backtop

Print E-mail del.icio.us 8 comment(s) - last by Polynikes.. on Nov 7 at 1:32 AM

VMware ACE implementation diagram.  (Source: http://www.vmware.com/products/ace/)
USMC to rely heavily on VMware technology.

Yesterday, VMware quietly announced a plan to virtualize nearly all of the US Marine Corps’ IT infrastructure.  The company stated in a press release that 98 percent of the branch’s infrastructure will be virtualized by 2012. 

The Palo Alto, CA- based company says this will benefit the USMC by increasing “availability, security, continuity, and sustainability of its enterprise while decreasing event recovery time.” 

VMware Infrastructure will be used to greatly consolidate IT hardware.  Currently the USMC relies on 300 world wide data centers with approximately 1200 servers.  This will be reduced to 30 data centers and 100 mobile platforms.  VMware Infrastructure is the worlds’ most widely deployed infrastructure virtualization suite.  It consolidates the functions of multiple machines by virtualizing servers, storage, and networks. 

WMware ACE will provide the USMC with increased deployment flexibility by offering portable desktops that can be stored on a USB thumb drive.  This will allow combat units to access the same working environment from any location on almost any computer. 

The ACE suite allows organizations to create a mobile virtual platform that can be implemented on managed and un-managed computers alike.  The virtual network is secured using full-volume encryption and granular access control over all ports on the network.  The granular access control allows administrators to lock down computers and ports remotely.

Allowing mobile combat units to access and update the same working environments should help keep everyone through the command chain informed with the most up to date information provided by field units.  This will increase the speed and breadth of communication, thus saving American lives.  One does have to wonder though if the USMC is exposing its IT infrastructure to attack by relying so heavily on one company’s technologies. 

Comments     Threshold


This article is over a month old, voting and posting comments is disabled
ESX is great!
By iFX on 10/31/2007 12:43:01 PM , Rating: 2
I manage a few monster ESX boxes. VMs are great for certain applications, but you need physical hardware for others. It's a trade off.

Glad to see a government agency working to become more efficient.




RE: ESX is great!
By Master Kenobi (blog) on 10/31/2007 2:38:55 PM , Rating: 2
We are previewing these at our company as well, ESX we have, but were looking at the slick little computer on a USB stick component :)


RE: ESX is great!
By rdeegvainl on 11/1/2007 10:26:50 AM , Rating: 2
I just hope they don't give all the control over to NMCI. I hate that system with a passion.


RE: ESX is great!
By 1078feba on 11/1/2007 2:25:40 PM , Rating: 3
N on- M ission C apable I nternet?

C'mon! It ALWAYS works, rofl.


Open to attack?
By Screwballl on 10/31/2007 12:58:44 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
One does have to wonder though if the USMC is exposing its IT infrastructure to attack by relying so heavily on one company’s technologies.


How would they be exposing it to attack if it is 1) encrypted and 2) from a trusted company




RE: Open to attack?
By Ringold on 10/31/2007 4:57:47 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
2) from a trusted company


The Manchurian Technician.


All roads lead to virtualization
By hinchesk on 11/1/2007 4:22:10 PM , Rating: 2
Everything that can go to virtualization will as soon as possible. It's an enabler of (IT) downsizing so it won't take long. Similar to what robotics did to the car industry, it won't put everyone out of work but it'll have a significant impact.




No surprise here
By Polynikes on 11/7/2007 1:32:37 AM , Rating: 2
Being a former Marine myself, this isn't the least bit surprising. The Marine Corps has always had extremely tight budgets, and as such they're always looking for ways to make everything more efficient. (The primary way was making sure we all were moving at top speed at all times. :P) I'm not surprised to see the Corps leading the way on this front.




"I want people to see my movies in the best formats possible. For [Paramount] to deny people who have Blu-ray sucks!" -- Movie Director Michael Bay

DailyTech Poll
Which web browser do you use on your primary personal machine? 






44 Comments









botimage
Copyright 2009 DailyTech LLC. - RSS Feed | Advertise | About Us | Ethics | FAQ | Terms, Conditions & Privacy Information | Kristopher Kubicki