Lead Image © zelfit, 123RF.com
Data Center Transformation: The End of IT?
You've probably noticed various articles predicting the "end of IT," whose authors attempt to convince you that you might soon find yourself unemployed because of what's known as data center transformation. Their basic premise is that virtualization and cloud are so prevalent and data centers are becoming more automated that server-oriented support jobs will soon be the topic of "good old days" discussions. I personally think industry analysts just like to stir the pot to sell more copy or attract more page views.
If you've ever done any programming or automation scripting, you know that the easier you make it for end users, the more complex it is on the development end. If anything, data center transformation will increase the number of required support personnel. Someone still has to fix things that break.
Analysts often take a 10,000-foot view of data centers and technologies without realizing that hardware still exists, software still exists, and users still exist. Clouds and virtual machines don't exist on their own. It isn't the analysts' fault that they have no real-world experience with data centers and don't fully understand virtualization or cloud technologies. To them, these technologies are merely buzzwords with no real meaning other than as pageview pheromones.
The reality, for those of us who actually work in the trenches, is that data center transformation will only have the effect of creating more work. Although the current trends of offshore outsourcing, H1B visas, and automation might change who does the work; that work will still exist. Until systems can fix themselves, experienced engineers and support techs will still enjoy employment.
As a support engineer, I find that virtualization, blade systems, and cloud technologies require more time and effort than the equivalent bare-metal systems ever did. It's downright funny to assume that because a system is virtual it requires any less care than its
...
Buy ADMIN Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Related content
-
The pros and cons of a virtual desktop infrastructure
For years, the replacement of physical PCs with virtual PCs has been touted as a mass movement, but so far, the revolution has not taken place. We explore the background. -
VDI Basics
For years, the replacement of physical PCs with virtual PCs has been touted as a mass movement, but so far, the revolution has not taken place. We explore the background.
-
Desktop Supercomputers: Past, Present, and Future
Desktop supercomputers give individual users control over compute power to run applications locally at will.
-
SGI Interview: SGI VP Bill Mannel talks about Altix ICE
ADMIN editor Joe Casad chats with Bill Mannel, SGI’s Vice President for Server Marketing, on the latest release of SGI’s Altix ICE high performance computing platform.
- Power Budgeting in the Virtual Data Center
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Most Popular
Support Our Work
ADMIN content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you've found an article to be beneficial.
