Understanding future demands on the network are instrumental in developing a robust and scalable network architecture. As seen below, projected growth in mobile, video, and IP traffic is staggering. Read More »

Tags: architecture, cisco on cisco, coc-borderless-networks, E2N, extended enterprise network, network

For the last two years, Cisco has helped many CIOs and IT leaders achieve their objectives by using a business/IT architecture methodology called Transformative Networking, or TN. TN’s ultimate deliverable is the “Unique Architecture Roadmap” which aligns IT initiatives with the key business priorities. This puts the CIO in a strong position when defending the IT plan/budget towards the other C-level executives.

We have seen great successes in public sector accounts, such as Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire Fire Services or Fontys University of Applied Science, coming from the fact that:

• TN is simple & pragmatic: it’s not rocket-science and values common sense over pre-established rules;
• TN is holistic: it encompasses network,  data centre, collaboration, security, applications, governance, etc.
• TN is flexible: it’s not a rigid framework, and can be adapted depending on the context;
• TN is result-oriented: it’s not an academic project, and there are concrete business deliverables;
• TN is iterative: we prefer short iterations (ideally no more than 6-weeks), and we are not re-writing the annual report;
• TN is based on TOGAF and many best practices and templates from similar customers across EMEAR region;
• TN is entirely funded by Cisco and/or our partners.

In this post, I explain how TN can be performed in 10 steps, as depicted below.

I will now describe each step and provide template slides; these are just generic examples of what TN deliverables look like.

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Tags: architecture, government, TN

Domain 7 in our Cisco Domain Ten^SM framework for data center transformation is what we call “Platform”.  More specifically, this term refers to the “software platform” upon which your business applications will run.  In short, this area is where we examine operating systems, databases and other types of middleware and help you figure out your strategy, architectural decisions and implementation plans in these areas, to help you drive a more successful cloud or data center project.  Let’s discuss this area in more detail.

First, though, if you are new to the Cisco Domain Ten, please check out my “Cisco Domain Ten: The Story So Far” summary blog I published recently.  Additionally, earlier this week, we ran a public webinar, where some of my colleagues in the Cisco Data Center and Cloud Services team gave their perspectives on Cisco Domain Ten.  If you missed this and their very practical insights, please do catch up on the Cisco Domain Ten webinar recording.

Cisco Domain Ten: Domain 7: Platform

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Tags: applications, architecture, Cisco Domain Ten, Cisco Services, cloud, cloud_computing, data center

Over the past 2 months  or so, I’ve been blogging on Cisco Domain Ten^SM, Cisco Service’s framework to guide you on your path to data center and cloud transformation. We are just over half way through the discussion on Cisco Domain Ten, so I thought it worthwhile, especially for anyone reading about this concept for the first time, to write a quick refresher and summary of the articles I’ve written so far.  So forgive the brevity and please do dive into the links/URLs for more information if indeed you missed these articles first time. And if you’ve read every article -- thanks!

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Tags: architecture, chargeback, Cisco Domain Ten, Cisco Services, cloud, Cloud Computing, data center, orchestration

Service Financial Management is the focus of Domain 6 in Cisco Services‘ DomainTen^SM Model for Data Center and Cloud Transformation. Closely related to the User Portal (Domain 4) and Service Catalog and Management (Domain 5), service financial management is one of those organizationally challenging topics for the data center management team -- although with the advent of cloud services, is becoming more widely appreciated and in many cases (e.g. a service provider offering cloud services to businesses, a public sector organization offering services to other regional public service organizations), a mandatory part of your offer.  So let’s discuss this area and I’ll point you to a technical white paper from Cisco Services experts on this topic.

Cisco Domain Ten -- Domain 6 -- Service Financial Management

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Tags: architecture, chargeback, Cisco Domain Ten, Cisco Services, cloud, cloud_computing, data center, financials, UCS