An annual compilation of goods that, in the opinion of the crowd, best reflect the state of the market is what makes up Solutions Review’s list of the best-hyperconverged infrastructure solutions. Based on platform’s Authority Score, a meta-analysis of actual user feedback from the most reliable business software review sites on the web, and our own unique five-point inclusion criteria, our editors chose the top Hyperconverged Infrastructure solutions.
Solutions for “hyperconverged infrastructure” (HCI) on server hardware provide computation, storage, networking, and cloud administration from a single instance. For VMware settings, HCI software was initially employed as a cheaper and simpler storage array substitute. Previously known as hyperconverged integrated systems (HCIS), these technologies were mostly offered as appliances by a single hardware vendor. However, a distinction between HCIS and HCI has emerged as the market has grown.
A certain set of capabilities, including virtual computation, storage, and networking employing a scale-out, shared-nothing architecture, are present in all HCI solutions. Unified management, high availability, data services, and a degree of server and network hardware customization are further features of HCI software. Some of these elements might be made possible via networking, hypervisors, management tools, or a storage platform that combines with outside software developers to complete the software stack. Some HCI service providers have also started to offer cloud services.
1. Cisco
Cisco’s hardware, software, and service offerings are made to make information accessible at any time and from any location. The vendor’s HyperFlex product series serves as the foundation for its hyperconverged infrastructure products. The platform can be ordered in many different configurations, including HyperFlex Hybrid Nodes, which are designed to support general-purpose workloads.
Cisco also offers the large form-factor HX240c, the HX220c M5, and the HX240c M5. Intersight, a cloud-based SaaS service that provides predictive failure analysis, proactive problem-solving, and remote edge deployment and management for HyperFlex Edge, is another enhancement for Cisco HyperFlex.
2. DataCore
Storage virtualization, storage management, and storage networking are the areas of expertise of DataCore Software. The company offers consumers the ability to centralize and automate storage administration for Windows, UNIX, Linux, macOS, and Netware systems, boost capacity, improve access to data, and virtualize storage. DataCore SANsymphony, its HCI platform, is primarily utilized for mission-critical, core IT, and edge use cases.
Recent updates to the vendor’s DataCore Insight Services predictive analytics product include integration with backup software. DataCore also allows the independent scalability of computing and storage resources, as well as the integration of SANs, servers, and hyperconverged storage.
3. Dell EMC
Through hybrid cloud and big data solutions built on a data centre infrastructure that combines converged infrastructure, servers, storage, and cybersecurity technologies, Dell EMC enables digital transformation. The Virtual Storage Area Network (vSAN) technology from VMware serves as the foundation for the vendor’s VxRail equipment.
For companies looking to deploy Kubernetes at a cloud scale, Dell EMC also offers VMware Cloud Foundation, a turnkey hybrid cloud platform. The vendor also offers a Microsoft Azure Stack HCI system and HCI software for businesses that have standardized Microsoft technology.
4. Hewlett Packard Enterprise
A provider of industrial technology, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) has a portfolio that includes, among other things, workplace apps, data centres, and the cloud. With its Nimble disaggregated HCI (HCI) platform, the vendor sets itself apart from other HCI vendors.
The technology allows IT, specialists, to scale storage and computing resources separately from one another, assisting their firms in avoiding unnecessary spending. Organizations that need to handle unpredictable data growth applications that require a high level of data resiliency or storage performance may consider Nimble Storage HCI.
5. Microsoft
Microsoft is a multinational corporation that creates, produces, licenses maintain and markets a range of software products and services. The provider provides business solutions through Microsoft Azure like virtual machines, cloud storage, application services, and cloud backup. The on-premises and an edge service are integrated into the Azure Cloud through Microsoft’s Azure Stack HCI platform.
Based on the Hyper-V and HCI stack used in the Azure Cloud, Azure Stack HCI is a platform that can be used on a subscription basis and managed by the cloud. Additionally, the platform allows for use of Azure cloud services and shares management with the Azure Cloud Platform.
6. NetApp
Storage and data management are all services offered by NetApp. The provider focuses on hybrid cloud data services that make it easier to manage apps and data between cloud and on-prem environments to speed up digital transformation and provide on-prem storage infrastructure.
Hyperconverged infrastructure serves as the framework for NetApp’s hybrid cloud. While a number of hardware platforms might be set up to serve as the on-premises portion of a hybrid deployment, NetApp HCI enables uniform management across several clouds.
