Virtualization, Compute & Storage Infrastructure

Virtualization

Virtualization makes compute and storage more agile, efficient and available. By virtualizing — decoupling data and applications from the physical resources on which they run — IT organizations can more effectively manage resources and quickly meet changing workload demands.  Although server virtualization is the most well-known use case, the principles of virtualization can apply to any IT resource—including storage, networks, desktops, applications, and operating systems. In fact, the benefits derived from virtualization gave rise to the predominance of hyperconverged infrastructure in modern data centers across the globe.

Virtualization relative to computing resources helps businesses reduce total cost of ownership by decreasing the number of physical servers required to run apps and process workloads. It also makes those computing resources more efficient, resulting in better application performance. Fewer servers also mean space consolidation, smaller energy bills, and fewer human resources required for ongoing operations. The same is true of storage.

Compute & Storage

Storage and computing resources are the driving force behind your organization’s applications and data – offering accessibility, availability and the integrity of critical information assets from on-premises or the cloud.

While the concept of compute and storage is hardly new, there still are challenges associated with storing, protecting and managing data while scaling for growth. Exponential data proliferation requires scalability and elastic storage capacity.  Increased application demands require agility.  And, uptime requirements are no longer a convenience, but rather a requirement of doing business.  These mandates have resulted in a new generation of storage and computing technologies that prepare us to play in the new information economy.

Among them are flash integrated storage, hybrid- and multicloud computing, converged infrastructures and business-driven IT platforms. Which compute and storage options are right for your environment? With nearly 30 years of industry-specific experience, Structured can help you navigate the complexities of capacity, data management and application performance, and help you design and implement an architecture that meets your unique requirements.

Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS)

As with all technology, the cloud exerts significant influence in how organizations procure compute and storage resources today. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) provides attractive benefits for faster resource scaling, better performance, and enhanced continuity and disaster recovery capabilities.

With IaaS, enterprises typically pay a monthly recurring cost to access compute and storage resources in the cloud. IaaS customers can run any operating system or applications without incurring the kinds maintenance and operating costs associated with an on-premises data center. IT staff are freed from deployments and routine maintenance, saving significant time for more impactful business development projects. 

While IaaS isn’t the answer for every use case – especially for critical apps that aren’t built to the specs of a distributed enterprise — every organization should at least consider the concept of offloading procurement, deployment and management of compute and storage resources to trusted service providers.

Structured can help you with this journey by consulting on your compute, storage and overall infrastructure and data center strategy.