White Paper Cloud Computing the Path to Increased Efficiencies and Cost Savings for Government Agencies Davis Johnson, NetApp August 2013 WP-7189 Abstract Cloud computing is undergoing rapid adoption by government agencies. By evolving existing IT infrastructures to include cloud capabilities, agencies are positioned to achieve significant operational and cost benefits in the delivery of agency services. To successfully make the transition to this new computing model, NetApp is leading the way with proven technologies to deliver the storage capabilities that will power cloud infrastructures both now and in the future.
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Adoption of Cloud Computing Escalates... 3 1.1 Different Cloud Models Support Different Business Objectives...3 2 NetApp Cloud Technologies... 5 2.1 Superior Storage for Cloud Computing...5 2.2 Secure Multi-tenancy...6 2.3 Service Automation and Management...7 2.4 Integrated Data Protection...7 3 Dynamic Data Center for Private and Hybrid Clouds... 8 3.1 FlexPod...8 4 Hybrid Cloud Solution... 8 4.1 Combine on-premise FlexPod with Public Cloud Capabilities...8 4.2 NetApp Private Storage for Amazon Web Services...9 4.3 Storage as a Service...9 4.4 Financing Flexibility...9 5 Selecting the Right Cloud Model... 9 6 Summary... 11 LIST OF TABLES Table 1) NetApp cloud-computing technologies....5 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1) Cloud-computing models....3 Figure 2) Private cloud benefits....4 Figure 3) Secure multi-tenancy is a critical requirement for cloud computing...6 Figure 4) Achieve storage and service efficiencies across cloud infrastructure with NetApp OnCommand....7 Figure 5) FlexPod dynamic data center....8 2 Cloud Computing the Path to Increased Efficiencies and Cost Savings for Government Agencies
1 Adoption of Cloud Computing Escalates Government agencies federal, state, and local are evaluating the move to cloud technology deployments due to the many economic and technical benefits. Scalable on-demand cloud-computing services extend the advantages of virtualization and shared services, positioning agencies to quickly respond to changing business requirements with an efficient, flexible IT infrastructure. U.S. Federal Government Federal agencies have been under a cloud-first mandate from the White House since the fall of 2009 to achieve operational efficiencies by adopting "light" technology and shared services. However, obstacles such as data protection and performance need to be addressed before moving confidential information outside an agency-dedicated IT environment. Once preventive measures have been taken, it is easier for agencies to adopt a full cloud approach for their organizations. State and Local Government Many state and local agencies are also following the move to private- and public-cloud models to increase efficiencies and save tax dollars. A cloud infrastructure streamlines the way technology is used to deliver services, resulting in the ability to quickly provision servers and storage at a lower cost. 1.1 Different Cloud Models Support Different Business Objectives Deciding which cloud model offers the best fit depends on the critical nature of the workload and how security and compliance requirements will be handled. Whether a cloud is public, private, or a hybrid, the key to success is creating an appropriate infrastructure in which all resources can be efficiently utilized and shared. And in a cloud environment, implementing the right data storage model becomes even more crucial to effectively support the requirements of a shared infrastructure model. Figure 1) Cloud-computing models. Hybrid Cloud Public Cloud Private Cloud Shared Infrastructure Storage Foundation Private Cloud Private clouds are about IT flexibility, efficiency, and cost savings. With a services delivery model, IT can offer services to its internal customers from a service catalog, automate processes, meter usage, create showback or chargeback models, and deliver services for greater cost savings, utilization, and efficiencies. 3 Cloud Computing the Path to Increased Efficiencies and Cost Savings for Government Agencies
According to a recent CIO study 1, the top benefits expected from moving to a private cloud business model include increased IT efficiencies/lowered costs, less downtime/planned outages, improved SLAs, and more reliable security. Private clouds, which are dedicated to an agency for use by its internal organizations behind the firewall, provide an excellent cloud-computing model in which maintaining applications and data internally is the driving business factor. Through private clouds, agencies can: Deliver resources on demand. Internal organizations and users can securely access pools of shared resources immediately without compromising data protection. Automate the provisioning process. Self-service portals can be created to allow internal groups to request and receive