Features How IT systems Modular data can help improve ...€¦ · may have to go mobile whether they want to or not: Theres been a shift in power between the employer and the employee

by Ian Grant

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The Scottish government�’s attempt to buy anew public service network that would saveit £300,000 a month has ended up in court.

The Capita and Updata Infrastructureconsortium tendered the highest-scoring bidfor the Scottish Wide Area Network(SWAN) contract (News, Dec 2012). Otherbidders were the incumbent, BT, and a jointventure between Cable & Wireless(Vodafone) and Virgin Media Business.

A Scottish government spokesman saysthat BT has taken the procuring body,NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) tocourt, alleging NSS was not transparent inthe scoring process for the bids. BT iscalling for the tender to be re-run or forNSS to pay it £20m in damages.

NSS has applied for an urgent dismissalto enable it to award the contract and

speed up the savings. It had hoped thatwork on SWAN would begin in April.

A Capita spokesman said: �“We areaware of the legal challenge. It is a matterof public record that Capita hasparticipated in the bid process for theprovision of Scotland�’s wide area networkbut, until the SWAN board confirms itsdecision on the preferred bidder, it wouldbe inappropriate for us to comment.�”

BT is already receiving at least £264m inpublic money for rolling out next-generation broadband access under the£410m Digital Scotland project. At the timeof writing, the telco did not respond to ourinvitations to comment on the SWAN tender.

Under the initial �‘Vanguard�’ contract,NHS Scotland, Education Scotland andsix local authorities will join the new

www.networkingplus.co.uk J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 4

Traditional IT models are under threatwith 31 per cent of SMEs currently usingnon-license-based solutions compared to16 per cent in 2005, according to researchby Scale Computing. In a survey carriedout for the infrastructure provider byVanson Bourne, it�’s predicted that thiswill rise to 36 per cent by 2015.

The study of senior IT personnel in 200UK firms found that 48 per cent reportedtheir budget was not enough and thatsmaller firms had less scope when it cameto cutting costs. �“The major IT vendorshave for a long time forced enterprisesolutions on small and mid-market firmsand made them pay through the nose forsoftware for too long,�” claims Jeff Ready,CEO, Scale Computing. �“Today, small andmid-market businesses realise there�’s analternative, and they no longer have to payfor expensive infrastructure systems.�”

This contrasts sharply with large

businesses. Ninety-nine per cent ofrespondents agreed to some extent thatlarge organisations have a reputation forbuying �“big name�” brands, as their ITdecision-makers believe that by doing sothey will become more employable.

Ready says: �“Traditional IT has beenbrainwashed into thinking that payingmore money for big brand names is valuefor their business. The reality is that thereis a new breed of IT emerging, which issavvy enough to understand that thealternatives are good enough, and they nolonger have to pay for licences.�”

Seventy-six per cent of respondentssaid that the aim with most of their ITsystems was to have a robust, scalableinfrastructure that achieves competitiveparity at minimum cost. As a result, ScaleComputing says it�’s no surprise that someform of licence-free IT is the preferredoption for 69 per cent of IT heads. "

Threat to traditional vendor modelas SMEs look to open source

F I X E D & W I R E L E S S N E T W O R K S F O R E N T E R P R I S E U S E R S

SWAN. The contract is valued at around£110m, but the winner could take home£325m as more public sector bodies joinduring its six-year lifetime. The NSS saidin a statement there is already a �“goodpipeline�” of other organisationscommitted to participating because of thepossible savings.

The NHS has 150,000 staff in Scotlandalone, according to the governmentspokesman who added: �“Ultimately, the realvalue of the network is in creating a standardplatform for the whole public sector �–economies of scale, common technologies,savings, integration possibilities, so thatwould [mean] thousands more staff.�” "

Dark fibre fuels futureZayo to install London-wide dark fibre network for SSE TelecomsNews, p2!

The Court of Session at Parliament House, Edinburgh, where Judge Malcolm is hearing BT’scomplaint against the NSS’ system for scoring bids for the Scottish Wide Area Network.

PHOTO: MACCOINNICH APRIL 2005 & USED UNDER CREATIVE COMMONS LICENCE.

BT goes to court over SWANtendering process

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Technical glitches costs UK £3.4bnThe UK economy is losing £3.4 billionevery year due to technical glitches andsoftware crashes, according to new researchfrom software firm FileMaker.

The problems appear to increase with thesize of the firm. Fifty-two per cent of C-level execs in larger SMEs (those with over300 staff) reported losing an average of 3-4hours per month from technological issues.

The survey also flagged up howtechnology is failing to support workers ashabits change, for instance with remoteworking. 92 per cent of respondents saidthey work remotely at least some of thetime, but two fifths of them alsocomplained that their organisation�’ssupport for remote working limited thescope of work they could accomplishwhilst away from their desk.

Tony Speakman, FileMaker�’s directorfor Northern Europe, says: �“This studyhighlights the costs that businesses incurby using technology that falls short ofexpectations and business requirements.�”

According to Speakman, although C-level execs in SMEs believe theyunderstand the technology, it is costing anunacceptable number of man hours andfailing them on fundamental issues such asduplication of effort and mobility.

Despite these apparent limitations incurrently available solutions, the researchalso showed untapped resources that werealready at hand. For example, featuressuch as Excel�’s collaboration tool to sharespreadsheets had only been used by fiveper cent of respondents, with people beingalmost as likely to print out a hard copy. !

Free Wi-Fi expansion is on track

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Train operator First Great Western (FGW) isto roll out free Wi-Fi across its High Speedand Night Riviera Sleeper services by theend of 2014 with the help of transportationconnectivity specialist Nomad Digital.

The deployment delivers on promises toincrease Wi-Fi provision which the trainfirm made last October as part of its bid toacquire a new 23-month franchise. The timescale for delivery will see both daily NightRiviera services kitted out by June with thelarger fleet of 53 High Speed trainsbeginning installation in May. Completionis expected by the end of the year.

The expansion plans come on the back ofa successful test run where FGW trialledWi-Fi on board its fleet of Class 180 trainswhich serve the North Cotswolds. �“Our freeWi-Fi has been very well received bycustomers, and within the coming year all

high speed and sleeper fleet customers willbe able to read their emails, browse the web,or simply catch up with friends while on themove,�” says FGW MD Mark Hopwood.

As well as offering wireless services onits trains, the operator also offers Wi-Fi at anumber of stations in conjunction withpublic access hotspot provider The Cloud.

Nomad Digital says this latest deal withFGW is yet another example of the �“vastincrease�” in demand for wireless data ontrains worldwide. �“The public�’s demandfor Wi-Fi connectivity on transport hasgrown rapidly, becoming a vital tool forworking and staying connected while onthe move,�” says CEO Andrew Taylor.

Over the last few months, NomadDigital has deployed its systems for anumber of train operators such as Eurostarand ScotRail (News, Jul/Aug 2013). !

The end of 2013 saw SSE Telecoms sign adeal with Zayo Group to install a London-wide dark fibre network. Zayo, aninternational provider of bandwidthinfrastructure services, will install a point ofpresence network which will connect 22locations. They include 21 BT phone andEthernet exchange points in London and afurther exchange serving the Slough area.

SSE Telecoms already operates its ownfibre network in London. But this newcontract will enable it to leverage Zayo�’sadditional fibre reach, as well as the firm�’sability to design and build large-scale fibrenetworks. SSE aims to offer a high-

capacity connectivity network to a greaternumber of businesses based in the capital.Services are scheduled to go live duringthe second quarter of the year.

The deal plays a part in SSE�’s larger plansto extend its network coverage to all majorbusiness conurbations across the UK. Theprogramme, known as �‘Project Edge�’, willsee the company deploy its own high-capacity PoPs in 54 additional centralbusiness districts, serving almost 106,000more business postcode areas with high-bandwidth fibre connectivity.! In a separate deal announced in January,SSE will supply 190km of dedicated dark

fibre to connect Everest Data Centres. Thenetwork provides connections fromLondon Docklands to Everest�’s existingcentres in Slough as well as its new 1,000rack, 6MVA facility in Reading.

�“This network solution has been builtwith the future in mind,�” says Chris Jagusz,MD, SSE Telecoms. �“Our scalable andagile network can accommodate furtherexpansion as Everest extends its UKpresence with next-generation data centres.�”

The demand may come soon, as EverestMD Ed Butler says his firm is looking toestablish a site in the M25 corridor in the�“near future�”. !

Dark fibre fuels future for London

UK firms are missing out on the benefitsoffered by mobile solutions, according toindependent research commissioned byCitrix. More importantly, they appear to berunning the risk of falling behind their rivalsin other countries, with UK firms rankingfourteenth out of 17 nations when askedwhether they thought �“mobility as aninitiative�” would give them an advantage.

The Mobility in Business report polled1,700 senior IT decision-makers aroundthe globe and found that despite 48 percent of UK businesses already having aformal mobile strategy (in line with theworldwide average of 47 per cent), only aquarter thought it should be a �“topbusiness priority�”.

