does enterprise IT ensure it is wearing both shoes?
- First, internalize that enterprise datacenter capacity is now inherently as unpredictable as the online or cloud models.
- Second, drive for pay-for-utilization or, as we call it, "Pay-as-You-Grow" in the core design, choice and licensing of technology. Ensure that IT decision makers keep this in mind from the get-go.
- Finally, close the loop on iterating through the financial "grain" (i.e., whether you pay per month vs. per minute; whether you pay per GB vs. per IO throughput). The key is to retain the flexibility to change the scope of Pay-as-You-Grow pricing based on usage over the year.
So how does one manifest Pay-as-You-Grow in a product?
Take the example of networking. Traditionally, application delivery controllers were purchased using perpetual licensing based on throughput tiers and functional segmentation (e.g., buy an 8 Gbps appliance with caching and an application firewall for $85,000). What if your current scaling need is only 3 Gbps, but you believe that seasonal or unpredictable spikes can drive this to more than 5 Gbps? In the new world of cloud economics and Pay-as-You-Grow pricing, this translates to:
- giving customers the choice of going with a 3 Gbps model today, and the option to scale up to 8 Gbps on demand, as needed
- without forklift upgrades
- without service interruptions
- and, all of this is delivered with a simple license-key based activation procured via a self-service interface with back-end accounting that is automatically processed
That's cloud economics.
That's the other shoe.
Bottom line - based on conversations I have had with various cloud providers and enterprise IT leaders, I am a firm believer in the theory that technology delivered and consumed in the enterprise needs to natively support Pay-as-You-Grow pricing. This is the only way that enterprises will be able to align with the cloud model. It's no longer just about the technology architecture.
Running is a whole lot more fun with two shoes.
Wavemaker integrates with Citrix NetScaler seamlessly for web services.
WaveMaker Visual Ajax Studio is an easy-to-use visual builder that enables the drag & drop assembly of scalable, web-applications using Ajax widgets, web services and databases. WaveMaker Studio will look and feel especially familiar to client/server developers who are used to working with visual tools. Check out the Wavemaker specifications here.
WaveMaker has helped customers reduce development costs by 67% and cut the lines of code written by 98%. Less code makes WaveMaker applications cheaper to maintain and easier to manage. The NetScaler REST API's are going to be released soon. Today, the API provides web services in the form of Java. We, at Citrixlabs, have recently been using the Java Services and the examples in our API Documentation, with Wavemaker, to built a Proof of Concept.
Wavemaker allows you to build a GUI interface, consume web services through a .wsdl definition, save it to a WAR file, and then run that WAR file against a Tomcat web server. All of this is done using Drag & Drop functionality in the Wavemaker interface. Running a WAR file, allows interaction with the NetScaler for several types of services such as configuring load balancing services, or gathering statistics.
Possible uses
Users can create their own interface/GUI to the NetScaler for configuration and monitoring. Multi-tenancy has come up in discussions, as a way to manage multiple configurations through a single interface, perhaps on several NetScaler VPX devices, either in a XenServer deployment or in the cloud.
Current Proof of Concept
Having said that, using Wavemaker, we were able to successfully ...
- Create a GUI user interface to NetScaler
- Consume the NSConfig web services from the examples in the NetScaler API Documentation
- Configure the NetScaler with a new Load Balancing VIP and associated backend servers
If you have a NetScaler, the API's are already there. Connect to your NetScaler, select downloads, and navigate to XML API.
The best part about Wavemaker is it is Open Source.
Tap into the power of AppExpert!
Citrix Support is focused on ensuring Customer and Partner satisfaction with the support of our products. One of our initiatives is to increase the ability of our Partners and Customers to leverage self-service avenues for finding answers and resolving problems. A key area that the Support teams focus on is development a series of How To videos covering the most common questions asked in support.
To date there are over 40 How To videos covering 11 products available from Citrix TV. Over the coming weeks and months lots more will be added.
