THE FUTURE OF DATA CENTER CONSOLIDATION: SUPERCONVERGENCE

1SHAIKH ABDUL AZEEM, 2SATYENDRA KUMAR SHARMA

1 2 Research Scholar, Dean, Faculty of Engineering 1,2,Department of Computer Science, Pacific Academy of Higher Education & Research University, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India E-mail: [email protected], 2 [email protected]

Abstract - Convergence in industries is creating tremendous new opportunities and new modes for technology innovation. Convergence providing greater risk management, greater control mechanisms, greater consistency and predictability and greater cost reduction. Convergence with the view of network convergence is leading current IT infrastructure to new levels of efficiency through greater integration and centralization. Convergence is the name where advancements in compute, storage, and network are converging to enable new capabilities, reduction in cost, and introduction of new scale of computing which are previously unimaginable. Performance, resiliency, and scalability are the demands of modern environment. The next generation of , the superconvergence, is poised to provide exactly that. Companies are enabling a giant leap in cloud performance through converged storage, networking, and server systems. This paper provides details regarding the next generation of IT Infrastructure development, the superconvergence.

Keywords - siloed, CI, HCI, SCI, Data Centre, Unified Platform, NVMeoF

I. INTRODUCTION As the convergence is getting developed, super convergence solutions are coming into the market This is the era of convergence. Once converge system because of this naturally the silos of earlier IT implemented properly, then it can virtualize more Infrastructure implementations management are applications and desktops by just carrying a bit of getting disappear, and the possibility of a true single more resource power. Virtual platform sits at the pane of glass management tool moves closer to center or we may say at the heart of the cloud. reality. There is no magic to the development of IT Mobility is providing more value to that convergence technologies. Every existing solution builds on what mechanism, providing access from anywhere and has come before. The move toward convergence in makes self as convergence of void, network, cloud computing takes advantage of advances in data compute, and software. Cloud and mobile computing processing, , software, electronics, and are revolutionizing the whole internet & computing best practices. Convergence is the culmination of a world, they are driving new innovation and also whole host of technical growth across the industry enabling new business models. If properly [2]. When we combine two or more functionalities in implemented converged infrastructure environments a single unit, we have convergence. Previously IT are capable to provide more resources to virtual Infrastructure is divided into many components, workloads, which will improve user density, management of these components is very problematic performance, and the overall user experience. job. For every equipment we have to provide proper Immediate change is not possible, traditional server cooling, cabling, floor space and power etc, and have environments which we were using from long time spent for every component separate. So to overcome will be there but future cloud and datacenter this problem researched and equipment platforms will be built on latest generation/version of manufacturers found that they could consolidate converged system infrastructure. Network various functions within the same multiservice box. convergence because of reducing IT costs, improving Cloud Computing providers are bringing more and data-center performance and because of providing more functions together in smaller packages. New integrated solutions are under big demand by the technologies such as software-defined networking industries [1]. A single platform that is capable of (SDN and network functions virtualization (NFV) integrating compute, storage, and networking can make it possible to add once-cumbersome greatly reduce the processing workload in comparison technologies to their portfolio of IaaS and SaaS to a multi-device environment. As we know hyper- offerings. As virtualization is getting developed and converged infrastructure is the tight integration of works hand-in-hand with cloud computing, the components can result in greater elasticity, data convergence of technologies becomes possible to the protection, availability, data efficiency, and cost nth degree [3]. control. As convergence solutions spread throughout the industry, new possibilities become evident. The II. WHY TO CONSOLIDATE DATA CENTER? potential of superconvergence over hyperconvergence is that it mixes network virtualization and Consolidation of data center is a hot topic. management capability and extends the capabilities. Consolidation is mainly effective when the business

