Hyperconvergence uses a software architecture to integrate compute, storage, networking, virtualization and other technologies in a single hardware box. As data centers started to use converged infrastructure to bring compute systems into several cabinets (or just one cabinet), hyperconvergence has now reduced that footprint to 1U or 2U of rack space.
SDN
This new technology has relied on the advances of SDN. The software can communicate with all of the required components in the compute cycle, not just in one location but in many locations. Along with SDN, Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) has become a predominant enterprise data center model. The implications of these models is far-reaching.
As an example, an organization may have its main data center located at its headquarters environment. This institution could have a disaster recovery site in another state that is housed in a colocation facility. It could also have its email and other business applications in the cloud, using a large cloud vendor like Amazon. Each of these three locations can run the same SDN on their equipment and NFV will allow them to appear and act as the same computer system to the user.
Cisco HyperFlex: The Power to Simplify More
Other hyperconverged solutions neglect the crucial roles that networking and distributed file systems play in the performance and scaling of clustered servers. Cisco redefined hyperconvergence with a complete end-to-end approach that engineers high performance server and networking technology, with a purpose-built filesystem. The result is industry leading performance that enables customers to efficiently support a broader array of applications, including databases and mission critical ERP workloads.
The latest release of HyperFlex builds on this superior architecture and expands the opportunity for customers to simplify more. “Customers tell us they need operational simplicity, effortless scalability, and the ability to serve the unique needs of each of their applications,” said Liz Centoni, senior vice president and general manager of Cisco’s Computing Systems Product Group. “The new HyperFlex platform underscores our commitment to continuously simplify and improve data center operations and help organizations thrive in a multicloud world.”
