Network managers are finally adjusting to the use of change management tools and processes to determine the potential environment caused by a change in order to avoid downtime. Now, as networking pros are being asked to manage virtual machines in their networks, as well as the connection between fluid storage sources and the rest of the network, the demands on change management processes have changed.

This series will address implementing configuration and change management in a partially virtual environment. We will discuss ways managers can use change management tools and processes to report on and manage virtual servers as they move between hosts. The series will also look at how changes in physical hosts affect servers. Beyond that, the series will explore how to extend change management processes, including ITIL, to manage upgrades and reconfigurations of the SAN. We will also explore how change management policies can help solve human problems that arise between networking, data center, and storage teams when it comes to connecting the three systems.