Hyper-Converged Infrastructure
Article | October 3, 2023
Unlock Courses and HCI certifications focused on hyperconvergence providing individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to design, deploy, and manage these advanced infrastructure solutions.
Hyperconvergence has become essential for professionals and beginners seeking to stay ahead in their careers and grow in infstructure sector. Hyperconvergence courses and certifications offer valuable opportunities to enhance knowledge and skills in this transformative technology. In this article, explore the significance of hyperconvergence courses and certifications, and how they enable professionals to become experts in designing, implementing, and managing hyperconverged infrastructure solutions.
1. Cloud Infrastructure and Services Version 4.0 (DCA-CIS)
The Dell Technologies Proven Professional Cloud Infrastructure and Services Associate (DCA-CIS) certification is an associate level certification designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the technologies, processes, and mechanisms required to build cloud infrastructure. By following a cloud computing reference model, participants can make informed decisions when building cloud infrastructure and prepare for advanced topics in cloud solutions. The certification involves completing the recommended training and passing the DEA-2TT4 exam. Exam retake policies are in place, and exam security measures ensure the integrity and validity of certifications. Candidates receive provisional exam score reports immediately, with final scores available in their CertTracker accounts after a statistical analysis. This certification equips professionals with the necessary expertise to excel in cloud infrastructure and services.
2. DCS-SA: Systems Administrator, VxRail
The Specialist – Systems Administrator, VxRail Version 2.0 (DCS-SA) certification focuses on individuals wanting to validate their expertise in effectively administering VxRail systems. VxRail clusters provide hyper-converged solutions that simplify IT operations and reduce business operational costs. This HCI certification introduces participants to the VxRail product, including its hardware and software components within a VxRail cluster. Key topics covered include cluster management, provisioning, monitoring, expansion, REST API usage, and standard maintenance activities. To attain this certification, individuals must acquire a prescribed Associate Level Certification, complete recommended training options, and pass the DES-6332 exam. This certification empowers professionals to administer VxRail systems and optimize data center operations efficiently.
3. Certified and Supported SAP HANA Hardware
One among HCI certification courses, the Certified and Supported SAP HANA Hardware program provides a directory of hardware options powered by SAP HANA, accelerating implementation processes. The directory includes certified appliances, enterprise storage solutions, IaaS platforms, Hyper-Converged Infrastructure (HCI) Solutions, supported intel systems, and supported power systems. These hardware options have undergone testing by hardware partners in collaboration with SAP LinuxLab and are supported for SAP HANA certification. Valid certifications are required at purchase, and support is provided until the end of maintenance. SAP SE delivers the directory for informational purposes, and improvements or corrections may be made at their discretion.
4. Google Cloud Fundamentals: Core Infrastructure
Google Cloud Fundamentals: Core Infrastructure is a comprehensive course introducing essential concepts and terminology for working with Google Cloud. It provides an overview of Google Cloud's computing and storage services and resource as well as policy management tools. Through videos and hands-on labs, learners will gain the knowledge and skills to interact with Google Cloud services, choose and deploy applications using App Engine, Google Kubernetes Engine, and Compute Engine, and utilize various storage options such as cloud storage, Cloud SQL, Cloud Bigtable, and Firestore. This beginner-level course is part of multiple specialization and professional certificate programs, including networking in Google Cloud and developing applications with Google Cloud. Upon completion, learners will receive a shareable certificate. The course is offered by Google Cloud, a trusted provider of innovative cloud technologies designed for security, reliability, and scalability.
5. Infrastructure and Application Modernization with Google Cloud
The ‘Modernizing Legacy Systems and Infrastructure with Google Cloud’ course addresses the challenges faced by businesses with outdated IT infrastructure and explores how cloud technology can enable modernization. It covers various computing options available in the cloud and their benefits, as well as application modernization and API management. The course highlights Google Cloud solutions like Compute Engine, App Engine, and Apigee that assist in system development and management. By completing this beginner-level course, learners will understand the benefits of infrastructure and app modernization using cloud technology, the distinctions between virtual machines, containers, and Kubernetes, and how Google Cloud solutions support app modernization and simplify API management. The course is offered by Google Cloud, a leading provider of cloud technologies designed for security, reliability, and scalability. Upon completion, learners will receive a shareable certificate.
6. Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Foundations
One of the HCI certification courses, the ‘OCI Foundations Course’ is designed to prepare learners for the Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Foundations Associate Certification. The course provides an introduction to the OCI platform and covers core topics such as compute, storage, networking, identity, databases, and security. By completing this course, learners will gain knowledge and skills in architecting solutions, understanding autonomous database concepts, and working with networking and observability tools. The course is offered by Oracle, a leading provider of integrated application suites and secure cloud infrastructure. Learners will have access to flexible deadlines and will receive a shareable certificate upon completion. Oracle's partnership with Coursera aims to increase accessibility to cloud skills training and empower individuals and enterprises to gain expertise in Oracle Cloud solutions.
