Your Network Virtualization Career Path. Navigate the future of networking with confidence

Transcription

1 Your Network Virtualization Career Path Navigate the future of networking with confidence

2 INTRODUCTION 2 New skills for a new era Networking is on the cusp of a major change. The hardware-centric networks you re familiar with are hitting the plateau of stability, and are struggling to keep up with the digitization of business. Virtualization, automation, and the cloud are all transforming the way networking professionals do their jobs. A working knowledge of virtualization is no longer optional. Those who want to stay relevant must develop a fresh set of skills, or risk being left behind. In the pages ahead, you ll learn: Why network virtualization is the next big shift in networking What skills you ll need to grow your network virtualization expertise Why you should pursue network virtualization certification First up: why the same old approach is holding IT back.

3 THE BIG SHIFT 3 Traditional networking models are failing Physical networks are ill-suited for the requirements of today s digital business. Manual configuration and provisioning require hours of mundane work, and just one small error can derail an initiative for days and slow the delivery of crucial IT services. Why are traditional network infrastructures falling behind their virtual counterparts? Because of three primary reasons: 1 HIGH COST 2 LIMITED AGILITY 3 INADEQUATE SECURITY Let s take a closer look at each of these and what they mean to you.

4 THE BIG SHIFT 4 The trouble with hardware 1 High cost Custom hardware comes with a hefty price tag. And the tab doesn t close after the purchase is made; manual configuration errors can cause significant ongoing damage to the budget. In a 2013 study, The Ponemon Institute reported that the average cost per incident was $690,200 a number that likely will continue to rise. 2 Limited agility Hardware-centric systems keep network operators busy with complicated processes for simple tasks. Apps can t move freely from one place to another, and services that should take seconds to deploy are slowed down by hardware. If your business is like most, you can t afford those types of delays. 3 Inadequate security Hardware-centric networks rely on perimeter firewalls to keep the data center safe, but modern threats are sophisticated enough to enter through legitimate access points. Once inside, they use east-west traffic to spread quickly without detection. Which means you re continually playing defense and risking the safety of your data and information. It s time to move your network and your future forward.

5 THE BIG SHIFT 5 The shift is already in motion In November 2015, Facebook announced that they were building a revolutionary new network infrastructure that will allow it to scale for the future. Their 100-gigbyte white-box switch enables new levels of agility, security, and reliability, moving features that used to be attached to hardware into software. When networking elements and services are decoupled from hardware, it lowers the risk of human error and frees up valuable time that used to be spent on manual tasks. That time can be spent developing innovative ideas and learning new skills. Just like Google and Amazon, Facebook understands that IT moves businesses forward, and that the best results come from having a strong foundation. Networking professionals at Facebook are playing a key role in the company s success and you can do the same for your organization. There s no better time to embrace virtualization than now. Google/Facebook/ Amazon Data Centers CUSTOM APPLICATION CUSTOM PLATFORM ANY x86 ANY STORAGE ANY IP NETWORK As mega data centers shift to a softwarecentric network infrastructure, their decisions make a big statement about the link between virtualization and competitive advantage.

6 Network infrastructures are less agile than other data center components. Traditional enterprise network deployments do not typically include the level of automation, programmability and multi-tenancy that is warranted to support modern cloud initiatives. Gartner, Dennis Smith & Andrew Lerner, Target Networking for Successful Cloud Deployments, 11 August 2015

7 THE BIG SHIFT 7 The business case for network virtualization But why make the switch to network virtualization sooner rather than later? Because there s a big opportunity to save on IT costs across the board. Coupled with a Software-Defined Data Center, a virtual network can: Increase staff productivity up to 200% Reduce CapEx costs up to 31% with custom hardware Reduce CapEx costs up to 49% with white-label configurations And that s not all. In addition to cost savings, virtualization also provides an opportunity for network professionals to be part of the biggest evolution in networking to date. What s network virtualization? A virtual network is software-based instead of hardware-centric, delivering network services from a software container to connected workloads. Network virtualization makes it possible to create, change, and delete networks in minutes or even seconds enabling new levels of agility and efficiency. What s a Software-Defined Data Center? An architecture that brings together best-in-class compute, storage, networking virtualization, and management offerings. It allows you to build a unified hybrid cloud across public, private, and managed clouds. It enables you to rapidly develop, automatically deliver, and manage all of your enterprise applications, no matter where they reside, from one, unified platform, to any user device.

