Policy-Based Computing Services: The Future of Computing
Letter From the Editor
Anne Powell 
26 July 2002

Gartner expects the PBCS vision to be fully realized during the next 10 years as technologies evolve to enable the new computing model. In this model, server, storage and networking capacities will be provided as a service, similar to the way in which utilities such as electricity or gas are provided. PBCS will be delivered from systems that recognize changes in demand and respond accordingly, recognize higher and lower priority needs and act accordingly, and that recognize problems and take corrective actions automatically. The outcome will be improved quality of services through the delivery of computing power when and where it's needed and through reduced downtime. The cost of services will also be reduced through the far more efficient use of available capacity.

The development of PBCS will reverse the trend toward ever greater complexity that has created computing environments in which overcapacity is common and management costs are out of control. Instead, PBCS environments will reflect some of the aspects of the simpler mainframe world. Mainframes provide pointers to what services-led computing environments will look like because they can already provide most PBCS functions — albeit in closed environments. Emerging PBCS technologies and standards will provide the same capabilities in distributed heterogeneous environments.      Read More


  
 Policy-Based Computing Services: The Vision, The Reality
26 July 2002
Donna Scott 

Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Sun and many market entrants have policy-based computing services (PBCS) initiatives. PBCS will reduce costs and improve service, but much needs to be done to realize the vision.
   The Evolution Toward Policy-Based Computing Services
11 July 2002
Thomas Bittman  Donna Scott 

Policy-based computing services promise to reduce IT costs while simultaneously improving quality of service and adaptability to change.

   HP's Utility Data Center: First to Deliver
11 July 2002
Thomas Bittman  Donna Scott 

Although Hewlett-Packard was not the first vendor to promote policy-based computing services, it has leapfrogged into the lead by delivering the first stages of its Utility Data Center initiative.

   IBM's 'eLiza' Initiative: Great Vision, Slow Results
18 July 2002
Thomas Bittman 

IBM was the first major vendor to launch a policy-based computing services initiative. Despite a strong vision and technology capabilities, it has been slow to coordinate corporatewide efforts and deliver customer value.

   Sun N1: A 'Me Too' Vision With Sparse Details
10 July 2002
Donna Scott 

Not to be overshadowed by HP and IBM, Sun has begun talking about its own policy-based computing services initiative, N1. N1 is all about the future of distributed system manageability — improving service levels at reduced costs.

   NSM Tools: An Essential Ingredient of PBCS
23 July 2002
Donna Scott  Cameron Haight 

Network and system management tools are undergoing a major transition away from base monitoring and more toward prediction, diagnosis and action. This will be a key enabler for policy-based computing services.

   Emerging Tools for Server Configuration Management
5 June 2002
Ronni Colville  Donna Scott 

Web and application server farms require more frequent deployment of new servers than traditional architectures. Emerging tools can reduce the time and cost of server deployment and configuration.

   Consider the Costs of Policy-Based Network Management
5 June 2002
Bill Gassman 

Managing policies is costly. Clarify the problems that need resolution and investigate alternatives before investing in policy-based network management solutions.

   zSeries: A Microcosm of Policy-Based Computing Services
25 July 2002
John Phelps 

As vendors try to position their platforms as a base for policy-based computing services, the IBM zSeries already provides a model for many PBCS functions, albeit on an expensive platform with fewer options.

   Six Actions to Get You on the Road Toward PBCS
22 July 2002
Thomas Bittman  Donna Scott 

Six actions will prepare you for policy-based computing services technologies as they become available. These actions will provide significant benefits, without waiting for complete PBCS delivery.