Microsoft tugs hardware for private cloud

Hardware makers Dell, Fujitsu, Hitatchi, IBM, HP and NEC have signed up as Microsoft’s Hyper-V Cloud partners, the Redmond company announced at Tech Ed Europe in Berlin.

While each of the hardware makers has launched their own private cloud acceleration programs separately, Microsoft’s Hyper-V focused program would aim to iron out complexities in cobbling together a private cloud on its Windows Server 2008 R2 platform.

Microsoft said it was “pre-validating” the infrastructure required to establish a private cloud on its technology.

“Many of our customers have told us they want the benefits of cloud-computing — fast deployment, increased agility, lower costs but with tight control over things like physical infrastructure and security policies,” said Brad Anderson, corporate vice president of Microsoft’s Management and Security Division.

The program covers computing, storage, networking, virtualisation and management software, and not surprisingly, is underpinned by Microsoft’s server platform, Windows Server 2008 R2.

It basically points to which of the six vendors’ hardware would work ideally on Windows Server 2008 R2 and how to install the software.

For example, Dell points to its EqualLogic storage business, its PowerEdge server blades and PowerConnect switches under the program.

Similarly, HP pointed to its BladeSystem Matrix, data centre storage arrays, networking kit and its so-called “CloudStart” consultants.

Microsoft also announced 70 approved Hyper-V Cloud Service providers, which it claims can host a private cloud.

Included in its list were several Australia-based companies, such as Melbourne IT, NEC, Aus Servers, BlueFire, Emantra, GPK, Hyperspike, ICO, Internet Services Australia, VigilantIT and Online Business Technologies.