The combined solution resulted in supporting FCoE end-to-end to reduce the number of devices and cables needed to drive data center consolidation, virtualization, and automation. Cisco data center switches and NetApp storage FCoE solutions are now validated by VMware to support VMware-based virtualized environments, marking a significant milestone for the progression of the FCoE protocol to help more customers achieve efficiency in their dynamic data centers and progress on their journey to cloud computing.

Cisco Systems, NetApp and VMware are currently the only networking, storage, and virtualization vendors to combine data center consolidation, virtualization, and automation in a jointly certified end-to-end FCoE solution that includes both FCoE initiators (such as Converged Network Adaptors) and FCoE storage targets. VMware validated Cisco Nexus® 5000 Series Switches and NetApp FAS series unified storage support FCoE protocol in virtual environments running VMware vSphereTM. The solution has completed the VMware Hardware Certification Program testing criteria for use with VMware software and is now listed on the VMware Hardware Compatibility Guide, with support offered by all three companies.

For further info do have a look at the press release by Cisco Systems on 28^th of July 2010.

We all know about the Cisco 7900 series IP Phones, there are many organizations who cannot afford those phone in their IP Telephony network. I myself know few organizations that are using Cisco UC for their IP telephony but when it comes to IP phones they are opting for alternatives cheaper phones. Now no worries Cisco have an answer.

A recent Cisco’s press release points out coming June 1 2010, three models of the Cisco 6900 series IP Phones are designed for “budget-constrained deployments” Cisco has a couple of other lower-specked series — the 500 and 3900 series — which are aimed at small business and low-usage scenarios.

The 6900 series comes in three models: the 6921, 6941 and 6961, which support two, four and 12 lines respectively. Colors available are white and black, and the devices can be ordered in two different handset styles.

The Cisco 6900 Series is full-duplex speakerphone with LAN and PC Ethernet connections, and supports several dozen languages, an optional headset, some XML applications on the LCD screen, different ringtones, and multiple codecs and so on.

Full specifications for the Cisco 6900 Series phones are available from Cisco’s website.

Year 2009 was proved to be a great year for Android but according the Kaspersky, 2010 could be a challenging for Android just not because of a lack of awesome devices or not because Android OS won’t move forward significantly,. But it’s the hackers who are expected to target Android users with malwares and viruses.

“Currently the rules are very simple, you pay $25 dollars and your program gets posted, and Google does not do anything to check or manage this process. This is a serious weak point for the platform at this point,” Aleks Gostev stated. “There’s already malware for Android so the appearance of new malware is just a matter of time, not technology.”

Gostev says that Google will need to address the problem as a priority, but that it won’t be easy.

Aside from third-party application Android vulnerability, Kaspersky Lab predicts that 2010 will see Google Wave become a target for cybercriminals as well. Other threats high on their list include mobile malware, not just for Android devices, but also the iPhone along with more peer-to-peer (P2P) and torrent attacks.

From a Kaspersky Press Release issued couple of weeks back

“An increase in attacks on iPhone and Android mobile platforms. 2010 promises to be a difficult time for iPhone and Android users. The first malicious programs for these mobile platforms appeared in 2009, a sure sign that they have aroused the interest of cybercriminals. The only iPhone users currently at risk are those with compromised devices; however the same is not true for Android users who are all vulnerable to attack. The increasing popularity of mobile phones running the Android OS combined with a lack of effective checks to ensure third-party software applications are secure, will lead to a number of high-profile malware outbreaks.”

This December 15 and 16^th Cisco Systems is Conducting a live Virtual Tradeshow “Journey to the Virtualized Data Center: From Vision to Reality” in sponsorship with it world class rusted partner like  APC, BMC Software, EMC2, Emerson, Intel, Microsoft, NetApp, Oracle and Panduit.  

Pic Courtesy: Cisco Systems.

Do register to attend this virtual event to learn the future of data center; you might get the chance to look the future of Data Center from the perspectives of networking, storage, applications, and physical infrastructure technology partners. You may also get a chance to look at how Cisco along with partners helping IT to deliver more value to their business.

 Whether you’re just starting out on the journey – looking for cost effective ways to get more out of your current data center – or whether you’re already well down the virtualization track and thinking about how to deploy a Private Cloud or IT as a Service, there is valuable information for all.

