Interop Reporter's Notebook: Data centers getting hot, literally

Data centers getting hot, literally

Data centers are getting hot. Stacks and stacks of single-rack-unit servers, multiple back-up power supplies and tightly packed blade server technology are among the things causing data centers to heat up. Servers with multiple I/O technologies - redundant Gigabit Ethernet, fiber for synchronous mirroring and "lights-out" management interface links - are also causing the mercury to rise. Speaking at an Interop session on data centers this week, Douglas Gourlay, director of product management for Cisco's Data Center Business Unit, had a novel idea, if not a solution to the problem.

"You could start a pretty successful rotisserie chicken business on the back of some of these data center [server and switch] racks," he said. (Also see: How to cool a data center that hot)

BlueCat Networks flies the Interop skies

IP address management vendor BlueCat Networks is spreading its "command and control" vision by spreading its wings at Interop. The vendor - which sells appliances to help customers better manage IP addresses, DHCP and DNS - offered booth visitors the chance to take a simulated flight in an FA-18 fighter jet. With big-screen TVs showing their flight path, Interop attendees strapped into the faux flight decks and an Air Force-garbed instructor directed them on how maintain a specific pace and flight plan. Show attendees could also register to win a free GPS tracking system during their booth visit or by visiting BlueCat's site.

Citrix's application acceleration speedway

Click to see: Citrix had Interop attendees race their track.

Interop attendees interested in testing their driving skills while visiting the show floor should check out Citrix's booth. The company, which last year acquired application acceleration vendor NetScaler, is hosting races with mini remote control cars on a track in their booth. Through Thursday, Citrix will give the drivers with the five fastest race times for that day a Sony PlayStation Portable.

Apdex Alliance recruiting end-user members

Launched at last year's Interop, the Apdex Alliance this year continues its work toward developing a standard measurement for application performance from the end-user perspective.

Peter Sevcik, president of research firm NetForecast, is the chair of the Improvement & Strategy Track at Interop and sat on a few panels that focused on how to achieve or determine specific metrics for network and application performance success.

Last year, Sevcik recruited vendors to participate in the industry organization, which includes application acceleration and WAN optimization vendors such as Expand Networks and Packeteer, as well as content delivery providers such as Akamai and Web site measurement vendor Keynote.

Now Sevcik is looking for network and application managers to participate in the Apdex Alliance. The organization is offering free membership to end-user organizations, which could then participate in the group's online forums.

"Organizations or individuals could join this online community and ask questions of their peers regarding how they approach various challenges around performance reporting," Sevcik said during an Interop panel session.