How This Book Is Organized

This book is separated into four parts. Each part includes chapters that describe how to realize a service-centric data center. The following list describes the chapters in the book:

• Part 1, "Introducing N1 Grid Solutions"

  • Chapter 1 describes the problems that are prevalent in IT today as a result of the natural evolution of computing over the past 20 years.

  • Chapter 2 focuses on the changing nature of data center computing and how that inevitably leads to N1 Grid or N1 Grid-like solutions.

  • Chapter 3 explores the properties, attributes, and potential routes to realize an N1 Grid system.

• Part 2, "Preparing for N1 Grid Solutions"

  • Chapter 4 focuses on understanding the N1 Grid vision and on how implementing N1 Grid solutions uses many familiar design fundamentals.

  • Chapter 5 discusses how N1 Grid solutions enable implementors to think of measuring and then addressing a different set of customer needs and requirements than was previously possible for them.

  • Chapter 6 provides additional examples of where to begin engaging with N1 Grid service implementations in a customer's environment.

• Part 3, "Architecting N1 Grid Solutions"

  • Chapter 7 defines strategic flexibility, introduces its value, and introduces the flow of Part 3.

  • Chapter 8 explores the foundation of achieving strategic flexibility by improving infrastructure utilization.

  • Chapter 9 continues the exploration of achieving strategic flexibility through the delivery of rapid service deployment.

  • Chapter 10 uses examples to demonstrate the power of the flexible data centers that are strategically aligned to the business.

  • Chapter 11 describes utility, grid, and policy-based computing, and how the N1 Grid architecture can be used to achieve greater strategic business advantage through IT, along with discussing the challenges in implementing utility solutions.

• Part 4, "Implementing N1 Grid Solutions"

  • Chapter 12 presents a case study on implementing N1 Grid solutions.

  • Chapter 13 provides an overview of the security topics that are pertinent to realizing N1 Grid architectures, the best practices for using the N1 Grid Provisioning Server software for infrastructure virtualization and provisioning, and an overview of the portable application container environment. It also provides best practices for using the N1 Grid Service Provisioning System for provisioning applications, and best practices for integrating N1 Grid systems with existing management and monitoring software.

• Appendix A contains an example of the enterprise installation standard (EIS) form for the Sun Fire™ 3800-6800 servers.

• Appendix B contains references for this book.

• Glossary