A virtual machine (VM) is an image file managed by the hypervisor that exhibits the behavior of a separate computer, capable of performing tasks such as running applications and programs like a separate computer. VM based solutions are software focused to emulate the behavior of physical hardware. Managing VM’s successfully can be very dependent upon the infrastructure your organization is running because it’s reliant upon three primary factors; (1) processor, (2) memory and (3) storage.

Processor and Memory is really associated with compute. Compute can have a significant impact on the performance of your VM’s but does not manage your VM’s. Storage on the other hand can impact both performance and management of your VM’s. It’s important that your VM environment is built with the necessary management infrastructure to account for your VM’s. VM’s are dynamic, it’s important your solutions supporting them are as well.

We talked about computing (basically your processor & memory that does calculations) but what is “High Performance Computing.” High-performance computing (HPC) is the ability to process data and perform complex calculations at incredibly high speeds. Most applications in your Data Center don’t require HPC systems but there are unique applications and organizations that do. For example, if you think of a research pharmaceutical company that needs to process an incredible amount of data in a short period of time, they’ll need a computing engine that could handle that.

HPC is all about performance and less about data management. For example, you wouldn’t run an HPC solution to manage Virtual Desktops (VDI). To give an analogy think of a drag race scenario. If you were driving a quarter of a mile drag race, you would want the fastest car you could find and wouldn’t be worried about miles per gallon, how the car handles around sharp turns, etc. On the flip side, if you were driving your family to the mall and needed to go down the highway and regular streets, you’re needs would be completely different.

You’ll hear a lot of buzzwords in IT now. Words such as “Cloud”, “Hyperautomation”, “Blockchain.” Arguably at the top of the list is Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). Artificial intelligence (AI) is the ability of a digital computer or computer-controlled robot to perform tasks commonly associated with humans intelligence. On the other hand, Machine Learning utilizes computer data and uses statistical techniques to help it “learn” how to get progressively better at a task, without having been specifically programmed for that task, eliminating the need for millions of lines of written code. Machine learning consists of both supervised learning and unsupervised learning.

Containers are a form of operating system virtualization. Inside a container are all the necessary executables, binary code, libraries, and configuration files. All containers are run by a single operating system kernel and therefore use fewer resources than virtual machines (which require significantly more overhead). A VM’s performance is very dependent upon the infrastructure (hardware) whereas containers are more lightweight and portable, with significantly less overhead. Containers can be deployed in a private data center, public cloud or even a developer environment and performance are not dependent upon hardware. The two most common software that containers are deployed on is Kubernetes or Docker.

Structured Wiring

Within a data center, cabling can be categorized as either structured or unstructured. Structured cabling adheres to predefined standards, featuring designated connection points and pathways. The selection of cables in a structured wiring design is based on the system’s bandwidth requirements, ensuring optimal performance through rigorous testing. The organized and labeled arrangement of cables in a structured wiring system minimizes operational costs and extends the system’s lifespan, outweighing the longer installation time and higher initial investment when compared to an unstructured system.

Unstructured Wiring

Unstructured cabling, also known as Point to Point, lacks predefined standards, connection points, and pathways, resulting in cooling restrictions, increased energy costs, and challenges in managing system growth. This unreliable system leads to extended downtime. Despite its shorter installation time and lower initial cost, unstructured cabling incurs higher operational costs and has a shorter life cycle compared to structured systems.