If you have a How To video suggestion or feedback on the current videos, contact us via one of the following channels:
- email AskSupport@citrix.com
- Tweet us @citrixsupport and @citrixreadiness
- Leave a message on our Facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/CitrixSupport
Current video series available on Citrix TV are:
- Citrix XenServer - http://www.citrix.com/tv/#series/137
- Citrix XenApp - http://www.citrix.com/tv/#series/131
- Citrix XenDesktop - http://www.citrix.com/tv/#series/135
- Citrix NetScaler - http://www.citrix.com/tv/#series/133
- Citrix Provisioning Services - http://www.citrix.com/tv/#series/136
- Citrix Web Interface - http://www.citrix.com/tv/#series/129
- Citrix Merchandising Server - http://www.citrix.com/tv/#series/124
- Citrix Password Manager - http://www.citrix.com/tv/#series/126
- Citrix EdgeSight - http://www.citrix.com/tv/#series/132
- Citrix Workflow Studio - http://www.citrix.com/tv/#series/130
- Citrix Access Gateway Standard Edition - http://www.citrix.com/tv/#series/134
David
Twitter - http://twitter.com/citrixreadiness
Citrix Support on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/citrixsupport
Hey, everyone. I have posted a new how-to video on configuring cookie consistency using the Application Firewall feature of Citrix NetScaler.
I based my tutorial on a lab exercise that I took from the recently released CNS-300-21 Advanced Administration for Citrix NetScaler 9.0 Platinum Edition instructor-led training course. Click here if you like the video and are ready to take your NetScaler skills and knowledge to the next level.
The Citrix Workflow Studio Evaluation Virtual Appliance (EVA) is now available. This EVA provides you with 30 days to evaluate a pre-configured virtual machine running Windows Server 2008 that has Workflow Studio 2.0 already installed and configured with all activity libraries and the sample workflows from CDN. Download the EVA and review the Getting Started guide .
If you have any questions leave a comment or contact me directly
Have you ever wanted to take a peek inside a training manual before registering for an instructor-led training course? You now have the opportunity with the our new Courseware Peek Inside online feature. This feature is currently available for the new CNS-300 Advanced Administration for Citrix Netscaler 9.0 Platinum Edition. Click here to check it out, and stay tuned as we roll this feature out for our other instructor-led training courses!
Award nominations for Citrix
Citrix wanted to let you know that some of our products have been nominated for the SYS-CON Virtualization Reader's Choice Award and the Cloud Computing Readers' Choice Awards. These awards recognize excellence in the virtualization and cloud-based software, solutions or services provided by the industry's top vendors.
We wanted to let community members know about this nomination, since the final award winners will be determined through a public voting process. The voting period for these awards is now open and will end on Oct. 23 .
If you feel inclined to vote for a Citrix product for one of these awards, we would appreciate your support! To vote, please visit the Virtualization Readers' Choice Awards and the Cloud Computing Readers' Choice Awards voting pages. You will need to include your e-mail address and select one product in each category. Then, place your vote by clicking "vote now" on the bottom of the Web page. Award winners will be announced the week of Nov. 2.
Thank you for your consideration!
Don't miss this webcast as our Systems Engineers discuss the new technical features and benefits of XenDesktop 4. Find out why XenDesktop is the most flexible way to centralise and deliver your desktops.
In this webinar you will learn:
- What's new in the latest version of XenDesktop 4
- Best practices for upgrading to the latest release
Click below to learn more:
http://www.citrix.com/English/NE/events/event.asp?eventID=1857244
In this session you will learn about the key improvements in Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, and new license bundles from Microsoft in addition to how Citrix and Microsoft continue to innovate together to further develop and enhance desktop virtualisation.
In this webinar you will learn:
- What's new in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2
- About new virtual desktop licensing bundles from Microsoft
- How Microsoft and Citrix work together to deliver virtual desktops
Click below to learn more:
http://www.citrix.com/English/NE/events/event.asp?eventID=1857900
You are invited to the next meeting of the New York Metro Citrix Users Group.
The User Group provides members with an opportunity to share and learn about common issues and utilization of Citrix® technology. Additional discussions include technology design and infrastructure, enterprise solutions and ideas, trends, and upcoming activities of interest.
Agenda:
4:00 Opening Remarks - Mediator
4:05 Citrix Announcements - Citrix
• Product Updates
• Beta Announcements
• Tech Releases
4:30 Application Virtualization - Streaming
• Citrix
• Symantec
• Microsoft
4:45 Citrix VPX - Citrix
5:15 Open Discussion - ALL
• Feature Requests
6:00 Next Meeting - Agenda Requests
This event will be hosted by Ivan Carrasco, Corporate Network, Depository Trust Clearing Company and supported by Citrix Systems.
Click below to learn more:
http://www.citrix.com/English/NE/events/event.asp?eventID=1857032
You are invited to the next meeting of the New York Metro Citrix Users Group.
