Implementing hyperconverged systems involves integrating two primary components: hardware and software. The hardware consists of servers and the networking infrastructure that connects them. The software comprises the hypervisor, which creates a cluster, and the storage software, which provides data and services to the virtual machines hosted on the physical servers.
Turnkey Hyperconvergence
Turnkey solutions package these components together, streamlining the installation process for IT staff. Vendors often claim this approach simplifies support and enhances the customer experience. However, they typically use the same off-the-shelf hardware as you would. This strategy increases the vendor’s revenue stream at the cost of customer flexibility, as the bundled nature of turnkey hyperconvergence can limit customization and adaptability.
Software-Based Hyperconvergence
In contrast, software-based hyperconvergence decouples each component. Although this requires independent installation of each part, it offers significantly more flexibility. IT departments can customize systems to meet specific needs and select from various vendors and configurations.
An efficient software-based hyperconverged solution is infrastructure software that integrates storage services, server virtualization, and network services into a single code base. Also known as Ultraconverged Infrastructure, this unified approach optimizes server performance, regardless of age, by maximizing existing hardware resources. It also simplifies installation since there are not multiple software modules to install. As a result, organizations can leverage current investments more effectively. Even older servers can contribute to the hyperconverged infrastructure, enhancing overall performance without immediate hardware upgrades. This capability makes software-based hyperconvergence a cost-effective and efficient choice.
Comparing Greenfield Implementations
A greenfield implementation starts from scratch, with each component installed individually. However, these scenarios are rare. Most greenfield implementations arise due to hyperconverged software inefficiency, forcing customers to upgrade hardware sooner than necessary. In these cases, a turnkey hyperconvergence solution can simplify the process, as the integration work is already done. However, software-based solutions can also provide a turnkey experience through partnerships with hardware vendors.
Both solutions need to integrate into an existing network, often the most challenging part of installation. The adaptability and robustness of the hyperconverged software are critical here. Software-based hyperconverged solutions excel because they are designed to support various hardware configurations. This flexibility is embedded in their architecture. Ultimately, all greenfield implementations will eventually become brownfield as they will require server or storage upgrades over time. For greenfield implementations, both approaches can be viable, with the choice depending on the organization’s specific needs.
Comparing Brownfield Implementations
Brownfield implementations involve existing server, hypervisor, and network infrastructures. Organizations might look at hyperconvergence to expand their current shared storage systems. In such cases, turnkey hyperconvergence has a disadvantage. Vendors must either convince the organization to replace its existing infrastructure prematurely or create a separate cluster for new applications.
In contrast, software-based hyperconverged solutions integrate seamlessly into brownfield environments. IT departments can install the storage software and leverage existing infrastructure. Depending on internal server capacity and storage performance requirements, additional storage devices may be necessary. Most virtualized environments relying on centralized shared storage have available drive bays for expansion. Even if more capacity is needed, software-based solutions support “capacity nodes” to meet these requirements.
StorageSwiss Take
While turnkey solutions may be beneficial in greenfield scenarios, they are not limited to turnkey implementations. Software-based hyperconvergence can also be delivered turnkey, maintaining the flexibility inherent in software solutions.
In brownfield scenarios, software-based hyperconverged solutions have a distinct advantage. They can be installed on nearly any server hardware, supporting a mix of different vendors and various storage devices. This flexibility allows organizations to future-proof their systems, accommodating new server and storage technologies as they emerge.
In conclusion, both turnkey and software-based hyperconvergence have their merits. The choice ultimately depends on the organization’s specific context and requirements. Software-based solutions offer greater adaptability and potential cost savings, especially in environments with existing infrastructure.
George Crump is the Chief Marketing Officer at VergeIO, the leader in Ultraconverged Infrastructure. Prior to VergeIO he was Chief Product Strategist at StorONE. Before assuming roles with innovative technology vendors, George spent almost 14 years as the founder and lead analyst at Storage Switzerland. In his spare time, he continues to write blogs on Storage Switzerland to educate IT professionals on all aspects of data center storage. He is the primary contributor to Storage Switzerland and is a heavily sought-after public speaker. With over 30 years of experience designing storage solutions for data centers across the US, he has seen the birth of such technologies as RAID, NAS, SAN, Virtualization, Cloud, and Enterprise Flash. Before founding Storage Switzerland, he was CTO at one of the nation's largest storage integrators, where he was in charge of technology testing, integration, and product selection.
StorageSwiss.com - The Home of Storage Switzerland 