![]() ![]() On the other hand, the high degree to which IT resources are integrated within a hyper-converged node means that when an enterprise wants to add, say, more storage, it must also add - and pay for - more compute and networking resources, as well.įortunately, many hyperconvergence vendors recognize the inefficiency of this “package deal,” and industry insiders predict that it’s only a matter of time before vendors develop supplementary nodes that are disaggregated into discrete compute modules, storage modules, etc. On the one hand, the “self-sufficiency” of each node makes infrastructure management easier than ever, as it enables IT administrators to shift workloads around their systems in real time without having to worry about testing for software compatibility or configuring a new server. In a sense, the fact that each node functions as its own mini-data center is at once the biggest value-add and the biggest drawback of a hyper-converged system. Most hyper-converged systems require three fully-provisioned virtual servers - or “nodes” - to function reliably, but scaling a system up is simply a matter of adding a new node. Enterprises can purchase a hyper-converged system as a hardware/software bundle or as software that can be layered over their existing hardware. In a hyper-converged infrastructure, compute, storage, and networking resources are all tightly integrated into a system that is controlled via a single software-defined data center management platform and a virtualized software layer known as a hypervisor. Hyperconvergence is a far more software-centric approach to IT infrastructure design. And because converged architectures still rely on discrete rack-mounted components, the software layer isn’t substantially different than that of traditional hardware-centric systems. In other words, CI systems do not scale well, comparatively speaking. While the components of CI systems can be easily removed and repurposed, adding components can often prove prohibitively expensive. A converged system is going to be able to execute its dedicated task perfectly, but it’s not going to be able to support unpredictable workloads like those found in DevOps environments or big data analytics. In short, this bundling alleviates the hassle associated with hardware configuration and ensuring hardware and software compatibility.Ĭonverged infrastructure vendors address any configuration or compatibility issues prior to product delivery, which guarantees unparalleled performance and reliability, but limits enterprise IT teams’ flexibility. Converged InfrastructureĪ converged system bundles all the hardware and software needed to complete a single IT task - storage, processing, networking, etc. Much of the confusion regarding hyper-converged infrastructure stems from its terminological proximity to “converged infrastructure.” While both were conceived to help enterprises overcome the myriad problems created by siloed IT infrastructures, convergence and hyperconvergence are anything but identical in practice. With that in mind, we’ve laid out everything enterprise stakeholders need to know about this exciting development in IT infrastructure design. That said, as is often the case with any emerging tool or technique, there’s still quite a bit of confusion swirling around what “hyper-converged infrastructure” really means and how and when it’s useful in an enterprise IT setting. ![]() While the IT hype cycle tends to have a fairly pronounced ebb and flow, it’s becoming increasingly clear that hyperconvergence will have a distinct role to play in the future of enterprise IT. The new, compact (17.64” by 33.02”) two-node cluster was designed with virtual desktop systems in mind, but a number of observers have pointed out that it’s also ideal for supporting edge computing applications like the software that typically runs on Internet of Things (IoT) devices. This represents but the latest in a string of cutting-edge infrastructural offerings HPE has brought to market since acquiring hyperconvergence pioneer SimpliVity for $650 million in January 2017. At the beginning of July 2018, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) unveiled its first software-optimized hyper-converged infrastructure system, the SimpliVity 2600. ![]()
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