What Is Hyperconverged Infrastructure (HCI)?
Have you ever wished that you had a turnkey, software-defined infrastructure to manage everything for you?
That’s the promise of HCI.
Hyperconverged Infrastructure (HCI) is an integrated IT platform that includes all the hardware, software and other services needed to run a business’s IT operations. When used, it can greatly simplify an organization’s IT management and increase efficiency. But because it’s a cutting-edge solution, a hyper-converged infrastructure also requires cutting-edge support.
What is HCI?
Hyperconverged Infrastructure (HCI) is a software-defined infrastructure that combines compute, storage and networking in a single system, frequently offered by major providers like Dell. It provides an integrated appliance-like experience with all the advantages of separate physical components bundled together in a single, easy-to-manage package. HCI simplifies deployment and management by eliminating the complexity associated with traditional three-tier architectures while leveraging leading virtualization and storage technologies to deliver an IT infrastructure that is highly available, scalable and cost-effective.
What is hyperconverged infrastructure good at?
What has changed in the landscape that now makes hyperconverged infrastructure so appealing? The answer is simple and threefold: speed, agility and cost savings. HCI eliminates the complexity associated with traditional IT infrastructures by providing an integrated solution that makes deploying applications faster, more efficient and cost-effective. Additionally, HCI provides organizations with an automated approach to managing their infrastructure, which streamlines operations while improving availability and scalability.
Not every organization wants to have a robust and dedicated IT team. Some organizations just want a turnkey solution that essentially manages itself, whether on the cloud or data center.
What is hyperconverged storage?
Hyperconverged storage is simply a type of HCI built primarily for data storage. Hyperconverged storage can provide organizations with advanced features, including data deduplication, compression, snapshots, replication and more. In an era in which organizations are collecting more data than ever before, hyperconverged storage is incredibly useful.
What challenges are associated with hyperconverged storage?
The biggest challenge associated with hyperconverged storage is that it can be resource intensive. To ensure optimal performance, HCI systems must have adequate resources to support the applications running on top of them.
Additionally, there may be complexities involved in configuring and managing a hyperconverged system due to its integrated nature. As with any technology, it may take time to become familiar and comfortable with HCI before it can be used effectively.
Finally, some organizations may struggle to gain the advantages of hyperconverged storage without investing in professional services or additional training for their staff. Because it is a relatively new solution, there aren’t many experts or individuals who can support it. Pricing models and feature sets may also require an in-depth audit.
Find out more about HCI with Red River
Hyperconverged infrastructure and storage are still relatively new. Engaging with a managed services partner can help your organization learn more about the benefits of HCI and how you can deploy it in your organization’s service.
At Red River, we specialize in data management, security and whole system solutions. We can audit your existing system to determine whether hyperconverged infrastructure could be right for you. And if you’re still wondering what is hyperconverged infrastructure or what is hyperconverged storage, we can help. Contact us today to find out more.
