Converged Architecture and Server Consolidation

Less is more when it comes to hardware.

Generally speaking, the cost of maintaining a higher number of individual hardware chassis exceeds the cost of maintaining a lower number of individual hardware chassis. Among other things, there is the cost of allocating space within the data center to a particular hardware chassis, as well as power consumption and cooling requirements. There are also costs involved in maintaining the hardware chassis and its components.

Organizations are always looking for new ways to reduce their overall expenditure on hardware by using existing systems as efficiently as possible. This means making the most of every megabyte of RAM and every spare processor cycle, rather than having that hardware sit idle. For example, a server that on average uses 60% of its available RAM and processor capacity isn’t being used as efficiently as a server that on average uses 80% of its available RAM and processor capacity.

Organizations are also integrating technologies such as containers and the new Nano Server installation option in Windows Server 2016 that are designed to increase the workload density that can be deployed on a server. Each of these options for hosting applications requires relatively low memory capacity, meaning more applications can be hosted in a smaller footprint.

The converged architecture model also can help organizations reduce the number of hardware chassis they have deployed. Converged architecture is configured to meet the performance needs of a specific workload, such as SQL Server, Exchange Server or SharePoint Server. Hardware is thus used in a more efficient manner than it would be if it were running an “off the shelf” server configuration—and an underutilization of processor, RAM, storage and network capacity.

Underwritten by HPE

Part of HPE’s Power of One strategy, HPE Converged Architecture 700 delivers infrastructure as one integrated stack. HPE Converged Architecture 700 delivers proven, repeatable building blocks of infrastructure maintained by one management platform (HPE OneView), built and delivered exclusively by qualified HPE Channel Partners. This methodology saves considerable time and resources, compared to the do-it-yourself (DIY) approach.

Based on a complete HPE stack consisting of HPE BladeSystem with Intel® Xeon® E5 v3-based HPE ProLiant BL460c Gen9 blades, HPE 3PAR StoreServ all-flash storage, HPE Networking, and HP OneView infrastructure management software, the HPE Converged Architecture 700 can be easily modified to fit within your existing IT environment.