3Par, VMware boost cloud infrastructure

3Par has combined its InServ Storage Server with VMware vSphere to improve the cloud infrastructures for their shared, virtualised 'utility' service offerings, reports TMCnet.

All 3Par InServ Storage Server models leverage the InSpire architecture to deliver simple yet powerful and dynamically tiered storage arrays for open systems.

Seven of the top 10 global cloud computing infrastructure-as-a-service leaders deploy 3Par and VMware for shared, virtualised service offerings, says 3Par.

Microsoft has told users they've got "nothing to lose" by checking out the company's Azure cloud and hosted applications before committing to a deal with archrival VMware, states the Register.

In an open letter, Microsoft claimed a three-year contract with VMware would tie customers into a deal with a company lacking both the applications and flexibility needed for the transition to a cloud-based IT infrastructure.

The letter tried to draw a distinction between using virtualisation to consolidate a customer's data centre and going further by delivering online services and applications.

Red Hat is hyping its cloud computing strategy, including a new platform-as-a-service (PaaS) offering that could compete as an open source alternative to Microsoft's Azure platform, according to ITBusiness.

The PaaS offering is part of Red Hat's recently announced Cloud Computing Foundations strategy, which it referred to as a portfolio that will promote interoperability and portability between enterprise applications and the cloud.

The strategy is Red Hat's attempt to provide the software, architecture and consulting services to IT shops to run hybrid, private and public clouds.