The User Group provides members with an opportunity to share and learn about common issues and utilization of Citrix® technology. Additional discussions include technology design and infrastructure, enterprise solutions and ideas, trends, and upcoming activities of interest.
Agenda:
4:00 Opening Remarks - Mediator
4:05 Citrix Announcements - Citrix
• Product Updates
• Beta Announcements
• Tech Releases
4:30 Application Virtualization - Streaming
• Citrix
• Symantec
• Microsoft
4:45 Citrix VPX - Citrix
5:15 Open Discussion - ALL
• Feature Requests
6:00 Next Meeting - Agenda Requests
This event will be hosted by Ivan Carrasco, Corporate Network, Depository Trust Clearing Company and supported by Citrix Systems.
Click below to learn more:
http://www.citrix.com/English/NE/events/event.asp?eventID=1857031
You are invited to the next meeting of the New Jersey Citrix User Group
Twitter: http://twitter.com/nycctxusrgroup
The User Group provides members with an opportunity to share and learn about common issues and utilization of CITRIX technology. Additional discussions include technology design and infrastructure, enterprise solutions and ideas, trends, and upcoming activities of interest.
Agenda
- 9:00AM Opening Remarks - Mediator 9:15AM Citrix Announcements - Citrix Product Updates
- Beta Announcements
- Tech Releases 9:45AM Scheduled Presentation - TBD
- Feature Requests 10:30AM Open Discussion - ALL
Click below to learn more:
http://www.citrix.com/English/NE/events/event.asp?eventID=1858386
NetScaler has long had the ability to take network traces and analyze it in tools like WireShark. Network traces can be captured in standard tcpdump format or a NetScaler specific format. The NetScaler specific format has additional connection information that makes it easier to troubleshoot issues. For a long while, NetScaler engineers used a modified WireShark version (previously called Ethereal) to view and analyze NetScaler traces.
Recently, our developers contributed this patch to the open source Wireshark development and the next version (1.3.0) of Wireshark will include the ability to understand NetScaler format packet traces. In the interim, the modified Wireshark version is available for download at CTX122313. This version will work on Windows. The article also shows how you can use the NetScaler traces to use the additional data.
To capture a network trace on the NetScaler, you need to log in to the command line interface and get into the shell (by typing shell).
To capture a trace in the NetScaler format, type in
#nstrace.sh -sz 0
-sz 0 captures the full packet. With no argument (default), only the first 164
bytes of the packet are captured.
You can also use the GUI to capture traces (under System/ Diagnostics).
#nstrace.sh -help
details the other options available.
Upload the file to using ftp, scp etc and analyze using the modified Wireshark.
To capture traces in the tcpdump format,
#nstcpdump.sh
(Most standard tcpdump options are supported)
We are proud to announce that several Citrix virtualization solutions have been nominated for both the SYS-CON Virtualization Reader's Choice Award and the Cloud Computing Readers' Choice Awards. We have been nominated in many categories and we are honored to be nominated for these awards. Citrix XenDesktop and XenServer have been nominated for two awards each. Thus, proving that Citrix has the best-in-class end-to-end solution for the enterprise (but you already knew that).
Casting your vote and voicing your opinion is easy, simply click on the links below and cast your vote for Citrix!
Virtualization Readers' Choice Awards
-Best Application Virtualization - Citrix XenApp
-Best Desktop Virtualization Platforms - Citrix XenDesktop
-Best Device Virtualization - Citrix Receiver
-Best Network Virtualization - Citrix NetScaler
-Best Server Virtualization Platforms - Citrix XenServer
-Best VDI - Virtual Desktop Infrastructure - Citrix XenDesktop
-Best Virtualization Management Tools - Citrix Essentials
Cloud Computing Readers' Choice Awards
-Best Cloud Infrastructure Solution - Citrix XenServer
-Best Cloud Services - Citrix C3 Product Line
About the SYS-CON Virtualization Reader's Choice Award:
SYS-CON Virtualization Readers' Choice Awards and Cloud Computing Readers' Choice Awards recognize excellence in the virtualization and cloud-based software, solutions or services provided by the industry's top vendors. To determine these top vendors and products, SYS-CON is asking readers to vote on nominated products.
The voting period for these awards is now open and will end on Oct. 23. To vote, please visit the Virtualization Readers' Choice Awards and the http://cloudcomputing.sys-con.com/general/rcawardsvote.htm voting pages. You will need to include your e-mail address and select one product in each category. Then, place your vote by clicking "vote now" on the bottom of the Web page. Award winners will be announced the week of Nov. 2.
