What Is Microsoft Private Cloud Fast Track? MICROSOFT PRIVATE CLOUD FAST TRACK is a reference architecture for building private clouds that combines Microsoft software, consolidated guidance, and validated configurations with NetApp technology, including compute, network, and storage, as well as value-added software components. Built on the Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V technology and Microsoft System Center solutions, Microsoft private cloud solutions can help customers and service providers build dedicated infrastructure as a service (IaaS) environments that transform the way they deliver IT services. Specifically, Microsoft Private Cloud Fast Track solutions provide a turnkey approach to delivering scalable, preconfigured, and validated infrastructure platforms for on-premises private cloud implementations. With local control over data and operations, IT can dynamically pool, allocate, secure, and manage resources for agile IaaS. Likewise, business units can deploy line-ofbusiness applications with speed and consistency using self-provisioning (and decommissioning) and automated data center services in a virtualized environment. PRIVATE CLOUD ON YOUR TERMS FASTER DEPLOYMENT Rich features and support make private clouds easy to deploy. End-to-end architectural and deployment guidance Streamlined infrastructure planning due to predefined capacity Enhanced functionality and automation through deep knowledge of infrastructure Integrated management for virtual machine and infrastructure deployment REDUCED RISK Validated configurations mean you can implement with confidence. Tested, end-to-end interoperability for compute, network, and storage Predefined, out-of-box solutions based on a common cloud architecture High degree of service availability through automated load balancing NETAPP ADVANTAGE NetApp provides storage efficiency and management simplicity for your Microsoft private cloud solution. NetApp unified storage architecture provides a flexible platform for supporting multiple protocols and diverse workloads. It delivers: Storage efficiency features such as deduplication, thin provisioning, application-aware data protection, and multitenancy Data management capabilities, including storage management, provisioning, backup, recovery, and disaster recovery Integration with Microsoft System Center 2012 solutions for the management of infrastructure and applications such as Microsoft Exchange Server, Microsoft SQL Server, and Microsoft SharePoint Server Automated workflow and self-service orchestration through Microsoft System Center 2012 - Orchestrator Orchestrator Integration Packs and Windows PowerShell scripts from NetApp To enhance the efficiency and flexibility of the private cloud environment, NetApp has collaborated with Cisco to create FlexPod with Microsoft private cloud. A proven, long-term data center solution built on a flexible, shared infrastructure, FlexPod can be scaled easily; optimized for a variety of mixed-application workloads; and configured for multitenancy in private cloud environments. FlexPod with Microsoft private cloud is a prevalidated configuration that delivers a virtualized data center in a rack composed of leading compute, network, storage, and infrastructure software components. These components can be sized up or out, and then duplicated in modular way to fit your specific needs.
Why NetApp and Cisco? FLEXPOD: THE FOUNDATION FOR A MICROSOFT PRIVATE CLOUD. Together, NetApp and Cisco deliver a strong foundation for a Microsoft private cloud: NetApp provides sophisticated storage capabilities and tight integration of data management software with Microsoft products, while Cisco supplies a leading-edge data center platform that consolidates core functionalities. When your organization builds a private cloud on NetApp storage, Cisco server and network infrastructure, Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V, and Microsoft System Center solutions, it can deliver IT services and applications more efficiently and cost effectively. Plus, you can move to the Microsoft-based private cloud model incrementally, without replacing your current infrastructure. Compute: NetApp partners with Cisco to deliver state-of-the-art enterprise computing resources. The Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) is a server platform specifically designed for virtualized environments. Unite compute, network, storage connectivity, and virtualization into a single cohesive system. Eliminate time-consuming manual integration, reduce total cost of ownership (TCO), and dramatically increase business agility. Automate large-scale server and application deployments by using policy-based service profile templates in Cisco UCS Manager. Network: NetApp partners with Cisco for leading Ethernet connectivity. Cisco UCS integrates computing resources with Cisco Nexus switches and a unified I/O fabric. Greatly simplify network management and reduce costs by consolidating traffic onto a single high-performance, highly available 10-gigabit Ethernet network. Take advantage of the integration of computing resources by using Cisco Nexus switches to provide an intelligent method for identifying and handling different types of network traffic. Storage: The unified architecture from NetApp can help to reduce cost and complexity by meeting the storage requirements in your private cloud environment with a single highly scalable solution. Optimize performance with your choice of iscsi or Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) running over a single converged 10-gigabit Ethernet network. Enhance efficiency and save disk space with built-in deduplication and thin provisioning. Deploy thousands of virtual machines in minutes with NetApp rapid cloning technology. Boost availability with integrated NetApp Snapshot technology for space-efficient backups. Create dynamic disaster recovery capabilities with NetApp SnapMirror technology and integration with Microsoft System Center - Orchestrator. Integrate storage with major applications to automate key storage management, data protection, and security activities while managing storage from familiar, application-centric interfaces. Management: The FlexPod solution takes advantage of System Center 2012 capabilities through the use of Cisco UCS management packs, which enable the comprehensive management and automation of compute and storage workflows across cloud infrastructures. Cisco offers comprehensive infrastructure management controlled by Windows PowerShell with Cisco UCS PowerTool, a user-friendly UCS management tool that is based on a command-line interface. Operations teams can use Cisco UCS PowerTool to more easily tie together the management of storage components, compute components, and software applications into a custom, end-toend management solution that is easy to use and easy to script.
