FlexPod

FlexPod components include Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) servers, NetApp unified storage systems, and Cisco Nexus networking fabric. The FlexPod architecture can scale up or out, and can be optimized for a variety of mixed workloads in both virtualized and nonvirtualized environments.

Large enterprise data centers need agile platforms with high availability and scalable storage. Along with reducing operating costs, CIOs want to use a converged infrastructure to support hybrid cloud computing.

Small and medium enterprises need simplified setup and use, interface to public cloud services, and greater value for their data center budgets.

An emerging enterprise trend is the need for purpose-built, high-capacity platforms for specialized workloads. Large-scale, real-time data analytics places unique demands on compute stacks. Video surveillance, in-memory databases, and public cloud infrastructures have similar capacity profiles.

FlexPod's architecture can be configured for the growing needs of all these clients. In two short years, FlexPod has delivered value to over 2500 customers across 35 countries worldwide.

Going forward, FlexPod customers and partners want configuration guidance, easy ordering, and validation for the configuration that is most aligned with their needs.

To better serve these emerging trends, FlexPod is introducing three named configurations:

• FlexPod Datacenter
• FlexPod Express
• FlexPod Select

Cisco UCS Director supports cohesive, flexible data centers, built on FlexPod, that increase IT and business agility, while reducing operational processes and expenses.

Cisco and NetApp support FlexPod through a Cooperative Support Model. It uses the expertise of Cisco and NetApp technologists that are, in turn, served by an advanced support lab infrastructure.

An overview of the FlexPod solution is available through an iPad App.