The Future of Virtual Data Centers

Wrapping your mind around data center virtualization can be as tough as it sounds. Especially when the elements driving virtualization technology can be very diverse.

Virtualization technology was first introduced to IT and data centers when virtual machines (VMs) entered the market. While traditional hardware was growing in power, a steady growth of computing power resulted in more wasted power in traditional multi-programming operating systems.

One reason for the waste was due to applications needing to be isolated from other apps for better performance or security concerns. VMs offered an abstraction of hardware which looked like a server and was managed like a server but lived with other VMs on the same physical device.

Containers have also increased in popularity because they use fewer server resources than VMs and allow more applications to be packed into a data center. From mid-size to large companies, every data center will likely become fully virtualized by using one or both technologies.

Two Virtual Network Categories

Virtual networks come in two main categories. The first is the integrated virtual network model where the network devices, such as the switches to create the data center LANs, create and sustain the virtualization. This approach is known as the VLAN, or now the extended-address-space VLAN called XVLAN. While these are native to Ethernet, they need all switching devices in a data center to support them and are limited by traditional Ethernet LAN features.

The second virtual data center network model is from Nicira which was later bought by VMware. This approach is to build an overlay virtual network (OVN) by adding tunnels atop current network protocols. Overlay-modeled virtualization is becoming increasingly popular due to the many advantages it offers.

OVN model benefits allow you to:

• Use any lower-level switching technology or vendor of any mixture. If you can carry traffic between devices, you can carry OVNs to the VMs or containers on those devices. 
• Create and manage OVNs without giving applications or users access to features of the real network devices. This keeps users from being able to change network behavior for applications or other users. 
• Prioritize traffic or add encryption within an OVN while not involving anyone else. 

Essential Operations Automation

Most current data center technologies unite server and network virtualization. A limited form of virtual networking to steer traffic between containers or VMS is helped by cloud stacks (like OpenStack) and container tools (like Docker). VM and container systems are often expanded using DevOps tools offering more virtual-support features.

DevOps tools are reaching popularity thanks to data center virtualization technology. Operations automation for virtual data centers is essential due to virtualization increasing management issues. Running and connecting hosts in a single server with six VMs and up to 24 containers could prove challenging when multiplied byeven more.

With time, data center virtualization and cloud computing will change applications. We’ve seen this already with Twitter’s use of functional programming. With cloud providers like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft leading the charge for innovation, virtualization capabilities will one day be a requirement for future applications. While it may take time to mature, it will eventually happen.

Interested in accomplishing more with fewer resources? At Advanced Systems Group, we help you select the right technology for your business and budget. Contact us today to learn more.

How to Leverage Cloud Computing for Maximum Value

If you’re considering cloud computing solutions for your business, you’ve probably heard the benefits of cost savings, efficiency, and accessibility. But adding new technology for technology’s sake isn’t always the best approach. With any new or emerging technology, it’s important to step back and validate a purpose or reason for introducing it.

Through analysis, cloud consulting services may reveal that introducing cloud computing could positively impact your broader business goals and objectives. Here we’re diving into cloud computing solutions and how it supports common business goals.

What Is Cloud Computing Again?

The cloud is a service or software solution not hosted internally on a server or workstation. Cloud computing infrastructure is located at a datacenter or hosting provider. Users access an interface through desktop software or a web browser. This leaves all the administrative tasks of running the software to the service provider who ensures the data is safe and secure.

Previously, new technology tools required high capital expenditure for the software, customization, hardware, and deployment. While cloud computing doesn’t eliminate everything, it reduces costs and increases the speed of deployment. The main benefits include:

• Accessibility: Offers an affordable price-point for all with a per-user model.
• Global Access: Solutions are available wherever you are, whether you’re at the office, on the road, or traveling around the world. 
• Fast Deployment: Introducing new software can be achieved significantly faster.
• Scalability: It’s easy to add new users or devices by simply paying more.  

4 Ways Cloud Computing Helps Your Company Achieve Common Business Objectives

The following are a few ways cloud computing infrastructure can help your company achieve common business objectives.

1. Reduce Costs

Perhaps the most common reason a company moves to cloud technology is to reduce costs. It may allow a company to reduce the number of servers needed to run their business. For example, a company may use a traditional server-based accounting system and replace it with a hosted cloud-based solution. The business can then decommission the servers running an older system. The company reduces costs through energy savings, no longer needing to refresh the server environment, reducing staff to support the servers, and lowering stress on data protection or backup solutions.

2. Improved Functionality and Efficiency

The cloud also allows organizations to introduce technology solutions that were once cost prohibitive. For example, many companies can’t afford a traditional CRM solution but can afford a monthly subscription to a cloud-based CRM. As new technology emerges, cloud computing solutions allow for the faster introduction of new features and capabilities to improve the user experience.

3. Better Accessibility

No longer are we limited to working in the office. Now users can use software tools at home, on the road, or on an airplane. With many solutions being web-based, a user can access systems anywhere they have internet connectivity. Apps allow the software to be accessed on smartphones and tablets.

4. esilient to Disasters

Cloud computing is rapidly replacing onsite hard drive backup solutions protecting companies from on-premise disasters such as floods or fire. Data is now held in data centers with robust cloud-based backups to ensure your data is safer than locally configured server environments.

At Advanced Systems Group (ASG), we help you choose the right technologies for your business needs and budget. Contact us today to learn more.

Advantages of Implementing an Object Storage System

Object storage systems are a complete shift to a new dimension over traditional file systems. If you’re an IT professional who is used to working with traditional file systems, wrapping your mind around object storage requires rewiring your thoughts about how data is indexed and stored.
Unstructured data is rapidly increasing on the internet each year with text documents, emails, presentations, videos, images, audio files, etc. With so much unstructured data floating around, it needed to be handled in a secure and reliable way.

With an object-based storage platform, the existing file system approach is removed completely. No more complex hierarchies, folders, or directories. An object storage system uses a structurally flat data environment where you can simply ask for an object by presenting its object ID.

Object storage devices operate as modular units which can become components of a larger storage pool and can be aggregated across locations. Distributed storage nodes allow companies to increase data resilience and initiate disaster recovery solutions.

An object storage platform contains stackable, self-contained disk units just like any other SAN. But unlike traditional storage, object-based systems are accessed by HTTP. By being accessible and easily scalable, object storage is a great solution for public cloud storage. An object storage cluster of different nodes can be combined to become an online, scalable file repository.

Rapid Data Retrieval

In an object storage platform environment, data is retrieved by the storage OS reading metadata and object ID numbers associated with the data. This eliminates the need to dive deep into file structures and intelligent caching making the process incredibly fast. Metadata also allows storage administrators to apply preservation, retention, and deletion policies to data.

Easy to Scale

Need more storage space? No problem. Object storage is faster and easier to scale versus traditional storage methods so you never experience downtime.

Excellent Solutions for Static Data

Object storage systems are optimized for serving static data. For example, the digital archive files for a museum. This gives object storage a niche in the current market. It’s a great fit for companies or organizations who need static, scalable archive storage. In these situations, the use of SAN arrays designed to host virtual servers or highly dynamic applications systems would cost entirely too much.

If you’re an IT professional working in environments with significant archival and static data retrieval requirements, you know how hard it has been to find a cost-effective storage solution. With object-based storage, you have a range of affordable product options to consider.

To find out if object storage is right for you, contact Advanced Systems Group (ASG)today to discuss your current data needs, forecast expected future growth, and explore scalability options.