Shuttleworth raves about Dell XPS13 developer edition

May 24, 2013

At the OpenStack summit last month we caught up with Ubuntu and Canonical founder Mark Shuttleworth.

Below is a quick snippet taken from our chat with Mark where he talks about the Dell XPS 13 developer edition aka Project Sputnik.  Mark dubs the system “freakin’ awesome” and the “environment of choice for anyone doing web or cloud development.”  :)

Extra-credit reading

  • Laptop Week Review: The Dell XPS 13 Developers Edition With Ubuntu – TechCrunch
  •  It just works: Dell XPS 13 Developer Edition Linux Ultrabook review – Ars Technica

Dell to go Partner route for public cloud

May 20, 2013

As you may be aware Dell has been offering and hosting a public, multi-tentant IaaS cloud offering.  After getting that business off the ground and many customer conversations,  we’ve come to realize that the greatest way we can provide value for our customers is to focus our investments on more strategic components of the cloud and provide our customers with maximum choice and flexibility.

As a result, rather than building out and supporting our own multi-tenant public cloud, we will partner with companies in order to provide customers access to the cloud(s) of their choice.

Enter Enstratius

A sampling of some of the public clouds Enstratius provides access to.

A sampling of some of the public clouds Enstratius provides access to.

With our recent acquisition of Enstratius not only are we are able to provide our customers with the ability to manage and govern a multi-cloud environment but we are now able to offer access to over 20 prominent clouds from Amazon to Rackspace, to Google, to AT&T.

A new Partner Program

Beyond the partners that Enstratius provides access to, today we are also kicking off today a partner program to provide access to IaaS through an ecosystem of options.  The first three partners we are announcing are:  Joyent, Scale Matrix, Zero Lag:

  • Joyent: An IaaS provider for real-time web and mobile applications. Joyent has out-of-the-box compatibility with Enstratius’ multi-cloud management.
  • ScaleMatrix: Cloud hosting platform, Services are offered from proprietary world-class data centers, and leverage enterprise hardware, storage and cutting-edge security and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) mitigation services.
  • ZeroLag: Combines VMware-powered on-demand cloud infrastructure with professional services and custom-designed solutions.

Customers will be able to purchase products from these partners through their Dell sales representatives and you can find out more information at dell.com/cloud-partner-program.

Private Cloud and Project Sputnik

On the Private Cloud front nothing has changed.   We are still huge supporters of OpenStack OpenStack_200.jpg-2f65a9098a7b1dd1and will continue offering our Open Stack-based private clouds.  Additionally  we will continue to provide cloud-to-on-premise connectivity via Boomi.

On the Project Sputnik front the cloud launcher that we continue to work on is being designed to provide access to a host of clouds.

Extra-credit reading

  • Dell to Deliver Public Cloud through Partner Ecosystem – Press Release

Pau for now..


Update: Project Sputnik Profile Tool and Cloud Launcher

May 6, 2013

During last week’s DevOps Days here in Austin, Matt Ray of Opscode and Charles Lowell of the Frontside did a demo showing the status of the Project Sputnik profile tool and the cloud launcher.  The profile tool is still at a very early stage, and while the Cloud Launcher exists today in the form of LXC + JuJu, we are working on a version that works using Chef.

After Matt and Charles’ talk I grabbed sometime with them as well as Chris McClimans of Opscode to talk about where we’re at, where we’re going and what’s a spice weasel.

Profile Tool & Cloud Launcher Tool Slide

Extra-credit reading

Pau for now…


Dell Acquires Enstratius — So what do they do?

May 6, 2013

Last week at DevOps Days Austin, I did a couple of interviews with John Willis (aka @botchagalupe), VP Client Services and Enablement at Enstratius.  The first video dealt with devops and the idea of culture as a secret weapon in the war of hiring.  The second one was about Enstratius the company, which coincidentally today Dell announced it was acquiring.

I’m very excited about the move because, besides the great technology, with Enstratius we are getting some top talent like John, James Urquhart, George Reese, Bernard Golden, David Bagley and many more.

Take a listen as John explains what exactly it is that Enstratius does:

Some of the topics John covers:

  • Enstratius’ common open API structure
  • Governance: e.g. Role based access, a federated view of resources, encrypted key management storage yadda, yadda
  • Direct integration with Chef and Puppet
  • Integration points with APM companies like AppDynamics and New Relic

Extra-credit reading

Pau for now…


DevOps Days Austin — John Willis: Culture as the secret weapon in the war of hiring

May 2, 2013

DevOps Days Austin took place earlier this week here in our fair city.  Kicking off the festivities was Mr. John Willis who delivered the DevOps state of union.