7. Designing Cisco Data Center Infrastructure (DCID)
The 'Designing Cisco Data Center Infrastructure (DCID) v7.0' training is designed to help learners master the design and deployment options for Cisco data center solutions. The course covers various aspects of data center infrastructure, including network, compute, virtualization, storage area networks, automation, and security. Participants will learn design practices for Cisco Unified Computing System, network management technologies, and various Cisco data center solutions. The training provides both theoretical content and design-oriented case studies through activities. By completing this training, learners can earn 40 Continuing Education credits and prepare for the 300-610 Designing Cisco Data Center Infrastructure (DCID) exam. This certification equips professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to design scalable and reliable data center environments using Cisco technologies, making them eligible for professional-level job roles in enterprise-class data centers. Prerequisites for this training include foundational knowledge in data center networking, storage, virtualization, and Cisco UCS.
Final Thoughts
Mastering infrastructure in the realm of hyperconvergence is essential for IT professionals seeking to excel in their careers and drive successful deployments. Courses and HCI certifications focused on hyperconvergence provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to design, deploy, and manage these infrastructure modernization solutions. By acquiring these credentials, professionals can validate their expertise, stay up-to-date with industry best practices, and position themselves as valuable assets in the rapidly evolving landscape of IT infrastructure.
These courses and certifications offer IT professionals the opportunity to master the intricacies of this transformative infrastructure approach. By investing in these educational resources, individuals can enhance their skill set, broaden their career prospects, and contribute to the successful implementation and management of hyperconverged infrastructure solutions.
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Hyper-Converged Infrastructure
Article | July 13, 2023
The year of the pandemic – that is how many of us will remember 2020 for generations to come. Challenging circumstances brought by the sudden and devastating spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) has made us witness the world making quick changes to remote working, businesses struggling to survive, the distress of social distancing rules, the emotional rollercoaster for people isolating, an overall crisis for health systems and the economy of countries, no matter where you were in the world.
When reflecting on what it has meant so far, however, we must realise that it’s not all doom and gloom. As Albert Einstein once said, “in the midst of every crisis lied a great opportunity”. The crisis has prompted companies to reinvent and accelerate digital plans, to adopt new technologies and sales models in order to adapt and survive – and for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to step up to support businesses and employees in every way possible.
On the other hand, let’s also not forget what the changes have meant for the health of our ecosystems. With industries across varied sectors forced to work remotely and shut down operations, the changes have led to benefits for the environment – and we could argue that such break was something that our planet was desperately in need of.
Even now, as we start to see our way out of this situation, it’s hard to believe how it all happened. For most countries, it was a similar case: we were hearing news about a new virus spreading in China; and before we knew more about it, the virus arrived in our own territories. It seemed unlikely, and yet, a few days later, the virus was quickly spreading, and lockdown restrictions came into effect for almost every nation in the globe. Millions of workers around the world had to leave the office and make a quick switch to remote working, without much notice at all.
In the initial stages of lockdown, MSPs had to work around the clock to help customers that weren’t ready for flexible working, to enable people to work from home. As every other industry and business type, MSPs also encountered challenges. Not being able to help a client on-site can sometimes significantly affect the speed of project delivery. So, adjustments had to be made, wherever possible, to deliver services remotely, as quickly and seamlessly as possible.
“We are all in this together” is a phrase that became widespread in the UK. IT professionals, like many other sectors, had to support each other, and they have been working together as a community, to assist clients, businesses, and the wider public, since working from home was suddenly imposed for the vast majority. In the technology space, there is a lot of knowledge to share and to work with, which has led to many tech leaders and companies offering free advice, webinars and other tools to help with the struggles that have risen in the midst of the pandemic.
Shifting priorities based on customer needs
In the initial stages of the pandemic, MSPs played a critical role providing small and medium sized businesses with the tools and the IT infrastructure to keep their business running. Enabling office-based workers to continue their work from home was only the first step, however.
The sudden shift to remote working has required new tools and exposed new security vulnerabilities. All around the world, we saw an increasing number of cyber-attacks and threats taking place. Remote working means many people were using personal computers for work and business purposes, and so, products that are designed to keep personal computers protected became essential.
MSPs have also focused on increasing security measures for protecting password and identities for customers. Passwords on their own are not secure enough and can be easily compromised, so it has been a case of quickly deploying password management and Multi-factor Authentication (MFA), also known as two-factor authentication (2FA). MFA immediately increases security and ensures that clients’ accounts are significantly less likely to be compromised. In a few simple steps, IT providers can deploy MFA to help protect an organisation against breaches due to lost or stolen credentials.
Beyond helping employees to work from home securely, MSPs have assisted companies in implementing cloud-based applications, and managing access and restrictions to certain applications, especially for furloughed staff.
