HP 3PAR StoreServ Harmonizes with VMware Strategies

HP 3PAR StoreServ Harmonizes with VMware Strategies

HP 3PAR StoreServ Harmonizes with VMware Strategies Forward-thinking enterprises depend on a sound virtualization strategy to drive real-world cost efficiencies and IT infrastructure agility. Given the array of enterprise-level solutions available today, it is no wonder that business decision-makers pause when analyzing which virtualization strategies truly yield the best results. To shed light on the issue, this paper highlights the mutually beneficial relationship between HP 3PAR StoreServ and VMware environments. By deploying HP 3PAR StoreServ s converged storage solution in a VMware environment, enterprises can bring the promise of virtualization s benefits to fruition -- and faster than expected. Today s Virtual Environments Improve with Converged Storage Not long ago, enterprises could deploy server virtualization solutions in tandem with legacy storage architectures. However, increased competitive pressures to improve performance, availability, and scalability beyond the standard physical-to-virtual tradeoff have placed enterprises in a quandary. The question of the day is how to break through VM stall and wrangle a sprawling virtualized environment, transitioning toward a cloud-ready infrastructure. As a solution, pairing HP 3PAR StoreServ and VMware shows particular promise. Legacy storage architectures inherently limit the resource utilization of today s virtualized environments. Deploying converged storage is a viable near-term strategy as virtualization becomes more ubiquitous for small-to-medium sized

enterprises. HP 3PAR and VMware: A Mutually Beneficial Relationship HP s Best-in-Class integration with VMware along with a design optimized for virtualization earns HP the distinction of being one of VMware s largest and most valuable partners. The relationship between HP 3PAR StoreServ and VMware is mutually beneficial in three key areas: Virtual machine density Easier storage administration Integration Exploring each of these facets separately reveals why these two infrastructure solutions, VMware and HP 3PAR, have been so well received. In fact, more than 40% of all VMware, Microsoft and Citrix software runs on HP platforms, and is clearly preferred by enterprise customers. Virtual Machine Density Many enterprises have already taken advantage of the physical-tovirtual tradeoff that VMware solutions deliver. HP 3PAR StoreServ s unique, next-generation architecture designed for the requirements of virtualized environments allows organizations to improve on physical resource utilization even further. Specifically, HP 3PAR utilizes wide striping to create minimum latencies and deliver maximum I/O throughput. With HP 3PAR StoreServ, enterprises can double the number of VMware virtual machines per physical node -- guaranteed. Capacity utilization can be increased up to 30x with HP StoreOnce deduplication technology, for further gains.

Easier Storage Administration Arguably one of the biggest benefits of deploying HP 3PAR StoreServ in a VMware environment, enterprises can reduce storage administration by as much as 90%. Pairing VMware and HP 3PAR accomplishes this feat by delivering autonomic loadbalancing and rapid provisioning, and by offering a broad suite of software products such as tiering tools to optimize allocations without disrupting servers. Leading analysts cite 3PAR s scale-out architecture and superior implementation of thin provisioning as key differentiators. Who knows for sure what will be needed five years from now? DCIG awarded HP 3PAR Best in Class in part for its ability to handle planned and unplanned growth with minimal intervention. In total, the cost savings could reach as high as 50% with the benefit of purchase of additional converged storage capacity on a scale as you go basis that minimizes upfront investment. Integration Lastly, HP 3PAR StoreServ and VMware vsphere in particular integrate well to streamline virtualized environments. From within the vsphere console, administrators can monitor HP 3PAR StoreServ s performance via a plug-in. As one of many integrated features, this capability gives administrators greater flexibility when developing disaster recovery solutions, as well as simplifying the disaster recovery process altogether. Comport s Expertise in HP 3PAR and VMware Strategy The optimization of a virtualized environment demands that enterprises partner with an established leader in IT infrastructure. Virtualization is a core competency of Comport. Organizations

should not overlook the fact that virtualization is still in its formative years. The cost benefits and operational efficiencies virtualization delivers are substantial, but as vendors continue to roll out new capabilities, partnering with an experienced partner is invaluable when evaluating the latest technologies. Comport, with the benefit of over 30 years of experience in IT infrastructure solutions for data centers, can provide enterprises with cost-efficient, leadership virtualization strategies. HP 3PAR StoreServ and VMware have a truly beneficial relationship, which may not be self-evident at a glance. Pairing HP 3PAR StoreServ and VMware together is one of many strategies that organizations can use to meet the challenges of transitioning to a 21st century IT infrastructure to meet cost reduction and business responsiveness goals. We find that many enterprises today evaluate Microsoft Hyper-V as well, and we can provide expertise in Hyper-V as well. For more detailed information on virtualization strategies, contact Comport and learn more about the viability of integrating HP 3PAR StoreServ with a VMware environment.