7. Nutanix
For the purpose of adopting enterprise virtualization without complicated and expensive network storage, whether it be SAN or NAS, Nutanix offers cloud software, compute and storage infrastructure, and hyperconverged infrastructure solutions. In Nutanix Clusters, Nutanix HCI software and services are supported, providing hybrid cloud management and operations from a single console.
The platform offers a variety of use cases through integrated native storage services, database management, application life cycle management, micro-segmentation, backup, and disaster recovery services, in addition to supporting numerous hypervisors. Additionally, Bain Capital Private Equity just invested $750 million in Nutanix.
8. Pivot3
In order to deliver optimal resource usage, Pivot3 offers Dynamic Hyperconverged and PCIe Flash Arrays, as well as hybrid cloud and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. Offerings from the provider are tailored for data centre consolidation, virtual desktops, business continuity, disaster recovery, remote and branch offices, and video surveillance.
Acuity, the HCI platform from Pivot3, is designed for mission-critical, massive video workloads. The vendor’s Intelligence Engine also includes features for automation, artificial intelligence, auto-healing, rapid node rebuild, intelligent monitoring, and analytics to satisfy the needs of large-scale HCI deployments for data security and system availability.
9. Sangfor
IT infrastructure solutions are provided by Sangfor Technologies, which focuses on cloud computing, network security, and network optimization. Its HCI software platform is made for virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), backup, disaster recovery, data centre modernization, enterprise applications, cloud transition, and these other tasks.
Sangfor HCI can offer a secure, controlled platform for small and medium businesses because Sangfor also has its own hypervisor. In order to serve the requirements of governmental, healthcare, manufacturing, and educational enterprises, the provider also employs an industry-vertical market strategy. To this aim, it forges alliances with independent software providers and gains expertise in particular legislation.
10. Scale Computing
For medium-sized organizations, hyper-convergence is offered through scale computing. With its HyperCore3 (HC3) platform, the provider unifies storage, virtualization, and servers into a single, highly scalable solution. HC3 is frequently employed as a platform for virtualization or edge infrastructure. The self-healing capabilities of Scale Computing’s product set it apart from competitors.
Without requiring human input, HC3 automatically detects issues and takes corrective action. The solution, sometimes known as “a data centre in a box,” was created to be an all-encompassing system. In addition, Scale Computing recently introduced the HE150 as a low-cost edge solution, increased its support for server hardware OEMs, and provided integrated VDI and resilience solutions.
11. StarWind
Platforms for storage virtualization and hyper-convergence are provided by StarWind. Although the vendor sells hyperconverged equipment, it also makes its solution available as software-only or as a storage appliance, making it adaptable to any data centre.
12. StorMagic
For businesses with thousands of locations, StorMagic provides storage and security solutions. The SvSAN technology from the supplier is primarily targeted at edge and critical use cases for dispersed data centres. SvSAN supports small hyperconverged clusters, centralized deployment and management, and integration with already virtualized systems.
The HPE Complete program also includes StorMagis as an alternative to the HPE StoreVirtual software. The manufacturer has also recently incorporated cloud-enabled Witness as a Service, Key Management as a Service, a subscription pricing model, and multi-site, push-button software deployment.
13. Stratoscale
A provider of comprehensive cloud infrastructure software solutions for business IT, development teams, and service providers, Stratoscale is a cloud infrastructure firm. Business organizations that want to create public, private, or hybrid clouds should use the Stratoscale HCI platform. The solution is built on the KVM hypervisor and supports block, file, and object storage architectures.
In contrast to certain HCI technologies, Stratoscale also permits the usage of external storage arrays. With its orchestration features, Stratoscale’s management tools—many of which are cloud-oriented—allow administrators to scale applications by launching or removing instances in response to shifting workload conditions.
14. VMware
VMware provides virtualization and cloud services that power sophisticated digital infrastructure. As part of a broad portfolio that includes virtual application management for on-premises, at the edge, and in the cloud, the VMware vSAN principally offers an HCI software platform.
The VMware vSphere hypervisor, vSAN, NSX, and vRealize Suite make up the company’s HCI solution. Users may now run VMware HCI in six of the biggest hyper-scale environments thanks to the provider’s increased HCI as Service capabilities from AWS and IBM Cloud.
