Reality Check: Server Insights

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Creating a successful architecture to meet the desired goals for Client Virtualization includes the use of building blocks that ensure each layer is optimized from both a cost and manageability standpoint. Without these building blocks, it would be difficult to achieve the cost and flexibility goals Client Virtualization implementations promise. The core building blocks (see diagram) include user and application virtualization acting on a core compute resource. This resource, accessed via a user device has core components built on a robust data center infrastructure. Correctly selecting, designing and implementing each of these layers enables a cost effective, robust and highly flexible Client Virtualization environment.

ANNOUNCING TODAY!

The HP Client Virtualization Enterprise Reference Architecture with VMware View delivers a preconfigured and performance-optimized solution that simplifies customer integration and testing and reduces risk for deployment.  With the right combination of compute, storage, networking, and system management, this solution is tuned for client virtualization efficiency AND includes options to scale up and out to meet changing customer requirements.

HP and VMware – over a decade of partnership

• HP is the global leader in virtualization solutions based on VMware
• HP has more server and storage models certified for VMware than any other vendor
• More than 40% of enterprise businesses choose HP ProLiant for VMware
• HP has the most certified VMware professionals (700+) (outside VMware)

What comprises the HP-VMware Client Virtualization Enterprise Reference Architecture?

HP Master Client Virtualization Enterprise Reference Architecture

A self-contained and modular hardware solution providing performance within the enclosure with the integrated tools to for enhanced visibility and prevention notifications.

• The convergence of the network and storage fabrics into cable free, secure and highly reliable internal communications paths minimizes and potentially even eliminates the involvement of network and storage teams making VDI more flexible, reliable and easier to manage long term.
• Targeting the right HP Blade server optimizes the user experience.
• HP P4800 G2 SAN for BladeSystem, designed specifically for VDI, is a big hit with customers for the same reasons they buy C7000 BladeSystem servers…reduction of footprint and costs, simplified networking, and ease of management.
• All iSCSI network traffic, virtualized application traffic, and VM provisioning traffic stays within the rack promoting faster throughput.
• The complete reference architecture is a tool for HP VirtualSystem, part of HP Converged Systems, a strategic   portfolio of infrastructure solutions, which serves as the foundation for your virtualized workloads. Based on HP Converged Infrastructure (CI), HP VirtualSystem utilizes market-leading capabilities from VMware to centralize administrative tasks, improve scalability, optimize workloads and reduce complexity.

Insight Control with VMware vCenter

The result of close collaboration between HP and VMware, HP Insight Control for VMware vCenter provides virtualization administrators with deep insight and complete control of their VMware virtualized infrastructure.

Manage and monitor servers, power and cooling, networking and storage from VMware vCenter.  This is critical in VDI deployments where realizing single administrator benefits pays big dividends.

HP Storage

The HP P4800 G2  SAN for BladeSystem was designed for VDI to deliver the most efficient scalability, least footprint, easiest to manage, at the best $ per I/O possible.  The P4800 BladeSystem SAN leverages the ISS engineering and supply chain (all BladeSystem components) which gives it a competitive edge for which no traditional storage vendor will be able to keep up.

HP client devices

Providing increased security, simplified management, and strong performance, HP Thin Clients are the ideal client devices for Client Virtualization deployments. HP offers a full portfolio of Thin Clients with varying capabilities enabling IT to optimize both end-user experience and their IT budget by deploying a mix of client devices including the new HP webOS TouchPad.

HP Solution Support for Client Virtualization  

The Client Virtualization Solution Support is designed to meet all needs for a comprehensive approach to client computing.

• Client Strategy Services: Help devise strategy, understand the business value, and identify the right architecture for your organization
• Client Migration Services: Manage the transition globally to Windows 7 with ease.
• Client Virtualization Assessment and Modeling: One of the keys to a successful client virtualization implementation lies in understanding the current load and using characteristics of your existing physical desktops. To do that, it is necessary to have an accurate understanding of application usage, as well as resource usage, including CPU, memory, and disk input/output. HP Client Virtualization assessment provides comprehensive pre-virtualization analysis, modeling, and planning support for your enterprise and data centers.

Want HP to design and manage your Client Infrastructure solution?  Get more information here.

VMware View 4.6

• Standardize on a common platform from the desktop to the datacenter to the cloud
• Reduce the time and cost of Microsoft® Windows ® 7 migration by 50%
• Support users on the go with Follow-Me Desktops

For more information visit the HP Client Virtualization website. Remember HP can address your current needs as well as your needs as they evolve – we are your source for Instant-On Solutions.

Contributor:  Doug Hart

Title: HP Client Virtualization Engineering