|
Server And Storage Admins Need To Work In Better Tandem
By John Vinson
Expert Author
Article Date: 2011-02-18
As the technology behind virtual servers evolve, so do the problems that go along with them. One of the more unique hurdles to overcome is the connection between these server and storage management admins. They are increasingly working together more, which has led to some conflict. Many of the virtual server admins want greater access to storage.
The reality is communication and awareness of responsibility is what is needed to alleviate these problems. Until these problems are addressed, a rocky relationship between the two sectors will be ongoing.
Tom Golson, chief systems engineer at Texas A&M University, had this to say about the recent problem, ""I don't think the issue is about control" he continues, "It's about how the tools enable better separation of responsibilities. I believe you have that clear separation of duties when your storage products work well with your virtualization products. If not, then the storage and virtualization people need to know more details about the other side's operations because there are a lot of low-level decisions to be made."
Another issue which needs to be addressed is how the problems of server virtualization aren't being worked out by both parties. Instead, the separation has led to one side addressing what they deem as their problems.
Golsen provides more words of wisdom regarding this mindset, "You can't just look at virtualization from a server standpoint or just from a storage standpoint."
"It's a very holistic discussion. The storage people need enough visibility into the server virtualization. There has to be more communication between the two tiers."
A recent survey concluded that the impact from server virtualization was being felt from just about everybody on the storage side of things. 39 percent of the respondents stated the change had significant impact on storage management, 55 percent said it had some impact, and only 5 percent cited no impact at all. The survey also gathered data for the server teams, and the numbers are nearly identical.
The communication and responsibility issues need to be addressed if you're pushing for virtual servers. If you're teams can't come together and address the issues hindering progress, then you're looking at a severe setback in the adoption process.
About the Author:
John is a staff writer for WebProNews.
|
|