Citrix believes the UK could lose out ifattitudes don�’t change. �“High growtheconomies like Brazil, India, and China aremoving to capitalise on the potential of

mobile, leaving those economies we con-sider to be more developed at risk of beingleft behind,�” warns James Stevenson,Northern Europe VP of Citrix.

The survey also sheds light on theconcerns that are hampering firms. The topthree barriers reported were: legacysystems were not suitable for mobilepurposes (53 per cent); support formultiple mobile operating systems (45 percent); and supporting the proliferation ofdevice types (37 per cent).

However, Stevenson thinks companiesmay have to go mobile whether they wantto or not: �“There�’s been a shift in powerbetween the employer and the employee.Workers are driving change in how IT isbeing used in the workplace; they want thefreedom to choose the apps, devices andproductivity tools they feel the best to helpthem do their daily role.�” !

Mobility worries holding back UKbusinesses compared to rivals

SSE Telecoms sees a bright future for itsLondon-wide expansion.

Following earlier customer trials, First Great Western has now expanded its on-board Wi-Fi service.

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UK organisations are distinctly lacking incloud-specific competencies and training.In our latest Data Health Check report, wefound that 43 per cent of IT professionalsrate their current competence in cloudimplementation and management aseither ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’, with onlyseven per cent rating it as ‘excellent’. Thisis despite the fact that 64 per cent of the400 IT professionals from UK-basedorganisations questioned are currentlyusing at least one cloud-based service.

Respondents were asked about thechanging ways in which technology isused by businesses today. As part of thisyear’s report, greater focus was put onassessing the impact of cloud computingon the IT job market, as well as thecompetency and training of employees.

Despite the obvious lack of confidencein their cloud competency, 54 per cent ofrespondents have received no cloudtraining in the past 12 months. Even moreworrying is that 53 per cent have madeno plans for training in 2014.

While all this doesn’t present animmediate threat to jobs, as businessescontinue to use more cloud services there is clearly a new skillset required to manage them. While the myth that

cloud services will eventually replace in-house IT teams is largely unfounded,what we can expect to see instead is achange in the shape of the job market.

Our data shows a significant reductionin tape-based backup and continuedgrowth in general cloud adoption, withminimal job losses. IT departments areevolving. In the past, the majority oftheir time was spent managing internalsystems and a smaller portion wasspent on using those systems to support their organisation. Cloudservices allow IT teams to focus themajority of their time on usingtechnology to best serve business.

Cloud services have evolved rapidlyover the past decade, and their adoptionis likely to continue to grow. Our reportsuggests that the number of organisationswho have adopted at least one cloud-based service has risen to 64 per cent inthe last 12 months. There is no reasoncloud computing should be something forthe IT department to fear. But employeesmust ensure that they remain relevant intoday’s changing market by gaining theappropriate skills and qualifications.

Training for the cloud – advice from theCloudEthernet Forum, pp14-17

THE WORLD ACCORDING TO...Peter Groucutt, managing director, Databarracks

Distinct lack of IT competence and training in UK businesses

Portsmouth Hospitals Trust (PHT) hasdeployed an ExtraHop EH2000v virtualappliance to help manage more than 100clinical and administrative applications,including its core Citrix-basedvirtualisation platform.

With a remit to provide a full range ofservices to more than 650,000 people acrossPortsmouth, South East Hampshire andWest Sussex, PHT relies on a suite ofcritical applications for its day-to-dayoperations, including in-house developeddatabases. While over 6,000 staff use thesystems for tasks such as accessing patientinformation in real-time and managingpatient discharges, Philip Kenney, PHT�’shead of IT operations, wanted more controlover the applications environment.

�“Latency or failure can dramaticallyimpact the effectiveness of our cliniciansand staff, as well as patient care,�” he says.�“With such a high-pressure and demandingenvironment, IT must be an enabler, not asource of delays and frustration.�”

With that in mind, Kenney enlisted the

help of service management and operationalsupport systems specialist Nxtera who hadpreviously delivered a successful project forthe trust. It recommended ExtraHop�’ssolution because of its use of wire data togather information instead of requiringprobes to reside on the servers, which canthemselves cause performance issues.

�“The operational intelligence we�’ve beenable to extract using ExtraHop�’s wire dataanalytics has been a game changer forPHT,�” says Kenney. �“We now have theability to see real performance for everyuser across every application in real-time.�”

Owen Cole, ExtraHop�’s EMEAVP, adds:�“PHT had a huge area of opaqueness intheir application delivery chain and simplycould not find a technology that offered thelevel of visibility they required.�”

He goes on to explain that the highlycomplex environment�–withVMs migratingbetween locations depending on workloadsand the available resources �– was achallenge for log and agent-based APM, aswell as legacy NPM technologies. !

Portsmouth Hospitalcures visibility issues

North Lincolnshire Council PSN willreplace its existing WAN in a bid toimprove collaboration and enable better�“joined up�” public services in the region.The project, which will see a move to usingresources provided by MDNX, promises todeliver next-generation infrastructurewhilst also reducing the collective costs ofthe network used for public services by over25 per cent during the next five years.

The council will connect workers at 72sites across the region including its offices,libraries, schools, colleges, youth centres,leisure facilities, courts, and homeworkers.The aim is to power a collaborativeapproach and provide a platform for otherpublic services to join and benefit from thenetwork by, for example, playing a role inthe future deployments of other servicessuch as CCTV and city-wide Wi-Fi.

An educational network will also bedeployed over the PSN providing

connectivity to more than 50 schools acrossthe county and linking into educationnetworks such as Janet. Additional contentfiltering is to be deployed through MDNX�’sstrategic partner Equiinet to protect studentinternet usage whilst on campus.

�“The integrator model provides a trulycompetitive approach to the delivery ofconnectivity enabling us to access an arrayof different products and services,�” saysPaul Smith, unified communicationsmanager, North Lincolnshire Council.�“This has enabled us to introduce a hugeamount of flexibility into our network.�”

In separate news announced inDecember, MDNX has acquired Easynet, a global provider of managed networking,hosting, and cloud integration services.The merged operations of the twobusinesses, including the NorthLincolnshire deal, will now operate underthe Easynet brand. !

Council’s new WAN cuts costs

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Portsmouth Hospital Trust can now buildon its ability to track applicationperformance.


Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust(PAH) will use a self-service enterpriseapp store for 10,000 users in order tostreamline application delivery andimprove employee satisfaction.

Driving the trust�’s consumerisation ofIT and BYOD initiatives, FlexeraSoftware�’s AppPortal and AdminStudiowill prepare, package, and provideapplications allowing doctors and otherstaff to easily access hospital services anddata on their personal smartphones andtablets. With users often having to wait upto seven days for the delivery of their apps,

PAH hopes that the self-service enterpriseapp store will drastically reduce wait timesto as little as fifteen minutes.

The trust is rolling out the store at thesame time as migrating from Windows XPto Windows 7. It is also carrying out avirtualisation initiative that involvesconverting .MSI packages to MicrosoftApp-V format.

AdminStudio will provide the OS andvirtualisation conversions. It will alsooffer application testing, remediation,packaging, and hand-off to the app storethat will be provided by AppPortal.

Christine Walters, associate director forIM&T, Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust,says: �“We want to empower our clinicalprofessionals to request, obtain, andconsume business applications and servicesquickly and reliably, in an environmentthat�’s as easy and intuitive as downloadingan app from iTunes.�”

Flexera Software says it was also chosenbecause of FlexNet Manager Suite, itssoftware license optimisation solution. Thisis claimed to offer visibility and control ofIT assets, thereby reducing ongoingsoftware costs and ensuring compliance. !

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Microsoft extendssecurity support forWindows XPWhile Microsoft is planning to stop support fora number of its end-of-life products on 8 April(News, Jul/Aug 2013), it says it will nowextend its anti-malware support for WindowsXP. In an announcement posted on itsTechNet blog on 15 January, the softwaregiant says it will continue to provide updatesto its anti-malware signatures and engine forWindows XP users through 14 July 2015, inorder to help organisations complete theirmigrations. It adds: “This does not affect theend-of-support date of Windows XP, or thesupportability of Windows XP for otherMicrosoft products, which deliver and applythose signatures. For enterprise customers,this applies to System Center EndpointProtection, Forefront Client Security, ForefrontEndpoint Protection and Windows Intunerunning on Windows XP. For consumers, thisapplies to Microsoft Security Essentials. !

Tunnel networkUK passengers travelling through theEurotunnel will now be able to use theirmobiles following the signing of a 10-year deal between Vodafone and EE to offer both 2G and 3G services. The 50km deploymentwas carried out by Alcatel-Lucent using AxellWireless’ distributed antenna system (DAS).This features a network of repeaters and leaky-feeder cabling that are used to propagatecoverage throughout the length of the tunnels.The GSM-P network, which supports consumercalls, required 142 repeaters, while theseparate GSM-R network used for specialistrailway communications needed 375. !

