Hyperconvergence is steadily becoming a mainstream architecture choice for many datacenters. We have spoken before about the advantages of hyperconverged infrastructure when compared with traditional infrastructure, as well as of the benefits it offers for SMBs and its reliability as a private cloud solution.

As it is the case with innovative solutions, opinions on the topic tend to vary. There are a few sources out there pointing out some of the disadvantages that hyperconverged infrastructures have.

To help you sort out facts from fiction, we have built a list of some common myths about hyperconvergence and why we believe they are just that: myths.

1. Choosing a hyperconverged solution is more expensive than purchasing a traditional infrastructure.

Cost is important to anyone considering a new infrastructure purchase. While vendors insist that hyperconverged infrastructures actually bring end-users lower costs, there are some voices who do not agree. These critics are based on deployments for large and complex infrastructures. At Syneto, we create solutions which are a good fit for small deployments in large organisations, SMBs, remote offices or simply branches within large organizations. For this type of deployment, hyperconverged is a cost-saving solution.

For the sake of the argument, let’s say that the price for a hyperconverged infrastructure may at first seem high. But let’s consider the costs of a traditional solution. Just add up the various costs for all the elements which go into a traditional infrastructure:

• Compute servers (hosts)
• Storage servers
• Networking infrastructure
• Disaster recovery software and hardware

All these essential parts would have to be purchased individually. The costs of scaling your infrastructure, as well as the costs of managing it must also be taken into consideration. If you do the math for, say a 5-year time period, the costs really add up.

*information taken from the manufacturers’ websites

**does not include support and maintenance costs

If you take the information above, a hyperconverged infrastructure is actually a sensible and cost-effective, long-term solution because your TCO will be 50% lower. That is because this kind of solution actually lowers both your operational costs (OPEX) and capital expenditure (CAPEX).

2. If you choose a hyperconverged solution, you will not be able to keep up with new infrastructure trends

The fact is, hyperconvergence is itself one of the most powerful infrastructure trends. That is why choosing a HC infrastructure means that you are keeping up with innovations in infrastructure. Innovation does not only happen with bits of infrastructure, but also at the level of making the infrastructure as a whole more efficient. And that is exactly what hyperconvergence does.

Another big concern when choosing such a solution is the so-called “vendor lock-in”: the fear that when choosing a HC solution, you are “stuck” with one vendor only and can’t purchase “pieces” individually anymore. Instead of being seen as a burden, this should be seen as an advantage. If you choose your vendor wisely, it will be easier to communicate with just one vendor, rather than with several vendors handling bits of your infrastructure (and often blaming each other). Support and trouble-shooting will be less time-consuming.

Moreover, for each infrastructure, one has scaling opportunities and the solution can be adapted according to your organisation’s needs. The secret here is to realistically appreciate your business needs, so that your infrastructure fits them. For our part, we will help you properly evaluate the IT infrastructure requirements as part of the Syneto experience.

3. The only use case for hyperconverged infrastructures is VDI.

While hyperconverged infrastructure, with its VM-centric approach, fits the use case of VDI quite well, it is not the only one it matches. A hybrid hyperconverged solution, like Syneto, can serve as an entire IT infrastructure in a single platform. This effectively creates your private cloud.

New use cases are arising for HC systems, as they have proven to be versatile and efficient. Again, the secret is to estimate your required workload and performance necessities in order to pick the best solution for your needs.

To make things simple, here is a list of what a hyperconverged infrastructure will offer you:

Private clouds

Server virtualization

Disaster Recovery

Remote/ branch offices

Management of digital assets

Infrastructure consolidation

4. Some applications will consume more resources and “kill” the performance of others.

This is probably the worst preconception about HC solutions. As long as you deploy your infrastructure correctly, this shouldn’t happen. Again, this is why proper planning and knowing the needs of your business is important. Moreover, the software-layer in a HC solution will allow you to monitor what is happening to your resources so that you can change your settings and throttle certain application if needed.

5. There will be a lack of appropriate support.

As with any piece of infrastructure, each vendor offers various support plans, so you can choose the one that fits you best. A hyperconverged solution does not mean no support, it means support from one vendor only. In fact, this simplifies the problem-solving process. Instead of having to contact different vendors for different issues, you have a “go-to” place for all your infrastructure issues. In addition to this, your contact will know your history and will be able to offer personalised help.

6. Choosing a new type of infrastructure is too complicated.

People generally tend to be reluctant towards big changes. Change is not always easy, but without it, there will be less or no progress. The business world is constantly changing and technology is evolving rapidly to support these dynamic business needs.

New innovations, such as hyperconvergence, are meant to help and support your business grow and stay ahead of the competition. Staying “old-fashioned” can harm your business in the long run. Change may be uncomfortable, as people and processes will have to adapt to the new technologies. But with good planning and management, it can help your overall productivity and business increase tremendously.

All in all, hyperconvergence offers end-user numerous benefits. All of the “disadvantages” can be avoided with proper research and planning.

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