Logicalis launches hybrid cloud service

'Co-operative' system can be used onsite and in the cloud.

Logicalis has unveiled a new system which it promises will work as a single reference blueprint for onsite and hosted cloud services.

The company said that the Cooperative Enterprise Cloud Service is built on Cisco architecture and NetApp storage kit, and can offer flexible and scalable cloud systems and services for enterprise users while improving interoperability.

"The matched architecture of our hosted service is critical in providing enterprise and public sector customers with the confidence of moving key workloads or critical services into the cloud," said Simon Daykin, chief architect at Logicalis UK.

"We can now deliver 'workload containers' where all the necessary resources to deliver an IT service, including its compute, storage and network elements, can be mobilised between local and hosted clouds."

Daykin explained that the kit and the systems are "architecturally matched", allowing customers to switch smoothly between onsite and hosted clouds as and when required.

He added that customers could continue to use their own hypervisor software, such as VMware and Microsoft Hyper-V, without having to make any alterations to fit within "rigid public clouds".

Onsite users will use Logicalis' Bespoke On-Site Cloud Service, while storage will be provided by NetApp. Cisco's Unified Computing System stateless computing platform will let virtualised and non-virtualised applications "coexist" on the same platform, said Daykin.

The services will be available in the second half of 2010.