Embracing opportunities in the post-pandemic landscape
The spread of Covid-19 has made remote working the new norm, but how likely is this to become a permanent thing? Many employers and workers have started to believe that working from home will become more and more common for employees, even after the threat of the virus is gone. It’s difficult to know what the final picture will be, but it’s remains a fact that, as offices gradually re-open after lockdown, employers are increasingly looking at new ways of flexible working.
Many organisations that have been forced to work from home have been functioning remotely with little to no issue, so it stands to reason that the future of work will become more flexible. Video-calls, online training sessions, webinars, online meetings, it all sounds too familiar now, doesn’t it?
Remote working was already popular, though for a long time it wasn’t much more than a much-appreciated working benefit offered by employers, as part of the ‘job perks’ package. The pandemic only accelerated the need for remote working capabilities, and now telecommuting seems to be taking over as the new norm.
The IT landscape has mutated, and quite possibly it has changed for good. Technology leaders will have to continue to listen to the evolving needs and demands of the users and the markets in which they operate. For MSPs, it means the crisis is bringing opportunities to provide value to clients seeking support for enhanced mobility and flexible working. Now that work-from-home setups are in place, there’s room for improving remote access solutions and security measures.
Cloud migrations, which are expected to increase after the pandemic, present an opportunity for remote employees to improve collaboration and business resiliency. There will be a push towards more robust cloud-based solutions, and these migrations are likely to become one of the top opportunities for the months to come to drive revenue for MSPs, as well as VoIP solutions, business continuity and hardware sales.
The pandemic seems to have accelerated the demand for cloud services and security solutions. MSPs will play an important role in finding the best solutions for every business type, to enable them to work more flexibly and effectively. IT providers will be increasingly tasked with the job of securing devices and protecting employees as they work remotely, especially for SMBs.
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Hyper-Converged Infrastructure, Application Infrastructure
Article | July 19, 2023
Consider IaaS (infrastructure as a service) as a virtual version of your traditional data center. IaaS is a branch of cloud computing technology that offers virtualized storage, server, and networking wrapped together as a self-service platform. It is highly cost-efficient and makes up for easier, faster workloads. Although incredibly convenient for business, it largely depends on what your company needs to use it for.
What is IaaS, and How Can It Benefit Your Business?
IaaS first rose to popularity in the early 2010s. Since then, it has become the standard abstraction model for many types of workloads. But with the rise of the microservices application pattern and the arrival of new technologies like containers and serverless IaaS is still a foundational service, but the field is more crowded than ever.
The most common household cloud computing names—AWS (Amazon Web Services), Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure— are all IaaS providers. They all maintain giant data centers around the globe. It includes tons of storage systems, physical servers, and networking equipment under a virtualization layer. Cloud customers access these resources to deploy and run applications in a highly automated manner.
Developing a cloud adoption strategy is a vital step forward for modern-day business. And this subscription-based cloud computing service, IaaS, offers a remote management solution and reduces your purchase cost at the same time.
Additionally, IaaS also provides key solutions vital for any company’s future plans, such as big-data analysis. It allows businesses like yours to analyze massive data sets and see future trends, patterns, and associations that a human wouldn’t.
Understanding the IaaS Architecture
In an IaaS service model, your cloud provider will take over your infrastructure components, such as traditional on-premises data centers and host them on the internet. This includes virtual computing, servers, networking hardware, and infrastructure components, as well as the hypervisor layer.
IaaS service providers will also provide a wide array of services to accompany those infrastructure components.
Monitoring
Detailed billing
Security
Log access
Load balancing
Clustering
Storage resiliency
Backup
Replication
Disaster Recovery
IaaS services are automated and highly policy-driven, so you can implement all your infrastructure tasks effortlessly.
How Does It Work?
IaaS customers access their resources through a WAN (wide area network). Leveraging the cloud provider's services, they will install the remaining elements of an application stack.
For example, you can log in to the IaaS platform to create VMs (virtual machines), install operating systems on each VM, deploy middleware like databases, create storage buckets for workloads and backups, and install the enterprise workload on that VM. Afterward, you can also use the IaaS provider's services to track costs, balance network traffic, monitor performance, troubleshoot application-related issues and manage disaster recovery.
IaaS Use Cases
As IaaS provides general-purpose computing resources, it can be used for any kind of use case. IaaS is most often used today for the development and testing environments, websites, and web apps that interact with customers, data storage, analytics, and data warehousing workloads. Plus, it also offers backup and disaster recovery services, especially for on-premises workloads. IaaS is also a good way to set up and run common business software and apps like SAP.
Real-life Examples
GE Healthcare: Reputed medical imaging facility GE Healthcare adopted Amazon EC2 from AWS to design the GE Health Cloud. GE Health Cloud platform successfully empowered its consumers by collecting, storing, accessing, and processing information worldwide from different types of medical devices to obtain value from data.
