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Highlights from the Mission-Critical Panel Discussion at HP Discover 2012

cjdreher| June 8, 2012
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This week at HP Discover, we had an interesting panel discussion about the future of mission-critical computing. The panel consisted of industry analyst, customer, Intel and HP execs discussing topics ranging from how the market defines mission-critical today to trends that will impact the future of Odyssey, a project to redefine the future of mission-critical computing by cascading key HP-UX functionalities to Linux and Windows platforms. Here are some highlights I took away from the panel discussion:

 

Defining mission critical

Is the definition of mission-critical computing evolving?  What does it really mean today?  Is it at the infrastructure vs the application level in how you define it?

  • The definition can be at both the Infrastructure and the application level.  Generally the nature of the application and the real business impact of any downtime determines what is and isn't mission-critical.  It is going to vary industry by industry and company by company to some extent. 
  • Consider truck delivery of supplies that show up during the lunch  rush – this would be simply unacceptable.   So if it disrupts the customer  and you could risk losing that customer, that would also be considered mission critical
  • It can also have to do with the mission of the company.  If the system goes down, does it require CEO/Board approval? A financial disclosure? 
  • As it applies to services, high touch, high sense of urgency are what matters in mission-critical situations.  The right experts must be available immediately to address the situation and resolve the issue correctly, immediately.  In services, it is all about business outcomes and the experience and ensuring long term relationships are protected, honored and preserved

 

IT Expectations

What do people expect from mission-critical infrastructure?  Where is it heading?

  • HP has heard from customers that they ultimately want the Superdome mission-critical experience in x86
  • Panel notes there are still critical differences at the platform level between Xeon and Itanium.  There is a path of development ahead to deliver more on Xeon.  The good news is it is one unified team designing the convergence. 
  • A note of caution to CIOs/IT architects - even if your extremely intelligent CEO tells you to do it, it doesn’t necessarily mean it is the best path for mission-critical.  There is still a need to have a system that is truly ready, really there to handle mission-critical.  Evaluate carefully the full system, services and support you will receive throughout the entire lifecycle of your investment before you leap. 
  • Also be sure to consider the transition of mission-critical technology and the people with the skills to support it.  Will there be an experience gap?  Will your vendor provide common tools to help manage the system now and in future?  Is the system designed to carry forward for the next series of decades with the skills and preferences of your people in mind? 

 

Trends Impacting Mission-Critical Computing

  • Customers are putting more workloads on x86
  • Customers are desiring a single point of contact for mission-critical services as hybrid experiences/platforms develop in organizations
  • Explosion of mobility. Applicationss have to be up 24/7.  Applications are increasingly considered mission-critical and cannot go down.  End users will expect to access mission-critical applications from their choice of mobile devices.
  • Cloud is an increasingly popular consideration. It is recommended that as you work with saas vendors, you also evaluate their infrastructure to deliver.  The first time you have a 2 hour outage you really ask questions. 

 

HP, Intel mission-critical landscape

Three years or so from now, what will the mission-critical landscape look like?  What is HP working on? Where is Intel focussed?

  • There is an Interesting tension arising – mission-critical systems are typically measured in decades.  Now there is external pressure to move at more rapid rate.  However the world does not change overnight.  It really isn't about flash cuts in mission-critical environments. Co-existence and convergence is the more logical and appropriate path.

  • From Intel's perspective, the products are already in the works such as the Poulson chip. They see continuing convergence in x86 and itanium.  Intel will bring the right Itanium qualities to Xeon. ll about coexistence and convergence.  The world does not change overnight.  We will live with and coexist.  It will not just be a rip and replace. We will endeavor to converge from a trend perspective.

