In these tough times companies are under intense pressure to do more with less. In this post, we look at I/O Virtualization technology that can substantially reduce capital expense by 50%, ensure application performance, and enable 100X more agility in deploying I/O resources. Here is the HiperLogic Top Ten reasons to Adopt Xsigo I/O Virtualization:
#1. 70% Fewer Cables/Cards/Ports
In many installations each server has multiple types and quantities of I/O (GbE, 10GbE, FC), along with all the associated cabling to go with it. The end result is cable spaghetti, which is difficult to manage and maintain.
I/O Virtualization reduces the number of parts involved. Cabling can be scaled back to just one I/O cable per server, and physical I/O cards in each server are replaced by virtual cards. The end result is 70% fewer cards and cables, and significantly fewer switch ports.
I/O Virtualization translates into lower costs, better uptime, and a more flexible environment.
#2. 50% Less Capital Costs. Adios 4U Server
Eliminating cabling, I/O cards, switch ports, all translate into use real dollars saved. Another capital cost savings is the ability use cheaper 1U servers instead of 2U or 4U servers.
Many sites have to use more expensive 2U/4U servers simply because they need to stuff a lot of quad-port ethernet adapters, 10GbE adapters and Fiber Channel HBA cards into a larger chassis.
With I/O Virtualization, only one card is used that replaces ALL of those adapters enabling the purchase of much cheaper 1U servers. Additional savings are realized for the required rack space, power, and cooling.
#3. 100x Greater Agility
I/O Virtualization enables you to adapt your infrastructure on the fly, in real time, without server reboots or resource remapping.
For example, lets say you need to do the simple but time consuming task of adding additional I/O to your server. Right now the process is
1. Schedule downtime for the server
2. Take the server down.
3. Pop open the case and add the additional I/O card.
4. Run the cable to a switch port.
5. Bring the server back online
With I/O virtualization, you just point and click and a new I/O interface appears dynamically on the fly, no need to reboot, no server downtime or having to make a trip to the machine room. Fantastic!
I/O Virtualization also makes server I/O personality independent. One server can quickly adopt the identity of another (WWN, MAC and IP addresses) enabling simpler migration and change configurations.
#4. Do Your Job from Anywhere
I/O Virtualization lets you manage I/O from anywhere. Eliminate that trip to the office or remote data center by doing all of your I/O tasks remotely.
#5. Future Proof Your Data Center
Right now every new I/O technology de jour FC, ISCSI, 10GbE, 8GB FC, FCoE, often means re-cabling and re-architecting. With I/O Virtualization, you can quickly adopt new technologies that you may require without needing to rip out your existing infrastructure or re-cabling.
#6. Unlock Your Blades
If you are implementing blades for your VMware Virtual Infrastructure you will quickly note that the quantity and type of I/O options on blades are very limited. This limitation creates a bottleneck for high VM density.
With I/O Virtualization you are no longer limited by the physical limitations of a blade. You can create up to 44 I/O connections with VMware, or 96 I/O connections with Linux/Windows.
#7. Faster Backups
For hosts on the Virtual fabric you can accelerate the backup process by configuring a low
latency, high bandwidth dedicated backup network, on demand!
This has several advantages compared with
creating a dedicated physical network. First, the virtual network needs to exist only when it is
needed, so the resource is not lying idle outside the backup window. Second, instead of giving every
backup client access to your backup network or backup SAN, you can simply move a secure vNIC or
vHBA from client to client as the backup window requires.
#8. Centralized Management
Quickly monitor, view, and identify issues with a consolidated and centralized view of all your I/O resources in vCenter. Using one tool to manage all of your virtual environment reduces headaches of trying to mash different tools together to solve a problem.
#9. Simplified Disaster Recovery
Virtualizing I/O enabled you to create connectivity at a failover site in seconds for both Physical and Virtual servers. By recreating connectivity from the primary site, DR is greatly simplified.
#10. It’s Real and Shipping
I/O Virtualization is time tested and customer weathered in production at large customer environments. It is not a roadmap, it is a real and shipping solution from companies like Xsigo. I/O Virtualization works with your existing infrastructure, and you can realize the cost savings today. Contact HiperLogic for more details.
