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Storage Reference Architecture from Cisco, Hitachi, and VMware

Overview

The Storage Reference Architecture from Cisco, Hitachi, and VMware is a tested, flexible, cost-effective framework for creating cloud-ready, virtualized infrastructure solutions. It is built on storage from Hitachi Data Systems, computing and networking components from Cisco, and virtualization from VMware.

The proven benefits of virtualization for reducing costs, increasing use of resources, and improving business agility make it a critical technology for competitive success. IT administrators have no choice but to include comprehensive virtualization technology and budget planning in data center transformation strategies. The Storage Reference Architecture provides a fast, low-risk path for deploying full data center virtualization.

Fast-growing volumes of information and increasing data center complexity are spurring many companies to look for flexible, scalable, and reliable ways to deliver IT services on-demand, and cloud solutions are an enticing option. A fully-virtualized architecture is an important first step toward deploying private clouds within the company data center, public clouds providing general access to data in a publicly hosted facility, or hybrid clouds with the capabilities of each. The validated Storage Reference Architecture offers an ideal foundation for cloud computing.

• Hitachi Data Systems: Virtualization is a primary design principle of the Hitachi AMS 2500. Hitachi Dynamic Provisioning on the AMS 2500 provides simplified cloud storage, with storage volumes allocated as needed from a dynamic pool of common resources.
• Cisco: Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) provides a cloud-ready architecture with the high-volume connectivity needed to support dynamically changing virtualization pools. The Cisco UCS also provides a programmable infrastructure, supporting cloud computing environments with an agile, high-performance, and rapidly scalable platform.
• VMware: VMware vSphere takes full advantage of the power of a virtualization platform to build and deploy a private cloud with features such as advanced resource pooling, automated resource allocation, role-based administration, and a zero-touch infrastructure for end users. With its ability to dynamically align IT resources with business needs, VMware vSphere creates a solid foundation for a cloud solution.

Customer Benefits

Until now, customers that wished to implement a virtualized solution based on Hitachi storage and Cisco servers did not have the option of selecting a tested, validated stack. The Storage Reference Architecture gives customers the opportunity to take advantage of products from these industry leaders in a tested configuration. This speeds deployment and reduces risk, all while providing the performance, resilience, and scalability needed to handle large, dense, and growing virtual machine workloads. With a reference architecture, administrators can select the options that meet current needs, and scale that investment, so it remains aligned with business requirements.

The Storage Reference Architecture does not provide new functionality. Rather, customers can quickly and safely take full advantage of all the functionality in the individual reference architecture products. This solution tightly integrates the vStorage APIs for Array Integration (VAAI) features on the Hitachi Adaptable Modular Storage (AMS) 2500 with VMWare in the HDS array and passthrough switching using the Cisco Virtual Machine Fabric Extender (VM-FEX).

Storage Reference Architecture Components

The Storage Reference Architecture incorporates the following products from Hitachi, Cisco, and VMware:

• Hitachi provides a scalable, high-performance, high-availability storage system
  • Hitachi Adaptable Modular Storage (AMS) 2500
• Hitachi Storage Navigator Modular 2 (SNM2) software
  • Hitachi Dynamic Provisioning (HDP) software
• Cisco provides a data center platform that unites computing, networking, and storage access in a single system; and switches for physical, virtual, and storage networks
  • Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) Cisco Nexus Switches
  • Cisco MDS 9000 Switches
• VMware provides the industry's most complete virtualization platform and a scalable platform for virtualization management
  • VMware vSphere 4.1
  • VMware vCenter Server

Validations

The Storage Reference Architecture was jointly developed and validated by Hitachi, Cisco, and VMware to verify functionality and develop best practices for implementation. The validation effort included:

• Building a test bed.
• Documenting the procedure for setting up the Cisco UCS, Cisco Nexus Switches, and Cisco MDS Switches with the Hitachi AMS 2500 and VMware vSphere installation.
• Conducting an initial tuning on a base system.

This tested and validated reference architecture provides a flexible framework for creating virtualized infrastructure solutions. Others are generally focused on fully-integrated hardware and software stacks with a single support number. The Storage Reference Architecture provides flexibility and choice while allowing partners and customers to take advantage of the strengths created by the Hitachi's partnership with Cisco and VMware.

Cisco and Hitachi Data Systems Storage

Cisco storage solutions help businesses improve resiliency, respond to the demands of new applications, and control power consumption.
The Cisco MDS 9000 multiprotocol storage networking platform reduces ownership costs, and improves resilience and agility.
Eighty percent of Fortune 1000 companies run their businesses on Cisco infrastructure products. The data center is the fastest growing segment. Together, Cisco and HDS deliver complete end-to-end storage networking solutions.