Optimizing virtual infrastructure storage efficiency for improved business performance
In a recent blog, my Atos colleague Edwin Brok examined seven essential steps that enterprises can take to optimize the speed, scalability, efficiency and cost of their virtualized infrastructure. Today, we will look at one key component of the methodology he outlined: How to improve the storage efficiency of virtual infrastructure.
This exercise is designed to squeeze every bit of efficiency out of your physical infrastructure. For most companies, this is a combination of on-premises, data center and cloud storage, so that’s how we will break it down.
Improving on-premises storage efficiency
In his article, Edwin pointed out tactics like deduplication and compression, which reduce the actual volume of data that needs to be stored. However, there are additional steps you can take.
For instance, you can optimize power consumption in your on-premises storage by replacing mechanical hard disc drives (HDDs) with solid-state drives (SSDs). Because SSDs don’t rely on a spinning disc to read and write data, they draw less power and generate less heat, reducing both their direct energy consumption and the cooling required.
Although the initial cost of SSDs is higher than hard drives, the price has been trending downward as adoption rises. However, as recent disruptions in the global semiconductor market have demonstrated, the supply chain for SSDs is fragile. If you are planning to move from HDD to SSD, it’s highly advisable to keep an eye on the market and move quickly while prices are low.
SSDs also offer better speed and lower latency than HDDs, so this is not only a matter of improving efficiency, but performance as well. The key, of course, is knowing how many HDDs you have deployed, and where. If you don’t have a clear picture, your technology partner can conduct an assessment.
There are many strategies for optimizing storage and there’s no single “right answer” to this challenge. The best choice is usually a combination of different methods, but the key is to stay flexible and don’t get locked in to one solution.
Improving storage efficiency in the data center
Although an on-premises (or private cloud) setup offers minimal connectivity issues, more control and its own security advantages, it requires a capital investment. Whether you buy, rent, or lease the hardware, you are still responsible for powering it, housing it and (usually) maintaining it. Hence the popularity of the data center.
In a data center context, one important approach to storage optimization is to move away from renting racks and towards software-defined storage. This model looks and behaves like physical storage, but employs more efficient blade servers to provide the same functionality and connectivity as your old server racks.
Your engineers will still be able to use the same interface to manage, configure and administer your servers, but they offer greater storage density, and their modularity makes them much more scalable. Also, because their functionality is software-defined, your teams can change configurations from anywhere just by modifying a few lines of code. There’s no need for them to be physically present to re-route cables or move equipment.
Most data center providers now offer storage as a service, which provides greater scalability and better support. If a server goes down, it can be hot-swapped without taking your entire system offline — all but eliminating redundancy or data loss concerns. If your applications see a spike in usage, you can automatically provision additional capacity in a few seconds, preventing bottlenecks that can slow your business down.
One important caveat is that depending on where the data center provider is located, you will need to provide an adequate network connection — possibly a dedicated fiber link to ensure fast, secure, low latency data flows.
How cloud can improve storage efficiency
One of the best uses of cloud is as an efficient storage and backup solution. It’s no secret that cloud is cheaper than on-premises for backup storage, but there are two important aspects to consider: your environment backup and data backup.
When it comes to environment backup, creating a mirror of your production environment can prepare you to withstand disruptions and ensure high availability applications. There are a variety of different options, including from Dell, RedHat and VMware for hosting this spare environment.
Each have their own strengths but if properly configured, all of them will enable your workloads to be automatically switched in the event that your primary environment fails. Choosing the right one is a matter of evaluating the licensing requirements, ease of configuration and control, and the hosting model required.
When it comes to data backup, solutions from Amazon Glacier, Veeam, NetApp and Dell can provide secure, efficient, low-cost ways to store your data. Choosing a solution requires evaluating what type of data is to be stored, how often it will need to be retrieved, and what (if any) data preservation regulations apply.
Finally, it’s worth pointing out that continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) tools like Git and Jenkins can also provide automated environment backup. They require a separate data backup solution, but they capture a complete history of all environment and application changes, providing an important backstop against disruption. In the event of a coding error, accident or cyberattack, Ansible code can automatically deploy and configure a new virtual machine to keep your workloads running.
The last word on storage optimization: Flexibility
The bottom line is that there are many different strategies that you can employ to optimize storage. As with most undertakings, there’s no single “right answer” to solving the storage dilemma. The best choice is usually a combination of different methods.
Stay flexible. Don’t get locked in to one solution. Just as in investing, a diverse portfolio is the most secure strategy over the long-term. Both your core business and your infrastructure must be able to evolve and pivot to withstand disruptions.
If you need advice, assessing your infrastructure landscape and finding ways to optimize your storage efficiency is a key component of Atos’s Virtual Infrastructure Proficiency offering. Contact us to learn more.
Posted on: July 11, 2024
