Chuck's Blog

Data Domain, NetApp And The IT Industry

As I think about this latest acquisition, there are three major themes worth exploring.

The first theme has been covered widely already -- the impact of data deduplication, why it's hot, the value of differing approaches, why it needs to go everywhere in the stack, etc. 

No need to cover that one here.

The second theme is the impact to EMC, Data Domain and our mutual customers. 

I attempted to sketch out how Data Domain's technology and offering could potentially create a surprising amount of scale and synergy when juxtaposed with EMC. 

There were some colorful comments on that one.

The third theme revolves how this acquisition is emblematic of broader themes in the industry, and how a certain class of IT vendors will find themselves with hard choices to make going forward.  Although I'll be using NetApp as an example, the discussion actually covers a fairly broad spectrum of well-known IT players.

And, yes, I'm wearing an asbestos suit ...

Data Domain: The Cone Of Silence Is Lifted

You may or may not know that -- during an acquisition -- we are very limited as to what we can say. 

Rather than run afoul of various mysterious rules and regulations, we all just feel it's better if we clam up until the deal is actually done.

Well, this morning we were informed that -- for all intents and purposes -- we can start talking about the acquisition publicly.

This post covers what it means to EMC, Data Domain and Data Domain's customers. 

I'd like to write a subsequent post at some point with what this means to NetApp -- especially in the broader context of industry consolidation and go-forward strategies.  And it ain't pretty.

So let's dive in, shall we?

EMC Makes Surprise Play for Data Domain

Never a dull moment …

EMC just announced our offer for Data Domain.  You can read the full press release here.

I’m sure – like any other acquisition move – there will be a healthy amount of speculation around the motives.

While it’s always fun to read what different people think, I thought I’d offer up my personal perspective as to the rationale for this move.

And it might not be what you think.

Oracle Wins Virtual Iron, Customers Lose

Sometimes you see things in this industry that make you shake your head and wonder.

Such is the situation with Oracle's recent acquisition of Virtual Iron. 

Put in the context of other recent activities, the picture is crystal clear: it appears that Oracle intends to use their market power with databases to force customers to consider their soon-to-be-announced virtualization stack.

And, from a customer perspective, this will not be a good thing.

Symmetrix V-Max: What It Takes To Deliver A New Architecture

Well, it's been a while since we announced the new Symmetrix V-Max. 

Industry watchers realized that there was a new way of thinking about enterprise storage: delivered by EMC.  Customers and prospects have been deluging our web sites and sales organizations wanting to know more.

And competitors?  My impression is that they're figuring out what to do next.

One common theme I've noticed in the competitive response was the usual unproven, risky, etc.  It's a predictable competitor response. 

I knew better.  I felt it unjustified.  As a result, I did a bit of digging around to see just how much work went into building and testing the Symmetrix V-Max before we shipped the first one.

And I think you'd be interested in the stats ...

Why Oracle Doesn't Like VMware

In my travels and customer discussions, this particular topic is coming up more and more frequently.

Now that EMC and VMware and other vendors are encouraging customers to seriously consider virtualizing their more critical applications, it's going to become a increasingly hot topic.

As a matter of fact, I'm now quite ready when I hear the familiar "well, Oracle doesn't support VMware".

Getting to the truth of why this actually might be has proven a bit difficult.  It's not something the Oracle people really want to talk about.

In the meantime, I've put together a list of possible reasons why this could be, and offered a bit of commentary as to the thinking behind it.

So let's go take a look at what could possibly be behind this rather unproductive stance towards customers.

Cisco and HP Square Off In Server Land

We all enjoy it when vendors face off on key technologies -- like next-generation server architectures. 

Not only is it fun to watch, but intense competitive pressures are good for customers and good for the industry.  And we've only seen the first few salvos in what should prove to be a sustained battle for data center supremacy

Now, my biases should be clear (rooting for Cisco!) -- but, with the latest round of HP announcements, you can begin to see some very distinct differences in architectural thinking between the two companies.

Thoughts on Oracle and Sun

Like everyone else, I was caught just a little bit off-guard with the announcement this morning.  But now I've had a few hours to consider different aspects of the deal, and it's an interesting mixed bag.

I'm sure we'll hear lots of commentary (and spin!) regarding this combination in the next few weeks and months.

So let the games begin!

Symmetrix V-Max: Watching The Reaction

Well, it’s the day after the big announcement.  Plenty more to discuss on technologies, architectures, pros and cons, impacts, etc.  -- and that will inevitably happen over the next few weeks and months.

But when you announce something this big, it’s always interesting to see how different audiences react. 

And, yes, I do have some gentle suggestions for some of EMC’s competitors in this regard.

IBM In Talks To Buy Sun

My, it's been a busy week in our industry, hasn't it?

Cisco UCS on Monday, IBM interested in acquiring Sun on Wednesday. 

I wonder what Friday will bring?

Much will be written about this -- as usual, I found Chris Mellor's take very insightful -- but I thought I'd offer up a bit of quick personal commentary.