On the surface, it would seem the explosive growth of the cloud should be turning data centers into relics of old-school computing. But the reality is quite the opposite. Data centers are more relevant and necessary than ever, all thanks to their ability to support the cloud with scalable data storage. In fact, the partnership of cloud and colocation is so successful that the market for global data-center colocation is predicted to grow from $25.07 billion in 2014 to $44.69 billion by the end of 2019.
Data centers are key to the future of computing, and it’s clear Cisco is all in. Just last fall, Cisco announced several new additions to its Unified Computing System (UCS) lineup. These innovations include cloud-friendly machines built for large-scale data storage, media delivery and powerful analytics. But Cisco has also thought long and hard about scalability because the new lineup also supports users with fewer than 15 servers.
UCS drove only six percent of Cisco’s 2014 revenue, but future returns are not expected to be so modest. For one thing, UCS sales are growing by 30 percent annually, and last summer Cisco became the top seller of x86 blade servers in the Americas. In addition, UCS presents an architecture in which other Cisco products can provide optimal performance.
The success of that substrate speaks for itself. According to Cisco’s reports, UCS now has 36,500 customers, is on a $3 billion annual run rate and has 85 percent of the Fortune 500 using the product. But the performance of UCS was impressive well before last fall’s announcement. On behalf of Cisco, Forrester Consulting conducted a study last year of four Cisco customers. This “composite organization” realized an average three-year risk-adjusted ROI of 307% through the use of Cisco UCS.
And it’s still early in the game. Data centers are no longer anyone’s digital filing cabinet. They must now be up to serving as agile foundations for companies seeking credibility and success in digital business. Today’s data centers must demonstrate their readiness to participate in big data and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Capitalizing on the full potential of a Cisco data center takes much more than hard work with an existing skill set. It relies on training enhancements that build a deeper understanding of what Cisco can do. The Cisco training offered at Global Knowledge exceeds Cisco’s own standards, giving you hands-on and virtual practice labs featuring the latest Cisco equipment in real-world, relevant scenarios. It’s not just about passing an exam; it’s about preparing you for what comes next. Our instructors have the most extensive networking experience in the industry, and they collectively hold more CCIEs and CCSIs than any other training provider.
Global Knowledge has more than 40 courses devoted to UCS, Cisco data center and virtualization.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Brad Haynes (CCNA Voice, CCNA Routing and Switching and CCDA) has over 25 years of experience in the IT industry with expertise in designing and building complex networks, understanding customer requirements and keeping current with changing technology. Brad is a former programmer and unified communications architect. He is a Cisco Champion for 2015 and assists entry level to expert IT individuals with Cisco training as a client solutions specialist for Global Knowledge.