Converged infrastructure, Nutanix
Discussion
AClownsPocket said:
Fastdruid said:
Don't. Just don't.
Hyper-V is just abysmal. It's like Microsoft took a good look at VMware and thought "nah, we're not going to make it that easy".
Everything that is easy in VMware isn't and even the stuff that is tricky in VMware has been made far worse. Cluster Management is terrible. Networking is horrible. Filesystem management is slapdash and random. Storage is a joke (new "datastore"? 18 step process!). DR can be painful. SCVMM is an abortion of terrible badly thought out ideas on top of badly thought out ideas.
The only reason for going with Hyper-V is cost (or if you really hate the vCenter web console
) and even then IMO it's just not worth it.
We use ESXi 5.5 at the moment and it works brilliantly. However, its bloody expensive and having an MS EA, we want to leverage the benefits. Is Hyoer-V that bad in Server 2016, or are you referring to an earlier version? We've always stuck by the mantra, use an MS product only on version 3 Hyper-V is just abysmal. It's like Microsoft took a good look at VMware and thought "nah, we're not going to make it that easy".
Everything that is easy in VMware isn't and even the stuff that is tricky in VMware has been made far worse. Cluster Management is terrible. Networking is horrible. Filesystem management is slapdash and random. Storage is a joke (new "datastore"? 18 step process!). DR can be painful. SCVMM is an abortion of terrible badly thought out ideas on top of badly thought out ideas.
The only reason for going with Hyper-V is cost (or if you really hate the vCenter web console
) and even then IMO it's just not worth it. 
As I'm sure you are aware Server 2016 is still only a technical preview and isn't due until Q3 but from what I've seen adds some features but doesn't get round the poor manageability.
swerni said:
If you hear a pitch from EMC or NetApp they will tell you, it's all about the software.
Hardware is generic, and none of the storage manufacturers actually manufacture anything.
<Cough> NetApp do.... They bought Engenio from LSI 5 years ago. Although that's only the E-Series, I don't know if they're considering manufacturing their FAS/AFF line.Hardware is generic, and none of the storage manufacturers actually manufacture anything.
We used to sell a bunch of Dell EQ's, now they only get sold to people who are expanding their existing groups. E-Series have taken the sales there. They both slot nicely into the "cheap" storage slot as well as for high performance. The FAS are spectacular for what they do (disclaimer, I'm a NCIE) but due to their very nature they're slower than "pure" dumb storage.
As for VVOLs..... Well that is a whole new kettle of fish. It offers a *lot* of advantages although as ever it comes down to accurately setting limits.
I've played with them in the lab but have yet to see a deployment in the wild. We're probably going to wait until the next VMware release before we start deploying anything with them.
As for VVOLs..... Well that is a whole new kettle of fish. It offers a *lot* of advantages although as ever it comes down to accurately setting limits.
I've played with them in the lab but have yet to see a deployment in the wild. We're probably going to wait until the next VMware release before we start deploying anything with them.
Food for thought. The EMC offering for VxRail was actually a very good fit, price competitive and we can leverage of VMware ELA for better deals. The downside is no support for Hyper-V
Nutanix was also very good, again, seems to be price competitive, we can buy on Lenovo hardware who we have a global proceurement deal with so again can leverage better pricing and its hypervisor agnostic and supports Veeam.
Eval hardware next, lets see how it goes
Nutanix was also very good, again, seems to be price competitive, we can buy on Lenovo hardware who we have a global proceurement deal with so again can leverage better pricing and its hypervisor agnostic and supports Veeam.
Eval hardware next, lets see how it goes
AClownsPocket said:
We use ESXi 5.5 at the moment and it works brilliantly. However, its bloody expensive and having an MS EA, we want to leverage the benefits. Is Hyper-V that bad in Server 2016, or are you referring to an earlier version? We've always stuck by the mantra, use an MS product only on version 3
We have ESX ranging from 3.5 (don't ask !) to 5.5 and it's all absolutely rock solid, never misses a beat, is manageable, controllable and you can tell it's been developed by people who really have a very deep understanding of the game they're in. Very few, if any, issues with integration with storage and other vendors products. Hyper-V in Server 2012r2 was still a catchup product and it felt it. Manageability was limited and it also wasn't very reliable, for example Veeam would occasionally fail to backup a VM. We tried it out of interest more than anything but very soon rebuilt the boxes with ESX.
The only reason for using Hyper-V would be financial - on all technical levels VMware have it licked and I'd not touch Server 2016 in a production environment for at least a couple of years.