Kcom’s telephonyavailable via GPSKcom has been awarded a framework deal for telephony services by the GovernmentProcurement Service (GPS). The service, whichis in charge of saving money for the publicsector by improving supplier management, hascleared the communication services provider to offer both traditional telephony and inboundvoice services as two separate lots in theframework. Kcom says this new frameworkagreement is the procurement vehicle of choicefor these services. It adds that it avoids thecurrent situation where telephony lines and callsprocurements have to be split between the PSNConnectivity and PSN Services frameworks. !

Enterprises are no longer willing to contendwith poor in-building mobile coverage,according to research from specialistconsulting firm Real Wireless. Theindependent study, carried out for the SmallCell Forum, found that 82 per cent ofbusinesses would switch provider toguarantee coverage.

With in-building coverage an issue forbusinesses of all sizes, Real Wirelessshowed how operators should not onlyaddress the problem but that doing so wouldbe a sound financial investment.

For a representative medium-sizedbusiness with around 180 employees and anoffice floor space of 2,700m2, it says thatinstalling just four enterprise small cells canincrease the customer lifetime value from£65,000 to as much as £271,400 �– anincrease of 329 per cent. Even conservative

estimates would see an improvement of 194per cent to £190,000, according to the study.By delivering improved coverage andcustomer satisfaction, Real Wirelessreckons that operators can expect to make areturn on their investment within the firstyear as well as see improvements incustomer retention and spend.

The study also looked at other in-buildingwireless options including distributedantenna systems, repeaters, and Wi-Fi, butconcluded that although all the solutionshave a part to play, small cells offer a strongcommercial benefit.

�“It is not just the carrier that can benefit,but the enterprise too,�” says ProfessorSimon Saunders, technology director andco-founder of Real Wireless. �“Improvingcoverage means fewer dropped calls andless frustration.�” !

Small cells could make big sells BT plans morefibre to cities

Self-service to reduce waiting times for doctors

Chester Zoo has deployed WatchGuardTechnologies�’ integrated securityplatforms to provide unified threatmanagement and protect its network anddata across a 110-acre site.

With 350 full-time employees and morethan 250 seasonal staff, Chester Zoo is hometo more than 11,000 animals and attractsover 1.4m visitors a year. It uses a fullyvirtualised server farm on a 10Gbpsbackbone with 1Gbps fibre connecting themajority of its 175 desktop computers.There are also more than 100 PC-basedEPOS terminals deployed at the entrance,shops, and catering establishments.

WatchGuard says its solution offers asuite of functionality including intrusion

prevention and detection, Web 2.0application filtering, and SSL VPN supportto enable secure remote access. The

platforms were supplied and installed byChester Zoo�’s IT solutions provider andWatchGuard partner Concorde IT Group.

Martin King, Chester Zoo�’s IT manager,says: �“Concorde helped us at every stage ofthe process �– even coming to do the installat five o�’clock in the morning. Ongoingmanagement is straightforward and intuitivefor our IT department team.�”

As well as reliable intrusion preventionand detection services, King says theWatchGuard solution was chosen as it alsooffers improved logging and reporting.�“WatchGuard was the only vendor thatticked all our boxes for the functionality weneeded going forward and also offered themost competitive price,�” he adds. !

Zoo keeps data poachers at bay

Chester Zoo uses a fully virtualised server farmon a 10Gbps backbone with 1Gbps fibre.

BT will invest a further £50m into itscommercial fibre broadband programmeover the next three years. In anannouncement made in January, the firmsaid that the money will benefit more than30 cities, helping to make high speedbroadband available to more than 400,000additional premises.

BT said that the new investment willfocus on three areas: enabling citycabinets that weren�’t part of its originalcommercial plans due to technicalchallenges or local planning restrictions;deploying FTTC to serve multi-dwellingunits such as apartment blocks; and layingfurther fibre, including FTTP technology,to new build sites in cities. !


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Cloud is still a relatively small investmentfor the UK�’s largest organisations and isfailing to meet IT leaders�’ expectations,according to sourcing advisor Alsbridge.

It consulted 50 senior IT decision-makers around the UK and found largemismatches between the expectations andthe real-life results that cloud was giving.

For instance, 74 per cent expectedoperational cost savings but only 41 percent saw any significant reductions.Efficiency was also lacking with 59 percent expecting tangible benefits and only35 per cent feeling that they�’d seen the

results they had hoped for. �“Cloud has been hyped-up by

consultants and suppliers alike for manyyears, but in truth there is still cautionaround its wider adoption beyond SaaSand �‘sand-boxed�’ platforms,�” says JohnSheridan, director and head of IToutsourcing, Alsbridge.

The survey showed that with those whohad invested in cloud solutions, SaaS hadbeen adopted by 70 per cent, whereasother solutions trailed far behind withPaaS at 32 per cent, computational IaaS at20 per cent, and storage IaaS at 14 per

cent. Sheridan blames a lack ofinvestment as many respondents claimedthat barely a fifth of annual IT budgets arespent on externally managed cloudcomputing accounts.

Alsbridge also discovered that almosttwo thirds cite data sovereignty andprivacy as their top concern to adoptingmore cloud services. A tenth said legacyapplications were their biggest problem,whilst one in twenty felt they lacked thenecessary skills.

Sheridan believes that these are notunreasonable worries. �“What concerned

me most was the limited recognition ofkey risk factors. Based on our experienceof the primary challenges, IT leaders areseriously underestimating the job ofmigrating to the cloud,�” he warns. !

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The European subsidiary of NaviSite, aninternational provider of cloud-enabledhosting, has signed a deal with DigitalRealty Trust which will see 2.4MW of ITload being made available on a long-termbasis across two data centres in Wokingand Redhill. The move is partially aresponse from NaviSite which claims it hasexperienced exponential growth sinceintroducing its infrastructure-as-a-serviceNaviCloud platform in 2012.

Existing services at the Woking datacentre will see an increase in capacityalong with a new cloud node at Redhill.The hoster�’s key target is to be able tolaunch a UK-based disaster recoveryservice over the cloud.

�“The business environment is experi-encing an increased focus on compliance,data sovereignty and regulation,�” says RonPepin, director of data centre operations forTime Warner Cable, NaviSite�’s parent

company. The firm hopes that having aUK-based operation will solve many of thepotential headaches such issues could causefor its clients. It says that previously,although applications and data over thecloud were held in this country, backup anddisaster recovery were not. The new dealwill see those services also being offered inthe UK, enabling customers to deliveragainst any data sovereignty restrictions.

Pepin explains that the choice of DigitalRealty Trust came down to the way that itsfacilities had been built, in particular thehigh-speed networks connecting the datacentres. �“The structure by which DigitalRealty has built its facilities providespower, cooling and redundancy at a scalethat will reduce NaviSite�’s time-to-marketfor provisioning new IT services in a secureway. These factors were key for us inmaking the decision to expand our datacentre footprint with Digital Realty.�” !

Unmet expectations hampering cloud adoptionIT leaders are seriouslyunderestimating the jobof migrating to thecloud, says Alsbridge’sJohn Sheridan.

Mantle Enterprise Business Centres isworking with cloud-based telephonyspecialist Teliqo to deploy a VoIP systemthat will include deskphones andteleconferencing facilities.

Mantle provides independent servicedoffices, and with this latest project it aimsto augment its �“pick and mix�”-styleselection of services which it offers tofirms setting up their businesses.

The company will use Teliqo�’s systemacross two sites in Wokingham, Surrey tosupport its rapidly-growing tenant base of120 professionals. It�’s claimed the platformoffers a simple, scalable service thatdelivers low-cost calls along with over 200�“professional�” features, from conferencecalling to call recording.

The key benefit for Mantle is that thecloud solution forgoes the hardware and

capital expenditure required for atraditional phone system, and also uses a�“pay-as-you-grow�” model where the firmonly pays for the current number of users.Teliqo says that adding and removing userscan be done typically within 24 hours,meaning a quick response to clients whosuddenly need to up- or downsize.

The system also supports mobileworking via the One Number feature.This allows users to have a single numberthat can be answered at any of theirdeskphones, smartphones, laptops, ortablet devices.

Luke Bolt, MD of Mantle EnterpriseBusiness Centres, says: �“Teliqo hasenabled us to add significant value to theservices we provide to our clients, givingthem the resources that are usually thereserve of much larger companies.�” !

BT and Cisco have launched One CloudCisco to meet the perceived demand forimproved communications and collab-oration tools without the need to rip andreplace telecoms hardware.

The new service is based on Cisco�’sHosted Collaboration Solution andpromises a �“full range�” of collaborationtools �– including mobility, Jabber, instantmessaging, and high-definition video aswell as high-definition voice.

The partners say it can be deployed ona pay-per-user basis with options for noterm or call volume commitment, whichaims to address IT departments�’ need forsolutions that are cost efficient, scalable,and easy to deploy.