access to IT resources with minimal IT support, saving time and money while speeding time to market with innovative new services. When projects are completed, shared resources can be reallocated, eliminating overprovisioning. Make informed decisions. IT can easily monitor and analyze which departments use specific resources to define and meet internal SLAs, optimize IT service catalogs, and make more insightful business decisions. Figure 2) Private cloud benefits. Reduce time to provision systems and activate new applications Host multiple tenants on a single, secure shared infrastructure Gain operational and staff efficiencies with standardized management Reduce manual effort with policybased automation Cost and efficiency savings Public Cloud For many agencies, the potential cost benefits of procuring cloud services from service providers are the driving force. In the CIO study mentioned earlier, respondents expected to realize the ability to buy and use resources on a per-need basis, scale up and down to meet variable workloads, and reduce provisioning time by moving to a public cloud business model. By acquiring cloud services from service providers to manage specific workloads, such as messaging or disaster recovery, agencies can move from a capex to an opex model, enhance efficiencies, provide IT on demand, and accelerate time to market with new agency services. However, initial service provider selection and planning are critical to obtaining ROI from an outsourced model. Accelerate time to market with on-demand infrastructure. Streamline administrative tasks by outsourcing noncore applications. Reduce IT capital requirements with a pay-as-you-go expense model. Improve data protection with disk-based backup and disaster recovery. Leverage reliable and secure cloud services through NetApp partners. To facilitate the evolution to the cloud, NetApp has developed a global network of world-class service provider partners who deliver a comprehensive portfolio of cloud services built on NetApp technology. 1 CIO LinkedIn Market Pulse Study: Cloud adoption, benefits and strategy May 2011 4 Cloud Computing the Path to Increased Efficiencies and Cost Savings for Government Agencies
Hybrid Cloud An emerging cloud option that offers many of the benefits but does not require moving all of an agency s information to a cloud infrastructure is known as a hybrid cloud. The hybrid cloud combines the availability, performance, agility, and control of the agency s storage with the highly reliable, scalable, and low-cost infrastructure of the cloud. This model can provide the best of both worlds agencies are able to compute in the cloud and store on the premises. By using self-service, on-demand, elastic, and showback/chargeback models, agency IT managers can have their data under their complete control, relieving the stress associated with security, storage, and regulatory requirements. 2 NetApp Cloud Technologies When it comes to storage for cloud computing, NetApp is a preferred technology partner, whether your agency is building a private cloud infrastructure, working with a system integrator, or outsourcing to cloud service providers. NetApp offers superior technology to meet cloud requirements combined with established solutions and partnerships such as those with Terremark (procuring telecom as a service) and DLT Solutions (for storage as a service). NetApp offers the infrastructure for any type of cloud that best fits an organization s needs. From storage as a service to a traditional infrastructure in a data center to utilizing private and public resources, NetApp has the options to help any agency successfully make the transition to the cloud. There are multiple paths to the cloud, all with the goal of maximizing capacity utilization, improving IT flexibility and responsiveness, and minimizing cost. Whatever type of storage you need, NetApp can deliver. Table 1) NetApp cloud-computing technologies. Functionality Unified data storage architecture Nondisruptive operations Seamless multidimensional scaling Storage efficiency Secure multi-tenancy Service automation and analytics Integrated data protection Benefit Supports multiple workloads Enable nonstop data availability for shared cloud storage resources Meets the dynamic demands of cloud computing Reduces capacity requirements and costs by 50% or more Segments, isolates, and delivers shared server, storage, and network resources Automates storage provisioning, comprehensive visibility, and monitoring Supports backup, disaster recovery, archiving, compliance, and security service-level agreements 2.1 Superior Storage for Cloud Computing NetApp s unified storage approach can eliminate the need for agencies to buy different storage systems to support different needs, such as one storage system for high-end SAN, another for NAS, and another for archive and compliance. The entire NetApp FAS storage family runs a single operating environment: the Data ONTAP operating system. All agency storage needs are met with the same hardware, software, staff, and processes to achieve the efficiencies and cost savings of cloud computing. The ease of management inherent in NetApp storage can actually reduce operator errors, which are now a major cause of system downtime. NetApp Unified Storage Architecture. NetApp s cloud-enabling technologies are built on the NetApp Unified Storage Architecture and the NetApp Data ONTAP operating environment, a flexible architecture that supports many applications, multiple protocols, diverse workloads, and changing 5 Cloud Computing the Path to Increased Efficiencies and Cost Savings for Government Agencies
