Hyperconverged Infrastructure (HCI) combines computing, networking, and storage resources into a single datacenter architecture.
What is a Hyperconverged Infrastructure Solution?
This software-driven model eliminates dedicated hardware by creating flexible storage across multiple nodes. Each node runs a virtualization layer that consolidates and distributes resources throughout the cluster, forming a unified storage system. Software-defined networking (SDN) and load-balancing tools optimize request handling by directing traffic to the right hardware. And the hyperconverged storage component, known as software-defined storage (SDS), is the management process of resources accessed through the unified software.
As with everything in IT, there are multiple ways to achieve this. You can purchase a prebuilt, preconfigured appliance, or you can “build-your-own (BYO)” solution from scratch.
Although each method has its pros and cons, let’s explore the benefits of building your own HCI solution.
1. You Can Right-Size The Solution
It’s possible to build a hyperconverged infrastructure solution to fit your specific requirements and budgets in terms of compute requirements and storage capacity, rather than use a “one size fits all” HCI solution that occurs with the appliance-based approach and can lead to over-provisioning.
This is especially important with the Internet-of-Things (IoT) or in ROBO/edge computing environments, where a small footprint for power, cooling, and physical size may be required.
For harsh environments, the BYO approach makes it possible to build hardened or fan-less solutions, which might not be an option with purpose-built solutions. This is because they’re usually aimed at “clean” datacenter environments.
2. It’s Best Of Breed Technology
Building a hyperconverged infrastructure solution enables a wider choice of technologies, which can benefit your performance and cost requirements.
BYO allows you to select each individual component, including server brand, number of CPUs and model, memory DIMM size and configuration, disk capacity and type (NVMe, SSD, HDD, memory channel storage), and network adapters (1 GbE, 10 GbE, InfiniBand).
Additionally, the BYO model makes it possible to swap out and replace individual components as they become available, enabling the early adoption of new technologies, rather than having to wait or rely on the appliance vendors to build a new model.
3. You Can Reuse Of Existing Equipment
Depending on the performance requirements, it’s possible to repurpose existing servers you already have. This not only prolongs the useful life of the servers but also reduces the upfront acquisition costs.
A side-effect is that fewer servers are sent to landfill, contributing to your Green IT strategy.
4. It’s Scalable, In Smaller Increments
The BYO hyperconverged infrastructure approach allows you to scale in smaller increments to fit your business demands and smaller IT budgets.
The CPU, memory, and storage resources can be changed and grown independently of one another, at any time, to meet your timescales, rather than being restricted to just the configurations offered by the appliance vendors.
With the appliance approach the configurations are relatively fixed, so once you’ve selected an appliance, you have to live with its limitations for its lifetime. For example, suppose you wanted to increase storage capacity. In that case, it may require you to deploy a new larger appliance model, which invariably will increase the CPU and memory – which is not required or needed.
5. It Eliminates Server Vendor Lock-In
You can build hyperconverged infrastructure solutions using any commodity x86 server from any server vendor. Typically, all server vendors use the same or similar individual components such as Intel processors, disks, memory DIMMs, and NICs. This makes it possible to build the same server configuration from any server vendor.
Additionally, it’s also possible to mix server vendors within the same HCI cluster, allowing you to select the server vendor based on the lowest cost at a given time. This is not generally possible with the appliance-based approach due to interoperability constraints, therefore locking you into a specific vendor or solution.
6. It’s Cost-effective!
Building your own hyperconverged infrastructure may be cheaper than using an appliance. HCI appliances have higher price tags mainly due to packaging, marketing, and interoperability testing. These cost substantial amounts of money to maintain and need to be recouped. However, for tech-savvy teams that understand Hardware Compatibility Lists (HCL) and component interoperability, building a solution from individual components will be cheaper to purchase – and choosing the right HCI solution can unlock a lower total cost of ownership overall.
Building Your Own Hyperconverged Infrastructure Solution Creates Greater Flexibility
From an acquisition perspective, the BYO approach to hyperconverged infrastructure will save money by avoiding over-provisioning. And using commodity and repurposed hardware will add to the savings. From an operational cost perspective, BYO allows you to replace or repair individual server components, rather than having to swap out an entire appliance.
This approach simplifies resource management for administrators and lowers overall storage costs. In many cases, it delivers more cost-effective solutions than public cloud services.
In conclusion, the benefits of building your own hyperconverged infrastructure solution can be summed up in one word: flexibility. You can scale and grow the solution to your exact requirements, and use the technology components that meet your capacity, performance, and budget requirements. You’ll also achieve the flexibility to purchase the servers from any server vendor and avoid lock-in.
Choose software that enables you to take a build-your-own approach to hyperconverged infrastructure, in addition to the pre-configured appliance method.
