Value Propositions of Converged Architecture: Manageability

One of the expensive challenges of hosting any workload at significant scale is server sprawl. For example, many organizations start off with one Exchange Server. This server eventually reaches capacity, so they add another. Then perhaps another, and then an extra because they want to ensure that they have enough capacity in the event that one of the existing servers fails.

Most server hardware isn’t designed to be expandable, so this constant need to add hardware usually means adding hardware chassis. And adding even one more Exchange server isn’t just about adding an additional instance of Exchange. You’ll also need to manage additional host operating systems for each hardware chassis, as well as all the hardware, software and firmware components that go along with that.

One of the big value propositions of converged architecture is that it includes management tools for the whole stack, from updating the drivers, firmware and monitoring hardware at the lowest level, right through to monitoring the performance and functionality of the hosted workload at the highest level.

It would be difficult to overstate how important holistic management and monitoring tools are when you are hosting workloads at the scale afforded by converged architecture. There are countless things you need to check when diagnosing a problem with a workload. If you have a set of management tools that surfaces important information in one place, you aren’t wasting time digging through toolboxes trying to find the right one that identifies the problem at hand.

If you are running workloads in a non-converged environment and you have a problem, you might need to rummage not only through a toolbox of consoles but also across multiple servers. With the scale-out options provided by converged architecture, it’s likely that you’ll only have the one system to worry about, saving you substantial time and effort when it comes to managing your workload. With integrated management options, you’ll be able to view everything you need to know in one place, rather than having to rummage through hundreds of places.

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 HPE OneView infrastructure management software, the HPE Converged Architecture 700 can be easily modified to fit within your existing IT environment.