Dramatically reducing the cost and complexity of IT infrastructure
Cloud-based computing promises to greatly reduce the cost and complexity of the IT infrastructure. However, the typical IT environment involves a mix of technologies and incremental approaches without a clear, overarching architecture. Enterprise IT solutions also remain difficult to design, procure, integrate, scale and maintain. As a result, many IT organizations are finding it difficult to transition a cloud- computing model.
FusionStorm and the Virtual Computing Environment (VCE) can provide a dramatically simplified migration path that delivers on the promise of cloud computing.
VCE: a New Architectural Approach
Formed by Cisco and EMC, with investments by VMware and Intel, VCE has created a revolutionary architectural approach based upon prepackaged solutions, called Vblocks, that integrate best-in-class virtualization, networking, computing, storage, security and management technologies. Vblocks are built from tested and validated components designed to optimize virtual resources. These “stacks” of integrated IT infrastructure from Cisco, EMC and VMware deliver breakthrough pervasive virtualization at a scale to meet today’s most demanding requirements.
Designed for today’s highly virtualized environments, Vblock Infrastructure Platforms accelerate the adoption of cloud computing by minimizing risk and complexity while optimizing performance. Vblocks take the data center beyond consolidation to a purpose-built, end-to-end virtualized environment that enables efficiencies in design, deployment, integration and scalability.
Vblock architecture is built upon the concept of repeatable units of construction that can be scaled to deliver the highest levels of efficiency in virtualization and workload distribution. Vblock Infrastructure Platforms represent a radical departure from today’s monolithic IT systems, delivering deterministic performance, capacity and security optimized for the classes of services each is designed to provide.
The Vblock Difference
Each Vblock Infrastructure Platform is fully integrated, tested, validated and ready to deploy, with end-to-end vendor accountability. Pre-configuration and standardized components create an application-optimized, shared infrastructure that supports service levels through predictable performance and operational characteristics. The VCE environment can be implemented rapidly, with streamlined software configuration, release management and support processes. Vblock Infrastructure Platforms also provide improved security and compliance and reduced risk, and can be easily scaled with additional compute and storage capability.
Featuring an extensive management model based upon industry-standard tools and methods, Vblock Infrastructure Packages are also built to contain, manage and mitigate hardware and software failure. A single pane of glass simplifies control and minimizes operational handling. The solution also offers seamless integration with existing management frameworks.
A comprehensive security framework based on EMC RSA security products has been validated with Vblock Infrastructure Platforms. RSA security solutions are layered onto the Vblock architecture to deliver security policy management and security at three levels: identity, information and infrastructure. Vblock is designed to extend a customer’s existing enterprise security controls to the virtual infrastructure without requiring the customer to replace existing security software.
FusionStorm: Uniquely Qualified to Implement Vblocks
As a leading systems integrator and longtime partner of Cisco, EMC and VMware, FusionStorm is uniquely positioned to help customers take advantage of Vblock solutions.
FusionStorm has achieved the highest levels of certification with Cisco, EMC and VMware, and is one of only six VCE Qualified Partners with the skills and competency required to implement Vblock levels 0, 1 and 2. FusionStorm has the expertise and resources to help customers realize the performance, efficiency and agility of VCE through presale architectural design and post-sale consulting capabilities that encompass the entire Vblock stack across each configuration.
These capabilities were not added overnight. FusionStorm has a long history of delivering complex solutions based upon Cisco, EMC and VMware technologies. Furthermore, FusionStorm has a successful track record integrating these technologies into a wide range of real-world customer environments.
That’s significant given the unique nature of VCE. VCE shifts the emphasis from integrating various technologies to integrating the preconfigured solution into the customer’s infrastructure to meet mission-critical application requirements. Although Vblock Infrastructure Platforms are already integrated, tested and validated, they still require significant expertise across servers, storage and virtualization.
FusionStorm has already developed best practices around the design, integration and operation of the Vblock infrastructure that reduce risks and time-to-results. These best practices help ensure that VCE’s prepackaged solutions support both horizontal and vertical applications while dramatically reducing operational costs.
Vblock Infrastructure Platforms
Currently, organizations can choose from three Vblock Infrastructure Platforms, each designed and configured to meet the requirements of specific environments.
• Vblock 2
is designed for massive numbers of virtual machines yet features a compact footprint. Vblock 2 consists of the Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS), EMC Symmetrix VMAX storage and VMware vSphere 4, supporting high-end configurations that are completely extensible to meet the most demanding IT needs.
• Vblock 1
supports midsized configurations that deliver a broad range of IT capabilities to organizations of all sizes. Designed for large sizes and numbers of virtual machines in a compact footprint, Vblock 1 consists of the Cisco UCS, EMC CLARiiON CX4 or EMC Celerra unified storage, and VMware vSphere 4.
• Vblock 0:
Designed for moderate sizes and numbers of virtual machines in a compact footprint, Vblock 0 is ideal for a test and development plat- form or remote data centers. Vblock 0 consists of the Cisco UCS, EMC Celerra unified storage and VMware vSphere 4.
The Bottom Line
Organizations must reduce traditional, fixed IT operational costs so that they can allocate more of their IT budgets to solutions that improve business agility and competitiveness. The private cloud can help achieve those goals, but introduces new challenges in terms of aligning compute, storage network, security and management resources to create a virtualized application infrastructure.
VCE can help customers overcome those challenges through a highly standardized converged architecture built from pre-tested stacks of IT infrastructure called Vblocks. FusionStorm has the standards-based best practices and real-world expertise needed to integrate the Vblock architecture in diverse environments, enabling customers to utilize cloud computing in their core environments with unprecedented levels of operational efficiency.
FusionStorm Partner Certifications
Cisco:
As a Cisco Gold Certified Partner, FusionStorm has met rigorous standards for networking competency, service and support, and customer satisfaction. FusionStorm maintains Cisco Advanced Specializations in Security, Routing and Switching, Data Center Networking Infrastructure, and Data Center Storage Netwoking, and FusionStorm’s technical staff maintains CCIE credentials (CCNA, CCNP, CCDA, CCDP).
EMC:
As an EMC Velocity Partner, FusionStorm offers complete storage computing solutions, including: storage networking, e-business solutions, business intelligence, business continuity/disaster recovery, enterprise applications and more.
VMware:
As a VMware Premier VIP Partner, FusionStorm has the ability to help customers design, plan and deploy both traditional computing infrastructures and virtual infrastructures. FusionStorm has VMware Certified Professionals (VCPs) on staff and is authorized to sell the full VMware product line. FusionStorm is also a VMware Authorized Consulting (VAC) Partner.