The prominent trend of converged infrastructure began a few years ago and quickly become popular with IT professionals and IT departments. Emerging technologies, such as IT virtualization and cloud computing, have made IT experts forecast the gradual unpopularity of converged infrastructure. It seems that they were wrong since converged infrastructure is not only here to stay, but actively favored by many IT professionals.
Why Converged Infrastructure is Popular
There are proven business benefits for converged infrastructure. This is because converged infrastructure results in the pooling of IT processes and the multi-integration of different technology components. As a result, IT processes are centralized, standardized and automated.
Consequently, historically complex and confusing IT systems are more user-friendly. For example, network monitoring and system administration is much easier through a converged infrastructure framework. This allows for users to employ more cost effective technologies such as free trials or free versions of network performance monitors.
Keep in mind that converged infrastructure forces IT professionals to perform in-depth assessments of their various infrastructure functions and systems. Because of this, IT professionals will gain a perfect understanding of the IT strengths and weaknesses of their company and improve their skills accordingly.
IT professionals are therefore better able to manage their workload and IT departments become more agile and responsive. Equally important, converged infrastructure enhances cloud computing systems through allowing them to handle massive data sets through a unified IT system. In the end, converged infrastructure results in lower labor, capital and operating costs.
Informative Survey Results
Recent research shows that senior IT professionals are utilizing converged infrastructure more than ever. For example, 40 percent of surveyed IT professionals stated they would be increasing converged infrastructure spending, compared to only 17 percent for regular servers. This is partially because converged infrastructure provides flexible IT functionality that works well with sprawled out IT systems and equipment.
On the other hand, the traditional server market is still booming with sales on the rise. Experts say this indicates that increased spending is an excellent sign for the converged infrastructure movement. Additionally, almost 20 percent of surveyed respondents admitted they were planning to switch vendors. This means that existing traditional server users are becoming converged infrastructure users. Consequently, existing converged infrastructure users also becoming hyper-converge users. In fact, hyper-converge and non-traditional systems are gradually becoming more popular.
What the Future Holds for Converged Infrastructure
According to Forbes, hyper-converged IT systems is a logical companion of cloud computing. The is because cloud computing can describe and prescribe unified operations inside the network through a single software system. While this is very beneficial for IT administrators, hyper-convergence takes this flexible centralization to the next level.
Hyper-convergent systems are engineered to offer multi-integration through functioning in virtual building blocks. These designed systems conveniently centralize key IT services, such as backup, caching, replication and cloud computing. Hyper-convergence is built on the concepts of integration and compatibility. Therefore, these systems are designed to complement, not replace, current traditional enterprise infrastructures and architectures.
The Critics Share Their Two Cents
While there are many advantages to converged infrastructure, there are also valid disadvantages. First, companies may find themselves locked in with a vendor who can’t keep up with industry changes or grow with the company. This may result in the company having very limited choices when it comes to product or service additions.
Second, the concept of converged infrastructure is more like a benevolent dictatorship, less like a transparent democracy. This means that available configuration aspects may be limited. Related to this, converged infrastructure restricts flexible tinkering and tweaking. Consequently, the company will be forced to update or upgrade in order to maintain a healthy lifecycle. Finally, converged infrastructure will be 10 to 30 percent more expensive than customized systems that were pieced together.
To review, converged infrastructure systems are affordable, easy to setup and easier to manage. While certain companies may benefit from a traditional pieced together system, converged infrastructure and hyper-converged systems are becoming the ultimate integrated IT solution for companies everywhere.
