Node 01Integrated stack
Compute, storage and virtualisation
Scale-Out Compute and Storage
Hyperconverged Infrastructure for Modern Private Cloud
Consolidate compute, storage and virtualisation into an operationally simpler platform designed for predictable scale, resilience, recovery and lifecycle.
Node 02Node-based growth
Capacity added in building blocks
Node 03One operating view
Health, lifecycle and capacity
Node 04Recovery-aware
Failure and backup validated
Scale-out model
When is hyperconverged infrastructure a good fit?
HCI combines server compute and distributed software-defined storage, usually with an integrated virtualisation and management layer. It can reduce separate storage-network complexity and provide a repeatable scale-out model for virtual machines, private cloud, VDI, edge or branch workloads.
Node resources
CPU, memory, cache, capacity, network and accelerator profile.
Distributed storage
Data placement, replication or erasure coding, rebuild and usable capacity.
Virtualisation
VM scheduling, mobility, availability and operational tooling.
Lifecycle
One validated path for hardware, firmware, platform and hypervisor updates.
Recovery
Independent backup, replication and tested application restoration.
Private cloud operating model
Build the private-cloud operating model before the cluster
Control 01Workload and current-platform baseline
Control 02Usable capacity and failure-state model
Control 03Network, power and rack prerequisites
Control 04Platform, backup and DR architecture
Control 05Migration waves and lifecycle operating procedures
Decision economicsNX HP DE AL
Hyperconverged and distributed infrastructure platforms
Nutanix Cloud Platform
Integrated HCI and private-cloud operations with distributed storage and AHV or supported hypervisor options.
HPE HCI and Private Cloud
HPE SimpliVity and private-cloud options for selected edge, VDI, general virtualisation and cloud-operating use cases.
Dell VxRail
Integrated HCI for VMware-aligned environments built on Dell PowerEdge and VMware software.
Microsoft Azure Local
Azure-connected distributed infrastructure for workloads in customer-owned locations.
Scale-out outcomes01 02 03 04
What the HCI project should achieve
Simpler operations
Infrastructure health and lifecycle are managed through a coordinated platform.
Predictable scale
Expansion triggers and node implications are understood.
Tested resilience
Failure, rebuild, backup and recovery behavior is proven.
Supported runway
Platform, hardware, software and licensing roadmaps are aligned.
emtech evaluates HCI as a complete service platform. Server, network, virtualisation, storage, backup, cloud and support dependencies are considered together.
This is especially important when replacing a legacy platform: the target must improve lifecycle and operations, not only reproduce the current cluster on different hardware.
HCI platform and lifecycle questions.
What is hyperconverged infrastructure?
HCI combines server compute with distributed software-defined storage and an integrated virtualisation or management layer. It replaces separate infrastructure silos with scale-out nodes managed as one platform.
Is HCI better than traditional three-tier infrastructure?
Neither is universally better. HCI can simplify operations and scale for suitable workloads, while three-tier architectures can offer independent compute and storage scaling or specialist storage capabilities. emtech compares both against requirements.
How many HCI nodes do we need?
The answer depends on platform minimums, CPU, memory, usable storage, performance, resilience, maintenance, rebuild and growth. Node count is calculated from the failure model and workload profile.
Is Cisco HyperFlex still available for new deployments?
Cisco announced end-of-sale and end-of-life milestones for HyperFlex. New projects should evaluate current alternatives, while existing customers need a support and migration plan based on their exact hardware and software dates.
Does HCI include backup?
Some platforms include snapshots, replication or data-protection features, but independent backup and tested recovery are still needed for most business-critical environments.
Can HCI run databases and demanding applications?
Often yes, if the application is supported and the cluster is correctly designed for latency, I/O, CPU, memory and availability. Benchmarking or a proof of concept may be appropriate for critical workloads.
Can emtech migrate from VMware-based HCI to another platform?
Yes, subject to application compatibility and tooling. Scope includes discovery, target design, pilots, workload waves, network and backup changes, rollback and acceptance.
How is HCI expanded?
Most HCI platforms add nodes or supported capacity in defined building blocks. Expansion must consider cluster balance, hardware compatibility, licences, fault domains and the time required to redistribute data.
Replacing three-tier infrastructure or planning an HCI migration?
Request an HCI assessment. emtech will model workloads, usable capacity, failure states, licensing, recovery and lifecycle before recommending a platform.