Hyper-Converged Infrastructure
Article | July 13, 2023
There is an exciting convergence in the networking industry around open source, and the energy is palpable. At LF Networking, we have a unique perspective as the largest open source initiative in the networking space with the broadest set of projects that make up the diverse and evolving open source networking stack. LF Networking provides platforms and building blocks across the networking industry that enable rapid interoperability, deployment, and adoption and is the nexus for 5G innovation and integration.
LF Networking has now tapped confluence on industry efforts to structure a new initiative to develop 5G Super Blueprints for the ecosystem. Major integrations between the building blocks are now underway–between ONAP and ORAN, Akraino and Magma, Anuket and Kubernetes, and more.
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Hyper-Converged Infrastructure
Article | September 14, 2023
The pandemic has had a seismic impact on the telecom sector. This is perhaps most notably because where and how the world goes to work has been re-defined, with nearly every business deepening its commitment to mobility. Our homes suddenly became our offices, and workforces went from being centrally managed to widely distributed. This has called for a heightened need for widespread, secure and high-speed connectivity around the clock.
5G has answered the call, and 5G location intelligence and big data can provide service providers with the information they need to optimize their investments.
Case in point: Juniper Research reported in its 5G Monetization study that global revenue from 5G services will reach $73 billion by the end of 2021, rising from just $20 billion last year.
5G flexes as connected devices surge
Market insights firm IoT Analytics estimates there will be more than 30 billion IoT connections by 2025. That's an average of nearly four IoT devices per person. To help meet the pressure this growth in connectivity is putting on telecom providers, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is taking action to make additional spectrum available for 5G services and promoting the digital opportunities it provides to Americans. The FCC is urging that investments in 5G infrastructure be prioritized given the "widespread mobility opportunity" it presents, as stated by FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.
While that's a good thing, we must also acknowledge that launching a 5G network presents high financial risk, among other challenges. The competitive pressures are significant, and network performance matters greatly when it comes to new business acquisition and retention. It's imperative to make wise decisions on network build-out to ensure investments yield the anticipated returns.
Thus, telcos need not – and should not – go it blindly when considering where to invest. You don't know what you don't know, which is why 5G location intelligence and big data can provide an incredible amount of clarity (and peace of mind) when it comes to optimizing investments, increasing marketing effectiveness and improving customer satisfaction.
Removing the blindfold
Location data and analytics provide telcos and Communications Service Providers (CSPs) with highly-specific insights to make informed decisions on where to invest in 5G. With this information, companies can not only map strategic expansion, but also better manage assets, operations, customers and products.
For example, with this intelligence, carriers can gain insight into the most desired locations of specific populations and how they want to use bandwidth. They can use this data to arm themselves with a clear understanding of customer location and mobility, mapping existing infrastructure and competitive coverage against market requirements to pinpoint new opportunities. By creating complex customer profiles rich with demographic information like age, income and lifestyle preferences, the guesswork is eliminated for where the telco should or shouldn’t deploy new 5G towers.
Further, by mapping a population of consumers and businesses within a specific region and then aggregating that information by age, income or business type, for example, a vivid picture comes to life of the market opportunity for that area.
This type of granular location intelligence adds important context to existing data and is a key pillar to data integrity, which describes the overall quality and completeness of a dataset. When telcos can clearly understand factors such as boundaries, movement and the customers’ surroundings, predictive insights can be made regarding demographic changes and future telecom requirements within a certain location. This then serves as the basis for a data-backed 5G expansion strategy. Without it, businesses are burdened by the trial-and-error losses that are all too common with 5G build-outs.
Location precision's myriad benefits
Improved location precision has many benefits for telcos looking to pinpoint where to build, market and provision 5G. Among them are:
Better data: Broadening insights on commercial, residential and mixed-use locations through easy-to-consume, scalable datasets provide highly accurate in-depth analyses for marketing and meeting customer demand.
Better serviceability insights: Complete and accurate location insights allow for a comprehensive view of serviceable addresses where products and services can be delivered to current and new customers causing ROI to improve and customers to be adequately served.
Better subscriber returns: Companies that deploy fixed wireless services often experience plan cancellations due to inconsistencies of signal performance, which typically result from the misalignment of sites with network assets. Location-based data provides operators with the ability to adapt their networks for signal consistency and serviceability as sites and structures change.
