A Solution Guide Converged Infrastructure and Private Cloud
Businesses are looking at cloud, virtualisation and converged infrastructures because existing data centres are becoming ill equipped to help overcome various business and operational challenges. These include energy consumption, asset utilisation, complex provisioning cycles and LOB user requirements for greater collaboration. Our solution Intrinsic has adopted FlexPod as its private cloud datacentre infrastructure solution. FlexPod is a pre-tested datacentre solution built on a flexible, scalable infrastructure using a combination of Cisco UCS, Cisco Nexus switches and NetApp storage. Each FlexPod has been optimised with a variety of mixed application workloads providing a broad range of reference architectures for popular top-tier business applications. What does this mean for you? It means that NetApp and Cisco have done the hard work with the hypervisor vendors (VMware and Microsoft) and application vendors (Citrix, SAP, Oracle and more). The pre-defined configurations are supported by the vendors in a co-operative support model so that you have peace of mind that what you buy will work for you: quickly, consistently and reliably. 2
Advantages: Advanced Server Design Unified Fabric Unified Storage High computing/memory density Manage multiple enclosures and servers with a single interface Eliminates the need for multiple sets of adapters, cables, and switches 80% reduction in ports and cabling Native de-duplication, thin provisioning, compression, data protection and more Uses 50% less storage The Cisco Unified Computing System is a data centre platform that is designed to eliminate time-consuming manual configuration, reduce TCO, and increase business agility. Cisco UCS combines computee and network resources, storage access, and virtualisation into a scalable, modular system that is easily managed as a single entity by Cisco UCS Manager. The radically simplified architecture greatly reduces the number of devices that must be purchased, configured, managed, and secured. The highly efficient Cisco UCS extended memory technology also reduces memory requirements by up to 60%. Cisco Nexus data centre switches use award-winning unified fabric technology to identify and consolidate all network traffic onto a single simplified, cost-effective architecture based on FCoE. Cisco Nexus switches offer zero-touch installation, automatic configuration, enterprise-class scalability, and non-disruptive in-service upgrades. A single point of policy management also increases efficiency, availability, and security. NetApp FAS systems reduce cost and complexity for virtualised infrastructures by meeting all of your storage requirements with a single, highly scalable solution. NetApp s unified storage platform supports all protocols, so you no longer need to purchase separate systems to accommodate different storage needs. You can slash capacity use by up to 50% with built-in de-duplication and thin provisioning, and space-efficient backup and cloning. NetApp systems enhance operational efficiency with automated storage management, data protection, and security. They also optimize performance with innovative flash technologies and 10GbE and FCoE support. 3
Take the next step with Intrinsic Take the next step with Intrinsic. Our aim is to help you create an efficient, flexible and future-proof IT platform that enables business agility. We know that identifying a solution and selecting the technology is only part of the process - the real value is derived from carrying out an effective deployment and managing solutions for long-term success. To take the next step on your path to private cloud, contact us. t 0844 474 0440 e info@intrinsic.co.uk www.intrinsic.co.uk 4
About Intrinsic Intrinsic is a next generation managed services provider. It enables organisations to become operationally and culturally agile through smart, adaptive technology strategies that respond effectively to everyday challenges. As the UK s leading provider of Hybrid IT Managed Services, Intrinsic enables organisations to transition, flex and integrate between on-premise and cloud-based service ways of working. It provides a unique blend of expertise with a hand-picked suite of emerging and established technology solutions. Intrinsic is a market leader in developing solutions that enable mid-market sized organisations to address specific challenges, from organisational growth and operational transformation to cost management and market differentiation. 18 The Parks, Haydock, Merseyside, WA12 0JQ t 0844 474 0440 f 0844 474 0443 e marketing@intrinsic.co.uk www.intrinsic.co.uk