HCI

HCI combines storage, compute, and networking into a single, integrated system. This is achieved through software-defined technologies where all components are managed and controlled through a single management interface.

HCI uses software-defined storage (SDS) to pool and manage storage resources across all nodes in the cluster. This allows for flexible and scalable storage provisioning without relying on traditional storage area networks (SANs) or network-attached storage (NAS).

HCI leverages server virtualization technology (like VMware vSphere or Microsoft Hyper-V) to create and manage virtual machines (VMs) and virtualized applications. This enables efficient resource utilization and simplifies deployment and management of applications.

HCI systems are designed to scale out by adding nodes to the cluster. Each node typically includes compute, storage, and networking resources, and adding nodes increases overall system capacity and performance.

The unified management interface of HCI simplifies operations compared to traditional infrastructure, where compute, storage, and networking are managed separately. This leads to reduced administrative overhead and faster deployment of resources.

HCI allows organizations to start small and scale resources as needed. It supports a variety of workloads, including virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), databases, and enterprise applications, making it versatile for different use cases.

By consolidating hardware resources and simplifying management, HCI can potentially reduce capital expenditures (CapEx) and operating expenses (OpEx) associated with traditional infrastructure. It also optimizes resource utilization and reduces the need for specialized IT skills.

HCI platforms often include built-in features for data redundancy, backup, and disaster recovery. Data replication and redundancy across nodes ensure high availability and data protection against hardware failures.