The data center is confusing these days.
First, software vendor Oracle
The rebadged hardware comes from Brocade Communications Systems
I've been out of corporate data centers since quitting my computer-support day job to become a full-time Fool three years ago. For a while, I could have gone back with hardly a hiccup -- but enterprise computing is changing so fast right now that the next computing hub I see might feel as alien as a breakfast on Saturn.
Virtual computing has taken off like a rocket, led by pioneer VMware
Both Cisco and Dell are attacking the new complexities of this ultra-dense environment, each starting from their own areas of expertise and co-opting the other's market. And it makes no sense to me. I'd rather see a tight-knit partnership between each industry's leaders, such as Dell and Cisco co-selling each other's solutions or even putting both names on a co-branded line of end-to-end equipment.
Even better, Cisco could take Sun's server division off Oracle's hands. That would give Cisco the larger data-center footprint it clearly craves while preserving whatever value may be left in Sun's once-dominant brand name. I'd be surprised to see this happen, of course -- but that deal would actually make sense. The only real winner in today's cross-sector deal would be Brocade, because it's always nice for a small hardware provider to win another distribution channel.
Do you see anyone else making the right moves on the raised floor? Share your insight in the comments box below.