How to launch a consolidation project?
Consolidation does not necessarily mean replacement!
Consolidation does not limit itself to replacing existing machines by a smaller number of more powerful servers. To be successful, the process must be comprehensive. Consolidation must cover not only hardware, but also software systems, services and – more importantly – system management procedures as well as those best practices linking all of the items together. Never loose sight of the fact that the prime aim is to simplify and optimize the infrastructure end-to-end with a view to reducing complexity and costs, and to establishing a stable basis for the development and deployment of a new solution. Server consolidation is not an end in itself; it is a first step towards devising a more rational, more efficient and more flexible environment whilst providing upgraded services.
Our environment is unique; your consolidation will be unique too…
Consolidation means evolution. Hence, it is not always necessary to rebuild everything from scratch… even if – in most instances – the infrastructure has probably been developed in successive layers. In some cases, the infrastructure in place is sufficient; the way it is used is the only aspect that needs to be optimized. Never forget that your environment is unique be it only because of the way you are using your software applications. Similarly, the way of distributing the workload will be specifically yours. Each project is different from the other. Look more into the use you are making of your tools. In other words, look into how your servers are being exploited, into the level of CPU utilization but also into the used capacity of memory space, of drives, of the network, etc. You need to analyze your reality and only then to compare it with existing models.
Probe your system; it will tell you what to do…
Do not trust those who focus only on hardware. Of course, blade servers may be great contributors to consolidation, but they are not the only key to the process! Bearing this in mind, Systems Solutions developed an analytical tool for consolidation, which is now deployed in many organizations wondering about their infrastructure. Apart from producing an inventory, the software – free from any disruptive agent – produces a user profile on the basis of a detailed analysis of the operating mode of your system. It allows analyzing the real service load of the system, simulating the optimum operating mode whilst taking into account the customer’s precise constraints and finally delivering the ultimate value proposition. The tool – made for Windows environments – can identify activity peaks and simulates the best way of allocating resources without necessarily looking to increasing the said resources.
Consolidating is a process over time
Too many organizations tend to reduce consolidation to the sheer financing of a new infrastructure every three to four years. This is a mistake! Consolidation is not a project; it is a process. This means that – like all other processes – consolidation is a process over time that calls for constant follow-up. After defining the architecture, after having provided for its implementation, follow-up is necessary – a kind of follow-up articulated along the lines of fine-tuning. The aim is – obviously – to fine-tune in order to optimize. The follow-up will also allow responding to changes in strategy that can influence the organization. This is the best way of protecting your initial investment.
External assessment is essential; seek guidance!
If you analyze things on your own, you will most certainly stop at physical consolidation, i.e. at replacing your servers by new ones. Look for the guidance of a specialized partner instead. An outsider’s look into your system will push you to widening the scope of your reflection and to seeing beyond infrastructure, and will bring you to critically analyzing the way you are using your resources. This is an open door towards business continuity or even towards grid computing. Remember that consolidation may sometimes mean replacing hardware but that it always means optimizing what is already there. And as change may be pretty radical, it’s always better to get help and support.
Robert Roux
Managing Director, System Solutions Luxembourg
On the occasion of its traditional “Beaujolais Nouveau” event on November 17th last, System Solutions introduced its consolidation model during a conference titled “When ICT Consolidation became a Reality!”