I grabbed sometime with John on day two to discuss what he talked about:

Some of the ground John covers:

  • Culture as the secret weapon in the war of hiring
  • Comparing and contrasting the cultures of Netflix, Gighub and Etsy

Extra-credit reading

Pau for now…


DevOps Days Austin: Patrick Debois

May 1, 2013

Yesterday and today DevOps Days was held here in Austin and it was quite the event.  The number of attendees seemed to really have increased from last year with at least half the attendees coming from outside our fair city, including representatives from Europe and Asia.

One of those European attendees was none other than Patrick “Don’t-call-me-the-godfather-of-Devops” Debois.  It was Patrick who organized the original DevOps days back in 2009 in Belgium.

Take a listen to a talk I had with Patrick at the end of the first day covering where DevOps started, what it means and the importance of culture.

Here are the slides from Patrick’s presentation that kicked off day two.

Extra-credit reading:

Pau for now…


Sputnik satellite sited in Portland Oregon

April 26, 2013

Last week, during the OpenStack Summit that was held in Portland, Oregon, a 55 year-old soviet satellite was spotted a various indoor locations.  Rumor has it that the satellite was named after a project at Dell to create a developer client-to-cloud platform.

Sputnik satellite streaks through warehouse where Mirantis/Dell party is held.

Sputnik satellite streaks through warehouse where Mirantis/Dell party is held during OpenStack summit.

Sputnik satellite spotted hovering above Dell booth on the floor at the OpenStack summit.

Sputnik satellite spotted hovering above Dell booth on the expo floor at the OpenStack summit.

Extra-credit reading

Pau for now…


Talking OpenStack, DevOps and Project Sputnik at the OpenStack Summit

April 25, 2013

Last week Dell’s cloud group was out in force at the OpenStack Summit in Portland, Oregon.  Its amazing to see how the event has grown since the first design summit back in July of 2010.

I got to catch up with a bunch of people, and attend a few sessions and some parties.  I also got to spend a fair amount of time in our booth and was impressed by the amount of interest we had in the XPS 13 developer edition.

Near the end of the first day I joined John Furrier and Jeff Frick in the Cube for a chat.  We talked about the growth of OpenStack, DevOps and Project Sputnik.

Extra-Credit reading

Pau for now…


Ars Technica provides detailed review of Dell XPS 13 developer edition

April 22, 2013

If you’re thinking about getting a Dell XPS 13 developer edition you might want to check out the comprehensive review published by Ars Technica this weekend:

It just works: Dell XPS 13 Developer Edition Linux Ultrabook review — Dell’s substantial investment in making a functional Linux Ultrabook pays off.”

Here is the summary intro:

In an effort originally known as Project Sputnik, Dell dedicated resources into doing Linux on an Ultrabook “right”—writing code where necessary (and contributing that code back upstream like a good FOSS citizen) and paying attention to the entire user experience rather than merely working on components in a vacuum. The result is a perfectly functional Ultrabook with a few extra tools—that “Developer Edition” moniker isn’t just for show, and Dell has added some devops spices into the mix with this laptop that should quicken any developer’s heartbeat.

Check out the entire review

Extra-credit reading

Pau for now…


Game on! Ubuntu comes to Alienware

April 5, 2013

Ubuntu has been available on Dell business laptops for quite awhile, including the recently introduced XPS 13 developer edition.  A few weeks ago we announced that we were expanding our Ubuntu certification beyond our cloud servers to include Dell’s 12G servers.

Today we are announcing that Ubuntu is coming to another member of the Dell family, the Alienware X51 gaming desktop.

Alienware+Ubuntu

You can easily install Steam on to the X51 and although there aren’t tons of games supported yet, the list is continuing to grow and now includes classics such as Team Fortress 2 and Serious Sam.

To learn more and get a first-person account of using Ubuntu on the X51 check out the Direct2Dell blog post.

Update: corrected Ubuntu logo on above screenshot

Extra-credit reading

Pau for now…


Time Lapse: Building Dell’s Big Data/OpenStack MDC — allowing customers to test at hyper scale

April 1, 2013

Back in September I posted an entry about the Modular Data Center that we set up in the Dell parking lot.  Here is a time lapse video showing the MDC and the location being built out.

The MDC allows customers to test solutions at scale.  It is running OpenStack and various Big Data goodies such as Hadoop, Hbase, Cassandra, MongoDB, Gluster etc…

Customers can tap into the MDC from Dell’s solution centers around the world and do proof of concepts as well competitive bake-offs between various big data technologies so they can determine which might best suit their environment and use case.

