Infortrend arrays for virtualization and VDI

Introduction to virtualization

Virtualization is a technology that allows you to create multiple virtual environments on a single physical machine. It makes it possible to run different operating systems, applications and other resources on a single machine, significantly increasing hardware efficiency. Desktop virtualization makes it possible to use multiple virtual desktops on a single computer, which is particularly useful in companies where employees need access to different applications and operating systems. Network virtualization, on the other hand, allows the creation of virtual networks that can be used to connect virtual machines, providing flexibility and scalability to the IT infrastructure.

VDI virtual desktop infrastructure

Virtual desktop infrastructure VDI is a set of tools and technologies that enable the creation and management of virtual desktops. VDI allows multiple virtual desktops on a single computer, which is extremely useful in companies where employees need to use different applications and operating systems. VDI virtual desktops can be hosted on centralized servers, making them easy to manage and maintain. With VDI, users can access their desktops from anywhere and on any device, which supports remote work and increases productivity. In addition, VDI desktop virtualization enables more efficient use of hardware resources and reduces costs associated with maintaining IT infrastructure.

Faster IT provisioning, virtual machine deployment and disaster recovery

Virtualization is crucial for companies that want to keep up with the growing demand for IT resources. It enables centralized provisioning and deployment of IT systems in minutes, allowing companies to quickly create or switch to a backup location in the event of a disaster.

In response to the growing demand for various types of virtualization, Infortrend offers datastores with a high price/performance ratio, huge capacity, as well as flexibility and reliability for virtualization platforms such as VMware® vSphere™, Microsoft® Hyper-V® and Citrix® XenServer™.

Solutions
Cost-effective, efficient and simple deployment of virtualization with Infortrend storage

Infortrend storage supports the following major virtualization features, enabling more optimized deployments:

VMware

The EonStor DS and GS storage families from Infortrend are compatible with VMware. Through its participation in the VMware SDDC Integration Program, Infortrend is continuously working with VMware to enhance the benefits of integration in virtual environments.

VMware vSphere

Infortrend offers a certified HTML plug-in for vSphere 7.0 to natively deploy datastores, ensuring optimal management and usability. Compatibility with vCenter 6.5 update 2 means meeting updated security requirements.

VAAI (vStorage APIs for Array Integration).

Infortrend supports VAAI, a set of APIs that enable hypervisors to offload I/O operations by moving them to VAAI-enabled storage for hardware acceleration.

VASA (vSphere APIs for Storage Awareness).

Infortrend provides storage data (such as capabilities, status, disk types and data services) to VMware vCenter.

SRM (Site Recovery Manager).

Infortrend is certified for VMware SRM, a disaster recovery solution for virtual environments.

Microsoft Hyper-V

Infortrend's storage products are Windows Server® 2022 Hyper-V® certified and support hypervisor-based server virtualization. As a Microsoft Gold Partner, the company ensures continued compatibility and interoperability.

• Hyper-V Live Migration
  Supports migration of virtual machines between different CSV nodes.
• Hyper-V ODX (Offloaded Data Transfer)
  Accelerate data transfer between cluster shared volumes.
• Hyper-V Replica
  Tested virtualization-based DR solution - both server-to-server and cluster-to-cluster.

Citrix XenServer

Infortrend's storage products are Citrix® Ready™ certified. As a technical partner, the company works with Citrix to support the latest virtualization solutions.

What is virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI)?

VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure) is a desktop-centric service that hosts user environments on remote servers and storage systems. Users access them over the network, using remote display protocols.
Companies are increasingly converting physical computers into VDI infrastructure because it provides:

• Efficient use of hardware resources,
• centralized management,
• And reducing operating costs.

Infortrend solutions

Comprehensive storage performance for flexible deployment of VDI environments

Infortrend offers storage designed with broad support for virtualization technologies. These systems provide:

• Easy configuration of the VDI environment,
• High performance thanks to hybrid drive technology (HDD/SSD),
• Flexibility with SAS drive support,
• Compatibility with VMware, Citrix and Windows
• simplified management from anywhere
• cost savings

Infortrend storage supports a wide spectrum of workloads - from light to intensive - in both small workgroups and large enterprise environments.

Hybrid data storage: solving the Boot Storm problem

Boot Storm occurs when multiple virtual machines are started simultaneously, causing I/O spikes.
Infortrend handles this problem with:

• SSD cache - caches "hot" desktop data during startup,
• Automated Storage Tiering - the most frequently used data goes to the faster SSD tier.

Benefits of the Infortrend solution for VDI

Economical and extremely efficient:

• Up to 700K IOPS with less than 0.5ms latency,
• SSD cache and automatic tiering lower the cost per GB.

Scalability and resilience:

• Unified storage EonStor GS combines SAN and NAS,
• Dual redundancy for high availability.

High availability and reliability:

• Failover at the block level and SMB 3.0,
• Redundant controllers and components for easy maintenance,
• Cached backup - prevents data loss during power failure,
• Support for remote replication and vCenter Site Recovery Manager (SRM).

VDI related products

Unified data storage for SMEs(EonStor GS)

• NAS and SAN integration,
• Support for user files and VDI applications.

Enterprise-class SAN storage(EonStor DS)

• SSD/HDD hybrid drive support,
• Best price/performance ratio