Microsoft Ireland Partner Event: Virtualisation & Management

This is a follow on from my post earlier today on the 2010 Microsoft Ireland Partner event.  This post will focus on the virtualisation track.

Ronan Geraghty (owner of the Server business in Ireland, former DPE) introduces the session.  Wilbour Craddock (partner technical sales) takes over to talk about Windows Server 2008 R2.

The story for Windows Server 2008 R2 is:

• Streamlined management
• Robust web platform
• “Better Together” with Windows 7
• Virtualisation with Hyper-V

It’s an evolution of Windows Server 2008, not an entirely new operating system.  However, there is a lot more stuff in there.  Read the stuff on that link; it’ll save me typing a bunch of stuff.

The key to the MS platform is System Center. OpsMgr for fault/performance/audit collection, VMM for virtualisation, DPM for backup and ConfigMgr for deployment, auditing and reporting.  Service Desk will be a complete helpdesk solution implementing MOF/ITIL.

Liam Cronin (Compete Lead) takes over to talk about the compete message.  MS Ireland is big on competing with VMware.

VMware

Strategy:

• 100% of Fortune 100 and 96% of Fortune 1000
• Win the desktop through VDI
• Win the cloud

Evolution:

• Rich virtualisation portfolio
• Acquiring a lot of technology through company take over

Partners:

• 700+ tech partners
• 65% of partner revenue through OEM’s
• Rich virtual appliance market

MS Differentiators

• MS is a platform company.  VMware is a product company, not a platform one.
• MS is competitive with Windows Server 2008 R2 – claims by Liam that MS is ahead on features … I’m as pro Hyper-V as it gets and I disagree.  MS has the core stuff and it works excellently but does not have the same set of features as VMware.
• MS is more cost effective
• Management & security (very true)

Why pay a “vTax” to VMware when virtualisation is built into Windows?

Objection Handling

Made a commitment to VMware already: Don’t need to rip/replace.  You can use System Center to manage, maybe use Hyper-V for newer stuff.  The virtualisation platform isn’t as important as the management of it.

4 questions to ask VMware customers:

• Why does VMware have a mandatory support contract that doesn’t include upgrades?
• Why do they have to pay more money for VMotion?  Live Migration is in the free Hyper-V Server 2008 R2.
• How does VMware provide management for operating systems and applications running on their hypervisor?
• Ask VMware what their virtualised desktop solution is for roaming or remote users who are disconnected.

Citrix V-Alliance

Matthew Brenchley – Strategic Alliances Manager from the UK.

Citrix has 21 years of partnership with Microsoft. 

Essentials For Hyper-V

OK – I want a Citrix person to say exactly what this is.  I have yet to see a clear explanation.  Where is the comic book store guy when you need him …. oh … “Worst Marketing Ever”.  We get the pitch on VDI and how Citrix can work on the MS platform.  Not much meat on these bones; the trend continues unfortunately.  I guess I’ll have to wait until PubForum to hear technical information on the Citrix side of things.

Over to marketing person, Karen Reilly.  This is a pitch for recruiting members into the V-Alliance.  Focus appears to be on desktop virtualisation.  Lead generation support and POC funding.  I’m glad I have guest wifi access.  Seriously, VDI is an expensive model and is a very niche solution.

Afterwards

I chat with Will and he tells me what Citrix Essentials is about.  (a) It allows block level and de-duplicated replication of VM’s between sites.  You can use different storage systems that don’t have replication engines and you do not need dark fibre – unlike controller based replication systems (b) It provides a lab/development deployment solution where the MS solution is purely developer driven in Visual Studio 2010.