HP unveils network virtualisation software for enterprises

Hewlett Packard has launched three virtualisation software services to help simplify cloud computing for enterprises, and allow resources to be pooled from different locations.

HP wants to make it easier to move virtual machines around between datacentres for large organisation, with legacy infrastructures causing difficulties moving VM workloads. With this in mind three Converged Infrastructure software services being released are aimed at creating greater agility.

The Ethernet Virtual Interconnect (EVI) will allow up to eight datacentres housed in different locations to be connected simply, with no manual configuration.  This will enable pooling of resources for tasks such as disaster recovery.

The Multitenant Device Context (MDC) software will give increased security for multitenant cloud, HP says, and can create isolated functions for separate departments within an organisation.

Both EVI and MDC software will be available as upgrade this autumn for the HP FlexFabric core switches according to HP.

HP also announced it StoreVirtual virtual storage appliance (VSA), which will allow the creation of pools of storage across x86 servers using VMware or Windows hyervisors, eliminating vendor lock-in.  The StoreVirtual VSA will be available from September, costing $700 on launch in the US.

Bethany Mayer, senior vice president and general manager, Networking, HP, commented: “Clients are seeking a more flexible virtualized environment that enables mobility of virtual machines and data services across the enterprise.

“HP’s unique virtualization technologies meet that need, helping clients to significantly increase their agility and innovate at a pace their organizations demand.”