When Lenovo launched four ThinkServers a few days ago, The VAR Guy noticed that the systems — designed for small and midsize businesses — emphasized virtualization. Hmmm. So, The VAR Guy began to wonder: Are virtualized servers (running a mix of Linux and Windows) really starting to push into the SMB space?
Sure, virtualization helps large enterprises to consolidate their data centers and increase server utilization rates. Overall power consumption drops, there are fewer physical servers to manage, and the CEO can crow about going green. Everybody is potentially happy.
But is that scenario starting to repeat itself in the small and midsize business markets? Apparently, yes. As InformationWeek notes, the new Lenovo servers are:
“virtualization ready,” meaning they are available with a choice of virtualization technology from Microsoft, Novell, VMWare or Red Hat pre-installed.”
The new Lenovo servers have multiple implications. Of course, Microsoft Small Business Server maintains a firm grip on smaller office settings. But as businesses push to 100 seats and beyond, Lenovo seems to see an opportunity to mix and match Windows, Linux and virtualization.
So ironically, Lenovo could wind up creating even more pull for Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Novell SUSE Linux, particularly in midsize businesses. At least, that’s The VAR Guy’s thesis. Anybody care to debate him?
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Tags: Lenovo ThinkServer | Lenovo Virtualization | Linux Virtualization | Microsoft Virtualization | Novell Virtualization | Red Hat Enterprise Linux Virtualization | Red Hat Virtualization | SUSE Linux Virtualization | Virtualized Linux | Windows Virtualization
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Don’t you find it fascinating that Canonical’s virtualization offerings aren’t on the short-list? I do. I would have thought the SMB market that these thinkservers are targeting are exactly the market that Canonical’s UEC product would be aimed at.
Wouldn’t it be ironic to see SLES or RHEL subscriptions being purchased to run as the host operating system on smallish servers like these thinkservers only to end up running Ubuntu client instances. The popularity of Ubuntu as a no cost virtual appliance guest might actually strengthen the Novell and Red Hat server subscription revenue without any of that revenue going to Canonical.
-jef
Jef: Fair point regarding Canonical. But it’s also important to note that Lenovo has established Linux relationships in place with both Red Hat and Novell. So, extending those relationships to include virtualization on Lenovo’s new servers was a natural step.
To the best of The VAR Guy’s knowledge, Canonical and Lenovo don’t really have a relationship in place… though The VAR Guy believes Canonical tests Ubuntu Server Edition to run on Lenovo’s servers.
If you’re Lenovo, partnering up with Microsoft, Novell, Red Hat and VMware on virtualization for small business servers makes perfect sense, since all parties have critical mass in the server market.
Canonical is working hard on its virtualization and Ubuntu Server Edition strategies… so with that in mind it’s easy to see why Canonical wasn’t on Lenovo’s short list for this server announcement…
The VAR Guy:
Are you implying Canonical hasn’t achieved critical mass in terms of server deployments? How do come to that conclusion? Did you get a peek at some sort of insider info from a Canonical exec? It’s not like Canonical goes out of their way to throw out solid numbers about deployments or landscape usage patterns. I certainly cannot find a public statement from any Canonical rep that speaks to server deployment numbers.
-jef
Jef: Um, actually The VAR Guy was stating the obvious… Canonical’s server business is a work in progress.
Most folks tracking the Linux server market would come to the same conclusion based on simple anecdotal evidence… number of certified pros, number of announced corporate deployments, number of third-party applications available, etc.
Interesting point the Var guy makes about “number of certified pros” being a marker for a well developed server market. IMO “certified pro” means “I went to the trouble to get a tick mark for my resume recognizable by a Human Resources Corporate Drone.” I can see where a large number of these certifications are an uptake indicator; sort of like counting coprolites to estimate Dinosaur herd size.
Karl: Fair point. Not all certifications are created or valued equally. But yes, The VAR Guy believes Canonical needs to get more folks “certified” on Ubuntu to show market strength.
For Canonical to have a certification process, they need to make up their mind. Either piggy back on the LPI certification with an add-on cert for Ubuntu, OR they need to get REAL with it and follow the RH example of certification. Real tests in a hands on environment that tests a students actual knowledge and skill, rather than ability to memorize testking and similar briandump solutions. Then price the exam so high, that only the truly serious will actually look to that exam as an option. I hate the RH exam prices, but am thankful there are so few that actually even TRY the exams. It helps keep the RHCE I have, valued.
I do believe there is a place for Canonical to create a REAL certification exam, for the back office, on a price point above the current $150 standard and below RH’s $800 fleecing. I think closer to the $500.00 range to be about the right price for the serious back office admin type of person. Keeping a $100 to $175 front office/end-user cert also valid and appropriate. That cert can at least demonstrate the successfully certified individual can execute specific simple tasks, such as desktop install and modification, application install and removal, configuring network access, basic application configuration and accessing basic services such as printers and network shares.
The ‘professional’ or ‘admin’ cert should demonstrate a persons ability to install and secure a server. Then the testee should demonstrate skill at installing, configuring and securing services such as samba, apache, mysql, sendmail/postfix, squid, cups, an apt repository, NIS, and sshd. I’m sure there is plenty of other services that others would consider ‘basic’. I’m using the idea of an SMB’s needs as a basis. Advanced certifications might cover implementation of LDAP/Kerberos/Samba as a ‘Domain Controller’ to support ‘mixed environments’ with windows systems. Toss in a possible certification for each: clustering, virtualization and advanced security.
That is just my opinion, though. I’m sure others will vary. Flaming is your choice. But I AM interested in other people’s thoughts and opinions on Linux certifications.
Daniel