Converged systems can reduce IT operational costs, sped installation, and simplify management, writes Consultant and Wikibon Analyst Scott Lowe in “Revamped HP Convergence Aims to Simplify the Data Center and Expand Offerings”. However, he writes, the HP ConvergedSystem line, one of the leaders in the market, is complicated by multiple specialized systems for different uses and by the presence of HP’s separate Moonshot hyperconverged product, which is also gaining traction in the market.

HP, Lowe says, is clearly focusing on VCE and Dell in its new generation of converged systems. Its ConvergedSystem 300 uses three-to-eight HP ProLiant DL380 Gen8 Servers, StoreVirtual, VSA, and HP Networking 2920-49G or 5900 AF-48G switches. It can support 50-to-300 VMs and, says HP, can be installed and in production in 20 days and decreases entry price by 25%.

The larger ConvergedSystem 700 uses 4-to-16 BL460C Gen8 blade servers with 256 GB of memory for virtualization and two DL360P Gen 8 rack mounted servers with 256 GB of memory for management. It uses 3PAR StoreServe 7200 two-node storage with 36 x 15k 300k drives in the base configuration for 10.8 TB, expandable to 144 total disks for 43.2TB. For networking it uses HP Virtual Connect Flex Fabric and HP 5900 series top-of-rack switches. It can support 100-to-1,000 VMs, can be in production within 30 days of delivery, and reduces data center TCO by an average of 28%.

For VDI, rather than taking the fully virtual approach, HP leverages Moonshot to solve the endpoint problem. The HP ConvergedSystem 100 for Hosted desktops provides a dedicated CPU and GPU for each user. HP says this solution provides consistent performance and eliminates the need for a hypervisor to support client needs. A single 4.3U chassis can support up to 180 clients. Lowe says that if HP can reduce the complexity of licensing end-user applications while remaining cost positive or neutral versus traditional desktops this will be a compelling solution.

HP provides four solutions for big data, each with various configurations:

• ConvergedSystem 300 for Vertica,

• Converged Infrastructure for Microsoft SQL,

• ConvergedSystem for SAP HANA,

• Converged Infrastructure for SAS Visual Analytics.

HP has compelling products that CIOs should consider, Lowe concludes. Its portfolio has breadth and depth and can help CIOs refocus “away from big iron and more on big solutions.”

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