With virtualization, multiple OS formats, multiple needs, and multiple hardware configurations, there is no question that hybrid management is a necessity for today’s modern data centers. While the ideal would be to have one configuration with one OS and one set of hardware, it’s simply not a reality, even under the most perfect of situations.
With updates, changes in demands, and new issues as they come up, introduction of new elements practically happens on the natural.
A Big Shift
The nature of how platforms are being managed and what they have to deliver to has changed dramatically as well. Rather than just a static enterprise system, platforms now have to handle a variety of demand simultaneously. It can very much be the case that a network may include a combination of a cloud system, a traditional network, a mobile interface, and even a programmable OS side of the picture.
No surprise, system administrators are finding themselves having to wear more hats to manage a hybrid collection versus just being specialized on one format alone.
Security issues and challenges have also changed the nature of how systems have to operate. With a move towards management multiple mobile devices and related support, one system cannot be the master of all. There is a need and practical trend of running multiple infrastructure platforms to keep a company or organization’s network flexible, responsive and working fast. So there’s no question that the hybrid approach comes with significant demands.
Another Aspect
The other aspect to keep in mind is that is that economics are driving towards hybrid configurations on the natural. While many vendors and big tech names will continue to argue whole suite approaches, these a sales models for maximum profit targets on the part of the vendor, not the buyer.
At the end of the day, cost efficiencies are demanding that network administrators put together the best working hardware components and software side to build a fully desired IT system. So the approach of proprietary forcing of buying whole suites has gone out the window. Hybrid is in and here to stay financially.
Thinking Differently
The big benefit of a hybrid management approach is that is also requires a unified management of IT assets on the natural. The hybrid perspective requires administrators to ensure all components, like cloud monitoring, cloud computing and similar tools work together cohesively and organically.
Where before each area might have been specific and could have been managed in a module format, today’s hybrid approach requires full integration and compatibility across hardware and software. It simply becomes a necessity for seamless information sharing.
There will always be a need for traditional network system data centers setups, but they are soon becoming the minority of systems applied. The hybrid approach is clearly becoming the majority, reflecting the reality of multi-system IT demands. And IT shops are well served realigning their people and staffing resources to match this new wave because it is becoming the “new normal” of the modern data center today.
Katrina specializes in server products with Rack Solutions leading the IT industry for custom racking design.