Private Cloud Technologies Customers can take advantage of the cost savings of virtualization through Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V. Multiple server roles can be consolidated as separate virtual machines on a single physical machine that runs different operating systems in parallel and uses the power of x64 computing. A cloud and data center management solution, Microsoft System Center 2012 provides a common toolset to manage private and public cloud applications and services. This solution: Spans physical, virtual, and cloud computing models with common management experiences throughout. Provides comprehensive, end-to-end management for infrastructure and applications, including interoperability for heterogeneous environments. Offers compelling economic value. FlexPod combines NetApp and Cisco components and expertise to deliver a prevalidated, best-in-class solution that interoperates with Microsoft private cloud infrastructure. Leading Components Cisco Unified Computing System Cisco Nexus family switches System Center management packs Cisco UCS PowerTool NetApp fabric-attached storage (FAS) hardware and complete software bundle FlexPod Features Flexible and performance-matched stack that scales to fit Microsoft application workloads Step-by-step design, deployment, and application sizing guides Enhanced efficiency and disk space savings through built-in deduplication and thin provisioning Consolidated, multiprotocol, high-performance, and highly available 10-gigabit Ethernet network with support for iscsi and FCoE (Fibre Channel is available separately, if desired) Support for multiple classes of computing and storage in a single deployment NetApp data management software integration with Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V, as well as the Orchestrator, Virtual Machine Manager, and Operations Manager components of System Center 2012 FOR MORE INFORMATION http://www.microsoft.com/privatecloud http://www.netapp.com/microsoftcloud http://www.netapp.com/us/products/storage-systems/fas3200/ http://www.cisco.com/go/microsoft http://www.cisco.com/en/us/products/ps10265/index.html http://www.cisco.com/en/us/solutions/ns340/ns517/ns224/ns1097/ unified_network_services.html 2012 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. The information contained in this document represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation on the issues discussed as of the date of publication and is subject to change at any time without notice to you. This document and its contents are provided AS IS without warranty of any kind, and should not be interpreted as an offer or commitment on the part of Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information presented. The information in this document represents the current view of Microsoft on the content. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT. The descriptions of other companies products in this document, if any, are provided only as a convenience to you. Any such references should not be considered an endorsement or support by Microsoft. Microsoft cannot guarantee their accuracy, and the products may change over time. Also, the descriptions are intended as brief highlights to aid understanding, rather than as thorough coverage. For authoritative descriptions of these products, please consult their respective manufacturers.