Attend one or both days and earn a chance to win an Apple iPod nano 16GB!! See

Register now and join other IT and data center decision makers in this unique virtualized trade show environment.

Event Type: Live Virtual Trade Show

Date: December 15, 2009: 07:30 – 14:30 PST

December 16, 2009: 07:30 – 13:30 PST

Dear folks as you all know on 15^th of July 2009, Cisco Systems along APC by Schneider Electric, EMC, Emerson Network Power, NetApp, Oracle, Panduit, and VMware conducted a live virtual event “Data Center of the future”

The event was a great success, I never imagined a virtual event of this standard and the presentations were simply amazing. The interaction was amazing and I was zapped by the virtual environment. For a moment I felt as if I am in the auditorium physically. I really enjoyed each and every presentation.

As I am leaving in the other part of the World time was the major constrain for me. I did miss few presentations, but now I have an opportunity to watch them offline.  As Cisco Systems along with its event partners are allowing us to access on demand presentations. If you have missed this event no worries, you have one more opportunity to access the content on demand. You can download the slides as well. Wow.

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/exS3y6LBH94" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

Since we are in the process of Data Center, these days I am always looking for the resources, seminars, webcast related to the Data Center.

Cisco Systems, APC by Schneider Electric, EMC, Emerson Network Power, NetApp, Oracle, Panduit, and VMware joined hands together to share their vision for the unified computing and data center consolidation. They are conducting a live event on 15^th of July 2009.

Pic Courtesy: Cisco Systems.

 The Unified Computing and Data Center Consolidation virtual event is a one-day live program, where you can access the webcast full of informative presentations that will cover wide range of important topics.

• Increasing business agility
• Reducing total cost of ownership
• Increasing compute and virtual machine scalability
• Achieving immediate productivity gains through consolidation of inefficient, underutilized infrastructure
• Improving energy efficiency and extending the life of your existing data centers
• Starting to lay the foundation for a best-practice architecture to deal with the emerging needs of the 21-century business and new business models
• Accelerating the deployment and reducing the risks

So register now and enjoy the wonderful event, may be you can win an IPhone.

 Last week, I have received the newsletter from Cisco Systems about announcement of four new Cisco certifications.

“In response to the growing demand for IT professionals who can design, manage, and maintain converged technologies across global network infrastructures, Cisco announced the release of four new certifications at the Cisco Live! show, held this week in San Francisco, CA.

Cisco Certified Architect, CCNP Wireless, and two new Cisco Datacenter Unified Computing Specialists reinforce Cisco’s commitment developing state of the art, technology driven, role based certifications that meet the demands of today’s network professional.”

• Cisco Certified Architect (Available January, 2010): Cisco Certified Architect is highest level of accreditation achievable within the Cisco Career Certification program. It is the pinnacle for individuals wishing to show their formal validation of both design and IT skills in Cisco technologies and infrastructure.
• CCNP Wireless (Available July 24th, 2009): Built on the growing need for professionals responsible for the design, implementation, security, and operation of wireless networks and mobility infrastructures, CCNP Wireless certification recognizes the critical importance of professionals who support and manage Cisco wireless LANs and networks.
• DC Unified Computing Design Specialist: It is designed to test students knowledge of the fundamentals of the Cisco Unified Compute System and their ability to implement a virtualized Data Center environment. In addition the student also tested on how to implement the Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) in an enterprise data center routing and switching infrastructure with the next-generation Cisco Nexus product family.
• DC Unified Computing Support Specialist: It validates an engineer’s ability to design scalable, reliable, and intelligent Data Center Virtualization solutions based on the Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) along with other Cisco Data Center products, server virtualization software, and server operating systems.

References:

https://cisco.hosted.jivesoftware.com/community/certifications/cisco_certified_architect

https://cisco.hosted.jivesoftware.com/community/certifications/ccnp_wireless

https://cisco.hosted.jivesoftware.com/community/certifications/data_center/unified_computing_support

https://cisco.hosted.jivesoftware.com/community/certifications/data_center/unified_computing_design

Finnish firm Nokia Siemens Networks announced Tuesday that it is to work with Juniper Networks a specialist networking Technologies Company, to create an end-to-end solution to enable interoperation between IP and optical networks.

The companies said that they will work together to develop cost-optimized 10G, 40G and 100G IP over DWDM solutions with management integration and GMPLS control plane interworking.

 For more info do check the press release by Juniper Networks