( Citrix employees our vote --@Citrix.com has already been counted )
Thank you for your support!
Citrix Geek Speak is an event format that allows Citrix, Citrix partners, other IT resellers and customers to exchange their know-how in free discussions following a defined subject around the main subject "Desktop Virtualization".
Date: 11/12/2009
Time: 14.30 CET - 21.00 CET
Location:
Europaplatz 1
CH-6005 Luzern
Switzerland
Hosted by: Citrix Central Europe
Venue: KKL Luzern / Kultur- und Kongresszentrum
Click below to learn more:
http://www.citrix-eventservice.de/geek-speak/termine-und-orte/#2009-11-12
Citrix Geek Speak is an event format that allows Citrix, Citrix partners, other IT resellers and customers to exchange their know-how in free discussions following a defined subject around the main subject "Desktop Virtualization".
Date: 11/2/2009
Time: 14.30 CET - 21.00 CET
Location:
Karlsplatz 13/011
A-1040 Wien
Austria
Hosted by: Citrix Central Europe
Venue: Technische Universität Wien / Hörsaal 6
Click below to learn more:
http://www.citrix-eventservice.de/geek-speak/termine-und-orte/#2009-11-02
Citrix Geek Speak is an event format that allows Citrix, Citrix partners, other IT resellers and customers to exchange their know-how in free discussions following a defined subject around the main subject "Desktop Virtualization".
Date: 10/27/2009
Time: 14.30 CET - 21.00 CET
Location:
Kurfürsten-Anlage 52-60
69115 Heidelberg
Germany
Hosted by: Citrix Central Europe
Venue: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG / Print Media Academy
Click below to learn more:
http://www.citrix-eventservice.de/geek-speak/termine-und-orte/#2009-10-27
Prepare your calendar for another one of those great meeting of the minds events that brings together the best presenters and attendees for collaboration on all things Citrix. The next bi-annual DocForum event is going to be held on December 5, 2009 at seines highs in Courbevoie, France. I've included information about the event below in both English and French
About DocForum
The meetings at DocForum are non-commercial and all about technologies around Citrix, Terminal Server and SBC in general.
The goal of these meetings is to bring together the best in the French IT sector together to exchange experiences and know-how.
DocForum meetings are held bi-annually in June and December, with free registration.
The next DocForum event is on December 5, 2009
À propos de DocForum
Les DocForum sont des rencontres non commerciales autour des technologies Citrix, Terminal server et SBC en général.
Le but de ces journées est de réunir les meilleurs IT Francais du secteur, pour échanger leurs expériences et leurs savoir-faire.
Nos rencontres sont bi-annuelles, en Juin et Décembre, libre d'inscription.
Prochain DocForum le 5 Décembre
About the Event
The second bi-annual DocForum event registrations are open. As for the first opus, this happen a Saturday, December 5 at Courbevoie in seines highs.
For the second DocForum we will have a true Hall with 40 seats with all the equipment due to this day. This will always be a day without sponsor, so of technical presentations without trade.
Given the number of registered persons, first DocForum that do are not come (unfortunately without warning). We will ask you a symbolic contribution from 5 € per person*. Such participation will be used to validate your subscription, so it is best that you use the same e-mail between PayPal and the form below.
A propos de l'événement
Les inscriptions au deuxième DocForum sont ouvertes. Comme pour le premier opus, cela se passera un samedi, le 5 décembre à Courbevoie dans les hauts de seines.
Pour le deuxième DocForum nous aurons une vraie salle de 40 places, avec tout l'équipement dû à cette journée. Ce sera toujours une journée sans Sponsor, donc que des présentations techniques sans commerce.
Vu le nombre de personnes inscrites, au premier DocForum, qui ne sont pas venu (malheureusement sans prévenir). Nous allons vous demander une participation symbolique de 5€ par personne*. Cette participation servira à valider votre inscription, il est donc préférable que vous utilisiez la même adresse email entre Paypal et le formulaire ci-dessous.
For more information about the event click below:
http://www.docforum.fr/
I just returned home from attending this year's CUGtech Autumn 2009 event in Geilo, Norway hosted by Citrix User Group Norway. It was my first time attending this event, and even with hearing all the great things about this event, I don't think I was even remotely prepared to experience at how truly impressive of an event our friends in Norway put together.