Also on offer are BT�’s One Voiceportfolio of services. These include a VPNthat allows voice and data traffic to besecurely transmitted over a public network,reduced rates for mobile calls by routingcalls via the BT One Voice network, andSIP trunking which aims to open up a rangeof unified communications options.

The rationale for the launch is based onan independent survey of 500 IT decision-makers carried out for the firms. Here,two thirds felt that their current commsplatform wasn�’t equipped to change withtheir business needs. On top of that, 85 percent reported that they were looking todeploy cloud collaboration services inorder to help them meet demand. !

Cloud telephony promises tohelp managers keep pace

Start-ups boosted by “pay-as-you-grow” VoIP service

NaviSite expands into two new UK-based data centres

More racks: NaviSite has ordered 2.4MW of capacity as part of a deal signed with Digital Realty.


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St. George’s slays thedowntime dragonThese days if the network is down formore than four hours, hospitals start todivert patients and shut down services. So when St George�’s Healthcare NHSTrust decided it could no longer afford topatch its old desktop estate it went totender for a robust and reliable network.

The hospital�’s 33-strong IT teammanages 5,000 desktops and over 160applications, including pathology,electronic patient records and picturearchiving and communications systems.

�“We wanted a one stop for everything:network, storage, compute, desktopvirtualisation, BYOD, and so on,�” saysKerman Jasavala, St George�’s deputydirector of ICT.

The contract went to Cisco. It wasbased on a medical-grade network usingCNAB (Cisco Network ArchitecturalBlueprint) for the NHS, and wasimplemented by approved partner Block.The solution builds on St George�’sexisting Cisco infrastructure plus thevendor�’s enterprise network architectureand unified computing system (UCS).These form a secure end-to-end platformfor BYOD and VDI in a healthcaresetting, and includes Cisco IP telephony,which replaces a legacy system.

The system serves more than 7,000 staffwho look after a local population of 1.3mand deliver specialist services to some3.5m. Its main site, St George�’s Hospital inTooting, has 900 beds, and it also providescommunity services through a smaller100-bed unit and 11 health centres.

Jasavala says: �“We needed to make astep-change. People were working acrossmore sites, and mobility was becomingincreasingly important, especially for clini-cians who needed reliable access to dotheir jobs efficiently wherever they were.�”

There are now more than 2,000 BYOD/VDI users. The trust believes the onlyexceptions may be back-office workers forwhom mobility is less of an issue.

Jasavala says they are using the CiscoAnyConnect client and a VMware Viewclient that together allow users to self-provision. If the user is running a Mac orWindows PC, logging on involves two-stage authentication with a text token.

The platform provides consistentmobility including session persistence,regardless of device or location. Medicalteams have bedside access to files, testresults, and reports, improving the qualityand safety of patient care. Although loweropex was not the main driver, it isemerging. Further savings will come fromdigitising paper records, and other clinicalprogrammes will see electronicprescribing and clinical documentation.

Telemedicine saves doctors1,300 hours per yearA remote HD video system used duringcardiac operations is saving consultantsand nursing staff at Evelina LondonChildren�’s Hospital thousands of hours ayear, allowing them to treat more patientsand provide a higher standard of care.

The hospital treats 100,000 childrenevery year, including 6,000 for heartproblems, and has earned an internationalreputation for cardiology, receivingpatient referrals from around the world.

�“Our cardiac surgeons are currentlyperforming almost 500 operations peryear,�” says Dr John Simpson, consultantpaediatric cardiologist. �“For cardiologiststo be physically present for all 500 isvery challenging. We wanted a moreefficient means to see the scans beingperformed in the operating theatre.�”

The enterprise team at Evelina Londonworked with Polycom to apply videocollaboration technology in the hospital�’soperating theatres. The cardiologyconsultants can now share high-qualityimages and collaborate in real-time tomake informed decisions more quicklywhile the patient is in theatre. Thisreduces operation times, especially thetime patients spend under anaesthetic, akey factor in hastening post-op recovery.

Using a Polycom RealPresence Group500 system and a Philips ultrasound cartenables theatre staff to transmit cleardata and scan images in full HD to oneof several review stations within thehospital. Using the Polycom personalvideo collaboration system, the remoteon-service consultant can review thesame scan data as the surgical team sees.

�“Normally, if a senior cardiologist isneeded to review scans in theatre, thenthe on-service consultant needs to scrub,change into theatre clothing and go intothe operating theatre,�” says Simpson.�“This takes around 90 minutes and maycompete with other clinical commitmentson the ward, intensive care unit ortalking to parents. The new remotesystem cuts the time needed to aroundfive minutes.�”

The new system ensures patientshave quicker operations, diagnosis bythe most senior doctors, and spend lesstime under anaesthetic. The system isalso said to have saved an estimated1,300 hours of consultants�’ andsurgeons�’ time each year �– with evenmore efficiencies gained in nursingservices and support.

�“Staffing costs have been significantlyreduced and consultants can cut the timeit takes to prepare to enter an operatingtheatre,�” says Simpson. �“The time theysave can be used to help more sickchildren and their parents.�”

Just what the doctor orderedIT networks are playing a significant role in the management and delivery of healthcare services that are often spread over wide areas and used by millions of people.

Leeds NHS trust goespaperless for staff recordsA hosted paperless records system fromEMIS Web has enabled one of England�’sbiggest NHS occupational health (OH)services to save time and improvehealthcare. The Leeds TeachingHospitals NHS Trust�’s SEQOHS-accredited department is responsible forthe occupational health for more than25,000 staff and students at several sitesincluding Leeds General Infirmary andSt James�’s University Hospital.

The Occupational Health Service hasto keep records on a multi-disciplinaryteam of medical and administration staff.Anyone treating a patient may haveseveral interactions at multiple sites, andeach event has to be recorded in theemployee�’s file. OHS business managerAndrea Hildred says: �“We desperatelywanted a system that would enableauthorised team members to access andupdate an employee�’s OH file safely,securely and in real-time.

Hildred says that with EMIS Web theprocess is quicker, safer and more accuratethan paper records because the templatesdrive consistency and informationgathered is in real-time. The systemenables the department to react better to

emergencies. �“For example, we supportstaff who are exposed to blood. In thesesituations, enabling team members toupdate immediately the affectedindividual�’s file is fantastic because of the need for speed and accuracy.�”

Hildred says preparing clinics is one ofthe service�’s biggest tasks. This meansgetting each attendee�’s file, ensuringclinicians have the right details, andupdating individual employee files withnotes and actions. �“With EMIS Web, wespend much less time on prep because thedata is there in a centralised hub.�”

The time saved means the system iseffectively self-funding. It is also highlyadaptable, enabling the organisation tocreate bespoke templates and reports.

The OH team is now looking at linkingEMIS Web to an online health screeningprogramme for assessing the health ofstudent doctors and nurses.

Net+ 1401 p9 (rwn) AM RN.qxd 28/1/14 16:04 Page 9

M odular data centres continue togrow in popularity. In a whitepaper published last year,

(Assessing the cost: modular versustraditional build), DCD Intelligence saidthat in both established data centre marketssuch as France, the UK and US, as well asthe emerging BRIC nations, data centreoperators have reported growinginvestment in modular technology over the last few years (see figure 1).

So what exactly is a modular data centre(MDC)? In the same white paper, DCDIntelligence says the concept traditionallyreferred to ISO shipping containers whichare deployed as standalone �‘data centres ina box�’, complete with all the necessary IT,power and cooling technology. It adds thatthese containerised data centres continueto be used to support disaster recovery andtemporary IT projects, which was whythey were originally developed.

Over time however, DCD Intelligencesays a distinction has emerged between�‘containerised�’ and �‘modular�’ data centres:�“In contrast to containerised data centres,[we] understand a modular data centre tobe a data centre design based on prefabri-cated, pre-tested modules assembled in acustom-configured manner to form a com-plete solution, ideally defined by software.

�“Although data centre modules are deliv-ered to end users in a pre-assembled form,with hardware and software componentsalready fully-integrated, it is common forpower modules to be deployed alongsidedata centre modules as separate plug-ins.�”

Schneider Electric says that a lack of standard terminology for describingmodular approaches has made selectingthe appropriate type difficult. It says thatdata centre systems or sub-systems pre-assembled in a factory are often describedwith terms like �‘prefabricated�’,�‘containerised�’, �‘modular�’, �‘skid-based�’,�‘pod-based�’, �‘portable�’, �‘self-contained�’,�‘mobile�’, �‘all-in-one�’, and more. �“Thereare, however, important distinctionsbetween the various types of factory-builtbuilding blocks on the market,�” it says.

