2008: A Technology Preview

by Jeffrey D. Abish, Executive Vice President

As 2007 comes to a close, it is time to take a look at what is in store for the world of Information Technology in 2008. As we celebrate the New Year, we will be seeing many new products on the market from some of the leading IT vendors as well as challenges resulting from new technologies and Federal mandates.

New Product Releases
Microsoft is scheduled to release several new versions of its core product lines in 2008:

• Windows Server 2008 - The newest release of the Windows Server operating system will provide Enhanced Web Server Management with Internet Information Services 7.0, Built-in Virtualization Technology, Security Innovations such as Network Access Protection, Federated Rights Management, and Read-Only Domain Controllers, as well as Improved Server Management and Deployment capabilities.
• SQL Server 2008 - The next version of SQL Server will provide the following enhanced features: Data Encryption, Auditing, Database Mirroring, Hot Add CPU, Performance Management, Additional Data Types, New Report Designer, Improved SharePoint Integration, Accelerated Development, and Policy-Based Management.
• Visual Studio 2008 - This latest incarnation of Visual Studio brings Microsoft further into the Web 2.0 realm with Smart Client Applications, MS Office 2007 Applications, Windows Vista Applications, Improved Data Access and Manipulation, New Interactive Web Experiences, and Improved Developer Team Collaboration.

Oracle has introduced the following product enhancements:

• Oracle Database 11g - The best new features contained in this release include Oracle Real Application Testing, Oracle Advanced Compression, Oracle Total Recall, and Oracle Active Data Guard. The features provide improvements in the areas of pre-deployment testing, security, performance, and availability.
• Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g - This new version shows tightly integrated Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA), Grid Computing and new Enterprise 2.0 (including Web 2.0 applications) functionality into a single, unified, hot-pluggable and secure platform for building and deploying modern applications.

Intel continues to lead the charge with new processor technologies:

• Quad-Core Processors - The unprecedented performance of the Intel Core 2 Quad processor is made possible by each of the four complete execution cores delivering the full power of Intel Core microarchitecture. More instructions can be carried out per clock cycle, shorter and wider pipelines execute commands more quickly, and improved bus lanes move data throughout the system faster. These new processors are available on both desktop and server platforms, facilitating the development of improved digital media applications, virtualization capabilities and the ability to address larger amounts of memory.
• New Ultra Mobile Platform - This second-generation platform powers exciting, new Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) for consumers or Ultra Mobile PCs (UMPCs) for business and education segments.

Challenges
Federal mandates and the infusion of new technologies have created some of the following challenges for IT organizations:

• IPv6 Implementation - The challenge of implementing IPv6 comes from two conditions originally placed upon DoD by Congress: Do No Harm and IPv4 Parity. The upside of IPv6 implementation is that most IPv4 vendors are now moving to support IPv6 in the same devices that currently run IPv4 networks. The downside of IPv6 implementation is that the equivalent features and capabilities of IPv6 tend to lag several years behind IPv4. Implementing IPv6 requires many more components than just IPv6-enabling core elements. Besides the switches, implementers need to be concerned with server and client operating systems, network scanning and vulnerability analysis tools, addressing plans, policies, and training. Commercial products for these aspects are lacking in IPv6 development, so conducting pilots at this time is very difficult.
• Web 2.0 and Security - This set of technologies is not just a passing fad for the likes of MySpace and YouTube anymore. Web 2.0 is all about openness and freedom and is based on user-generated content. This concept traverses the traditional security barriers that currently exist. Some of the big questions that need to be answered include "How public-facing are these new Web 2.0 features going to be?" and "Do the current router and firewall devices adequately protect the network and associated users?"

Summary
2008 promises to be another banner year for IT. With every new technology and successive leap forward, there will always be associated challenges and risks. Your IT shops need to evaluate the newer technologies on the table and determine the Return on Investment (ROI) as well as the impact to the existing IT environment including the associated risks involved. The next breakthroughs experienced by our industry come through risk management, not risk avoidance. Do your initial research thoroughly to help you make the best decisions for your organization.