Innovation

Tracing the IT Evolution from the Big Bang to the Big Crunch

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 10:00:00 EDT

Over the history of computing, we can trace a pattern of continuous decomposition, from a single system into disparate components. Early on, these individual parts made it easier to design, program and maintain systems, and meet the fast-growing demand for more power and more capacity. The industry began with the mainframe, where the entire stack from hardware to application logic was contained in a single box. The next phase was the move from mainframe to client-server. This was followed by SOA (service-oriented architecture). This process of decomposition is a natural byproduct of growth in scale. As we consume increasingly more computing and storage, efficiency gains are achieved through specialization. Such continuous decomposition is a typical pattern of many industries. Several centuries ago, the model was subsistence farming, where every family as a single unit grew all of their own crops. Today, food production has decomposed into a collection of highly specialized industries.

TOGAF Foundation Level Certification – Another Practice Test

Sat, 02 Apr 2011 11:00:00 EDT

As I had mentioned earlier, there is a paucity of free sample questions for the TOGAF 9 foundation or the part 1 test. I had created one set earlier and there are two other set available for free. Here is another set of 40 questions. Entire business group or corporation comprising of all local and international main and sub offices, divisions, subsidiaries, and departments

Open Grantmaking - Fast-Tracking the Social Investment Market

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 13:18:00 EST

This helpful role is because of the key relationship between this type of portal community web site and the principles and practices of 'Open Government'. Not only in terms of open source software but also in terms of utilizing Open Innovation principles to transform how government processes work, making them more open for every one to participate. The relevance to the Social Investment strategy is best described by the world's leading Open Government expert, Beth Noveck, who provides an introduction to how it can applied in this type of area through 'Open Grantmaking'.

Ubuntu, the Cloud OS

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 10:15:00 EST

We made a small flurry of announcements last week, all of which were related to cloud computing. I think it is worthwhile to put some context around Ubuntu and the cloud and explain a little more about where we are with this critical strategic strand for our beloved OS. First of all, the announcements. We announced the release of Ubuntu Enterprise Cloud on Dell servers. This is a hugely significant advance in the realm of internal cloud provision. It's essentially formalising a lot of the bespoke work that Dell has done in huge data centres (based on a variety of OSes) and making similar technology available for smaller deployments. We attended the Dell sales summit in Las Vegas and we were very encouraged to meet with many of the Dell salespeople whose job it will be to deliver this to their customers. This is a big company, backing a leading technology and encouraging businesses to start their investigations of cloud computing in a very real way.

How Intelligent Are the Computers of 2011?

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 10:49:00 EST

True, the computer system Watson, created by IBM, beat all human competition in the US reality quiz show "Jeopardy!" But does it make Watson intelligent – is it an important step towards Singularity? Is it a significant step in the field of AI? Or, is the win meaningless and does not imply anything significant? What is the future of this technology? How far are we from understanding how the brain works? If you are not familiar with "Jeopardy!" Then the best place to look is, where else, Wikipedia page. Let me just mention here that the open source community is quiet excited about this win as the software component of Watson relies heavily on open source software – on Apache, Linux, Hadoop… However, if you want to know how Watson works this is probably the best post – Could Google Play Jeopardy Like IBM’s Watson? – written by Danny Sullivan. Also, here are some thoughts on what Watson can be used for in the future – Envisioning IBM’s Watson computer as a Smartphone app.

Level Five Open Government Innovation

Sun, 16 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST

Open Government best practices can be utilized to transform national innovation programs. Canada is scoring a 'D for Innovation', and falling behind other nations in their innovation capacities. They also have perceived issues around the bite of their Open Government watchdogs, and while these may seem like unrelated issues, I'd suggest they stem from the same root issue. Ie. An overly involved, authoritarian culture of government will inhibit both. Therefore it highlights the paradoxical nature of the challenge, and why citizens and businesses need to step up their demands in these areas, and participate directly in the solution. While the government isn't as accountable to the public as they should be, then it's no surprise their efforts to improve innovation and subsequent economic growth aren't performing as well as they should. Government organization resistant to public input and scrutiny is by its nature resistant to change and innovation.