requirements. This unified set of tools and processes can help reduce complexity and costs by leveraging existing infrastructure for current and future workloads as cloud solutions are built and deployed. Nondisruptive operations. With the introduction of clustered Data ONTAP, agencies now have the ability to provide their users with nondisruptive operations. They also have the ability to continuously serve data even during maintenance and lifecycle operations as well as during unplanned failure events. Data motion is transparent and nondisruptive to NAS and SAN hosts and FAS and V-Series models, and it enables the storage infrastructure to continue serving data throughout these changes. Scalable and efficient shared IT infrastructure. Take advantage of the full range of NetApp storage technologies for cloud computing, including built-in storage efficiency features; integrated data protection; and the ability to scale up, scale down, and scale out to address dynamic resource needs. Unified management. NetApp Data ONTAP combined with FAS and V-Series storage systems provides massive scalability and performance. These systems not only provide fast provisioning for additional capacity, but they also deliver proven reliability (99.999% availability) and embedded security of agency data, meeting regulatory requirements for document retention. 2.2 Secure Multi-tenancy Traditionally, providing the highest level of data isolation and security has meant independent storage hardware. Security in both private and public clouds must be as tight as possible without sacrificing efficiency. With NetApp software, agencies can share storage with maximum privacy and data security. NetApp MultiStore software allows multiple, separate, and private virtual storage controllers to be created on a single storage system, allowing storage to be shared with minimum impact on privacy or data security. The result is secure multi-tenant cloud storage with increased storage utilization. With MultiStore, storage can be provisioned, moved, and protected based on user-defined boundaries; virtual storage controllers allow appropriate policies to be applied to each container, which can correspond to a particular application or client of a cloud service. In addition, NetApp with Cisco and VMware helps provide secure end to-end multi-tenancy across applications and data, allowing agencies to reap all the benefits and business advantages of a shared IT infrastructure for private cloud computing. Figure 3) Secure multi-tenancy is a critical requirement for cloud computing. Apps Servers Network Storage End-to-end isolation Share more infrastructure across agencies and applications Maintain the same control physical silos provided Increase infrastructure efficiency Reduce risks in deploying shared infrastructures Agency Applications Intelligence Data Billing Systems 6 Cloud Computing the Path to Increased Efficiencies and Cost Savings for Government Agencies
Service Efficiency Storage Efficiency 2.3 Service Automation and Management NetApp offers a suite of management products to efficiently manage storage capacity in a shared infrastructure from policy-based automation to end-to-end cloud management tools from NetApp and our partners. And our open management strategy simplifies third-party or in-house tools integration with NetApp management products. NetApp OnCommand data management software offers effective, cost-efficient management of shared storage infrastructures to help optimize utilization, meet SLAs, minimize risk, and boost performance. Reduce complexity using a single, unified storage management approach. Automate workflows to optimize storage efficiency and minimize IT spend. Extend data management and service delivery with an open integration model. Simplify storage operations by automating all tasks associated with storage so you can manage more capacity with fewer resources while increasing operational efficiency. Policy-based automation maps end-user requirements to specific levels of service. Once policies are established, new storage consumers (for a new application, within a business unit, and so on) can request and receive storage and automatically get the appropriate level of data protection