Server virtualization is becoming widely accepted and vendors and customers are beginning to explore usage models beyond support for legacy applications and server consolidation. Virtual Server load-balancing, disaster recovery (server and data center), dynamic creation and migration of virtual machines, to name a few, are fast becoming widely prevalent.
One of the newest uses for server virtualization that is beginning to garner attention is application portability, packing and distribution, a concept that is becoming more concrete with the advent of virtual appliances. Like the computer/HW appliances like TiVos, firewalls, IPS/IDS and NetApp filers, virtual appliances come pre-configured with applications and just enough operating software needed to perform their tasks, and delivered to the customer as a virtual machine file(s) ready to run atop a hypervisor. Every component of the virtual appliance is pre-configured and optimized and tested by the ISV who has the deepest understanding of the application, thereby eliminating interoperability issues and resulting in a better end user experience. Unlike hardware appliances which typically need specific hardware, virtual appliances run on top of any x86 hardware that has a hypervisor.
Could this be beginning of ‘Virtual-Appliance oriented architectures'? Too early to call, but in a virtualization-enabled world, the promise of an easy application deployment, distribution and maintenance/support is surely enticing. Just like any new technology or application model, there are a lot of challenges that ISVs and customers have to overcome with virtual appliances. We will get into details of these in the next set of blogs, but here is a quick summary of some questions customers and ISVs have to comprehend as they innovate in this space. We will also look at what Intel's doing here with its broad Virtualization Technology (VT) initiative.
- - Security - Do you consider Virtual appliances as black boxes from a security perspective? Would you trust the ISV with both the app and the OS testing? Would there be any back doors? Will ISVs offload testing to third parties?
- - Heterogeneous hypervisor environments - How do you package the virtual appliances for deployment and distribution on multiple hypervisor environments? OVF is a clear direction here.
- - Performance of virtual appliances - Are there issues with virtual appliances sizes as we deploy and distribute business applications in virtual appliances? How do you deal with dependent appliances? Would there versioning issues with virtual appliances? Will there be a need for multiple versions of virtual appliances executing side-by-side?
- - Software licensing - How does software licensing work in a virtual appliance model? How do you buy Microsoft OS licenses? Ubuntu, RedHat, etc are releasing stripped down versions of Linux for Virtual appliances usage. How would the Open source model evolve?
Raghu,
We are in the very early days with virtual appliances, but we at rPath believe the concept makes all the sense in the world - we are betting our business on it.
The popularity of SaaS demonstrates that customers will trade complexity and control for simplicity and value. A pervasive and high performing Internet was the catalyst for the SaaS application distribution model.
Likewise, virtual appliances allow customers to receive the value of the application without the complexity associated with software installation, integration, administration, and maintenance. Customers do get the option of running the application on their network, or it can be hosted by the application vendor or on a service like Amazon's Elastic Compute Cloud. The catalyst for this new application distribution model will be pervasive and high performing hypervisors on every Intel server.
There are still lots of gaps and awareness issues to be resolved - you can expect that with any emerging and disruptive category. I believe the reality of this market is closer than many might believe if our success with our customers is any indication.
For those that are interested, we are hosting a webinar on licensing practices for virtual appliances featuring Mark Webbink, the former general counsel of Red Hat. You can check out the logistics at:
http://www.rpath.com/corp/events/rpath-webinar-series.html
Feel free to contact me if you want to host a broad based discussion on this topic of virtual appliances. We have some interesting insights given our position in the industry.
Billy