Building Government 2.0 Through Collaborative Software Development

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 10:30:00 EST

If there were ever two concepts that are representative of where we are today in technology, they would have to be Government 2.0 and Community. Unfortunately, they are also two of the most overused and over-hyped phrases in our technology vocabulary. Government 2.0 is a general term referring to a new level of transparency and agility within the Federal space. It has many components, including public-facing efforts like re-launching whitehouse.gov with open source technology such as Drupal (a content management system). However, Government 2.0 also has an inward-facing component relating to how software and systems are designed, built, and managed. Community, in the context of software development, is the use of collaborative development tools and processes to enable shared use, drive the re-use of code, and expedite discussions and cooperation among all project stakeholders, regardless of their geographical location.

Open Source in the Cloud

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 08:15:00 EST

The open source movement is growing rapidly and having a major impact on the way businesses model their IT strategies. One of the business areas where open source is beginning to have a real impact is in the area of cloud computing. Free and open source software (FOSS) is software that is liberally licensed to grant users the right to use, study, change, and improve its design by allowing access to its source code. It has revolutionized the world of information technology by encouraging a community-driven approach to building software and applications. In a similar way, cloud computing uses a distributed resource delivery and usage model, encouraging users to access their resource (hardware or software) via a network. The benefits of the cloud computing model are scalability that appears to be infinite and instant access or provisioning.

Open Source Playing Key Role in Cloud Adoption

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 16:26:14 EDT

A report by Black Duck Software, provider of products and services for aiding software development through managed use of open source, says that open source projects are helping in the adoption of cloud computing. According to the press release, cloud computing frameworks and platforms designed to support integration with cloud services, scalability in private and public clouds, and manage and store cloud data are growing rapidly and include well-known open source projects such as Hadoop, Eucalyptus, Hyperic, deltaCloud, OpenStack and OpenECP. The research based on the analysis of Black Duck's proprietary KnowledgeBase of open source project information indicates that there is a 70 percent growth from 2008 to 2009 in cloud computing related open source projects and they account for nearly 50 million lines of code. Amazon Web Services is the leading Cloud platform associated with these projects followed by Microsoft's Windows Azure, Google App Engine, and Force.com.

The Future of Government Is Open

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 07:30:00 EDT

Open source software is perfectly positioned to facilitate the massive overhaul that will be necessary to open up government data to the public. As consumers, this technology is already changing the way in which we go about our day-to-day lives. It powers maps on our phones and provides us with information from organizations worldwide. Whether we realize it or not, open source is playing a substantial role in our everyday tasks.

The OpenNebula Position on the OpenStack Announcement

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 09:15:00 EDT

As many of you know, a new open-source cloud platform, OpenStack, was recently announced. Here at OpenNebula, we think this is a very exciting development in the cloud community, and we're glad to see so many major players coalescing around an open-source solution. However, we have also been concerned by the all the high-profile announcements and opinion pieces that describe OpenStack as the first initiative for the definition of an open architecture for IaaS cloud computing and a "real" open-source project, criticizing some existing open-source cloud projects as being "open-core" closed initiatives (in some cases conflating "open-core" with "having an Enterprise edition"), and pointing out their lack of extensibility and inability to efficiently scale to manage tens of thousand of VMs. This is the reason why we have decided to write this post in order to clearly state our position in order to avoid misunderstandings, particularly with our growing community of users.

Open Government Clouds

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 07:30:00 EDT

You wouldn't typically combine the words 'Government' and 'Innovation' in the same sentence, but actually it's the ideal way to highlight some of the most essential and exciting points about Cloud computing. Although the technology can lower operational costs by moving processes 'into the Cloud', up to 90% in some cases of government adoption, it's not the full extent of the benefits. It can also go hand in hand with 'Open Transformation' of the processes themselves, utilizing "Crowdsourcing" approaches to fully leverage all aspects of what modern technology offers.

GroundWork and Eucalyptus Launch Cloud Monitoring Program

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 17:00:00 EDT

GroundWork Open Source (GWOS) and private cloud software maker Eucalyptus Systems have paired up to provide monitoring and management of applications running in Eucalyptus private cloud environments. Through GWOS's open source network and infrastructure product called Groundwork Monitor, users will be able to access real- time information that helps them visualize, compare and scale their apps in Eucalyptus Cloud. GWOS is now recruiting participants for the GroundWork Monitor Enterprise Cloud beta program here. Participants can deploy GroundWork ‘s Cloud monitoring solution to manage apps simultaneously across their traditional datacenter, Eucalyptus private cloud, and Amazon EC2.

