High availability, scalable, virtualisation and storage failover cluster
A converged server cluster, or shared storage cluster, integrates multiple discrete hardware components into a single close infrastructure to create a versatile, high availability computing and storage framework. Application usage is virtualised, with shared (and usually replicated) storage.
Components making up a typical shared storage cluster comprise:
- Compute servers
- Storage servers or JBODs
- Network switches
- Control software
Compute and storage nodes are located in separate physical tiers interconnected by switching gear. The separation of compute and storage allows for flexible scaling to boost performance, increase storage or multiple redundancy as usage and policy demand.
The simplest shared storage cluster would be made up of 2 failover compute nodes acting as hypervisors running sets of virtual servers, connected to a single shared storage node. More typically, there would be 2 or more replicated storage nodes so that data is also highly available in case of node failure.
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Features and benefits of implementing a shared storage cluster
- High availability
Failover compute and replicated storage nodes mean control and data remain operational even in the event of node failure.
- Scalable availability
Adding more redundant nodes increases the number of simultaneous node failures that can be tolerated.
- Automatic rebuilding
Following node failure, after physical remedial work has been completed, a failed storage node will automatically rebuild its unsynchronised data to restore full redundancy.
- Scalable infrastructure
Compute performance or storage capacity can be scaled independently by the addition of further nodes in either tier.
- Extra redundancy
Separation of compute and storage nodes means these functions are independently redundant too.
- Reduce downtime
With failover compute and replicated storage, infrastructure is no longer vulnerable to a single point of failure. In the event of node failure, VMs failover to another compute node and storage volumes are immediately switched to synchronised copies with minimal downtime.
- Reduced capital costs
Virtualisation and shared storage consolidate traditionally distributed applications into a single hardware framework. Fewer physical servers are required to create a complete infrastructure, saving on hardware costs.
- Reduced operating costs
Less hardware means smaller power overheads and maintenance costs. Software controlled virtual infrastructure centralises and simplifies server management meaning far more can be achieved in far fewer working hours.
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The most cost effective scalable high availability virtualisation/storage cluster
A hyperconverged server cluster is a high availability virtualisation and storage cluster which uses commodity servers (i.e normal servers with direct attached storage) arranged in a single tier (as opposed to a shared storage cluster, which separates compute and storage onto different tiers).
The number of components making up a hyperconverged server cluster are far fewer than a regular shared storage cluster, just:
- Normal commodity servers
- Network connection
- Control software
The beauty of a hyperconverged server cluster is its simplicity and cost-effectiveness. With compute and storage resources in the same tier, all you need are at least 2 normal servers running the appropriate software and connected to the same network to implement. Performance, storage and availability can be easily scaled by adding additional nodes to the cluster.
The minimum size of a hyperconverged server cluster is just 2 servers (nodes), but this can be increased by adding additional servers, a super simple way of scaling the cluster.
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Features and benefits of implementing a hyperconverged server cluster
- Simple configuration
By using just normal commodity servers as cluster nodes, management and scaling is vastly simplified.
- High availability
Replicated failover nodes mean applications remain operational even in the event of individual server failure.
- Scalable availability
Adding more redundant nodes increases the number of simultaneous node failures that can be tolerated.
- Automatic rebuilding
Following node failure, after physical remedial work has been completed, the failed server node will automatically rebuild its unsynchronised stored data sectors to restore full redundancy.
- Scalable infrastructure
Compute performance and storage capacity can be scaled easily by the addition of more servers (nodes).
- Reduce downtime
With servers replicated in a hyperconverged failover cluster, infrastructure is no longer vulnerable to a single point of failure. In the event of node failure, servers are immediately switched to synchronised copies with minimal downtime.
- Greatly reduced capital costs
By consolidating traditionally distributed applications into a hardware framework consisting of only a single type of non-specialist, commodity server hardware, costs are greatly reduced.
- Further reduced operating costs
Even less hardware than a regular shared storage cluster means even smaller power overheads and maintenance costs. Software controlled virtual infrastructure centralises and simplifies server management meaning far more can be achieved in far fewer working hours.
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The following services may be included in the cost of your server solution or subject to additional charges, depending on your particular circumstances.
We will always make the difference clear to you during the quote stage.
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Consultancy
The first way we can be of service to you is to help you with planning your server infrastructure. We can work to whatever brief or restrictions you give us. We’ll focus on performance, storage, availability, application, budget, a balance of several factors or whatever particular conditions define your requirement.
Our server specialists will take on board the information you provide and work with you to design a solution that meets your specific needs.
Our consultative assistance does not end with the planning though. We’ll advise on the best practices in deploying your new solution or even take over and do the deployment for you if you’d prefer.
During the lifetime of your solution, your requirements may change somewhat or you may need to accommodate more performance, storage or availability. Whatever you need, we’ll be there to advise and help out to make sure you get the best value out of your servers.
Installation and migration
When it comes time to physically install your new servers and get them up and running, we’ll be there to help you through it.
Implementing a new infrastructure can be a very stressful event. Making sure that hardware and software are correctly configured and installed in business critical situations is bound to worry anyone, but we can take the edge off. Our expert server engineers will be there on day one (either physically or remotely to your preference), making sure everything goes smoothly so that you can relax.
Many customers have a long-standing ICT infrastructure that needs to be moved onto a new platform. Our Microsoft certified engineers have lots of experience migrating partial and entire infrastructures with the absolute minimum downtime possible, which is often zero, depending on the work being done.
Even if you don’t need our help with installation, we can provide valuable assistance during the software deployment process, even granting you remote access to your new servers and helping you with setup before the hardware leaves our factory.
Support, monitoring and warranty
Continue to take advantage of VeryPC support throughout the lifetime of your server solution. Whether you have identified a problem, are having difficulty with control software, want to tweak your configuration or need help with anything relating to your servers, you can rely on us.
Our support team are on hand to help you with any issues that may arise, offering telephone support and advice, remote software assistance, parts replacement or an on-site engineer. If you take up a support agreement on your server hardware, we’ll make sure that you receive whatever help you need, whenever you need it.
Your support agreement can include remote hardware monitoring, which means our team will have constant visibility of the status of your servers. Our online dashboard remotely reports on all aspects of your servers’ health in real time, so we’ll know about and be able to respond to issues often before you even realise they are occurring.
Warranty
Your hardware is guaranteed by warranty, which can include up to 5 years cover and extended service. Read full details and download documentation on the VeryPC warranty here.
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