Proceedings of IEEEFORUM International Conference, 23rd July, 2017, Mumbai, India 52 The Future of Data Center Consolidation: Superconvergence is distributed in multiple locations and it is growing take a close look we observe that as technology is rapidly. But small organizations, which are not spread improving digital devices are shrinking in size while across locations, may not opt for consolidation. So, its functionality is expanding and increasing. the decision and benefits of consolidation may vary Previously digital devices are created for specific from point to point. The main purpose of functions, their functionality is decided during the consolidation is to make data centers more efficient design stage, then a proper software by the company and cost effective. Apart from this, the other benefits installed inside the device, which act as inbuilt include: easy to maintain compliance, strong security software and because of particular device will act as implementation and increased energy efficiency. server, workstation, routers, switches, firewalls, Cloud infrastructure is playing a very important role storage units, load balancers etc. Every device has for these consolidation activities, which leads to special characteristics for example server will superconvergence. Overall, there are multiple factors perform the job of server only not router or load which motivate organizations to opt for data center balancer. But now the advent of new technologies consolidation [4]. Business enterprises face through a view of convergence it is possible to have increasingly complex challenges every day. Every all these functions on a single platform. A silo or enterprise wants to securely store and process data as isolation in IT Infrastructure is usually related to economically as possible. However, big data makes segregation of data, but we can also see it in terms of this task difficult. Servers are under tremendous loads functionality. We generally think of computers, such which may cause performance issues and impact as workstations or servers with their individual business continuity. There is, therefore, a strong case operating systems and software packages, as a for consolidating data centers. Chief information distinct type of IT component. Network devices, like officers (CIOs) of the company tend to weigh the switches, routers, firewalls and load balancers, have pros and cons of having their own data centers. With traditionally been understood as different from the advent of convergence in the cloud, CIO’s got workstations or servers. With the development of great relief. Organizations always want to increase high-functioning storage networks, that too has been data center capabilities without loosening the present viewed as a different type of component. way of work and environment. Data centers Virtualization and management can be considered consolidation becomes important because of number two more silos. Different generations in the of factors. Businesses face more complex challenges development of IT infrastructure are in protecting their data while their servers have to 1) 1st generation : Siloed Infrastructure manage an ever-increasing load of complex and 2) 2nd generation : Converged Infrastructure (CI) varied data. Clearly, the challenges are new and more 3) 3rd generation : Hyperconverged Infrastructure difficult. The main reasons for consolidating data (HCI) centers are given below: [5] 4) 4th generation : Superconverged Infrastructure 1) Server Load Management (SCI) 2) Increased Control of Systems by the IT Department Each generation is more converged compare to 3) Easier Security Management previous one. In the 1st generation, IT infrastructure 4) Easier Disaster Recovery is siloed into four separate functional units: compute, 5) Compliance storage, networking and virtualization. In the 2nd generation through Converged Infrastructure (CI), it Convergence, hyperconvergence and became possible to manage these silos through a superconvergence difference between these three is a single software application, but physical devices matter of degree. Convergence is nothing but a siloed remained distinct. In the 3rd generation, architecture where compute, storage and network Hyperconverged Infrastructures (HCI) combined capabilities remained separate. In a converged functions in a single device – usually compute and system, parts of these three components were tied storage, but rarely including networking. The 4th together by the use of management software. generation the era of Superconverged Infrastructure Hyperconvergence is one step forward it tied both (SCI), all of these functions are included in a single compute and storage, but lacks to tied networking. platform. Superconverged Infrastructure (SCI), the Superconvergence tried to bundle everything 4th generation of IT infrastructure brings together together, virtualization and management also. With compute, storage, networking, virtualization and the advent of virtualization and cloud computing, a management, all in a tight package. One physical new wave of data center innovation is upon us, that is device does it all, providing the unified platform superconvergence. architecture.

