[Info-vax] OpenVMS servers and clusters as a cloud service

[Kerry Main]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Info-vax [mailto:info-vax-bounces at rbnsn.com] On Behalf Of Arne
> Vajhøj via Info-vax
> Sent: January 1, 2018 1:21 PM
> To: info-vax at rbnsn.com
> Cc: Arne Vajhøj <arne at vajhoej.dk>
> Subject: Re: [Info-vax] OpenVMS servers and clusters as a cloud service
> 
> On 12/31/2017 10:15 AM, Kerry Main wrote:
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: Info-vax [mailto:info-vax-bounces at rbnsn.com] On Behalf Of
> Arne
> >> Vajhøj via Info-vax
> >> On 12/30/2017 9:15 PM, Kerry Main wrote:
> >>> Outsourcing (aka Public Clouds) has been around for decades in
> many
> >>> forms - just as many forms of XaaS cloud models.
> >>
> >> How could I go in over the internet and spin up 1000 VM's with my
> >> own image within hours many decades ago?
> >>
> >>> The concept is the same i.e. give the mgmt. of your IT to a vendor
> >>> that specializes in IT Mgmt and you will have a more efficient IT at
> >>> lower cost than your current outdated IT.
> >>
> >> Nonsense.
> >>
> >> The vast majority of cloud does not provide IT management at all.
> >>
> >> It is still your own responsibility.
> >
> > Ok, so who manages the storage, physical servers, network, external
> firewalls?
> 
> The cloud provider replaces defect hardware.
> 
> The rest is self service via automated tools.
> 
> >> Unless you outsource that to someone offering that service - and
> >> none of the big cloud providers offer such service.
> >>
> >
> > You are looking at this from a VM perspective only. IT management is
> > a much larger scope than simple VM's mgmt.
> 
> Larger. But not much larger.
> 
> Most of the work is from OS and up.
> 

If all you are looking at is server mgmt., then yes. 

Enterprise IT mgmt. is a very complex undertaking. You need to understand what it takes to do IT automation and proactive IT mgmt. 

II automation has huge benefits, but it also requires a significant investment in resources, time and $'s in tools and enterprise frameworks. 

> I can refer you to some guy named Kerry Main that suggested
> getting quote for 1 Phys 10 VM vs 10 Phys.
> 
> 

Again from a server / VM perspective, this is 100% correct. Enterprise IT Mgmt. is much more than just Server/VM Mgmt.

[snip..]

> >>> Of course, the cloud/outsourcing vendors use the time proven and
> very
> >>> successful sales methods of low balling the initial costs to the
> >>> Customer as they know their real money will kick in when the
> >> Customer
> >>> starts asking for changes.
> >>
> >> Nonsense.
> >>
> >> IaaS and PaaS providers operate with a totally fixed price model.
> >
> > Wow .. not sure who you are talking to, but that is certainly not
> > the case with most IaaS/PaaS providers.
> 
> Try call Amazon, Google or MS and ask them for a special configured VM.
> 
> >> You can not even ask them for service outside of the menu.
> >
> > That may be true for the little / SMB Customers, but most large
> > companies would never adopt a simple cloud (outsource) model
> because
> > there are always exceptions for them. The standard response from
> > almost all IT vendors to a custom request from a large Customer is
> > never say no, but rather "we will review your request and come back
> > to you with an estimate of cost and proposed schedule for
> > implementation"
> Some companies that consider themselves large are in for a big
> surprise.
> 
> Amazon, Google and MS will not consider them big.
> 
> Obviously money talks, so if you call Steve Bezos and want to
> buy for XX B$ cloud services then you may get an exception.
> 
> That works for the US federal government and probably noone
> else.
> 
> Those It people that want customization has a few options:
> * they can change their ways and go standard
> * they can stay 100% on the "we are unique and need
>    custom throughout" an go the way of the dinosaurs
> * try to find a balance that still provide most of
>    benefits of going standard at a minimum uptick
>    in cost:
>    - establish own cloud
>    - go for smaller cloud providers offering more specialized solutions
>    - go for a Amazon/Google/MS cloud reseller that provides additional
>      services on top of those
> 
> Arne

To use a quote from an earlier article extract - think of a similar analogy of renting your home or buying your home. 

If you want to depend on the landlord to make all the changes / fixes / enhancements / customizations when he/she can get to it, then renting (public clouds) is a perfectly fine solution.

If you want customizations / enhancements / fixed according to your priorities and your timeframes then owning your home (private clouds) is a better solution.

While large companies are poking at the rental solution, most large analyst reports are saying that most large companies today are doing a small bit of renting to try things out, but that their future is more directed towards owning their home (albeit it in a much more optimized, much more efficient private cloud model that is not unlike the public cloud - just maintained internally). This is what is called the Hybrid model.


Regards,

Kerry Main
Kerry dot main at starkgaming dot com