I'm currently managing a VMware cluster with three Dell Poweredge servers and a 100TB Nimble storage array that's about five years old. We're looking to exit our MSP contract since they're no longer focused on server infrastructure and just supporting existing clients until their hardware fails. Now, we're contemplating whether to find a new MSP or to handle the server infrastructure ourselves. Ideally, I want to transition most of our servers to the cloud, but we need to maintain a couple on-premises. Can you share what the current top technologies in server infrastructure are? Is hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) the way to go, or does keeping compute, storage, and networking separate still offer benefits?
7 Answers
On-premises setups can be cheaper than going fully cloud. When you factor in the lifecycle costs of your equipment and storage, it often makes more financial sense to maintain your own servers.
The new HPE Alletra coupled with Gen 11 servers provides a robust solution, especially if you can choose a suitable hypervisor. It presents a solid option for both on-premises and hybrid setups.
Have you thought about Canonical's managed OpenStack? It could be a good fit for your needs, allowing you to manage your on-prem servers while enjoying cloud-like services.
It seems like your MSP isn’t offering the best solutions. You might want to look for a Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider that also holds a Gold partner status. Given that you currently rely on an MSP, it might make sense to find a new one instead of trying to manage everything in-house right away.
For flexibility, investing in a solid SAN is often a good idea. Get a reputable VAR who can provide enterprise-grade storage at a competitive price. For instance, Promise SANs are reliable even if they lack the very latest features. As for your servers, you might be better off switching to Supermicro or upgrading your Dell servers to modern specs while continuing with VMware or even trying Proxmox.
If you have the budget, consider VMware's vSAN or a disaggregated HCI approach. This would involve connecting iSCSI directly from your servers to the SAN and using VMware to manage your storage policies. You might want to run a live optics report and consult your Dell rep for options. I haven’t implemented this, but I've heard good things about it from Dell.
I've been noticing that Proxmox is gaining popularity and might be worth looking into if you're considering alternatives.
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