Extra-credit reading


Available online in Europe, the Dell XPS 13 Developer Edition

March 1, 2013

Last week we announced the arrival of the 1080p version of the XPS 13 developer edition, code name Sputnik 2.  At that time the system was available online in the US and Canada and from Dell reps in Europe.  Today the system is available online in the following European countries:

  • Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK (see below for the links to the individual product pages).  Norway will be coming online next week.
The Ubuntu logo graces the base plate of the XPS 13 developer edition

The Ubuntu logo graces the base plate of the XPS 13 developer edition

Product pages for XPS 13 developer edition by country/language

Available by calling Dell

In the following three countries you get your hands on an XPS 13 developer edition by calling your local Dell office:

  • Finland +358 (0)207 533 533
  • Luxembourg +352 26 30 47 1
  • Poland +48 22 579 59 99

Working on

We are currently working out a strategy to try and support the following countries.  Stay tuned for updates.

  • Israel
  • Morocco
  • Russia
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • Turkey
  • UAE

With regards to the Asia Pacific region, we currently do not have plans to introduce the XPS 13 developer edition in that region.  We continuously listen for customer feedback and demand and will reevaluate accordingly.

Extra-credit reading

Pau for now…


XPS 13 Developer Edition: Specsheet and a short overview

February 20, 2013

On Monday, we announced the new 1080p display for the XPS 13 developer edition and its upcoming availability in Europe and beyond.   To support that launch, here is the official spec sheet as well as a brief presentation on the project and resulting product.

Stay tuned for more news.

Pau for now…


Sputnik 2 is here: Dell XPS 13 Developer Edition goes 1080p and lands in Europe

February 18, 2013

source: greatbigcanvas.com

Sputnik 2 & Laika source: greatbigcanvas.com

When we launched the Ubuntu-based XPS 13 developer edition at the end of November we got a lot of great press.  That being said, the two complaints we heard loud and clear were 1) the resolution is too low, and 2) it needs to be available outside the US and Canada.  Since that time we have been working hard to address both.

As of today the XPS 13 developer edition comes with a Full HD (FHD) display (1920 x 1080) and has begun rolling out in Europe.

On beyond North America

ubuntu_black-orange_hexFor those in the USA and Canada Sputnik 2, the XPS 13 developer edition with the FHD display, is now available online.  Across the pond Sputnik 2 has started rolling out and will be available online next week.  I will post the links when they become available but here is the list of the countries where Sputnik 2 will be landing:

  • Available online – France, Germany, UK, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
  • Available from your Dell rep – Israel, Luxembourg, Morocco, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, UAE

With regards to the Asia Pacific region, we are currently evaluating options to introduce the XPS 13 developer edition in Australia and other countries in Asia, but don’t have details to share at this time.  That being said, if you would like to help with the introduction, share your opinion in the comments :)

XPS13-DEProduct specs

The new FHD version of the XPS 13 developer edition will replace the existing unit.  All other specs of this client-to-cloud solution will stay the same.

Here are the highlights:

  • Processor: 3rd generation Intel i7
  • Display: 13.3″ Full High Definition (1080p)
  • System memory: 8GB
  • Graphics: Intel HD graphics 4000
  • Hard drive: 256GB SSD drive
  • Standard Service: 1 year Dell ProSupport and onsite service after remote diagnostics
  • Operating system: Ubuntu 12.04 LTS
  • Community projects: Cloud launcher and Profile tool

To reflect the upgrade to the improved display the new price for the solution will be $1,549.

What about the Cloud Launcher and Profile Tool?

Ever since we first announced that we were launching a project to explore the creation of an open source developer laptop, we talked about two associated community beta projects: The Cloud Launcher and the Profile Tool.

  • Profile Tool: The idea behind the profile tool is to provide access to a library of community created profiles on github, such as Ruby and Android, to quickly set up your development environments and tool chains.
  • Cloud launcher: The cloud launcher enables you to create “microclouds” on your laptop, simulating an at-scale environment, and then deploy that environment seamlessly to the cloud.

With the mad rush to get Sputnik and then Sputnik 2 out the door we haven’t focused as much attention on the associated projects as we would have liked.  Now that the systems are going out the door we are looking to kick them up a notch.  We will soon be taking the Profile Tool effort off of pause.

With regards to the Cloud launcher, we have big plans for it (its what puts the “cloud” in “client-to-cloud” solution).  Today the launcher uses Juju to jettison application environments from the laptop, to the cloud.  Recently though we have been working with Opscode to create another version that leverages Chef and that will connect to the Dell Cloud on Demand.  We should have a demo and more available soon!