and other services without manual intervention. Through API and web services, NetApp data management solutions can be integrated into orchestration systems to create end-to-end cloud management solutions. Figure 4) Achieve storage and service efficiencies across cloud infrastructure with NetApp OnCommand. Data Center Orchestration Framework Service Analysis Service Catalog Service Measurement Policy Infrastructure SnapVault SnapMirror 2.4 Integrated Data Protection The traditional approach to data protection is expensive and inflexible. Many data centers keep two full data copies plus incremental backups stored in backup formats that are only useful for recovery. NetApp takes a different approach to data protection, one that is more efficient and leaves data in a format in which it can be leveraged for other purposes. NetApp provides fully integrated and comprehensive data protection and disaster recovery based on mature technologies that include NetApp Snapshot, SnapVault, the SnapManager Suite, SnapMirror, MetroCluster, and Protection Manager technologies. These technologies off-load the burden of data protection from servers to storage, providing a consistent approach to data protection across a cloud infrastructure while allowing utilization of backup and disaster recovery data for development or other activities. The result is an efficient data protection infrastructure that protects availability and reduces risk. 7 Cloud Computing the Path to Increased Efficiencies and Cost Savings for Government Agencies
3 Dynamic Data Center for Private and Hybrid Clouds 3.1 FlexPod The FlexPod data center platform makes it easy for government agencies to implement a private cloudcomputing infrastructure with a unified, validated data-center architecture. FlexPod integrates best-inclass Cisco and NetApp components in a prevalidated solution combining storage, networking, and server components into a single, flexible architecture that enables maximum efficiency, minimal risk, and increased flexibility. FlexPod components include NetApp unified storage systems, Cisco Unified Computing System servers, and Cisco Nexus fabric. The FlexPod architecture can scale up or out, and can be optimized for a variety of mixed workloads in both private and hybrid cloud environments. Figure 5) FlexPod dynamic data center. Cisco UCS B-Series Blade Servers and UCS Manager Cisco Nexus Family Switches NetApp FAS OnCommand Software Suite 10GE and FCoE FlexPod TM Reduced Risk: pre-validated hardware accelerates and simplifies deployment Lower Cost: compute, network, storage and private cloud in a turnkey platform More Efficient: Virtualize infrastructure and automate workflows with integrated management and orchestration Flexibility to Scale: Add or change servers and storage as needed, without breaking support 4 Hybrid Cloud Solution The concept of computing in the cloud and storing on the premises offers the agility of cloud computing with the advantages of data residing on enterprise storage. Storing on the premises allows NetApp Snap features, such as backup/restore and disaster recovery, which are essential to meeting SLAs that are in place. For computing requirements that need a blended model, NetApp works with a variety of partners to address computing initiatives across agencies that require both on-premise and public cloud components. Examples of mixed-mode models are described in the following sections. 4.1 Combine on-premise FlexPod with Public Cloud Capabilities NetApp service providers such as Verizon/Terremark, AT&T, and Virtustream have proven enterprise cloud-computing solutions that leverage NetApp storage to deliver superior agility and control for government agencies. Agencies benefit from the ability to seamlessly extend new and legacy infrastructure to create a compelling hybrid model for their IT systems. By combining FlexPod with enterprise-class cloud-computing services from NetApp authorized service providers, agencies can deploy a single infrastructure with a logical split between private and public infrastructure that effectively scales on-premise infrastructure components while benefiting from computein-the-cloud efficiencies. Agencies can consolidate resources and data where it makes sense, and retain control over data and components to support security requirements, encryption, or policies that dictate physical infrastructure. 8 Cloud Computing the Path to Increased Efficiencies and Cost Savings for Government Agencies