The 5G future
The role of location intelligence in accelerating development of new broadband services and driving ROI in a 5G world cannot be overstated. It adds a critical element of data integrity that informs network optimization, customer targeting and service provisioning so telecom service providers can ensure their investments are not made with blind hope.
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Application Infrastructure, Application Storage
Article | July 19, 2023
IT and data center administrators are under pressure to foster quicker innovation. For workers and customers to have access to digital experiences, more devices must be deployed, and larger enterprise-to-edge networks must be managed. The security of distributed networks has suffered as a result of this rapid growth, though.
Some colocation providers can install custom locks for your cabinet if necessary due to the varying compliance standards and security needs for distinct applications. However, physical security measures are still of utmost importance because theft and social engineering can affect hardware as well as data.
Risk Companies Face
Remote IT work continue on the long run
Attacking users is the easiest way into networks
IT may be deploying devices with weak controls
When determining whether rack-level security is required, there are essentially two critical criteria to take into account. The first is the level of sensitivity of the data stored, and the second is the importance of the equipment in a particular rack to the facility's continuing functioning. Due to the nature of the data being handled and kept, some processes will always have a higher risk profile than others.
Conclusion
Data centers must rely on a physically secure perimeter that can be trusted. Clients, in particular, require unwavering assurance that security can be put in place to limit user access and guarantee that safety regulations are followed. Rack-level security locks that ensure physical access limitations are crucial to maintaining data center space security. Compared to their mechanical predecessors, electronic rack locks or "smart locks" offer a much more comprehensive range of feature-rich capabilities.
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Hyper-Converged Infrastructure, IT Systems Management
Article | September 14, 2023
Driving excellence in HCI: Unveil the crucial role of managed service providers in deploying and managing Hyper-Converged Infrastructure for optimal performance and efficiency for smooth functioning.
Contents
1. Introduction
2. Role of MSPs in Deployment of HCI
3. Role of MSPs in HCI’s Management
4. Key Areas Where MSPs Help Drive Efficient HCI
4.1. Expert Deployment and Configuration
4.2. Proactive Monitoring and Management
4.3. Performance Optimization
4.4. Security and Compliance
4.5. Patch Management and Upgrades
4.6. Scalability and Flexibility
4.7. Cost Optimization
4.8. 24/7 Support and Incident Management
5. Takeaway
1. Introduction
Fundamentally, a hyper-converged infrastructure comprises virtual computing, virtual hyperconverged network, and virtual SAB. However, deploying this infrastructure is a complex procedure that requires skill and attention. A managed service provider (MSP) can assist a business in implementing hyper-converged infrastructure. These are service providers that specialize in managing and maintaining hyper-converged infrastructure environments on behalf of businesses. They offer proactive monitoring, maintenance, and troubleshooting services to ensure optimal performance & availability and management excellence in HCI.
2. Role of MSPs in Deployment of HCI
Managed service providers play a crucial role in the successful deployment of Hyperconverged Infrastructure. With their expertise and experience, MSPs assist businesses in planning and designing the optimal HCI solution tailored to their needs. They manage the integration of hardware and software components, ensuring compatibility and seamless integration into the existing IT infrastructure. MSPs handle data migration and transition, minimizing downtime and data loss. They also optimize performance by fine-tuning configurations and resource allocations to achieve optimal HCI operation. MSPs prioritize security and compliance, implementing robust measures to protect sensitive data and ensure regulatory compliance. They provide ongoing management and support, monitoring system health, performing maintenance, and addressing issues promptly. MSPs enable scalability and future-proofing, helping businesses scale their HCI environment as needed and ensuring flexibility for future technology advancements and changes in business requirements. Broadly, MSPs bring their specialized knowledge and services to navigate the complexities of HCI deployment, enabling businesses to maximize the benefits of this transformative HCI technology.
3. Role of MSPs in HCI’s Management
Managed service providers play a crucial role in the effective management of HCI. MSPs offer a range of services to ensure the optimal performance and security of HCI environments. They proactively monitor and maintain the HCI infrastructure, identifying and addressing issues before they impact operations. MSPs specialize in performance optimization, fine-tuning configurations, and implementing load balancing techniques to maximize efficiency. They prioritize security and compliance by implementing robust measures and assisting with data backup and disaster recovery strategies. MSPs also assist with capacity planning and scalability, ensuring resources are efficiently allocated and businesses can adapt to changing demands. They provide 24/7 support, troubleshooting services, and comprehensive reporting and analytics for HCI management excellence. Additionally, MSPs handle vendor management, simplifying interactions with hardware and software providers. Overall,
MSPs enable businesses to effectively manage their HCI environments, ensuring smooth operations, optimal performance, and security.
