"We expect Cisco to show how its unified communications approach for the data center will run as one unified platform bringing together these different silos, allowing for lower cost of ownership, power utilization and improved performance," Theodosopoulos states.

Other analysts say the network and systems management angle will be for Cisco as it looks for widespread adoption of its Unified Computing products and strategy.

"The concept of Unified Computing isn't limited to just Cisco; it's an initiative that has to include the entire IT industry," says Zeus Kerravala of the Yankee Group. "Manageability is the most important component of Unified Computing. Managing VMs is the secret sauce."