4.2 NetApp Private Storage for Amazon Web Services NetApp Private Storage for Amazon Web Services (AWS) allows government agencies to build a flexible cloud infrastructure that balances both private and public cloud resources to optimize business outcomes. The solution combines dedicated NetApp private storage with Amazon s elastic cloud compute resources for on-demand performance computing. This allows agencies to leverage cloud-computing services while retaining full control and mobility of agency data. With this approach, agencies can: Increase agility using a mix of on-premise and cloud resources. Maintain control, compliance, and mobility of agency data. Gain enhanced data protection and business continuity at a lower cost. Improve efficiencies for a variety of performance workloads. Access big data analytics at a significant savings compared to running big data analytics on the premises. Support high-performance enterprise applications in the cloud. This concept of computing in the cloud and storing on the premises offers the agility of cloud computing with the advantages of data residing on private storage. Storing on the premises allows Snap features, such as restoring and disaster recovery, and those features are essential to meet SLAs that are in place. 4.3 Storage as a Service Government agencies are under tremendous pressure to keep pace with exponential data growth. Inflexible storage infrastructures and tightening budgets make it difficult to quickly respond to changing business requirements. Storage as a service is an enterprise-class hardware, software, and services solution that combines secure, available, and dedicated on-premise infrastructure with a variable pay-as-you-go model without capital investment. Companies like DLT and VION have NetApp certified storage experts who understand the agency s storage infrastructure needs, assess the current environment, and then design a specific solution that fulfills the agency s needs. After the systems have been implemented, agencies are only charged for the storage capacity they actually consume. 4.4 Financing Flexibility NetApp Capital Solutions is another resource government agencies can leverage if they need financial flexibility. NetApp Capital Solutions helps reconcile two commonly opposing objectives: lowering capital expenditures and continuing to invest in innovation. NetApp data storage solutions reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO) of your IT infrastructure, and NetApp Capital Solutions increases your financial flexibility. By moving capital expenditure dollars normally used for storage purchases to operational expenses, agencies can free up capital for mission programs or other expenditures. It enables scale-up storage capacity fast, while aligning costs to storage utilization. 5 Selecting the Right Cloud Model As cloud models continue to mature, government agencies are faced with many considerations when selecting the correct model to meet key business drivers. Regardless of the model you choose, having clear answers to the following questions will frame the potential for the success of your cloud decision. Do you have a plan to save money? (If you have a problem out of the cloud, you will still have that problem in the cloud.) What would you do with the resources that are now working on infrastructure? (It s not just about the technology decision, but about people, too.) 9 Cloud Computing the Path to Increased Efficiencies and Cost Savings for Government Agencies
Do you have people who are capable of managing your cloud program? Do those people have the right skills to manage SLAs? Are you ready from a policy perspective? How will it help your budget to shift from capex to opex? What s the worst-case scenario if you move to a cloud infrastructure and something goes wrong? Can you bear that? Would a self-service capability improve user productivity with on-demand access? Are you looking to reduce downtime and unplanned outages? Does your agency need to define and/or improve SLAs for delivered services? Does your environment depend on reliable security? Do you have regulatory concerns that are impeding your decision to move to the cloud (for example, FERPA, laws requiring that you buy services from vendors in the state, city, and so on)? Private Cloud If you answer yes to the majority of the following questions, a private cloud will likely provide the best model for your business initiatives. Do you need to host applications for internal employees with strict security requirements? Are you looking to increase IT efficiencies and lower costs? Do you need to improve efficiencies with automated provisioning of physical and virtual infrastructure components? Do you have any physical constraints that require everything to be in one location? Do you need to be able to perform resource metering for showback, chargeback, or cost reporting? Would a self-service capability improve user productivity with on-demand access? Are you looking to reduce downtime and unplanned outages? Does your agency need to define and/or improve SLAs for delivered services? Is your information highly sensitive; are you looking to restrict access to data? Do you have regulatory concerns that are impeding your decision to move to the cloud (for example, FERPA, laws requiring that you buy services from vendors in the state, city, and so on)? Public Cloud If you answer