Cisco-Citrix May Provide Data Center Opportunities

Recently, both Cisco and Citrix worked on developing their longstanding relationship, and partners which work with these vendors stated that enhancements are now opening doors in the data center.

Citrix is merging its NetScaler application delivery controller with a number of Cisco network and security technologies, through a new partnership which was announced last month. The sales team at Cisco is brandishing its Citrix NetScaler, trying to convince customers that its Application Control Engine (ACE) load-balancer products (which are no longer being made) are superior technologies.

The president of Entisys, Mike Stohl, a Concord, California-based virtualization solution provider, refuses to believe that the endorsement of NetScaler by Cisco will produce a significant positive impact on sales. He adds, however, that key developments will be made for Citrix in terms of customer perception and long-term market impact; this in turn will enhance its networking profile.

The president and CEO of Nashville, Tennessee-based LPS Integration, David Linzy, states that the enriched bond between the two vendors will simplify the closure of data center infrastructure deals. The solution provider's Linzy said: "In the past, Cisco was glad to work with Citrix partners as long as you were not out there touting Citrix's networking products. Now that Cisco has decided to work with Citrix around that core networking piece, that changes the landscape."

The partnership between Cisco-Citrix is understandable, technologically speaking. According to Linzy, the desktop virtualization plans of Citrix is dependent upon Cisco USC-specific infrastructure, and expanded VDI adoption gives Cisco a larger platform to endorse its capabilities for computing.

Linzy added: "We have been doing well promoting Cisco UCS alongside Citrix XenDesktop, and that is a substantial part of my business. But now that Cisco is endorsing NetScaler, that gives me more market to go after."

A potential OEM agreement has also been rumored as a result of the strengthening ties between Cisco and Citrix. The managing director at Oppenheimer & Co., Ittai Kidron, last month announced that it was becoming more likely that Cisco would link an OEM deal with Citrix for the use of NetScaler, and went so far as to hint that Cisco may purchase NetScaler completely.

A program was unveiled by the two vendors in June which allows partners to sell Citrix XenDesktop with the Virtualization Experience Infrastructure of Cisco; this platform allows for the merging of virtual desktops with voice and video.

Furthermore, cloud orchestration and collaboration are also being sought by the Cisco-Citrix partnership. Although it may be some time before the new partnering will be able to display its growth, it is likely that both vendors will explore further opportunities in expanding its data center business.

Linzy stated: "There are still some areas of the relationship that need to be ironed out, and there will always be turf wars that have to be overcome. But today, we are closer to that overall solution than we ever have been." (CY) Link