By Sean Applegate
Jan 29, 2015
Defense Department networks are feeling a little stressed out.
In the last few years they’ve been asked to move more information across longer distances to meet mission requirements. The underlying trends that are driving this transformation – big data and consolidation – are both extremely strategic and necessary, but that doesn’t mean networks aren’t looking for some relief.
DOD is collecting, analyzing, and sharing more data than at any time in history. Sensors and soldiers are gathering enormous volumes of real-time intelligence from across the globe, and warfighters are increasingly reliant on bandwidth-intensive applications to access mission-critical information. The challenge is that this data explosion is happening against the backdrop of data center and application consolidation. Centralizing IT resources can bring significant cost and efficiency gains, but it also means that applications are traveling longer distances across networks to reach the soldiers that rely upon them every day. Essential cloud-based applications, like Defense Information Systems Agency's Enterprise Email or the Army’s emerging HR system, must be available to personnel spread all across the globe, and achieving efficient and effective access involves a few simple steps that DOD organizations can implement to rise to the challenge.
Gain end-to-end situational awareness
Like any strategic initiative, you have to understand your environment before you can improve it. When it comes to networks and applications, this requires full visibility into what apps are on the network, who is using them, and how they are performing. DOD leaders can utilize “application aware” network performance management tools to gain this critical insight - mapping their environment to pinpoint problem areas and enabling traditionally disparate teams to collaborate through a single pane of glass.
During consolidation initiatives, this visibility is essential for ensuring continuity of operations as applications are moved to other data centers. These aren’t physical assets that one can just up and relocate without repercussions. It’s a complex spider web of interconnected resources, and the ability to monitor performance before, during, and after a migration ensures organizations follow a very important rule: When you move it, don’t break it.
No comments:
Post a Comment