FlexPod Architecture
What is FlexPod?
• Validated, standardised, shared infrastructure
• Flexibility and scalability within a single rack
• Centralised management of pooled resources
• Deployment guides with step-by-step instructions
• Solution guides pre-define multiple workloads
• Multiple sizing tools
Minimum requirements for a “FlexPod” configuration
When is FlexPod a good fit?
Customer Challenge Ineffective management and resource allocation Increased costs associated with multiple network platforms Lengthy testing and deployment processes Risks associated with siloed technologies | FlexPod Increased scalability Faster application deployments Simplified management Orchestration and workflow automation Unified network equals less cost. Pre integrated solution High Availability during outages |
What does FlexPod Offer?<em “mso-bidi-font-style:=”” normal”=””> Unified Systems · Simplified setup <em “mso-bidi-font-style:=”” normal”=””>Single point for management · Higher productivity <em “mso-bidi-font-style:=”” normal”=””>Highly efficient · Self-Implementing <em “mso-bidi-font-style:=”” normal”=””>Scalable · More workloads with less gear |  |
· Pre-configured (small or medium)
· Focus on simplicity and cost
· Limited IT staffing
· Target: less than 500 users
· 1 GB Ethernet
· Enterprise-class solution
· Focus on strategic platform
· Existing IT Staff
· Target: 500 users and above
· 10 GB Ethernet
Validated and supported FlexPod designs
There are two key “go to” places to find the FlexPod architecture design and run book documentation and these links are highlighted below.
Cisco Validated Design Program – www.cisco.com/go/flexpod tested end-to-end scenarios
NetApp Verified Architecture – http://www.netapp.com/us/solutions/flexpod/datacenter/validated-designs.aspx
What Solutions do FlexPod support?
VMware (Exchange, SQL Server, Sharepoint, View)
Microsoft Private Cloud/HyperV
Red Hat Enterprise Linux
Citrix XenDesktop
SAP Applications
Validated vs Supported:
Validated means that everything has been tested end to end.
Supported required IMT checks etc to determine if the specific workload/application is supported with the specific configuration.
Why choose Unified Fabric?
Benefits of Cisco Nexus Unified Fabric with FlexPod
End-to-end convergence – Cisco Nexus, MDS, Director
Cisco Data Center network manager
Why choose Unified Fabric?
Scale Cisco NX-OS Convergence Unified ports Intelligence Cisco Nexus 1000v & Virtual Extensible LAN | Non-stop operations Deployment flexibility VM-Aware Networking Integrated Application Delivery |
Challenges of the Datacenter Operations and Management
· Data center infrastructure managed in silos
· Need for strong vendor specific skill sets
· Manual administration
· High-touch operations
Result in:
· Direct increases in operational expense
· Indirect increases in capital expense
· Delays in time to market
· Poor IT responsiveness to service requests
End-to-end infrastructure management
· Unified click provisioning
· Single management interface
o Physical and Virtual infrastructure
· Model based orchestration
· Converged Infrastructure management
o Self-service portal
o Multi-tenant / secure multi-tenant security
UCS Director allows the subject matter experts to create their own dedicated policies for their part of the infrastructure, these are all then driven by the UCS Director Management piece. The result is a single pain of glass for end-to-end automation and lifecycle management. A complete turnkey solution.
Additional Information
My fellow NetApp A-Team members and Cisco Champions Emad Younis (@Emad_Younis) and Melissa Palmer (@vmiss33) discuss a FlexPod 101 on an EngineersUnplugged episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZLPgVocXFQ
UCS Tech Talk: UCS-Based Converged Infrastructure Management With UCS Director: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yy8gY5rLAdo
I have also included a link to the 3D FlexPod model. If you’ve ever been to a trade show that involves either Cisco or NetApp, you’ll be sure to see this life-size cardboard rack. If you have the app installed on your mobile device, point it toward the wall of cardboard and watch the magic happen. Learn more here along with how to get the app for your smart device: https://netappapp.wordpress.com/
Please ask your questions or provide any feedback below. Thanks.