8 NETWORKING CAREER PATH 8 Careers are made by seizing opportunities As a network professional, you know the limitations of a hardware-centric network better than anyone else. And with IT organizations in the spotlight, you ve never worked harder to live up to the expectations that tech giants like Google and Amazon have set. Wouldn t it be exciting to be able to deliver exactly what your business users want when they want it? The decision-makers in your organization may not be aware of how transformative virtualization can be. Now is your chance to demonstrate your insight into the business by showing them the benefits of an agile, efficient, secure network. NSX

9 With network virtualization, we can onboard customers and perform the necessary moves, additions, and changes to their services more quickly than ever before. We represent what a secure cloud provider should be, and this technology is a critical part of our differentiation from commodity providers to help manage the security and compliance needs of our customers. Jason Rieger, Principal Cloud Architect for FireHost

10 NETWORKING CAREER PATH 10 Be the hero your business users need Network virtualization enables you to deliver more, and change faster and easier than ever before. Free from the restrictions of a hardware-centric network, you can expect to: NSX Become more agile Lower your risk of manual errors Free up time to innovate As a network professional, virtualization positions you as an architect of change, leading the effort to keep your business ahead of the competition. Your ability to adapt and innovate is critical to the success of your organization as it heads into the digital future.

11 On average, businesses spend a total of 270 days per year or 9.6 months waiting for IT to deliver a new or improved service. - Dynamic Markets, Network Agility Research, 2014

12 NETWORKING CAREER PATH 12 Leveling up: build on your existing networking knowledge You already know networking now it s time to gain virtualization expertise. According to Gartner, These three skill sets are important for learning how to deploy and manage networking in a cloud infrastructure : Continuous configuration Application programming 1 automation tools 2 interfaces (APIs) 3 Programming languages Get familiar with at least one of the commonly used CCA tools that address infrastructure as code for cloud computing. Brush up on your understanding of what APIs are. Make sure you re knowledgeable enough to challenge vendors on what APIs they re offering in their tooling. Become fluent in at least one of the most commonly used programming languages, techniques, and frameworks; some of them are also applicable to CCA tool use. - Gartner, Dennis Smith & Andrew Lerner, Target Networking for Successful Cloud Deployments, 11 August 2015 Get on the fast track VMware offers a comprehensive, fast-paced training course on installing, configuring, and managing VMware NSX. Learn more >

13 VENDOR SELECTION 13 Making the change in your own network As you start to evaluate different approaches for evolving your network, choosing the right solution provider is critical. You ll want to look for a vendor that has demonstrated success in delivering networking virtualization technology, a strong support system, and an ecosystem that enables you to develop the long-term solution you need. VMware NSX is the virtualization platform that has helped hundreds of customers bring the operational model of a virtual machine to the data center network. It is the industry s leading platform for the Software-Defined Data Center (SDDC). In 2015, for the second year in a row, VMware NSX topped SDN s list of vendor solutions most often cited as being used or under evaluation by customers. 62% VMware NSX 47% Cisco ACI/Nexus 1000V/Intercloud/AVS 32% Juniper Contrail 21% Other Vendor Solution 19% Nuage VSP 15% 15% Big Switch HP ConteXtream 11% IBM SDN VE NSX NSX 5% 7% PLUMgrid Midokura Midonet 3% Pluribus Netvisor Percentage of Respondents Source: SDN Central Network Virtualization Report 2015

14 THE BIG SHIFT 14 Certification it s worth it Certification is a vital part of a networking career. It adds credibility and gives you better leverage in salary negotiations. Earning your certification in networking virtualization is the natural next step in bolstering your career. As the leading network virtualization platform, VMware offers a rewarding range of certifications to help you move your career forward: VCA6 -NV VCP6 -NV VCAP6 -NV VCIX6 -NV VCDX6 -NV VMware Certified Associate 6 Network Virtualization (VCA6-NV): Gives you greater credibility when discussing network virtualization by validating your knowledge of the components, and use cases. VMware Certified Professional 6 Network Virtualization (VCP6-NV): Prove your skills in installing, configuring, and administering virtual networking implementations, regardless of the underlying physical architecture. VMware Certified Advanced Professional 6 Network Virtualization Deployment (VCAP6-NV Deploy): Validate your ability to deploy and optimize VMware NSX environments, leveraging best practices to provide a scalable and reliable virtualized network. VMware Certified Implementation Expert 6 Network Virtualization (VCIX6-NV): Demonstrate your expertise in the design, configuration, deployment, and ongoing administration of NSX virtual networking implementations, as well as your core networking skills. VMware Certified Design Expert 6 Network Virtualization (VCDX6-NV): Validate your world-class server and network virtualization design skills, and become one of the first globally recognized, enterprise-class Virtual Networking Solution Architects in the industry. HOT TIP: Your existing certifications may make you eligible to fast-track the VMware certification process. Get more details >

15 CONCLUSION 15 The future is in your hands A career in networking holds a huge place in the future. Once executives see the value in a virtualized network, it won t be long before hardware-centric solutions become obsolete. Fewer companies are willing to invest in legacy infrastructures because they simply aren t sustainable. As a network professional, you are poised to become an even more important part of your company s future. Preparing for what s next means adopting a brand-new set of skills that will put you ahead of the curve. You are about to enter an exciting new phase of your career if you re willing to tackle the learning curve that comes along with virtualization. And VMware is here to help.

16 Ready to level up? Grow your networking skills with VMware training and certification. Learn more at VMware >