Links and Extra-credit reading

Pau for now…


Intel and ARM systems in same chassis and managed remotely

January 21, 2013

Last week I was out in the Bay Area attending the Open Compute (OCP) Summit.  The event was packed and full of energy.  My employer Dell was a platinum sponsor and we were showing off  some pretty cool stuff:

At today’s Open Compute Summit in Santa Clara, California, Dell showed off a new generation of X-Gene 64-bit ARM-based servers that the company is developing for data center customers. It also demonstrated new management software based on Open Compute Project standards allowing remote control of both Intel and ARM-based servers. The software and server designs Dell demonstrated would allow Intel and ARM-based systems to run in the same chassis. – Ars Technica

Here is the schematic of the management system (check out the client running the ipmitool :)

OCPremonteManagement

As part of the first day plenary sessions, Dell VP and Senior Fellow Jimmy Pike gave a brief historical overview of computing and management, leading up to the above solution.

The next Open Compute Summit will be in Vegas in the fall.  Look for us there.

Extra credit reading

Pau for now…


Emerging cloud solutions and driving innovation at Dell

January 17, 2013

Here is the second interview I did from the floor of  Dell World.  I talk about the following three topics:

  1. The Web vertical – understanding and meeting the needs of web companies
  2. [1:20]  The 4 emerging cloud solutions we were showing at Dell world
  3. [2:25] How Dell is  promoting innovation internally

Check it out:

Extra-credit reading:

Pau for now…


Talking about Project Sputnik and the importance of Devs to Dell

January 15, 2013

At Dell World I was interviewed about Project Sputnik, the resulting XPS 13 Developer Edition we launched and the importance of developers.

Here’s the interview (notice my fashion forward blue Dell shirt ;)

Extra-credit reading

Pau for now…


Developers — Where the rubber meets the road

January 7, 2013

Happy New Year!  Right before we left for break Dell held Dell World here in Austin.  Thousands of our customers make the trek here for three days of BBQ, bands and technology.  We also had a great line up of speakers from Bill Clinton to the Freakonomics guys.

I was on the floor showing our brand new XPS 13 developer edition and met with customers.  At one point I broke away and did an interview with Dave Vellante on the Cube along with Michael Cote.  Check it out:

Some of the topics we tackled

  • How project Sputnik went from project to product
  • DevOps
  • OpenStack
  • VMware’s spin out of Pivotal labs
  • Hadoop and Big Data and Dell’s second innovation project, RIPtide

Extra-credit reading

Pau for now…


2012 in review – my blog

December 31, 2012

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for my blog.

Here are some stats:

This blog was viewed about 140,000 times in 2012.

The busiest day of the year was May 9th with 15,457 views. The most popular post that day was Introducing Project Sputnik: Developer laptop.

Visitors came from 188 countries

The top referring site was slashdot.org

Click here to see the complete report.

Hau’oli Makahiki Hou – Happy New Year

Pau for now…


XPS 13 Developer Edition takes off

December 19, 2012

Pitching Sputnik at Dell World

Pitching Sputnik at Dell World (photo credit: Ryan the lawyer)

I wanted to get one more quick post in before I head out for the holidays.  Things have been crazy since the XPS 13 Developer Edition launched almost three weeks ago.

In fact no sooner did we start to catch our breath from the product’s launch that Dell World took place.  We had a lot of interest at the event and Im looking at following up with the folks I met.

Launch response

For the actual launch we had fantastic press, see the list below.   That having been said, there were two areas where we got dinged by folks:

  1. Price — This turned out to be due to an internal pricing inconsistency and we were able to jump on it right away and dropped the price by $100 by the afternoon.
  2. Monitor resolution — We have heard the community loud and clear and are looking at ways to address this, stay tuned.

Partial Media Coverage

  • Dell launches Sputnik Linux Ultrabook – The Register
  • Dell releases powerful, well-supported Linux Ultrabook – Ars Technica
  • Dell ships lightweight XPS 13 laptop with Ubuntu Linux – IDG
  • Dell XPS 13 laptop: The Ubuntu developer edition arrives – ZDNet
  • Dell’s ‘Sputnik’ Ubuntu Linux ultrabook: First in a new line? – PC World
  • Dell launches Ubuntu-powered Sputnik for developers – The H-Online
  • Dell’s Ubuntu Ultrabook goes on sale in the US – PC Pro
  • Dell Ships High-End Ubuntu Laptop for Cloud Developers  – The Var Guy
  • Dell Unveils Powerful Linux Ultrabook for $1,449 – Mobile Magazine
  • Dell Launches XPS 13 Ultrabook Developed Edition, Comes With Ubuntu Linux – StudentNews.ie
  • Dell’s $1,549 Ubuntu-based XPS 13 goes on sale, $50 more than Windows variant (update: $100 price drop)Engadget
  • Dell is selling a nicely configured version of its XPS 13 ultrabook with Ubuntu Linux – CNET
  • Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook With Linux Ubuntu Almost Ready For Launch – iTech Post

Thanks to everyone for helping to turn this idea from project to product.  Stay tuned as we we continue to refine and expand on developer offerings in 2013

Happy Holidays!

Pau for now…


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