Top Five Considerations When Evaluating I/O Virtualization

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 05:00:00 EDT

Most commonly, the term “virtualization” refers to the creation of virtual instances of an operating system or virtual machines (VMs) on physical server hardware, known as server virtualization. However, the development of server virtualization has led to the creation of other virtual resource types, including storage, network and I/O resources. Whether a server is physical or virtual, it should be “balanced” with the right amount of resources to achieve its intended operation without waste. Logically, it makes sense to include all the server resources (CPU, memory, storage, I/O, network, etc.) in this bundle of virtual devices. Furthermore, since the virtual server can be placed anywhere, anytime within the available physical infrastructure – improving flexibility, utilization, availability and operations – it stands to reason that the resources it draws from should also be mobile. As with server virtualization, I/O virtualization can be defined as the logical abstraction of server I/O (including network and SAN connections, direct-attached storage, coprocessor offload, video graphics, etc.) into many virtual resources, allowing for the balanced matching of I/O to physical and virtual servers. The technologies developed to make this happen are being integrated into server hardware and software today, with contributions from numerous vendors and standards bodies throughout the ecosystem. For a good explanation of I/O virtualization, please refer to PCI-SIG I/O virtualization (IOV) specifications for an overview of the underlying technologies and their standards.

Public vs. Private Cloud Debate is Real

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:45:00 EST

The zebra in this analogy is the private cloud, where corporate IT departments feel safe controlling everything internally, and not risking exposure to the perceived tigers "out there" in the public cloud arena. But Tejada stated that in the end, large-scale IT initiatives always concern themselves with "access, security, and scalability. You always have to deal with those issues."

DoD Clarifies Guidance on Open Source Software

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EDT

As friend John Scott points out on his blog, Dave Wennergren, DoD CIO, has just signed out a very well coordinated, well staffed and well thought out clarification of guidance regarding Open Source Software (OSS). A copy is attached. Some key points: - Open Source Software meets the government’s legal definition of “commercial computer software,” which [...]

Ellen Degeneres Should Go Open Source

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 22:30:00 EDT

By the way, if Ellen Degeneres wants to respond in a reasonable and constructive way to the lawsuits over her use of song snippets to dance to, she could always start using Creative Commons-licensed music, with a nice plug for the open-hearted musicians making our lives more tuney.

VMware Releases vCloud API Under Open Source License

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 18:30:00 EDT

For anyone interested, VMware has launched their Vcloud API specification. They describe their new "open" vCloud API as an interface for providing and consuming virtual resources from the cloud. It enables deploying and managing virtualized workloads in internal and external clouds. The vCloud API allows for upload and download of vApps along with their instantiation, deployment and operation.

Cloud Gets Endorsement From Events

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 17:45:00 EDT

Many of the concepts first proposed and extolled during the Internet hype curve in the mid-1990s are now bearing fruit. Perhaps we should think of cloud computing as less than a separate hype curve, and more as the realization of the original Internet value curve , now some 15 years into its mainstream maturity.

Opportunity for ERP Enthusiasts with Open Source ERPs

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:30:00 EDT

Open ERP has released its new service offer - Odoo, the Ondemand ERP solution with minimal costs involved for end user. Its a SaaS (Software As A Service) offer from Open ERP, which provides access to end user without any investments or any infrastructural costs.

SpringSource Adds Grease to Java Cloud Skids

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 21:00:00 EDT

This is the clear path for open source and Java developers to the cloud. Microsoft will have its hands full just keeping the .NET developers and operators on the farm, so to speak. SpringSource made headlines last week when VMware scooped up the Java infrastructure and management firm for $420 million in a move to breed easier cloud migration. Now, the spotlight is on the San Mateo, Calif. company once again as it leverages one of its own recent cloud industry acquisitions.

The Next Wave of Virtualization

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EDT

Virtualization adoption in the desktop and datacenter space has been rampant over the past few years given the popular benefits that the technology has to offer. Classical virtualization benefits are numerous and result in savings on many levels. The ability to host multiple server environments, each as a virtual machine, on a single physical blade yields a measurable reduction in hardware costs.

Perspectives on the Value of Open Source

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:00:00 EDT

Recently, I have had the opportunity to work with a number of clients on their strategy to leverage the advantages that open source can achieve across their IT organizations. I found the major motivator and attention getter for open source adoption is the promise to cut costs; but increasingly, interests now include ways open source can provide control and enable agility.