Why NetApp, Cisco, and Citrix? FLEXPOD: THE FOUNDATION FOR A MICROSOFT PRIVATE CLOUD WITH VIRTUAL DESKTOP INFRASTRUCTURE. Together, NetApp, Cisco, and Citrix deliver a strong foundation for a Microsoft private cloud: NetApp provides sophisticated storage capabilities and tight integration of data management software with Microsoft products; Cisco supplies a leading-edge data center platform that consolidates core functionalities; and Citrix delivers desktop virtualization. When your organization builds a private cloud on NetApp storage, Cisco server and network infrastructure, Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V, and Microsoft System Center along with Citrix XenDesktop it can deliver IT services and applications more efficiently and cost effectively. In addition, you can move to the Microsoft-based private cloud model incrementally, without replacing your current infrastructure. Validated Application Workload: NetApp and Cisco partner with Citrix to bring desktop virtualization through Citrix XenDesktop to FlexPod with Microsoft Private Cloud environments. Provision and manage large VDI environments quickly and efficiently Provision virtual machines (VMs) up to 25 times faster than with a traditional SAN Run up to 2,000 virtual desktops in a validated environment that is fully integrated with Microsoft System Center 2012 Deploy supplementary FlexPod units under the same management framework for even greater scale Compute: NetApp partners with Cisco to deliver state-of-the-art enterprise computing resources. The Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) is a server platform specifically designed for virtualized environments. Unite compute, network, storage connectivity, and virtualization into a single cohesive system. Automate large-scale server and application deployments by using policy-based service profile templates in Cisco UCS Manager. Network: NetApp partners with Cisco for leading network connectivity. Cisco UCS integrates computing resources with Cisco Nexus switches and a unified I/O fabric. Greatly simplify network management and reduce costs by consolidating traffic onto a single high-performance, highly available 10-gigabit Ethernet network. Take advantage of the integration of computing resources by using Cisco Nexus switches to provide an intelligent method for identifying and handling different types of network traffic. Storage: The unified architecture from NetApp can help to reduce cost and complexity for virtual desktop storage in your private cloud environment with a single highly scalable solution. Enhance efficiency and save disk space with built-in deduplication and thin provisioning. Deploy thousands of virtual machines in minutes with NetApp rapid cloning technology. Boost availability with integrated NetApp Snapshot technology for space-efficient backups. Create dynamic disaster recovery capabilities with NetApp SnapMirror technology and integration with Microsoft System Center - Orchestrator. Management: The FlexPod solution takes advantage of System Center 2012 capabilities with Cisco UCS management packs, which enable the comprehensive management and automation of compute and storage workflows across cloud infrastructures. NetApp provides the Data ONTAP PowerShell Toolkit, which makes NetApp APIs available within Windows PowerShell scripts to automate a wide variety of NetApp-specific management and operational tasks. Cisco offers comprehensive infrastructure management controlled by Windows PowerShell with Cisco UCS PowerTool, a user-friendly UCS management tool that is based on a command-line interface. Operations teams can use Cisco UCS PowerTool to more easily tie together the management of storage components, compute components, and software applications into a custom, end-to-end management solution that is easy to use and easy to script.
Private Cloud Technologies Customers can take advantage of the cost savings of virtualization through Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V. Multiple server roles can be consolidated as separate virtual machines on a single physical machine that runs different operating systems in parallel and uses the power of x64 computing. A cloud and data center management solution, Microsoft System Center 2012 provides a common toolset to manage private and public cloud applications and services. This solution: Spans physical, virtual, and cloud computing models with common management experiences throughout. Provides comprehensive, end-to-end management for infrastructure and applications, including interoperability for heterogeneous environments. Offers compelling economic value. Citrix XenDesktop is a leading desktop virtualization solution that delivers Windows desktops and applications to any user, anywhere, on any device. With XenDesktop, you can securely deliver individual Windows, web, and software as a service (SaaS) applications, as well as full virtual desktops, to PCs, Macs, tablets, smartphones, laptops, and thin clients. FlexPod combines NetApp and Cisco components to deliver a prevalidated, best-in-class data center or infrastructure solution that interoperates with Microsoft private cloud infrastructure. Leading Components Cisco Unified Computing System Cisco Nexus family switches System Center management packs Cisco UCS PowerTool NetApp fabric-attached storage (FAS) hardware and complete software bundle FlexPod Features Flexible and performance-matched stack that scales to fit Microsoft application workloads Step-by-step design, deployment, and application sizing guides Enhanced efficiency and disk space savings through built-in deduplication and thin provisioning Consolidated, multiprotocol, high-performance, and highly available 10-gigabit Ethernet network with support for iscsi and FCoE (Fibre Channel is available separately, if desired.) Support for multiple classes of computing and storage in a single deployment NetApp data management software integration with Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V, as well as the Orchestrator, Virtual Machine Manager, and Operations Manager components of System Center 2012 FOR MORE INFORMATION http://www.microsoft.com/privatecloud http://www.netapp.com/microsoftcloud http://www.netapp.com/us/products/storage-systems/fas3200/ http://www.cisco.com/go/microsoft http://www.cisco.com/en/us/products/ps10265/index.html http://www.cisco.com/en/us/solutions/ns340/ns517/ns224/ns1097/ unified_network_services.html http://www.citrix.com/xendesktop 2012 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. The information contained in this document represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation on the issues discussed as of the date of publication and is subject to change at any time without notice to you. This document and its contents are provided AS IS without warranty of any kind, and should not be interpreted as an offer or commitment on the part of Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information presented. The information in this document represents the current view of Microsoft on the content. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT. The descriptions of other companies products in this document, if any, are provided only as a convenience to you. Any such references should not be considered an endorsement or support by Microsoft. Microsoft cannot guarantee their accuracy, and the products may change over time. Also, the descriptions are intended as brief highlights to aid understanding, rather than as thorough coverage. For authoritative descriptions of these products, please consult their respective manufacturers.