Coca-Cola: The beverage giant Coca-Cola collaborated with SoftLayer adopting a pay-as-you-go architecture to manage their CRM system effectively during peak seasons.
Final Thoughts
Before choosing a provider, you will need to think carefully about the services, reliability, and costs. First, you should thoroughly assess the capabilities of your organization’s IT department and determine how well equipped it is to deal with the ongoing demands of IaaS implementation. Accordingly, you will be prepared to choose an alternative provider and move to the alternative infrastructure if you need to.
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Application Infrastructure
Article | November 11, 2021
The rollout of 5G networks coupled with edge compute introduces new security concerns for both the network and the enterprise. Security at the edge presents a unique set of security challenges that differ from those faced by traditional data centers. Today new concerns emerge from the combination of distributed architectures and a disaggregated network, creating new challenges for service providers.
Many mission critical applications enabled by 5G connectivity, such as smart factories, are better off hosted at the edge because it's more economical and delivers better Quality of Service (QoS). However, applications must also be secured; communication service providers need to ensure that applications operate in an environment that is both safe and provides isolation. This means that secure designs and protocols are in place to pre-empt threats, avoid incidents and minimize response time when incidents do occur.
As enterprises adopt private 5G networks to drive their Industry 4.0 strategies, these new enterprise 5G trends demand a new approach to security. Companies must find ways to reduce their exposure to cyberattacks that could potentially disrupt mission critical services, compromise industrial assets and threaten the safety of their workforce. Cybersecurity readiness is essential to ensure private network investments are not devalued.
The 5G network architecture, particularly at the edge, introduces new levels of service decomposition now evolving beyond the virtual machine and into the space of orchestrated containers. Such disaggregation requires the operation of a layered technology stack, from the physical infrastructure to resource abstraction, container enablement and orchestration, all of which present attack surfaces which require addressing from a security perspective. So how can CSPs protect their network and services from complex and rapidly growing threats?
Addressing vulnerability points of the network layer by layer
As networks grow and the number of connected nodes at the edge multiply, so do the vulnerability points. The distributed nature of the 5G edge increases vulnerability threats, just by having network infrastructure scattered across tens of thousands of sites. The arrival of the Internet of Things (IoT) further complicates the picture: with a greater number of connected and mobile devices, potentially creating new network bridging connection points, questions around network security have become more relevant.
As the integrity of the physical site cannot be guaranteed in the same way as a supervised data center, additional security measures need to be taken to protect the infrastructure. Transport and application control layers also need to be secured, to enable forms of "isolation" preventing a breach from propagating to other layers and components. Each layer requires specific security measures to ensure overall network security: use of Trusted Platform Modules (TPM) chipsets on motherboards, UEFI Secure OS boot process, secure connections in the control plane and more. These measures all contribute to and are integral part of an end-to-end network security design and strategy.
Open RAN for a more secure solution
The latest developments in open RAN and the collaborative standards-setting process related to open interfaces and supply chain diversification are enhancing the security of 5G networks. This is happening for two reasons. First, traditional networks are built using vendor proprietary technology – a limited number of vendors dominate the telco equipment market and create vendor lock-in for service providers that forces them to also rely on vendors' proprietary security solutions. This in turn prevents the adoption of "best-of-breed" solutions and slows innovation and speed of response, potentially amplifying the impact of a security breach.
Second, open RAN standardization initiatives employ a set of open-source standards-based components. This has a positive effect on security as the design embedded in components is openly visible and understood; vendors can then contribute to such open-source projects where tighter security requirements need to be addressed.
Aside from the inherent security of the open-source components, open RAN defines a number of open interfaces which can be individually assessed in their security aspects. The openness intrinsically present in open RAN means that service components can be seamlessly upgraded or swapped to facilitate the introduction of more stringent security characteristics, or they can simultaneously swiftly address identified vulnerabilities.
Securing network components with AI
Monitoring the status of myriad network components, particularly spotting a security attack taking place among a multitude of cooperating application functions, requires resources that transcend the capabilities of a finite team of human operators. This is where advances in AI technology can help to augment the abilities of operations teams. AI massively scales the ability to monitor any number of KPIs, learn their characteristic behavior and identify anomalies – this makes it the ideal companion in the secure operation of the 5G edge. The self-learning aspect of AI supports not just the identification of known incident patterns but also the ability to learn about new, unknown and unanticipated threats.
Security by design
Security needs to be integral to the design of the network architecture and its services. The adoption of open standards caters to the definition of security best practices in both the design and operation of the new 5G network edge. The analytics capabilities embedded in edge hyperconverged infrastructure components provide the platform on which to build an effective monitoring and troubleshooting toolkit, ensuring the secure operation of the intelligent edge.
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