In a recently released white paper (Typesof prefabricated modular data centers), thefirm aims to eliminate ambiguity betweenthe various form factors in the market, andproposes a standardised set of definitionsfor the growing categories of modular andprefabricated data centre products andsolutions. It suggests a framework that, inaddition to helping define and categorisedifferent types of modular and prefabricateddata centre equipment, seeks to act as aguide for choosing the best approach forcustomer installations based on theirbusiness requirements. �“Understanding the limitations and benefits of each formfactor helps ensure the optimal approach isselected. Ultimately, business needs aroundspeed of deployment, scalability, spaceconstraints, capacity, and cash flow drive the decision,�” says Schneider.

And when it comes to such businessneeds, MDCs do indeed offer organisationsa variety of unique benefits.

What’s on offer?Barcelona-based AST Modular has beentrading for 15 years and claims it was oneof the first companies to provide modularand containerised data centres (CDCs). Itsays their advantages include: reducedcapex; plug-and-play capability; portability;

fast time to market; energy efficiency; andeasy installation. It adds that its CDCs arehighly secure, pre-engineered facilities thatfeature heavy duty, anti-vandalismconstruction, and provide an �“optimal�” DCenvironment for servers in any location.Furthermore, they�’re scalable �– modulesfor chillers, generators and vestibules (forexample) can be added on; containers canbe stacked vertically; and by combiningbuilding blocks, large scale modulardeployments can be achieved, says AST.

The firm also offers non-ISO MDCs.These are longer and wider than CDCs andare available in 25ft and 40ft configurations.They have no internal rails and thereforehave more internal clearance space. ASTsays that they feature the same benefits asCDCs and can be combined for scaling up.

A third option offered by AST is the DCModular Room (DCMR). It describes thisas an �“IKEA type�” flat-packed kit thatfeatures fireproof partitions to enableorganisations to build a DC room eitherwithin an existing building or outside it.The shelter panels are installed on site andare certified against water, fire and dust.AST adds that they are thermally insulated,energy efficient and �“highly�” robust.

In January 2014, Schneider announcedthe acquisition of AST Modular, adding the Spanish company�’s capabilities to it itsown extensive line-up of prefabricated datacentres. Schneider itself claims to have seta new standard in prefab DCs with 14 newmodules and 12 new reference design thatwere launched in November. It says thereference designs provide details forcomplete data centres, scalable in 250kWto 2MW increments and complying withUptime Tier II and Tier III standards.

According to the company, the newmodules deliver IT, power, and/or coolingintegrated with �“best-in-class�” data centreinfrastructure components, and itsStruxureWare data centre infrastructuremanagement software for an �“easy-to-deploy, predictable data centre�”. The vendoradds that its modules range in capacitiesfrom 90kW to 500kW and are customisable

to meet end user requirements. �“Prefabricated data centres enable data

centre managers to maximise the speed ofbusiness through rapid installation, easyexpansion and improved cash manage-ment,�” says Kevin Brown, Schneider�’s VPof data centre global offer and strategy.�“This prefabricated approach inherentlyincreases the predictability of the buildprocess, since most of the constructionoccurs in a factory instead of in the field.�”

Schneider claims that with its launch ofthe industry�’s first complete library ofprefabricated reference designs, data centremanagers now have a pre-engineeredstarting point to realise three significantimprovements. These include:! Speed of deployment: prefab modules

are delivered on-site pre-configured andpre-tested for an easy installation with alead time of 12-16 weeks, depending onthe level of project complexity. Sitepreparation and module production canbe completed concurrently, resulting inminimised on-site construction anddeployment time

! Flexibility and scalability: various module options and configurationsenable the infrastructure to be deployedand scaled as needed to meet demand.Capex reductions result from eliminatingcomplicated new construction orexpensive building retrofits

! Predictability: prefabrication andfactory testing reduces human error andon-site construction risks whileimproving compliance, safety, andefficiency. Design and manufacturingare closely coupled to greatly minimiseuncertainty which results in morepredictable performance of the datacentre infrastructure.

Colt is no stranger to the prefab market andlaunched its first MDC in 2010. Like itsrivals, the entire Colt Modular Data Centre�– including all power and cooling elements�– is constructed and tested in approvedmanufacturing facilities before beingtransported to its final location.

At the time, Colt said: �“This innovative

data centres register online @ www.networkingplus.co.uk NEW WEBSITE COMING SOON!

Modular data centres are growing in popularity. RAHIEL NASIR rounds up some of thelatest products and looks at their unique benefits.


Thinking insidethe box

Thinking insidethe box

Modular and containerised data centres typically offer a unique set of advantages

such as plug and play capability and easy installation.

Figure 1: Increase in investment in modulardata centre technologies, 2011-2013.SOURCE: DCD INTELLIGENCE

Russia

France

UK

Brazil

USA

India

China

% 0 50 100 150 200

190%

145%

95%

85%

33%

22%

19%

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approach will allow us to deliver highlypower-efficient, turnkey data centre halls tocustomers in less than four months, whilstoffering the flexibility to build large-scaledata centres in 500m2 increments to thesize and layout of their choice. We willreconstruct and commission the data centre �– all within four months, approxi-mately a third of the time required for aconventional build in the market.�”

The firm added that its MDC has adesign target PUE of 1.21, thus drivingdown the overall costs of operating a datacentre through decreased power usage.Colt�’s initial offering included a range of power and cooling options, with theminimum base configuration capable of 750kW power and 1500W/m2 powerdensity for a 500m2 hall. Its MDCs canalso be joined and double-stacked to suitthe customer�’s capacity needs.

HP is another big name vendor thatspecialises in prefab data centres. It firstcame to our attention three years ago whenit worked with Airbus and claimed to havedoubled the aircraft maker�’s usable super-computing power with the implementationof two containerised Performance OptimisedDatacentres. The PODs enabled Airbus toquickly expand data centre capacity,boosting computing performance foraircraft development while saving spaceand energy. At the time, the deploymentgave Airbus the 29th biggest computer inthe world according to the official TOP500Supercomputer list released in June 2011.

Each POD, installed at the customer�’ssites in Toulouse and Hamburg, containsservers, storage, networking, software,management, and integrated power andcooling. HP said that a total of 2,016clustered ProLiant BL280 G6 blade serversenabled the two 12 metre-long containers

to deliver the equivalent of nearly 1,000m2

of data centre space. The firm added thatcompared to an installation in a nearbycustomer data centre, its water-cooledPODs consume up to 40 per cent lesspower �– with a �“near-optimum�” PUErating of 1.25, Airbus was able to decreaseoperating expenses while delivering powercapacity in excess of 15KW/m2.

In a more recent deployment lastNovember, HP announced that the RoyalNavy was using a CDC while its vesselsare being refitted with a portable datacentre (see Container helps to keep Royal Navy�’s systems afloat, left).

November also saw the release of CannonTechnologies�’ latest configurable andexpandable ISO-compliant self-containeddata centres. Available in 6, 12 and 13.5metre versions, Cannon says its MDCs areshipped mission-ready and available forclients to quite literally �“switch on and go�”.

The firm adds that the new units includeits CP-M Series of advanced three-phasemodular power protection as a standardintegrated feature. It claims this advancedversion of its UPS module helps to reducesingle point of failure and mean repair time,as well as increasing site power availabilitywherever the MDCs are located.

Cannon explains that a key feature of theUPS function is support for plug-and-playbattery facilities, allowing the power feedto continue to protected equipment whilebatteries are being replaced. On top of this,the vendor says the units support up to 95per cent power efficiency (and up to 98 percent in eco mode) with an integrated powercapacity as high as 800kVA using four200kVA cabinets in parallel. This modularpower flexibility is said to allow users toscale their power and runtime options asdemand grows, or as and when higher

data centres



Container helps to keepNavy’s systems afloatRoyal Navy crews can continue to workas normal while their vessels are beingrefitted with a portable data centre,thanks to a containerised server roomsupplied by the ATLAS Consortium.

The containerised solution wasdeveloped by ATLAS in conjunctionwith STS Defence as well as the MoD�’sDefence Information Systems andServices. ATLAS is a collaborative teamthat includes Cassidian, CGI, Fujitsu,and HP which was systems integratorand lead contractor on the project.

The consortium designed and built asecure and fully functional server room ina 1,169 cubic feet container. This compactRefit Office (pictured), which HP sayswas completed in just fivemonths, provides a ship�’scompany withuninterruptedaccess tothe MoD�’sDefenceInformationInfrastructure(Future) systemsduring refits. It iscurrently enablingthe crew of RoyalFleet Auxiliary GoldRover, the navy�’s firstDII(F)-equipped vesselrequiring a refit, to stayconnected while work is beingcarried out at Birkenhead dockyard.

HP says that when a vessel goes in

for refit, its nodes and equipment are�“decanted�” into the Refit Office while the crew works in four interconnectedportable cabins. The container�’s fourracks can be configured to meet a widerange of computing needs. Two of thesmaller Maritime Type 2A nodes �– each of which has up to 24 user accessdevices (UADs) and peripherals plussupporting servers �– can be kept fullyoperational and connected to the outsideworld via satellite using Inmarsat�’sFleetBroadband service. The system has been designed to be easily andinexpensively upgraded to support the larger Maritime Type 2B nodes.

