When the software stack becomes more powerful, it also becomes more complex. Software support services increase their value in such an environment.
Most of us know the software stack on x.86 servers is becoming more complex, but for those who doubt or are maybe new in this domain: On top of the hardware and its firmware, you find the hypervisor (for instance VMware VSphere), the Operating System (for instance Microsoft Server 2008, Linux Red Hat or SUSE Linux), the applications/middleware (for instance Apache) and the application (for example Microsoft Exchange).
Each of the above needs to work with the others; and in a virtual environment, the number of applications, versions, virtual machines and processes is incredibly huge at any time.
Any changes in one of them create a risk for a slowdown or even a catastrophe. Introducing a new blade with another firmware version can start a nightmare. And the interaction with other hardware equipment, storage or network can be a source of issues that are complex to solve, as discussed in a special BriefingsDirect sponsored podcast, created from a recent HP Expert Chat discussion on best practices for VMware environment support.
Software support services, then, are not just optional. And their value is even greater if you ask HP to be your single point of contact for your Proliant software environment. You can save in managing the complexity of contracts and licenses, in addition to getting the required help in using software or in solving problems. You should think of that while moving to a Converged Infrastructure, while designing your virtualization project, when making changes in your existing virtual environment, or when adding applications to it.
And if you’re not busy with one of these tasks, it’s time to think about how to improve your overall IT and choose the correct level of software support.
Read about HP Software Services and how we can keep your operating systems and critical software up and running.
Learn more about HP Always On Support.
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