Successful server consolidation: it is all in the preparation

Successful server consolidation: it's all in the preparation

Reducing Microsoft

based IT costs and

lowering capital

expenditures

Companies with a vast IT infrastructure consisting of thousands of servers have to look at

innovative ways to keep costs down without compromising service levels. Return on

investment is imperative, and IT infrastructures of this size must be sure that starting now

is the most cost-effective route to take. Large IT infrastructures must streamline the

infrastructure to get the most out of their compute resources.

In this situation, several HP servers and software solutions can be utilized. HP ProLiant

Essentials Rapid Deployment Pack can be used to deploy and automatically configure

blade servers for web applications. HP ProLiant DL580 4-way and DL760 8-way servers

can be used to consolidate high end messaging, applications and databases. HP

Resource Partitioning Manager (RPM) can be used on high-end 4-way and 8-way servers

to partition and dynamically allocate resources, resulting in better utilization of compute

resources. This software allows IT departments to put idle server resources to work.

Storage virtualization can help simplify management, while increasing scalability and

availability.

The dynamic allocation of resources, streamlined processes and procedures, and a

better-utilized IT environment can be the end result of a server consolidation initiative for

corporations with a large IT infrastructure. Less real estate would be required for the

server population and fewer resources would be needed to manage the server

infrastructure. Cost savings would be realized from fewer application licenses and server

licenses. Overall, the investment in compute resources can be maximized as a result of a

successful server consolidation initiative.

Conclusion

While the needs for server consolidation remain consistent, no two server consolidation

initiatives are exactly alike. The four server consolidation initiatives reviewed in this

paper all had different business drivers and objectives. While the symptoms can vary

from one IT environment to another, the result of a server consolidation initiative will

always be the same – a less complex infrastructure that is easier to manage with better

utilized compute resources. In other words, IT professionals can achieve the financial,

operational, and strategic benefits they are looking for. Moreover, when you are

prepared to determine the exact business needs driving your consolidation initiative, you

benefit from leveraging today’s assets for tomorrow’s business needs. IT and business

can be linked like never before and server consolidation is what makes it possible.

For more

information

Product information: 1-800-345-1518

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Post-sales: 1-800-652-6672

Business Partner sales consulting: 1-800-888-5874

For more information on ProLiant servers, visit www.hp.com/servers/proliant

Learn more about ProLiant IT consolidation at

http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/servers/consolidation/index.html

For more detailed information on the HP Insight Management Suite, visit