In addition, the mobility and resilienceof the containerised solution enables theMoD to use it in a far wider range ofsituations and locations around the globe.Paul Johnson, HP�’s DII deployed maritimeprogramme manager, says: �“Not only doesthe new Refit Office provide continuityof service when a ship is in for refit, it

provides the Royal Navy with amobile utility that can be

transported anywhere and put to use

immediately.�”


levels of availability are required.�“Thanks to the use of 1.4 metre (five

modules) and two metre (10 modules) 19-inch standard cabinets, clients can enjoyaccess to standard-sized rack data centre-style cabinets with a capacity of 10/15/20kVA in just three units of space,�” saysCannon engineering manager Mark Awdas.

He adds that the composition of the rackscan be built completely to the customer�’sspecifications, as well as to a pre-configured design that is available to becarefully drop-shipped to the user�’s sitein a relatively short timescale.

Should you go modular?According to US-based Active Power,which specialises in modular powersystems, the benefits of an MDC approachare �“so great�” and the variety of products�“so wide�”, that it believes every data centrebuild or expansion project should evaluatea modular approach. However, its adds thatthere are a number of key questions thatdata centre operators should ask beforeengaging with a modular supplier as thesewill help avoid costly mistakes.

While Active Power emphasises that itsexperience has shown that MDCs havethrived in a number of scenarios, the levelof benefits will vary depending on theparticulars of the project. Jay Cantu, thevendor�’s product manager for modularinfrastructure solutions, says: �“We havealso seen several proposed deploymentsthat turned out to be poor fits for modularsolutions after thorough evaluations, espe-cially with outdoor containerised solutionsthat present unique challenges. While theseissues can be overcome, they need to beconsidered in the total cost of the deploy-ment and may swing the cost analysis.�”

Cantu explains that the common reasonsto reject a modular deployment include:incompatibility with local building codes;lack of available outdoor space; difficultand/or expensive access to usable spaceduring installation (i.e. staging, craning,rigging, etc); and difficult and/or expensiveconnections to power, water, cooling, etc.

He also points out that in the past,customers typically built out all of thephysical infrastructure they believed theyneeded and then held off on populating thedata centre with racks and servers as theywaited for their customer base to grow.

�“While prudent, operators still need tofund the cost of the land, design and archi-tecture, and construction of their entirephysical shell before a dollar of revenuecomes in. A modular approach enables thecustomer to expand the physical infrastruc-ture, power and cooling infrastructure, andIT load at blocks of capacity based on theiractual growth needs. Customers are thenable to defer large capital outflows normallyincurred at the start of the project into morepalatable stages.�” (See figure 2 below.)

Cantu goes on to point out that one of theadvantages of a modular implementation isthat site preparation and offsite modularconstruction can occur simultaneously. Hereckons that this can almost make the leadtime of the modular equipment �“irrelevant�”in that the modules can typically be built inless time than the customer can obtain aconstruction permit, perform preliminarysite work, and pour concrete pads. However,it should also be kept in mind that skilledengineers and contractors will still requiredto complete the installation.

�“Although factory testing will alleviatemuch of the problems usually incurred, the fact remains this is still an on-siteconstruction project with site inspections,third-party agents, and authority havingjurisdiction approvals. The modularapproach helps to improve, but does noteliminate, the required interactions and

involvement of all of these entities,�” says Cantu.

He also stresses the importance ofchoosing an experienced modular supplier:�“While the initial idea of stuffing electricalequipment into a one-time use shippingcontainer seems like a way to save money,we have found that experienced modularpackagers prefer to build purpose-builtenclosures.�” Cantu says that suchenclosures can then be easily integratedand sized according to local standards,regulations and certifications.

Furthermore, he says many inexperiencedmodular packagers find out the �“hardway�” about the structural integrity of theenclosure when the unit is populated andcraned onto a truck for delivery.�“Weightdistribution and centre of gravity play alarge role when the item is in the air.Experienced riggers and the appropriate

hardware are needed to ensure theenclosure is not damaged when beingloaded onto a truck.�”

Finally, with the unit on site, Cantusays experienced vendors usually deploya project manager who attends meetingsand aids in the planning and installationof the site infrastructure required forconnectivity of the modular components.

So is the MDC the data centre of thefuture?

HP says large mission-critical data centreshoused in brick and mortar buildings are�“rapidly�” running out of capacity, and thatnew builds are expensive, typically takingup to two years. If that�’s the case, a �‘datacentre in box�’ that offers quick deployment,scalability, energy efficiency, and costsavings seems like a no-brainer. The prefaband modular DC looks set to become atrend that cannot be contained. !

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Figure 2: Scalability of modular design (red)versus conventional build (blue). According toActive Power, a modular design enables datacentre owners to start small and deploy ‘rightsize’ units of IT and/or power capacity, deferringlarge capital costs until capacity is needed.

Installed Capacity in KW Load in KW

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9Year

12,000

10,000

8,000

6,000

4,000

2,000

0

KW


The ICT universe is like thoseastronomy photos of vast nebulae incollision: every now and then great

systems converge and grow chaotic beforesettling down to some sort of new order.

In the 1990s it was �‘Bell-heads�’ meet�‘Net-heads�’. Here, one communicationsculture , built around message-dedicatedphysical connectivity, collided with a wholedifferent culture that believed in choppingeverything into tiny packets to be shakenthrough a sort of network mesh until it allcame out the other end. In the 2000s it wasWAN hits LAN �– until they learnt to speakthe common language of Ethernet. Now,with cloud computing, it�’s networkingmeets data centre and�… CRUMP!

It has been said that networking peopledon�’t understand IT, and data centre peopledon�’t understand networking. At one levelthis statement is absurd and pretty insulting�– of course the IT staff know plenty aboutnetworking and vice versa. But it does ahighlight a difference which is rather like

trusting your life to an experienced pilotversus someone who has read all theflight manuals. Each knows enough aboutthe other to serve their own discipline,but that is not the same as the wisdom ofexperience and a comprehensive grasp ofa highly complex system or environment.

When LAN met WAN, the formergroup had a simple answer for everyissue: just give it more bandwidth. It tookthem time to really come to terms withWAN�’s Classes of Service and trafficrouting concerns.

These examples already reveal oneimportant fact about cloud education: itrequires more than just telling peoplewhat they need to know to fill the gaps intheir understanding. The real educationcomes once the disparate cultures find acommon language to share experience andreally begin cooperation. How can thisbest be achieved? To begin with, let�’s takea look at some of the pressures that aredriving the demand for cloud training.

Changes in the ITdepartmentAs companies migrate to cloud-hostedservices, a lot of existing maintenance,repair and upgrade services will also moveto the cloud provider. At best, this willfree-up support personnel to focus onmore important IT projects. Of course, itcould also make them redundant. Butexperienced IT staff are always in demand,so it will be wiser to give them more cloudtraining to meet the growing demand forcloud specialised consultants, developers,and architects. Indeed, as companies get ahunger for new cloud-hosted applications,the emphasis will shift from support toinnovation �– particularly in the area ofmobile and handheld computing.

There is little doubt that cloud computing�– by shifting from a capex business modelto the pay-as-you-go opex model �– is somuch more attractive to today�’s fast

evolving business environment. Butsecurity is still a dominant concern forcloud novices, raising a significant demandfor training, either to ensure that datastored on the cloud is protected and meetsindustry-specific regulations, or else simplyto get a better understanding of the risks inorder to inform better business decisions.There will also be a need for more educa-tion on private cloud creation, managementand inter-working with public services.

Search for �‘cloud training�’ on theinternet and you�’ll see there are alreadyplenty of courses available to meet theabove demands. But upon closerinspection, you�’ll notice that they arevery fragmented. Typically, it is the bigvendors or user groups offering sound,practical training based around theirpreferred product portfolio. What isharder to find is a globally recognisedcross-platform standard, a practicalvocational equivalent of an MIT orCambridge degree in Cloud Computing.

training register online @ www.networkingplus.co.uk NEW WEBSITE COMING SOON!

Management has decided that your company’s future lies in the cloud. So how does IT goabout retraining? JAMES WALKER says a global cloud training strategy is urgently needed,and explains why the CloudEthernet Forum should play a key role in setting its agenda.


Stairways to heaven –training for the cloud

Getting your head aroundthe cloud means that all

the disparate cultures of ITfind a common languageto share experience and

really begin cooperation.

Net+ 1401 p14-17 (Training) AM RN.qxd 28/1/14 17:40 Page 14

Net+ 1401 p15 (Critical Power).qxd 31/1/14 17:20 Page 15

This again boils down to the fact that wedo not yet have a common language �– thesedifferent groups do not even have consensuson what they mean by the term �‘cloud�’. We are still at that peak in the �‘hype cycle�’where you can be pretty sure that someone,somewhere will be offering expensiveweekend courses on �“Cloud Consciousness�”or �“Find your Inner Cloud�”.