III. UNIFIED PLATFORM ARCHITECTURE IV. SUPERCONVERGED ENVIRONMENT

As we know necessity is the mother of invention. Superconvergence Infrastructure (SCI) in which all Digital technology is developing day by day. If we the capabilities of the data center neatly packaged

Proceedings of IEEEFORUM International Conference, 23rd July, 2017, Mumbai, India 53 The Future of Data Center Consolidation: Superconvergence into a single physical device which are Compute, for use with faster media, such as solid-state drives Storage, Network, Virtualization & Management. It is (SSDs) and post-flash memory-based technologies. an approach toward maximizing the efficiency of data NVMe-oF™ is designed to extend NVMe onto centers while reducing the costs. A new area of data fabrics such as Ethernet, Fibre Channel, and center management that improves compatibility InfiniBand [7]. between servers, storage systems and other network devices. At the same time, it also reduces the cost VI. HCI VS SCI incurred on cooling, cabling, floor space and power. When a company uses CI for its data centers, the Let us see how much potential SCI have over HCI [8] vendor provides customized, pretested 1) Superconverged systems are more efficient as recommendations on optimal use of hardware compare to hyperconverged systems systems in the data center so that specific 2) Superconverged systems allow independent requirements of workloads can be fulfilled. In scaling of storage and compute resources while Superconverged Infrastructure IT functionalities are hyperconverged systems scale compute and no longer are divided into number of physical storage in a coupled way. devices. All the things needed by user are there. It is 3) Hyperconverged systems use Flash caching and also known as, “data center in a box.” The system data locality to improve performance while host includes [6]: Flash caching is unnecessary in superconverged 1) Network Block: 48x10GbE ports, 6x40GbE ports systems, as the latency difference between host 2) Storage Block: 12–112TB flash usable capacity Flash access and networked Flash access is 3) Compute Block: 2–8 nodes negligible, because superconverged systems uses high-performance NVMeoF. Not only “data center in a box”, Single-pane-of-glass 4) Unlike HCI, SCI systems can optimize storage management is available from anywhere in the cloud. performance by using x86 storage servers that Each block is independently scalable, and the entire are optimized for running storage functions. infrastructure is defined and managed by the 5) HCI Systems don’t guarantee application software. Super converged infrastructure solutions performance, because performance is dependent includes all the components which are there in HCI on data locality while SCI data locality is not a with the addition of network virtualization matter because of extended network component, it includes, Compute (hardware virtualization support. appliance), Hypervisor, Storage virtualization and 6) HCI systems need to rebuild data whenever a Network virtualization. With the advent of converge node fails, and all drives attached to that node infrastructure the era of separate physical have to be rebuilt, while SCI systems need to devices/boxes for each IT functionality is coming to rebuild data only when a drive fails, and only the an end. If you just take a look on your mobile phone, failed drive needs to be rebuilt. your mobile phone also become an all-in-one device, now it is not only a call & sms sending/receiving VII. PLAYERS IN SUPERCONVERGENCE equipment but also it is acting as watch, mini laptop, calculator, camera, music/video player and many 1) The Ignite platform, by Cloudistics, Inc., is a more, the same thing with the help of converge new platform which fully integrate all datacenter infrastructure is happening to data center. Advanced silos into a single platform. (Hyperconverged technologies like software-defined networking (SDN) datacenters still use separate virtualization and and network functions virtualization (NFV), are also network units). added into the mix of data center virtualization 2) Vblock Systems, formed by Cisco and EMC, mechanism (CI, HCI, SCI), because of which now we with investments from VMware and Intel, have extremely capable platform. As a result, we will Virtual Computing Environment (VCE) a be in virtual world of computing, where the physical unique, converged infrastructure that supports a equipment’s and control mechanisms of the IT vast array of business-critical applications. This infrastructure are completely decoupled. The best VCE integrates industry-leading virtualization, infrastructure for the future will be superconverged networking, computing, storage, security, and systems that are based on emerging storage networks management technologies. that use NVMeoF.

V. USE OF NVMEOF IN SUPERCONVERGENCE

NVMe is an alternative to the Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) standard for connecting and transferring data between a host and a peripheral Fig 1: Comparison between traditional, hyperconverged and target storage device or system. NVMe is designed superconverged infrastructure [9].