One has to keep in mind that this is a Citrix User Group run event, but this is no ordinary users group, they are at the top their game in every respect. Yes they hold regular users group meetings in the traditional sense of what one would expect to be a users group, but they also hold bi-annual CUGtech events, which one could say are on par with or one could say even compete with some of the other corporate run industry events. I think that it is great to see a users group evolve from being a local community to become a global community that attracts people from all over the world.
To get a better understanding of why I was really impressed by this event and Citrix User Group Norway, I guess I have to start off with talking about what they put into the making of this event happen from the planning to the execution.
We all need an identity and or something to represent. Having a logo is a good start, and I've got to say that Citrix User Group Norway has got to have one the snazziest logo's yet for a users group. Being one who loves visuals I think that a visual identity is very important aspect of any group or organization.
They have also taken this identity and applied it to documentation, banners, singage, and swag for the event, like any major industry would do.
But where would we be if everything was just dressing, we need a little substance to that eye candy right. Well, it was very interesting to see how much substance there was at this event. The planners of this event like so many others these days have also had to come to terms with the fact that we can no longer have a single track event. There are just so many products and technologies to talk about, and not to mention the focus, such as being technical or operational in perspective, that it is not possible to hold an event these days without running dual tracks to cover it all. If you have ever had the pleasure of trying to organize any type of event you can certainly appreciate all the planning of that goes into making a schedule like this.
Choosing where to hold an event is always an interesting challenge. One has to try and choose a location that is something more than a place to hold and event, as we all want a venue that has a little something more to offer than just a conference hall, or is a place that is easy to travel to while keeping cost to a minimum. I think that at first glance some people, and I could be wrong about this, would view traveling into the mountains of Norway as not being the easy part to travel to. But you have to remember that this is Europe, and they have the whole train thing down very well. The event was held in Geilo, Norway which is one the major Ski resort areas in Norway, and is only about a three hour train ride from Oslo.
For me the train ride was part of the whole event, as we traveled there with many of the attendees of the event, and it gave all of us an opportunity to get know each other a little better, Oh and did I mention there was bar on this train.
Usually most events are held in places rich in night life, but don't let the location fool you, as I soon learned that this played into the events favor, as it didn't suffer from the usual disbursement of attendees being side-tracked to other attractions. If you take a look at the schedule you notice that this event goes very far into making sure it is a great time for all, the actual schedule for the first day's events go from 8:00 AM until 2:00AM, and let me tell you what a day that was, the first word that come to mind is WOW! The event planners really outdid themselves, as we went from a day of sessions to having a grand dinner together, to having a Ski party where everyone dressed up in the favorite Ski gear, to having a Geek Speak session at 1AM. They even had a kicking band playing for pretty much the entire night, to along with the pinball machines, and arcade skiing machines.
The Citrix User Group Norway would not be possible if weren't for the dedication of its members, leaders, and sponsors that over the years have grown this community to where it is today.
I would like to thank Kenneth Beck, Bjørn Uddal, and all of the many great people from Citrix User Group Norway for putting together such a great event. It was great to be a part of it all, and to meet so many people who are truly passionate about Citrix Technologies.
I would also like to thank the many sponsors that have also given their support like Atea, Commaxx, Logica, RES Software, and Steria.
Well its time to catch a plane, but I hope I have given you enough of a slice of what CUGtech is all about, and if you ever get the opportunity to attend one, I wouldn't hesitate on doing so.
If you currently manage a Platinum appliance, or are considering migrating to this platform in the future, it is recommended that you take the next step towards optimal Web application delivery with advanced NetScaler training: CNS-300-1I Advanced Administration for Citrix NetScaler 9.0 Platinum Edition
Upon successful completion of this course, you will have the expert knowledge required to:
- Identify common Web attacks and vulnerabilities
- Write PERL compatible regular expressions
- Configure Citrix Application Firewall 9.0 to protect Web applications
- Troubleshoot Citrix Application Firewall 9.0
- Install and configure Citrix EdgeSight for NetScaler to monitor Web application performance
- Install, configure and use Citrix Command Center to manage NetScaler devices
- Configure and use additional advanced features of NetScaler 9.0 including NetScaler Web
- Logging, HTTP Callout and AAA authentication for Web applications
Register Now
Cost: $4,995 USD
Duration: 5 days
Upcoming Q4 2009 Dates: November 2-6 (San Francisco, CA); November 2-6 (Instructor-led Online); December 14-18 (Instructor-led Online)
Questions? Contact a Citrix Education training specialist at 866-714-1260 or e-mail americaseducation@citrix.com