Cisco Systems White Paper Sample

Virtualization has been with us in IT for many years, but the introduction of server virtualization has caused a disruption in the data center as fundamental as the introduction of client-server technology. This should be considered an opportunity to change your current data center architecture to achieve the improved efficiency, resiliency, and agility that server virtualization introduces. To optimize the delivery of the benefits that virtualization promises, as an architect you should approach the problem holistically: look beyond the hypervisor and consider the entire system of services connected to the virtual workload via the network.

Virtualization will be at the heart of next-generation data centers. Architects need to take an active role in planning for this transformation. As with all transformations, consider it a journey that will surely evolve further as more innovations are introduced by different vendors, both for on-premises solutions and for the cloud. Ensure that along the way your focus remains on the objective of improving IT’s responsiveness to new business requirements, part of your ongoing pursuit of making sure that IT is a strategic enabler to your business.