Proceedings of IEEEFORUM International Conference, 23rd July, 2017, Mumbai, India 54 The Future of Data Center Consolidation: Superconvergence VIII. BENEFITS OF SUPERCONVERGENCE size and providing more functionalities. Bringing lot number of devices with their total functionalities into The potential benefits of a superconvergence a single platform is the dream of lot number of IT infrastructure in the view of “data center in a box” are Infrastructure managers/CIO’s. To overcome these Having everything in one box eliminates all the issues equipment manufacturers, combine potential points of failure that might exist in a functionalities into a unified platform architecture, network of separate devices. any wrinkles in the solution will be removed in short 1) Latency is reduced and performance is improved. order. Superconvergence Infrastructure (SCI) is the 2) A superconvergent infrastructure is very outcome of number of decades of digital computing scalable. development. It remains to be seen just how quickly 3) Elastic block flash (EBF) allows use of storage the concept is adopted within the industry. It will capacity in configurable amounts, from a single likely represent a significant trend in the management management window, virtualized devices can be of IT infrastructure for the foreseeable future. There added, duplicated or removed with a few clicks are three trends that are highly likely to emerge: the of the mouse. number of data centers across the globe is going to be 4) Servers in the compute block can be allocated as reduced and centralization will be the defining theme; necessary. cloud is going to drive the initiative of cutting costs 5) Cost effectiveness – No need to purchase and improving efficiency in the data centers and multiple systems and licenses, all in one solution superconvergence is going to be at the center of the is there. expectation that data center operations are going to be 6) Hyperconverged solutions leave out the network centralized and on-demand. switch while, superconverged infrastructure includes network as well as virtualization and REFERENCES management. 7) Central management - With a single-pane view, [1] Ari Studnitzer, “In Cloud Computing, It’s the Era of network managers will have a bird’s eye view of Convergence”,http://openmarkets.cmegroup.com/7372/in- the infrastructure and will be able to drill down cloud-computing-its-the-era-of-convergence [2] David Scott Brown, “What are the benefits of converged as needed. infrastructure in cloud computing?”, 8) It’s possible to ensure business continuity and a https://www.techopedia.com/what-are-the-benefits-of- resilient architecture. converged-infrastructure-in-cloud-computing/7/32236 9) Single points of failure are theoretically [3] David Scott Brown, “What is the difference between convergence, hyperconvergence and superconvergence in eliminated, drive protection can be implemented, cloud computing?”, https://www.techopedia.com/what-is-the- and non-disruptive upgrades accomplished. difference between-convergence-hyperconvergence-and 10) Storage is elastic, and allows for easy scaling. superconvergence-in-cloud-computing/7/32241 11) Superconverged systems will tolerate a wider [4] Samue Greengard, “Federal Agencies Work to Consolidate Data Centers”, diversity of workloads and support a greater http://www.baselinemag.com/government/federal-agencies- degree of scaling. work-to-consolidate-data-centers [5] John Sindelar, “The Many Layers of Data Center IX. CHALLENGES FOR Consolidation”,http://www.fedtechmagazine.com/article/201 0/07/many-layers-data-center-consolidation SUPERCONVERGENCE [6] David Scott Brown, “The Future of IT Infrastructure: Superconvergence”, https://www.techopedia.com/the-future- Cost reduction and higher efficiency are going to be of-it-infrastructure-superconvergence/2/32276 the core objectives driving the initiative of [7] “NVM Express™ over Fabrics”, http://www.qlogic.com/nvmeof/default.aspx consolidating data centers for businesses. However, [8] Jai Menon, “What comes after Hyperconverged? this is going to take a bit more time because while Superconverged”, https://medium.com/jai-menons- cloud computing is already proving beneficial, large blog/what-comes-after-hyperconverged-superconverged- companies are going to take some time to get rid of fe2c9251f3c9 [9] James Green, “The Continuing Convergence of legacy systems because of logistical and financial Infrastructure”, http://www.actualtech.io/the-continuing- considerations. Many companies are still waking up convergence-of-infrastructure to the benefits offered by superconvergence [10]. [10] Kaushik Pal, “5 Reasons Your Company Should Consolidate Its Data Center”, https://www.techopedia.com/2/32275/enterprise/storage/5- CONCLUSION reasons your-company-should-consolidate-its-data-center

Technology is getting developed and getting advanced day by day. Digital devices are shrinking in



Proceedings of IEEEFORUM International Conference, 23rd July, 2017, Mumbai, India 55