Private cloud computing platform construction: hardware platform Design

Building a cloud computing platform and constructing a dynamic, fully scalable and High-performance hardware platform is an important foundation of the whole platform. In the hardware platform, the specific hardware device involves the server (including x86 architecture server and non-x86 architecture server), external disk storage, network equipment (routers, switches, etc.), security products (hardware firewall, monitoring equipment) and so on.

Many of the existing public cloud computing cases are based on the x86 architecture of the server platform. The point to be clarified, however, is that the x86 architecture server is not the only option to build a cloud computing platform. Especially for the private cloud computing of large enterprises, the choice of hardware platform is closely related to the enterprise's own situation and the workload running on the platform. For example, the state-owned banks have more than 99.9999% stringent requirements for the reliability of the core business system, which requires the support of the mainframe platform. Another example, the telecom operators on the Business Support System (BOSS) operational efficiency requirements, so that the system must be based on UNIX platform operation. In fact, the mainframe and UNIX servers can also be the infrastructure of the cloud computing platform, and the technology based on these two platforms is much more mature than the x86 platform. For example, in recent years the unusually hot virtualization technology on the x86 platform has been on the mainframe and UNIX platforms for decades.

Similar to the case of the server, when choosing a cloud storage device, the same needs to be considered in terms of performance, reliability, and so on. For applications with high performance requirements, the choice of storage for a SAN structure can achieve better performance and reliability. For simple applications with low requirements, you can use iSCSI-structured storage devices or NAS networked storage to get a higher price/performance ratio. Whichever storage structure or type of storage media you choose can be used to build a cloud storage platform. The main criteria to be chosen are to look at the specific application.

In fact, the situation that enterprise users encounter when building a cloud computing platform will be more complicated. The hardware platform equipment that the enterprise uses may be the new purchase, may also be through the original system integration obtains, more likely is both. As a result, a proprietary cloud computing platform is typically made up of heterogeneous devices, possibly including x86 servers, UNIX servers and even large hosts, different network-attached architectures, not to mention products that may involve multiple brands. The purpose of cloud computing is to integrate these heterogeneous devices into a complete and flexible platform. Businesses need to consider how virtualization can be done on different fabric devices and managed as a whole. The Wuxi Taihu Lake Cloud Computing Center built in Wuxi is actually based on heterogeneous platform. The hardware of the Wuxi Taihu Cloud Computing Center includes a blade server based on the X86 architecture and a power series of UNIX servers, running Linux and Aix operating systems, and managing them through the Tivoli software via Xen and POWERVM virtualization.

IDC believes that when building a private cloud computing platform, enterprise users need to follow the following guidelines to design a hardware platform:

Applicability: Because cloud computing platforms tend to run more than one or even a single type of application, it is essential to choose the appropriate device. For example, when running internet-based, or value-added applications, usually open architecture of the x86 server will be better applicability. However, in the running of some complex applications, database applications, security and stability needs of high, the use of x86 architecture of UNIX server is the appropriate choice. The implementation of this principle will help cloud computing platform to achieve computing power and computing resources optimization. From a storage product perspective, choosing a fibre based SAN storage approach is a good choice for complex applications, but SCSI is more adaptable to some relatively independent, less complex applications. Therefore, applicability is the primary principle for building a successful cloud computing platform.

Openness: An important feature of the cloud computing platform, which distinguishes it from traditional data centers, is its openness to applications. Specifically, in the cloud computing platform, there may be different types of applications, services are connected, although the interface types and so on have specific standards to standardize, but the use of relatively mainstream, open hardware architecture, operating system, the new application of seamless access is necessary.

Compatibility: Cloud computing platform hardware system compatibility performance in the server interface, chip type, storage interface and architecture and other aspects. For example, since cloud computing typically uses virtualization to achieve dynamic management, improve server and storage utilization, and the CPU's support for virtualization technology is different, you need to choose servers and CPUs that are better compatible with mainstream virtualization software to support virtualized deployments. Similarly, in network devices, if you want to implement the free migration of virtual machines across the network segment, routers also need to be able to have a good support for this function and compatibility.

High-density: The hardware choice of cloud computing platform, also need to consider the environment and space layout. Traditional servers take up a lot of racks, space, and consume a lot of cables and auxiliary materials. In addition, space occupancy will also bring management difficulties, increase maintenance costs. In order to create an efficient cloud computing platform, it is necessary to consider how to increase the deployment density when the hardware is built, using blade servers or similar high-density systems is a reference solution.

Green: Finally, for the cloud computing platform, implementing green It is an important building principle to follow. Poorly planned platforms consume more servers, storage, and network equipment, increasing the amount of precision air conditioners that provide cooling for these devices, and consuming a lot of power. These costs are completely avoidable for cloud computing platforms through planning. In addition, in addition to the selection of hardware products with low energy consumption, the cooling system itself, in the planning of air duct, wind mode, hardware pattern, etc., also need to carry out reasonable planning.