  • At HP, we believe converged infrastructure is the best path.  We will continue to have one infrastructure for OpenVMS, NonStop and Integrity.  We will use this same infrastructure for x86 Linux and Windows.  We will thoughtfully develop and deliver the mission-critical experience in x86 that customers expect and deserve. It will be a journey, and we are working with our services team hand in hand as we develop this path with Project Odyssey to ensure our customers get a true mission-critical experience.  
  • HP will respect your timeline.  If you want to modernize one application at a time, one workload at a time, one site at a time we respect that.  We want to help you achieve whatever works for YOU at your pace.  Convergence is key.  Common platform is key.  Going at your own pace is key.  If it takes a decade that is ok.  We will be with you through the journey.  

 

Thanks to all of the panel participants for a very interesting, lively discussion.

Tags: Discover2012| ESSN| Intel| MCCI| Mission-Critical| View All (6)
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About the Author
  • Kirk Bresniker is the Vice President/Chief Technologist for HP Business Critical Systems where he has technical responsibility for all things Mission Critical, including HP-UX, NonStop and scalable x86 platforms. He joined HP in 1989 after graduating from Santa Clara University and has been an HP Fellow since 2008.
  • I’m the worldwide marketing manager for HP NonStop. I’ll be blogging and tweeting out news as it relates to NonStop solutions – you can find me here and on twitter at @CarolynatHP
  • Cynthia is part of the HP ExpertOne team. ExpertOne offers professional IT training and certifications from infrastructure refresh to areas that span across the datacenter like Cloud and Converged Infrastructure.
  • I have worked with NonStop systems since 1982. I am a Master Technologist for HP and am part of the IT SWAT organization, the Cloud SWAT and work with HP Labs. I report into the Enterprise Solutions and Architecture organization.
  • Joe Androlowicz is a Technical Communications and Marketing manager in HP’s NonStop Product Division. Joe is a 25 year journeyman in information systems design, instructional technologies and multimedia development. He left Apple Computer for Tandem Computers to help launch G03 and hasn’t looked back yet. He previously managed the program management team for the NonStop Education and Training Center and drove the development and growth of the NonStop Certification programs.
  • As a recent college graduate I am new to the world of converged infrastructure, cloud and big data. I am very excited about the innovation HP can bring to the future of mission critical IT.
  • Hello! I am a social media manager for servers, so my posts will be geared towards HP server-related news & info.
  • HP Editor-Enterprise Group: ISS, BCS, Converged Infrastructure (CI), Converged Cloud, Converged App Systems (CAS), and ExpertOne
  • Luke Oda is a member of the HP's BCS Marketing team. With a primary focus on marketing programs that support HP's BCS portfolio. His interests include all things mission-critical and the continuing innovation that HP demonstrates across the globe.
  • I’m the Worldwide Product Marketing Manager for HP Serviceguard Solutions for Linux in BCS. I’ll be blogging about the latest news and enhancements as it relates to this product.
  • Greetings! I am on the HP Enterprise Group marketing team focused on Content Marketing for Business Critical Systems. Topics I am interested in include mission-critical computing, scale up x86, and Converged Infrastructure, Converged Systems.
  • As a Managing Consultant for HP’s Enterprise Solution & Architecture group, I collaborate with client business and IT senior management to understand, prioritize and architect advanced use of data and information, drawing insights required to make informed business decisions. My current focus leverages event-driven business intelligence design techniques and technologies to identify patterns, anticipate outcomes and proactively optimize business response creating a differentiated position in the marketplace for the client.
  • Vinay Gupta is an HP Distinguished Technologist and the NonStop Manageability Architect. He joined Tandem in 1994 after graduating from Indian Institute of Technology. He has worked on many NonStop manageability applications over time. He works across various groups within NonStop and HP to ensure consistency and interoperability in manageability interfaces and applications. He is also a member of DMTF workgroups.
  • Wendy Bartlett is a Distinguished Technologist in HP’s NonStop Enterprise Division, and focuses on dependability – security and availability - for the NonStop server line. She joined Tandem in 1978. Her other main area of interest is system architecture evolution. She has an M.S. degree in computer science from Stanford University.
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