Modern data centers are more efficient and high-performing than ever, but problems and failures still occur. The goal is to leverage the software defined data center (SDDC) to achieve optimal efficiency for the business. Incompatible hardware and an overabundance of solutions often prevent true convergence. Hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) links the entire data center to one comprehensive management system. HCI creates a seamless, robust data center environment, eliminating many virtualization challenges. With HCI, you can maximize performance and efficiency, and get a better return on your data center investment.
Simplify Data Center Management
HCI turns the data center into a cohesive environment with one management console. Formerly isolated devices are linked together to form a single system with a shared resource pool. IT administrators can manage the entire system from a central interface. This convergence is not limited to a single location. With HCI, enterprises can connect multiple data centers and manage them as one system. HCI eliminates the need for a divided IT with a specialized group managing each aspect of the data center.
Support Virtualization
Virtual machines (VMs) are a key part of the software-defined infrastructure (SDI). With HCI, IT can shift to a VM-centric approach to data center management. HCI provides integrated policies and management options that are implemented at the VM level. In a hyperconverged system, the VM is always the main focus. Policies and resources are implemented and managed in a way that best supports the VM.
Optimize Resources
The goal of virtualization is to create a shared resource pool that helps maximize performance and resource utilization. However, many data centers face the performance-killing input/output (IO) blender effect. HCI connects the hypervisor and storage resources in a way that prevents the IO blender. Enterprises can eliminate their resource islands and still meet individual application needs. HCI allows for true resource pooling, resulting in increased capacity and optimal performance.
Maximize Scalability and Efficiency
HCI provides granular scalability, simplifying expansion. Enterprises no longer need to make sizable infrastructure investments to increase their resources. The infrastructure can be scaled up by much smaller amounts, allowing companies to only invest in the resources that they actually need. HCI also makes it easy to implement new resources. The comprehensive system can identify and configure each device as it is added.
Create Effective Automation
Incompatible, unconnected hardware has always rendered data center automation impossible. HCI's central management interface turns the data center into a unified environment where automation is not just possible; it is simple to achieve. With HCI, IT can finally automate many routine processes. The management interface even provides tools to make automation easy and effective. Automation increases IT efficiency and reduces the manpower needed for basic operations. IT can focus on business needs rather than routine procedures.
Provide Better Data Security
Data security is a complex challenge that many enterprises do not adequately address. Legacy systems rely on third-party solutions that are often ineffective and hard to integrate. HCI provides built-in comprehensive security tools that offer greater protection. Efficient backup and recovery solutions maximize data protection and availability without creating a drain on the system. The central management platform allows IT to immediately recognize and resolve security issues.
Increase Agility and Responsiveness
Business needs rapidly change, requiring IT to be more agile and responsive than ever. The simplified management, automation, and scalability HCI provides help maximize IT agility. Administrators can easily move workloads and allocate resources as needed while automated processes allow IT to focus more on meeting business needs. With HCI, IT can function as a valuable business service, improving performance and efficiency throughout the organization.
HCI eliminates many of the issues that modern SDDCs face. With HCI, data center management is simple and efficient. Automated processes allow IT to focus more on business objectives and maximize their agility. Easy scalability and resource pooling ensure optimal resource utilization. Built-in tools ensure that data is always secure without sacrificing system performance. HCI does not require an expensive upfront investment as it can be implemented over time. HCI is a cost-effective solution that can help you get more from your data center investment. When every part of the data center is linked to form a cohesive infrastructure, virtualization can reach its full potential.
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Real Tech with WEI: Getting Started with Hyperconverged Infrastructure
NEXT STEPS: Explore the key differences between converged and hyperconverged infrastructure in our white paper: Future Ready Data center: Converged vs Hyperconverged infrastructure.
