The way of the VCDX (panel)

1. Art of IT Infrastructure
Design: The Way of the
VCDX - Panel
SDDC1600
Mark Gabryjelski, Worldcom Exchange, Inc
Mostafa Khalil, VMware, Inc
chris mccain, VMware, Inc
Michael Webster, Nutanix, Inc
John Arrasjid, VMware, Inc

2. Disclaimer
• This presentation may contain product features that are currently under
development.
• This overview of new technology represents no commitment from
VMware to deliver these features in any generally available product.
• Features are subject to change, and must not be included in contracts,
purchase orders, or sales agreements of any kind.
• Technical feasibility and market demand will affect final delivery.
• Pricing and packaging for any new technologies or features discussed
or presented have not been determined.
CONFIDENTIAL 2

3. © 2014 VMware Inc. All rights reserved.
VMworld 2014
1600: Art of IT Infrastructure Design
Panel Discussion
v1.1 – 8/26/2014

4. Agenda
–Value Proposition
–Infrastructure Design Methodology
–Panel Discussion
–Next Steps
Please fill out session survey – Thank you!

5. Introductions
 Panel
– John Yani Arrasjid, VCDX-DCV #001, VMware, @vcdx001
– Mostafa Khalil, VCDX-DCV #002, VMware, @MostafaVMW
– Mark Gabryjelski, VCDX-DCV #023, Worldcom Exchange, @MarkGabbs
– Michael Webster, VCDX-DCV #066, Nutanix, @vcdxnz001
– Chris McCain, VCDX-DCV/VCDX-NV #079, VMware, @hcmccain
 Attendees
– Aspiring Architects
– Experienced Architects
– Administrators

6. © 2014 VMware Inc. All rights reserved.
Value Proposition

7. VCDX Objectives of the Defense
VCDX-caliber enterprise architects are capable of explaining and
defending their design choices.
The defense simulates what a real design client might demand of an
architect.
Design Judgment and Technique
Demonstrate how design choices were made, meeting requirements
and constraints, while also mitigating risk.
Successful Interactive Design Exercise
Interact w/panel to develop a solution for a design scenario.
Successful Interactive Troubleshooting Exercise
Interact w/panel to resolve a troubleshooting scenario.
- Is the problem in the design, deployment, or operations?

8. © 2014 VMware Inc. All rights reserved.
Infrastructure Design Methodology

9. The Art of IT Infrastructure Design

10. Goals of VCDX Methodology
Design creation meeting VCDX Minimally Qualified Candidate (MQC)
Business requirements drive design and implementation decisions
Suited for mission-critical applications
In a managed environment

11. Perspective – Conceptual Model
Shows ‘Owner’ viewpoint (requirements)
“I need flexibility in the server hardware used for our infrastructure.”
Business expectations
Details the requirements and constraints to drive the solution
Build me a
house

12. Perspective – Logical Design
‘Designer’ viewpoint (engineering design)
“We will use blade servers in support of the conceptual design to support the server
hardware .”
Engineering design
Details on how the solution is designed
Develop a
solution

13. Perspective – Physical Design
‘Builder / Implementer’ viewpoint
“We will use vendor X, product Y, version Z as the physical architecture choice in
support of the logical design.”
Manufacturing design
1. Instructions on how to build the infrastructure
2. Includes architecture components for products used
3. Specifies vendor, product, version, configuration details
Show me the blueprints

14. Perspectives
Owner Conceptual Model
Architect Logical Design
Builder Physical Design
Methodology (D4)
Discover the inputs (conceptual model)
Develop the solution (logical design)
Design the architecture (physical design)
Determine success (validation of design)
The Art of IT Infrastructure Design - Overview

15. Design Areas and Attributes
Availability Manageability Performance Recoverability Security
Risk
Management
Design Consideration
Design Choice
Design Pattern
Justification
Impact
Risk & Risk Management
Ability to provide an architecture to satisfy design qualities

16. Design Areas and Technology
Availability Manageability Performance Recoverability Security
Risk
Management
Virtual Infrastructure
Workloads (Virtual Machines & Applications)
Compute
Storage
Network
Operational Activities (Administrative Tasks)
Ability to implement technology to satisfy design qualities

17. VCDX Overview
VCDX Defense
Presentation & Defense of Design
Design Scenario
Troubleshooting Scenario
Preparation
Improve weak areas
Understand all aspects of design
Remove non-essential items
Be clear on the solution areas – no ambiguity
Form study and peer review group
Conduct additional mock defenses as appropriate
Don’t implement technology for the sake of technology!

18. Design Areas
These design areas apply to any design solution for IT infrastructure
All areas are important even in simple designs
Business needs will influence design choices in each area
Assumptions
Requirements
Constraints
Budget
Timelines
Other factors
Requirements Constraints
Budget
Timelines
Design
Choices

19. © 2014 VMware Inc. All rights reserved.
Panel Discussion

20. Leading Questions
1. How does the long term vision of SDDC impact your design today?
2. How does network virtualization and storage virtualization change
infrastructure design?
3. How does the infrastructure design methodology you use fit with the
concept of DEVOPS?
4. How does converged & hyper-converged infrastructure impact your
designs?
5. What are the biggest technology challenges faced?
6. When developing a design of an infrastructure, what are the major
business challenges faced? What are the biggest rewards?
7. Do you see virtual desktop architectures change when embracing
Horizon suite?

21. Next Steps
Decide on a methodology for infrastructure design.
Identify the scope of your design (more than just 1 product)
Become an infrastructure architect through the VCDX certification.
Product Design = designing a house
Infrastructure Design = designing a city

22. Resources
 Web references
– Vmware.com/certification – VMware certification site
– Vmware.com/go/vcdx – VCDX program
– Hol.vmware.com – hands on labs
 VCAP and VCDX Boot Camps
 VCDX Fast Track (new, available NOW)
 Product Design Workshops
 #vBrownBag Design Master competition
 Books
– VCDX Boot Camp
– Art of Infrastructure Design, A practical guide for IT architects (2015)

23. Thank You

24. Fill out a survey
Every completed survey is
entered into a drawing for a
$25 VMware company store
gift certificate

25. Art of IT Infrastructure
Design: The Way of the
VCDX - Panel
SDDC1600
Mark Gabryjelski, Worldcom Exchange, Inc
Mostafa Khalil, VMware, Inc
chris mccain, VMware, Inc
Michael Webster, Nutanix, Inc
John Arrasjid, VMware, Inc