A special thanks to bloxNews readers who participated in the recent reader survey on CIOs, virtualization and the network.  We asked readers questions about: CIO knowledge regarding DNS; their primary drivers for virtualization; and virtualization’s impact on the network. 

We weren’t surprised that 79% of CIOS appreciated the critical importance of DNS and that enterprises were now focused on flexibility as a driver for virtualization. The survey findings regarding the strategic role of the network for the evolution of virtualization was encouraging and consistent with a recent panel I attended on the evolving roles of network pros.

Consistent with recent Nemertes research survey respondents for the bloxNews survey cited flexibility as the leading driver for virtualization.

Chart: Primary Driver for Virtualization

Perhaps the most notable finding from the survey was regarding the impact of virtualization on the network.  53% of survey respondents said that “without dynamic networks it won’t be possible to realize the full benefits of virtualization, including live migration (VMotion) and certain cloud architectures.  24% thought that virtualization would make networks less important and 23% thought the network effects of virtualization would be insignificant.

This marks a significant shift from the days of early stage (VLAN-centric) virtualization, where the network was seen as irrelevant.  Virtual networks became increasingly dense and harder to manage.  See "Virtual Machine Density as the New Measure of IT Efficiency" by F5’s Lori MacVittie.

It certainly appears that virtualization is now “on the radar” for bloxNews readers.

Also according to the survey of bloxNews readers, 79% of CIOs do understand the critical importance of DNS for the availability, performance and security of key applications. 

Note: this survey was conducted during late October and early November 2009 by about 150 respondents.  A FLIP™ High Definition camcorder was offered as a drawing incentive.  A senior network engineer from Sutter Health won the FLIP®.