Nutanix is interesting.
If anyone posts anything remotely negative about it they kind of do the equivalent of sending the boys around and are renowned for it.
I think their EULA actually forbids you posting certain details about it too.
http://www.joshodgers.com/ - he works for them.
If anyone posts anything remotely negative about it they kind of do the equivalent of sending the boys around and are renowned for it.
I think their EULA actually forbids you posting certain details about it too.
http://www.joshodgers.com/ - he works for them.
I've read so much from both sides, I'm kind of sick of it now. I'll get the evaluation units and make my own mind up. I don't really give a toss about inKernel and the in deep tech specs. I need it to work, offer good performance, value and be as automated as possible with minimal administration.
Fastdruid said:
swerni said:
If you hear a pitch from EMC or NetApp they will tell you, it's all about the software.
Hardware is generic, and none of the storage manufacturers actually manufacture anything.
<Cough> NetApp do.... They bought Engenio from LSI 5 years ago. Although that's only the E-Series, I don't know if they're considering manufacturing their FAS/AFF line.Hardware is generic, and none of the storage manufacturers actually manufacture anything.
I don't know all the mappings (I doubt many people know all of them), but I know quite a few.
Netapp are/were a Xyratex customer a couple of years ago for FAS.
LSI/Engenio outsourced their manufacturing to Solectron a few years back, prior to the Netapp acquisition.
The badge on the front of the box hardly ever reflects the name on the factory where the thing was built, although that's not a hard rule.
George111 said:
AClownsPocket said:
We use ESXi 5.5 at the moment and it works brilliantly. However, its bloody expensive and having an MS EA, we want to leverage the benefits. Is Hyper-V that bad in Server 2016, or are you referring to an earlier version? We've always stuck by the mantra, use an MS product only on version 3
Hyper-V in Server 2012r2 was still a catchup product and it felt it. Manageability was limited and it also wasn't very reliable, for example Veeam would occasionally fail to backup a VM. We tried it out of interest more than anything but very soon rebuilt the boxes with ESX. The only reason for using Hyper-V would be financial - on all technical levels VMware have it licked and I'd not touch Server 2016 in a production environment for at least a couple of years.
https://www.atumvirt.com/2013/09/it-cant-just-be-m...
Well, we have our first PoC with HyperGrid (Gridstore). Its arrived today and we've started testing for the next two weeks. Early signs are impressive, unbox to setup ready to deploy guest's in under an hour.
We have HPE's converged 250 to demo also and still waiting on Nutanix (their communications and responsiveness have been dreadful so far). If after the HPE demo, we hear nothing more, then it'll be between the two products mentioned.
We have HPE's converged 250 to demo also and still waiting on Nutanix (their communications and responsiveness have been dreadful so far). If after the HPE demo, we hear nothing more, then it'll be between the two products mentioned.
Well
Some progress.
POC completed with Hypergrid and really impressed.
Hyper-V demo planned with Simplivity for about 6 weeks time.
Reached out to Pivot3 and Atlantis Computing.
Cloud POC completed with Nutanix, meetings with HP.
Have to say, I've not been impressed with the big hitters offerings. They seem overly complex and a mish mash of existing tech bundled together with a new overlaid software management function. Its not good at all and for me, doesn't represent value. The smaller players seem to have a better handle on it and are doing it the right way.
Some progress.
POC completed with Hypergrid and really impressed.
Hyper-V demo planned with Simplivity for about 6 weeks time.
Reached out to Pivot3 and Atlantis Computing.
Cloud POC completed with Nutanix, meetings with HP.
Have to say, I've not been impressed with the big hitters offerings. They seem overly complex and a mish mash of existing tech bundled together with a new overlaid software management function. Its not good at all and for me, doesn't represent value. The smaller players seem to have a better handle on it and are doing it the right way.
Fastdruid said:
AClownsPocket said:
Our direction is Hyper-V
Good luck!
George111 said:
It is soul destroying being in a senior technical role when critical technology decisions are taken by accountants. Some are inconsequential but irritating but others like the above, are going to be work-life changing decisions. I'd be getting out !
This isn't a soul destroying decision. Its a new challenge and an opportunity to learn a new product. I certainly won't be jumping ship.AClownsPocket said:
George111 said:
It is soul destroying being in a senior technical role when critical technology decisions are taken by accountants. Some are inconsequential but irritating but others like the above, are going to be work-life changing decisions. I'd be getting out !
This isn't a soul destroying decision. Its a new challenge and an opportunity to learn a new product. I certainly won't be jumping ship.Gassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff