I'm going to take some time off from blogging for at least a month, if not longer. My MBA classes have been intense this semester and, honestly, I've lost the motivation to blog each week. It's not that big of a time commitment - about 2 hours a week. But when it comes time to write the blog I either have homework to do or I've done homework all day and would prefer watching a movie. Read more
Almost a year ago, Cisco released a huge marketing blitz titled the "Data Center Big Bang". I commented at the time that this was a big YYYYYAAAAAWWWWNNNNN. Lots of hype, not much substance. Read more
Just a fun blog this week. I really love my iPhone 3GS.
And I really love my Hava TV streaming appliance:
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In my blog last week I announced the official release of IOS 15.0. Someone added this comment to my blog:
Cisco today released IOS 15.0. This is the next major release after 12.4. It's been over 4 years since Cisco has delivered a major release of IOS code. 12.4 was released in May of 2005. Apparently Cisco was not interested in using the 12.5 name; or 13.0 or 14.0 names. I can't really say why this is. Read more
A few weeks ago I concluded a short series on cloud computing and networking with a blog about building a private extranet for cloud computing. A private extranet service that would link existing enterprise IP VPNs (MPLS-based) into a cloud provider's service would ensure optimal routing, guaranteed bandwidth, QoS, and better security.
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If you have read my blogs recently you might say I've been a little tough on Cisco. A couple weeks ago I beat up Cisco over their poor "Validated Architecture for Long Distance VMotion". I praised their biggest competitor to Nexus 1000V, Arista. And probably toughest of all, I told people to keep competition in their network to drive down costs. Read more
Don't you just love it (or hate it depending on your point of view) when a politician says one thing and then (within about 30 minutes these days) a YouTube video pops up showing them saying something completely opposite. Oops! Hate (love) that. Read more
I was disapointed last week to see how cheap and over-hyped Cisco's "Validated Architecture for Long Distance VMotion" was. Read more
I wrote a (incendiary?) blog a few weeks ago about using vendor competition in your network to save money. But, to make this work, you first need to have viable vendors to compete. Read more
It's One of Those Opinionated Days Again
The 3rd in the Series
I have this long list of possible blogging topics, but a lot of them just don't seem significant enough for a single blog. So, since it's worked before, I thought I'd just run through a bunch of them. Sort of cleaning up my list.
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Over the last few weeks I discussed some of the network issues I foresee dealing with Cloud Computing: Read more
In the last couple blogs I listed some network issues I foresee with the coming Cloud Computing rush. The five major areas I listed as issues are: Read more
In last week's blog, I dove into the network issues I see surrounding the much-hyped "cloud computing" solutions.
I thought I'd continue my harangue a bit this week with three more issues I see. But don't fear, next week the storm clouds will start to clear (or at least I'll have some ideas on how to weatherize your network).
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Johna Till Johnson wrote a very good column this week on cloud computing and networking; something that's been on my mind lately as "Cloud Computing" gets more and more buzz not just in the industry, but also at my IT shop.
As many of you are aware, "cloud" means many things. I tend to define it as three things: Read more
Is this rough economy, we are all looking for ways to cut costs. However, life, and projects, do go on, which means buying new equipment still (probably from Cisco). But - and this is not a shock - Cisco is out to maximize their profits at your expense. ;-) You need to keep your costs low. Read more
This Saturday, July 4th, marks the two year anniversary of my "From the Field" blog on Network World. It's been a great and demanding experience. Best I can tell, I've written over 140 blogs in those 2 years on everything from Webtorials to Routing iSCSI with 10GIG. There are usually around 10,000 to 15,000 unique readers of my blogs each month. Read more
Years ago, when I started studying Cisco stuff, I learned about the ISO Telecommunications Management Network model FCAPS - an acronym for Fault, Configuration, Accounting, Performance, and Security. Although I don't read about the model much anymore, after studying the acronym many times in preparation for CCNP, CCDP, or CCIE written exams, it stuck with me. And it came in handy 4 months ago when we started tackling IP Telephony management. Read more
I've sort of noticed this year there's been a lack of advertising and excitement for Networkers (aka Cisco Live) in San Francisco starting in 2 weeks.
No, I'm not attending. But that is because training budgets are tight this year. If they weren't I would definitely go since I enjoy the week of learning, socializing, information from vendors, and blogging topics. Read more
Michael Morris is a communications engineering manager at a $3-billion high-tech company. His background is in enterprise WANs working with telcos and developing large-scale routing designs. He has worked on networks at government and corporate organizations, including networks at two Fortune 10 companies. In his current role, he leads a team of 10 engineers responsible for large-scale IT networking projects and architectural standards for data networks, storage area networks, IP telephony, contact centers, and security. Michael is CCIE #11733 and recently became one of the first three Cisco Certified Design Experts (CCDE) ever (#20080002). He has 11 years experience in networking and communications, including four years as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army. He has a bachelor's degree in MIS from the University at Buffalo and is working on his MBA from NC State University. In 2008, he was awarded the Network Professional Association (NPA) Professional Excellence and Innovation Award for his work on network architecture, templates and enterprise MPLS design.
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