yes to the majority of the following questions, a public cloud will provide the cost and efficiencies needed for shared application access. Do you need to provide diverse access to Internet and on-demand resources in a public space? Are you looking to achieve cost efficiencies with the ability to buy and use resources on a per-need basis? Do you need the flexibility to scale up or down to accommodate business needs? Do your business initiatives demand a reduction in provisioning times? Do you have the resources to deploy and manage a cloud infrastructure? Do you have the resources to manage a cloud provider contract and SLAs? Hybrid Cloud If you need to maintain control of data on site but need to leverage the cost benefits of a public cloud as well, a hybrid cloud provides the flexibility to support capabilities for both business models. Do you need the ability to scale storage resources but leverage the cost benefits of computing in the cloud? 10 Cloud Computing the Path to Increased Efficiencies and Cost Savings for Government Agencies
Do you need to cover gaps between old and new systems? Are you looking to test the water with the cloud to better understand what makes sense for your enterprise? Does your enterprise require you to manage some data with some pockets highly sensitive and others less so? Do you require resource pooling that enables location-independent, multi-tenant access? Do you want to seamlessly link your existing storage infrastructure to a more flexible cloud-computing model? Would a single infrastructure make it easier to manage both internal and public cloud resources, contracts, and SLAs? Do you need rapid elasticity to scale up or scale down to meet variable workloads? 6 Summary NetApp has the products, partners, best practices, and experience to help government agencies successfully design and deploy the correct cloud-computing model to support business objectives and long-term success. By building a cloud solution on a NetApp foundation, agencies can deploy a cloud infrastructure that makes it possible to accelerate time to market with new services, leverage a shared infrastructure that increases operational efficiency and flexibility, enhance SLAs, and cut costs. Partnering for Success Although technology is a critical component of cloud success, having the right technology partners with the right expertise is just as critical as you contemplate the transition to cloud computing. NetApp has cultivated robust partnerships with key virtualization, networking, and cloud technology providers to offer a broad selection of secure cloud solutions built on NetApp. Our partners, including Rackspace, Siemens, Terremark, and T-Systems, offer cloud solutions from data protection and infrastructure services to application services such as Exchange and SAP. 11 Cloud Computing the Path to Increased Efficiencies and Cost Savings for Government Agencies
Refer to the Interoperability Matrix Tool (IMT) on the NetApp Support site to validate that the exact product and feature versions described in this document are supported for your specific environment. The NetApp IMT defines the product components and versions that can be used to construct configurations that are supported by NetApp. Specific results depend on each customer's installation in accordance with published specifications. NetApp provides no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, reliability, or serviceability of any information or recommendations provided in this publication, or with respect to any results that may be obtained by the use of the information or observance of any recommendations provided herein. The information in this document is distributed AS IS, and the use of this information or the implementation of any recommendations or techniques herein is a customer s responsibility and depends on the customer s ability to evaluate and integrate them into the customer s operational environment. This document and the information contained herein may be used solely in connection with the NetApp products discussed in this document. 2013 NetApp, Inc. All rights reserved. No portions of this document may be reproduced without prior written consent of NetApp, Inc. Specifications are subject to change without notice. NetApp, the NetApp logo, Go further, faster, Data ONTAP, FlexPod, MetroCluster, MultiStore, OnCommand, SnapManager, SnapMirror, Snapshot, and SnapVault are trademarks or registered trademarks of NetApp, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Cisco and Cisco Nexus are registered trademarks and Unified Computing System and UCS are trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. SAP is a registered trademark of SAP AG. All other brands or 12 Cloud Computing the products Path are to trademarks Increased or Efficiencies registered trademarks and Cost Savings of their respective for Government holders Agencies and should be treated as such. WP-7189-0813