OVF (Open Virtualization Format) apparently just isn’t getting enough mindshare out there in the discussions of cloud computing that focus on portability and interoperability. The goal of OVF is to provide a portable, interoperable non-vendor specific meta-data that describes an application, its virtual container, and the attributes necessary to deploy it in a new environment with minimal human intervention. This will, allegedly, allow it to move seamlessly from cloud to cloud, drifting ever-so-gently and making the entire process appear effortless.

Given that lofty goal, it’s no surprise that Jon Oltsik, senior analyst at the Enterprise Strategy Group, wonders why we aren’t talking more about it in “Why not talk more about Open Virtualization Format?”

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A few days ago I posted a lengthy blog about the coming pressures on IT to automate their networks in response to the coming demands of virtualization and cloud computing.  A subtle point buried in the blog was related to the growing importance of IP address management and dedicated DNS appliances, among other solutions that help networks keep up with rising complexity and change factors.

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Cloud computing and virtualization are driving new forms of IT, new requirements for vendors and new career possibilities.  Today more than ever, legacy tools, investments and tactics are introducing ever-increasing risks.  The race between enterprises who automate their network and those who rely increasingly on operations spend may ultimately be settled by standards set by external IT service providers, some of whom today may be virtually unknown entities.

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Infoblox has just released a new IP address management online product demo. The IPAM software demo takes less than ten minutes to guide you through the highlights of the new release, including smart folders, network map, network discovery, IP map and delegated administrator. 

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Recent attacks on outsourced DNS have caused extended outages for major organizations, making them unreachable on the Internet and costing millions in lost revenue and customer goodwill.  All of these organizations, including such notable companies Amazon.com, have one thing in common: they outsource hosting of their external DNS.  Is this a good idea?

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