Due to the internet’s insurmountable rise to relevance in the 90s, companies have adopted infrastructures with dedicated storage solutions, servers, and networking. At the time, this was meant to be a future-proof infrastructure that IT departments could make changes to overtime, with more capable technology. But with hybrid cloud’s emergence, the legacy three-tier infrastructure simply isn’t enough for today’s IT standards. Fortunately, we can use an HCI, or hyperconverged infrastructure, in order to keep up with the faster and more complex needs of today’s businesses.
What’s the Difference between a Converged Infrastructure and a Hyperconverged Infrastructure?
One of the first questions that is asked regarding what a hyperconverged infrastructure is is how it differs from a converged one. The main difference is that a converged infrastructure takes the concept of unifying the three components to hardware— which are servers, storage, and networking—resulting in lighter, more efficient technology.
A hyperconverged infrastructure takes this model one step further, adding software components (operating system, virtual networking features, and hypervisor) to the mix in order to attain one simple solution with many functions. The HCI system closely integrates each component to make them more manageable and increase overall efficiency.
Advantages of Hyperconvergence
Overall, HCI is meant to be more convenient, more capable, easier to use, and more affordable than last-gen infrastructures. Here are the key reasons why HCI has been receiving rave reviews in the IT industry:
1. Fewer Systems and Programs to Manage
Even though HCI comes with all the tools of a typical infrastructure stored in one place, there are far fewer individual technologies to maintain. Thanks to the addition of software integrations to HCI, you can observe and monitor your systems with a simple, legible interface.
HCI software is known to use what are called VMs, or virtual machines, which are supported by resources inside HCI technology that include storage, backup, recovery, and more. HCI makes the job of managing your IT easier and more convenient.
2. Lower Long-Term Costs
With a hyperconverged infrastructure, as you manage fewer systems, you also decrease costs and time associated with maintaining the infrastructure. HCI merges your computing and data storage in one place and lowers the need to store excess data in a private or public cloud.
Though they still can be somewhat pricey, upfront costs for HCI have also been significantly reduced in recent years, making it more affordable than ever for SMBs to transition to this new cloud technology. It also allows you to reduce long-term costs associated with hardware purchases. With legacy infrastructures, large purchases are expected every number of years to keep up with server demands, but that outcome is avoided with HCI.
Not only is it cheaper now than it has been to invest in HCI, but it also is much more affordable to get adequate data protection for your cloud solutions. A three-tier infrastructure can be rather pricey to pay for data protections for. For businesses that are looking to make more profits and avoid large, ongoing expenses, they can use HCI to help them towards their financial goals and streamline operations.
3. Easy-to-Maintain Hardware and Upgrades
Even though HCI is a much simpler and minimal solution than most traditional infrastructure, it’s important to remember that it still needs regular upgrades and maintenance, especially as your business scales. Luckily, technology with HCI capabilities are fairly easy to scale to, thanks to their unlimited capacity for resources with CPU, storage, and memory. With HCI, you use a building-block model to allow you to add servers, storage, and networking when necessary.
4. Great All-Around Performance
HCI allows for excellent performance across multiple applications at a time. Many HCI solutions come with speedy storage devices and CPUs that can be upgraded, ensuring results can easily be scaled without sacrificing high-quality performance.
In summary, a well-designed hyperconverged infrastructure implemented by a reliable IT service company is a great solution that makes it easy for your business to grow without completely revamping your IT.
If you are looking for a modernized IT infrastructure that offers lower long-term costs and can be more easily managed, contact Network Providence in Ventura. We’d be happy to work with you to ensure your business implements hyperconvergence in the most efficient and cost-effective ways possible.