A model for re-educationSo far, all this is looking rather negative.But we did find one recent example wherea similar collision of cultures was managedand resolved in reasonable time to thebenefit of the whole industry �– and even tothe greater benefit of the global businessand public service communities. Taking theWAN meets LAN collision, �‘Ethernet�’became the common language and is stillbringing these two cultures into cooperation. This didn�’t happen by chance,but rather because the MetroEthernetForum (MEF) played a very active role inpromoting Carrier Ethernet. It is worthrevisiting how this was achieved.

The MEF began with a group of Ethernetvendors who saw an opportunity to extendEthernet from the LAN into the metrospace, with the benefits of simpler, unifiedconnectivity. Their first step was to cooperate, bringing competing companiestogether to decide common standards sothat a �‘Metro Ethernet�’ marketplace coulddevelop rather than a scattering ofincompatible metro solutions.

The second step was a recognition thatthe concept had far greater potential beyondthe metro space, and the Carrier Ethernetbrand was launched as a global connec-tivity solution. The lesson here was therealisation that this couldn�’t happen withoutthe collaboration of carriers and serviceproviders. So the MEF launched a majorrecruitment drive to get commitment froma broader spectrum of WAN stakeholders.

The Carrier Ethernet brand providedthe common language between the LANand WAN communities �– so the reallearning was now taking place, thankslargely to the MEF�’s globally recogniseddefinitions and specifications.

The third step was to speak to potentialcustomers and reassure them that theycould safely adopt these new services (andat a time when uncertain economicconditions were making the industryhighly risk-averse). Certificationprogrammes were launched for equipmentand for services, a guarantee that all thiswould at least �‘do what it says on the tin�’.The resulting uptake became thetelecommunications success story of thedecade. By 2012, Carrier Ethernet saleshad outstripped the sum total of all legacyWAN technologies combined.

This has been followed by furthercertification: the MEF Carrier EthernetCertified Professional (MEF-CECP)programme that offers a basic CarrierEthernet education plus an examinationand a certificate of acceptance.

So the question is this: how relevant isthis process to today�’s convergence of ITand networking in the cloud? Should theCloudEthernet Forum (CEF) plan a similar

path to promote cloud services througheducation and standardisation? After all,although the MEF and CEF have someoverlap in terms of membership, the twoforums do have different members andserve quite different groups: network-oriented staff as opposed to data centre,cloud and application-oriented staff.

Is this the way for thecloud?The first point of similarity is that CarrierEthernet and the cloud both incorporate acollision between cultures of the sortalready described. And both create a veryfast-growing market �– even more so in thecase of cloud services. Like the collisionof giant nebulae, such explosive marketgrowth could easily lead to a Tower ofBabel scenario of competing, incompatiblesolutions and market fragmentation. So thefirst two steps described above could be

training



“Writing and creatingdefinitions will build thedictionary of terms neededto ensure that cloudtraining courses growbeyond niche skillsets and become recognised for qualifications withuniversal value.”James Walker,President,CloudEthernet Forum

Lacking in definition: One of the problems ofdefining cloud computing is that the industryitself has yet to come up with a standardiseddefinition. Such a standard will be a majorleap for the sector and for training within it.

Net+ 1401 p14-17 (Training) AM RN.qxd 28/1/14 17:41 Page 16

even more urgent for the CEF: the needfor cooperation between potentialcompetitors to develop a commonlanguage between the IT and networkingworlds, and a corresponding need forcommitment from every type of cloudstakeholder to make sure the commonstandards develop truly universal appeal,across both network and applications.

Writing and creating definitions willbuild the dictionary of terms needed toensure that cloud training courses growbeyond niche skillsets and becomerecognised for qualifications withuniversal value. It also gets the IT andnetworking stakeholders talking and cooperating faster for a smoothertransition into cloud services.Certification helps consolidate thiscommon language by giving it a tangibleform in a wider business community,guaranteeing interoperability of definedservices across multiple suppliers.

That will naturally lead to the creationof a professional training programme: acourse of training, an exam, and globallyrecognised certification for a certain levelof expertise in cloud computing andservices. One lesson from the MEFexperience is that �– in the face ofexplosive market growth �– the initialcourses are likely to be more businessthan technology focused.

In other words, it would be foolish tobegin the programme by competing withthe many available proprietary cloudtechnology training courses, because thetechnology is still very fluid and commonground is yet to be established. What isfirst needed is the common language andlevel of technical understanding to beable to speak to the marketplace and offersound advice on cloud choices anddecisions. So any initial CEF professionaltraining and certification will be targetingthe sales community. More specifictechnical training can follow as commontechnical standards emerge.

Another lesson the CEF can learn from the MEF�’s experience is that clearerlabelling is needed to reflect the ways its solutions evolve. The MEF specified�“Carrier Ethernet�” but the technologykept evolving as new definitions werelaid down. Later features, such asmultiple Classes of Service, were notavailable for the early adopters and so theCarrier Ethernet market was becomingless clear about �‘what it says on the tin�’.In retrospect, it adopted the IT versionlabelling convention and announced �“CE2.0�” to distinguish today�’s state-of-the-artCarrier Ethernet from retrospectivelylabelled earlier standards as �“CE 1.0.�”

To avoid such confusion, you will hearthe term �“CloudEthernet 1.0�” being usedto describe the initial Ethernet standardsfor the cloud, while the commonlanguage is being developed.

What now?So how does IT go about retraining givenmanagement�’s decision that the company�’sfuture lies in the clouds? Almost certainlythere will be a need for some specific tech-nical training either from your main net-working and data centre vendors, or from a training body targeting their customers.However, we have already agreed that it isimportant for any large organisation not tolose sight of the more important long-termneed to get IT and networking talking acommon cloud language.

Until the CEF launches its own vendor-neutral certification programme,there�’s a lot to be said for any majorstakeholder becoming directly involved

with our work (which is currently focusedon CloudEthernet 1.0 and its principal usecases), agreeing a shared set of architecturalprinciples, and building a common andconsistent dictionary of terms.

The main business concerns about cloudmigration are not about technical detail somuch as general issues around , security,loss of control, accountability, or privacyleakages. Addressing such broad issuesrequires a similarly broad understanding.

So again, the recommendation is firstto encourage as many people as possibleto gain a wider understanding of cloudcomputing and how networking,applications, virtualisation and hardwareall must work in harmony to deliver aseamless cloud service. Remember too,that current IT networks include many legacy systems that are not compatiblewith cloud deployments.

Building a firm foundationfor a global cloud futureTraining is essential for any organisation�’ssuccessful deployment of cloud-basedsolutions, and that knowledge has to bemulti-disciplinary. I believe that the CEFmust play a leading role in defining astandards-based platform to supportinteroperability of the different layers andsub-systems manufactured by differentvendors, with elements that may begeographically distributed and which canbelong to different cloud environments(public, private or hybrid).

In addition, a carefully designedprofessional training and certificationprogramme �– with an initial emphasis onbuilding a common language and cross-discipline understanding �– will help build

a group of recognised experts across the industry. Only then will we have the shared knowledge, experience andskillsets to increase efficiency and speeddeployment of CloudEthernet, and soprovide a firm foundation for a globalcloud future. !

This article is a summary of the notestaken during a meeting with CEFmembers to discuss the issues surroundingcloud training. The main contributorswere: Phil Tilley, senior director ofAlcatel-Lucent�’s IP portfolio strategy;Dan Romascanu, director of externalstandards for Avaya; Dr Hongwen Zhang,president and CEO of Wedge Networks;and Henry Bohannon, senior director andhead of Ethernet product management atTata Communications. My apologies fornot ascribing individual contributions.

trainingregister online @ www.networkingplus.co.uk NEW WEBSITE COMING SOON!


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off-the-shelf: UPS

Uninterruptible power supplies can not only keep businesses upand running, they can also help save money, too.

Following early investment in 3-LevelIGBT technology, Socomec has introducednew 250kW and 500kW models in itsDELPHYS Green Power 2.0 range. It�’sclaimed that this enables the line-up toreach 96 per cent efficiency in VoltageFrequency Independent (VFI) mode. As aresult, the range complies with environ-mental protection standards, saving energywithout compromising on performance.

With its unity output power factor (PF=1)the new units can provide users with full-rated 500kW power in accordance withIEC 62040-3, bringing total power capacityto 4MW. This makes the new Green Power2.0 suitable for the most demanding datacentre applications, says Socomec.

Combined with a set of dedicatedservices and energy efficiency solutions,they are suited to co-location facilities or

public clouds, as well as large data centres.The new units, which are lighter andsmaller and lose less heat, are also said tobe suitable as an integrated critical powersolution with Socomec�’s containerisedSmart PowerPort system.

Eaton�’s new modular double conversionthree-phase UPS units featurepower ratings of up to 200kWand are said to combine �“market-leading�” energy efficiency withscalability and vertical andhorizontal redundancy.