4. Key Areas Where MSPs Help Drive Efficient HCI
Managed Service Providersplay a crucial role in driving deployment and management excellence in Hyperconverged Infrastructure (HCI) environments. HCI combines storage, compute, and networking into a single, software-defined platform, simplifying data center operations. Here's how MSPs contribute to HCI excellence:
1. Expert Deployment and Configuration
MSPs possess deep expertise in HCI deployments. They understand the complexities of hardware, software, and networking integration required for optimal HCI implementation. MSPs ensure proper configuration, capacity planning, and performance tuning to maximize HCI efficiency and meet specific business needs.
2. Proactive Monitoring and Management
MSPs provide proactive monitoring and management services, continuously monitoring the HCI environment to detect issues and resolve them before they impact performance or availability. They leverage advanced monitoring tools and technologies to monitor resource utilization, network connectivity, and storage performance, ensuring optimal HCI operation.
3. Performance Optimization
MSPs specialize in fine-tuning HCI performance. They analyze workloads, assess resource requirements, and optimize configurations to ensure optimal performance and scalability. Through proactive capacity planning and performance optimization techniques, MSPs help businesses extract the maximum value from their HCI investment.
4. Security and Compliance
MSPs prioritize security and compliance in HCI environments. They implement robust security measures, such as encryption, access controls, and threat detection systems, to protect critical data and ensure compliance with industry regulations. MSPs also assist businesses in implementing data backup and disaster recovery strategies to safeguard against potential data loss or system failures.
5. Patch Management and Upgrades
MSPs handle patch management and upgrades in HCI environments. They ensure that the HCI platform stays up to date with the latest security patches and software updates, minimizing vulnerabilities and ensuring hyperconverged system stability. MSPs coordinate and execute seamless upgrades, minimizing disruptions and maintaining optimal HCI performance.
6. Scalability and Flexibility
MSPs help businesses scale and adapt their HCI environments to meet changing demands. They assess growth requirements, optimize resource allocation, and implement expansion strategies to accommodate evolving business needs. MSPs enable businesses to scale their HCI infrastructure seamlessly without compromising performance or availability.
7. Cost Optimization
MSPs assist in optimizing costs associated with HCI deployments. They evaluate resource utilization, identify inefficiencies, and implement cost-saving measures, such as workload consolidation and resource allocation optimization. MSPs help businesses achieve maximum return on investment by aligning HCI infrastructure with specific business objectives.
8. 24/7 Support and Incident Management
MSPs offer round-the-clock support and incident management for HCI environments. They provide timely resolution of issues, minimizing downtime and ensuring continuous operation. MSPs also offer help desk services, ticket management, and proactive troubleshooting to address any challenges that arise in the HCI environment.
5. Takeaway
The future of managed service providers is promising and dynamic. MSPs will continue to enhance their specialized expertise in HCI, offering comprehensive support for businesses' HCI environments. They will expand their services to include end-to-end managed hyperconverged solutions, covering deployment, ongoing management, performance optimization, and security. Automation and orchestration will play a significant role as MSPs leverage these technologies to streamline operations and improve efficiency. MSPs will also focus on strengthening security and compliance measures, integrating HCI with cloud services, and continuously innovating to stay ahead in the HCI landscape. Broadly, MSPs will be vital partners for businesses seeking to maximize the benefits of HCI while ensuring smooth operations and staying competitive in the digital era.
MSPs in HCI offer specialized expertise, managed services, automation, AI-driven analytics, enhanced security and compliance, integration with hyper converged cloud services, and continuous innovation. Their services will cover the entire lifecycle of HCI, from deployment to ongoing management and optimization. MSPs will leverage automation and AI technologies to streamline operations, enhance security, and provide proactive monitoring and maintenance. They will assist businesses in integrating HCI with cloud services, ensuring scalability and flexibility. MSPs will continuously innovate to adapt to emerging technologies and industry trends, supporting businesses in harnessing the full potential of HCI and achieving their digital transformation goals.
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