Sun revealed N1, its vision of the future data center, at the recent SunNetworkSM 2002 Conference and Pavilion. N1 aggregates widely distributed computing resources (servers, storage, software and networking) and enables them to operate as a single, powerful entity. By automating away the complexity associated with managing technology, business and IT managers will be able to dramatically optimize the utilization, efficiency and agility of their data centers.

"Networks are now at roughly the same stage as the telephone industry was when it still had switchboards and operators who manually connected calls," said Scott McNealy, Chairman, President and CEO, Sun Microsystems. "If we don't develop a system that scales better than that - the equivalent of automatic switching - we'll have to train everyone under the age of 30 to work as a system administrator. The good news is we've seen this coming and with N1 we've created a dynamic system environment that will revolutionize the network."

N1 builds on over 20 years of Sun's knowledge and R&D in system architectures to deliver what will be the cornerstone of the next generation of Sun's systems strategy. Such network-centric computing innovations as NFS (Network File System), Dynamic System Domains, JavaTM technology, SolarisTM Operating Environment (Solaris OE), and SunTM Grid Engine software will help Sun to deliver the full benefits of the N1 architecture to customers.

N1 will transform traditional IT infrastructures into a more efficient model of computing. The N1 architecture enables true utility computing where customers "pay as they grow" and brings a new level of maturity to the way businesses manage technology.

This is a long-term strategy and Sun will be rolling-out N1 products to the market in a phased approach, starting within this calendar year, according to the following roadmap:

Phase 1 - Virtualization (2002-On): Provides the basic infrastructure for N1; allocates, monitors and meters the usage of individual computers, network elements, and storage systems

Phase 2 - Services Provisioning (2003-On): Administrators specify the business service definition for a service and N1 assembles the resources required from the virtual computer created in Phase 1.

Phase 3 - Policy-Automation (2004-On): Application service level objectives are automatically maintained by N1. Policies that reflect business requirements and priorities are used to manage applications and their required network-wide resources.

Sun will be delivering N1 to customers over time through complimentary strategic relationships with best-in-class ISVs and network infrastructure providers such as Cisco Systems, as well as through alliances with system integrators such as Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, EDS and Deloitte Consulting. Oracle, BEA Systems, BMC Software, Computer Associates and i2 support the N1 technology vision and look forward to exploring potential joint development activities. [...read more...]

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