The firm claims its 93PM unitsdeliver energy efficiency of up to97 per cent while providingflexibility for increased demands,thanks to their modular design.This is said to make it easier andcost-effective to scale the systemas load demands change withoutincreasing the carbon footprint,thus enabling users to reducecapex and take a �‘pay-as-you-grow�’ approach.

The new devices have beenincluded on the government�’s

Energy Technology List (ETL), allowingbuyers to qualify for a 100 per cent

rebate claim against tax.The ETL, which is set up by

The Carbon Trust, is designed tohelp tackle climate change bygranting special status toproducts that meet the criteria, aswell as rewarding thosecompanies that invest in theapproved products.

Products listed under the ETLare eligible for the government�’sEnhanced Capital Allowancescheme for meeting specificenergy saving criteria. Thescheme allows users of ETLapproved energy-savingequipment to claim 100 per centof purchase and installation costsagainst tax in the first year.

Tripp Lite has expanded its healthcareline with the introduction of the new high-capacity SMART2500XLHG UPS system. It is designed to protect medicalequipment in patient care areas fromdamage and data loss while providing fullcompliance for patient shock protection.

The SMART2500XLHG UPS offers a2200VA/1920W load capacity, the highestof any Tripp Lite medical-grade UPSsystem to date. It features full line isolationand leakage current reduction to less than100 microamps for optimal safety.

The vendor says that full isolation alsoprovides continuous noise filtering andenhanced common mode surgesuppression to safeguard equipment. Thesystem is claimed to be ideal for devicesrequiring medical-grade protection andleakage current reduction, limitingcumulative leakage current to less than100 microamps.

Advanced automatic voltage regulationcorrects brownouts and over-voltageswithout using battery power, while USBand DB9 communication ports work withincluded PowerAlert software to enableremote monitoring and control. NEMA andIEC C13 outlets are also included foruniversally adaptable outlet options.

off-the-shelf

time. FlexPower and battery modules arehot swappable, and can be added orreplaced seamlessly, says Emerson.

The device can be installed in any datacentre or network environment �– on raisedor non-raised floors, or in standard rackenclosures. Three �‘IntelliSlot�’ ports allowmultiple modes of communication andcontrol. It is compatible with EmersonNetwork Power�’s Trellis data centreinfrastructure management system, as wellas Liebert�’s Nform and SiteScanmonitoring and reporting systems and withMultiLink shutdown software.

To enhance system availability, the APShas a fully redundant design. This allowsthe critical load to run on conditioned powerregardless of any single failure within the

system. Power needs of up to 20kVA/18kWare also supported. It has a wrap-aroundmaintenance bypass so the connected loadcan keep running while the system isbeing serviced. Modular scalability alsoallows users to add capacity quickly orbackup runtime to support changingpower needs without shutting down.

Emerson Network Power has launchedthe Liebert APS UPS with FlexPowertechnology. It claims the system canachieve up to 92 per cent efficiency indouble-conversion mode, making it oneof the highest efficiency UPSs in its class.

The Liebert APS is designed for small tomedium sites that expect increasing power

requirements as they upgrade to largerservers, add storage capacity, and use morepowerful processors to meet growingdemand for resource-intensive applications.

FlexPower modules allow capacity togrow in 5kVA/4.5kW increments up to20kVA/18kW. Battery modules may alsobe added as needed to increase backup

Power savers

Uninterruptible Power Supplies Limited(UPSL) has unveiled the PowerWAVE9500DPA, which it claims is the onlymodular UPS that can scale efficiently to3MW of clean, reliable power.

Designed for mission-critical data centreapplications, the PowerWAVE 9500DPA isengineered for high-power, modular andtransformerless UPS operations, and issaid to provide amongst the lowest totalcost of ownership and highest energyefficiency measures in its class.

The device can scale vertically in100kW steps to provide up to 500kW ofpower in a single frame. Horizontalscalability is also possible, with up to sixframes in parallel, to increase total powerto 3MW. UPSL says this means there�’s noneed to over-specify the originalconfiguration; modules and/or frames canbe added to optimise the power needs andincrease/decrease power to meet futurerequirements. This ability to �“rightsize�”

reduces capital expenditure, optimisesoperating efficiency and helps reduce totalcost of ownership, says the firm.

It adds that the UPS delivers 96 per centtrue online efficiency (>99 per cent in ecomode) to cut running and air conditioningcosts. Decentralised Parallel Architecturetechnology also means each UPS modulecontains all required hardware and softwarefor full system operation, maximisingavailability. Frontal electrical connectionsensure easy installation and maintenance.


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Skyscape Cloud Services has launched anew undergraduate placement programme.The scheme, open to sandwich degreestudents, has been designed to help developthe skills and experience that are neededwhen working with large-scale cloud andvirtualised computing environments.

Skyscape offers on-demand andaccredited cloud computing servicesaimed at public sector organisations. Itclaims to be developing one of the UK�’slargest cloud computing platforms, andsays it has experienced �“significant�”growth since it was formed in 2011.

As part of its new placement programme,the firm has created up to 10 roles foroutstanding candidates in cloud operationsand development. They include operationsanalysts, automation engineers and portaldevelopers. Skyscape says the scheme willhelp it to scale its business and nurture tech-nology skills across multiple disciplines.

The programme is initially being offeredto undergraduates as a sandwich placement,but successful candidates could be consid-ered for longer term employment. The firstundergraduate, studying Computer DigitalForensics at Portsmouth University, hasalready joined Skyscape�’s operational sup-port team for a one-year placement. Thereis also the opportunity for successful appli-cants to gain further professional qualifica-tions from Cisco, EMC and VMware.

Data Centre Alliance namesnew SVP for trainingThe Data Centre Alliance (DCA) says it haselected six of the industry�’s �“most powerfuland respected chiefs�” to its board ofgovernors. They include Rob Coupland assenior vice president for training and skills.

Coupland (pictured below) is said tobring more than 15 years experience tohis new role, and is currently MD at

TelecityGroup. He hasalso worked with NTLand Cable & Wireless.

Coupland will build onhis involvement with therecent DCA GraduateBootcamp (NetworkKnowledge, Sep 2013) to

establish links with schools, universitiesand commercial training organisations,and ensure that the industry can avoid thecurrently forecast skills shortage.

The DCA says his appointmentcomplements TelecityGroup�’s corporateinitiatives to facilitate apprenticeships inthe technology sector throughout Europe.

How to deploy SIP Following the launch of its dedicated SIPtrunk service, Nimans has produced a 12-page guide that outlines many of thekey areas needed for successful SIPdeployment. Among the topics covered in the booklet are data bandwidthrequirements, the number of trunksneeded for deployment, connectivitycriteria, SIP benefits, managementconsiderations, et al.

The firm, which claims to be the UK�’slargest distributor of telecoms and dataequipment, says the recent launch of itsown SIP trunk service provides resellers

with �‘more control�’ and access to acomplete range of network-basedproducts and expertise.

Mark Curtis-Wood, the firm�’s head ofnetwork services, says there�’s a right wayand a wrong way of doing SIP: �“Resellersneed to understand what the client wants,put a solution together and deliver it tothem. The guide is part of this ethos, a keybuilding block in helping resellers identifyand capitalise on market opportunitiesespecially at the SMB level. We want toopen their eyes to the huge potential.�”

NEW COURSESIntensive Wireless CommunicationsCourse & WCET exam �– IEEECommunications Society (ComSoc)ComSoc is currently offering acombination package for its wireless

communications course and the Spring2014 Wireless CommunicationEngineering Technologies Certification(WCET) exam. The five day course willbe taught online via WebEx on 17-21March. It covers all seven areas tested inthe WCET exam including: RFengineering, propagation and antennas;access technologies; network and servicearchitecture; network management andsecurity; facilities infrastructure;agreements, standards, policies andregulations; and fundamental knowledge.

ComSoc recommends candidates havea degree from an accredited institutionand three or more years of graduate-leveleducation or professional experience. Itsays the programme is also suitable forprofessionals with an engineering ortechnology background. www.comsoc.org/training

Best Management Practice Portfolio withPRINCE2 �– BCS & QAIT training expert QA and BCS, theChartered Institute for IT, have partnered todeliver PRINCE2 as part of the full BestManagement Practice Portfolio (BMP) byAXELOS �– the joint venture between theCabinet Office and Capita.

BMP comprises ITIL and the PPMportfolio of certifications which includesPRINCE2. The BCS says that by teamingup with QA, it can now offer a completelearning pathway for IT and projectmanagement professionals, enablingcareer progression and �“clear validation�” of their skills.

The BCS adds that it offers an extensiverange of professional certifications withmore than 60 internationally recognisedcertifications in 11 key subject areas.www.bcs.org/bmp

network knowledgeregister online @ www.networkingplus.co.uk NEW WEBSITE COMING SOON!


Skyscape seeksstudents forcloud scheme

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