Automating Website Testing Using Open Source Tools

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:30:00 EDT

In today's competitive world, the most important presence for a corporation is their website. It not only acts as a face for the company but also as an interface enabling its clients, users, and prospects to communicate with the company. As websites are accessible to users via thin clients such as web browsers, the quality and reliability of a website are paramount to its success.

Overdue Innovation in Mobile

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:15:00 EDT

Why is the 'collaborative source' development approach uniquely suited and required to drive innovation in the mobile-communications software stack? What are the early fruits of its impact? Out of the principles of open source and the particular market and legal constraints of the telecom world, a best-of-two-worlds approach is being forged: the collaborative source development model that is spawning overdue innovation in mobile.

Software Appliances: Delivering Open Source

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:45:00 EDT

Appliances. The very word is emblematic of stability and strength. Think of the appliances in your kitchen. Unless you're particularly unlucky, 99.9% of the time your refrigerator, stove and dishwasher just work. You don't have to give it a second thought. When we talk about software appliances, we're talking about a similar stability.

There's Power in a Common Customer View

Thu, 01 May 2008 14:00:00 EDT

Last summer, a group of technical experts from various open source companies came together under the banner of the Open Solutions Alliance, rolled out an enterprise-class application, and demonstrated the power of collaboration with the launch of the Common Customer View project, an interoperability project that integrates data from diverse front-office, back-office, and planning applications.

How Open Source Is Changing Network Management

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 06:00:00 EST

Enterprise networks are growing increasingly complex. Over the past five years, the increased focus on unified security, network optimization, and application acceleration has resulted in an explosion of new technologies, specialty devices, and vendors. The proliferation of high-speed connectivity networks and logical overlay networks - all running over the same physical links - have made it all but impossible for network teams to maintain consistent security, access, audit and change control using manual processes and device-specific management tools.

The Cure for What Ails System Administrators

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 09:00:00 EST

The introduction of Linux into the data center has brought with it the promise of a new level of cost-efficiency and flexibility for enterprise data center environments. IT professionals prefer Linux for their data centers because it's highly customizable and can be adapted to address specific issues more easily than any other operating system.

Ten Open Source Solutions Your Enterprise Should Be Using

Thu, 03 May 2007 16:15:00 EDT

Linux tends to take center stage when it comes to support and other services for enterprise open source users. However, there are literally thousands of other solid open source packages available that perform a wide variety of functions. Unfortunately, there's a real lack of information about the options and considerations for selecting open source that not only meets the functional and technical requirements of specific tasks, but has the support and backing that enterprises need to manage risk. As a result, with enterprise developers lost in a sea of open source options, it can be a daunting task to make the best choice.

An Inexpensive Network Emulator for Testing Applications

Fri, 10 Nov 2006 11:00:00 EST

This article presents a simple and inexpensive methodology for predicting the performance of a client/server application over a wide area network. A network emulator, placed between the client and server, is used to vary key network properties, such as latency, bandwidth and packet loss. This method is not meant to replace extensive network modeling tools such as OPNET or Load Runner, however, it can provide developers with a simple way to explore the behavior of applications over a wide area network before deployment. For example, developers will be able to determine performance over a dial-up line or low-speed frame relay circuit.

Open Source Software, Standards, and Java

Sat, 21 Oct 2006 15:00:00 EDT

Sun Microsystems recently announced its intentions of finally publishing Java under an Open Source license. But what does that actually mean? We'll take a quick look at what it means to be 'Open Source,' how the Java language specification compares to other more formal language standards, and the importance of the brand and certification programs. We'll then look at what benefits Sun may get from distributing Java as Open Source and at some of the problems that will have to be addressed.

Linux Technology Leadership and the Forking Issue

Mon, 07 Aug 2006 12:30:00 EDT

Linux is the fastest-growing embedded operating environment in the world today. It's quickly becoming the single largest operating system platform for embedded computing. As a result, many technology managers must come to grips with the complexity and the dynamics of Open Source software in general and Linux evolution in particular. Particular questions and concerns arise in the areas of compatibility, the role and nature of different versions of Linux (the 'forking issue'), and the technology advancement process itself. The history of incompatible proprietary versions of Unix contributes significantly to these concerns. It's critical for the continued successful adoption of Linux that these concerns be assessed and understood. The nature of Linux as Open Source dramatically changes not just the specifics of these concerns, but relative to the history of Unix, changes even the nature of the concerns themselves.