Difference between Metro Cluster hyperconvergence and distributed hyperconvergence

16 Jan 2025 | Hyperconvergence

Hyperconvergence has revolutionized IT infrastructure, simplifying management and improving operational efficiency. Two distinct approaches to hyperconvergence are the distributed (scale-out) architecture and the OpenStor HA Metro Cluster configuration. We analyze the key differences between these solutions to understand which one is best suited to different business needs.

Distributed hyperconvergence (scale-out)

Distributed hyperconvergence is based on a scale-out architecture, in which compute, storage and network resources are integrated and distributed across multiple nodes within a single cluster. This configuration allows the infrastructure to be expanded by adding new nodes while maintaining linear scalability.

Main features:

  1. Dynamic scalability: Adding nodes allows you to increase available resources, providing flexibility and adaptability to growing business needs.
  2. Limited geographic distribution: Generally, all nodes in the cluster must be physically close together, as latency between nodes can affect performance.
  3. Resource sharing: Each node contributes to overall resources, sharing workloads and reducing bottlenecks.
  4. Internal resilience: Data replication between nodes provides protection against hardware failure, ensuring business continuity.

Advantages:

  • Ideal for growing environments that require rapid expansions.
  • Simple to implement in centralized settings.

Limits:

  • Latency dependence makes it difficult to use at geographically separated sites.
  • Risk of disruptions in case of local disasters.

Hyperconvergence Metro Cluster OpenStor

OpenStor Metro Cluster hyperconvergence represents an evolution of hyperconverged architecture designed to provide high availability and fault tolerance over long distances. In this configuration, two or more physically separate sites are connected via synchronous mirroring and high-speed networking (e.g., 40GbE).

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Main features:

  1. High Availability (HA): Thanks to synchronous data mirroring, any changes made at one node are replicated in real time at another site, ensuring zero data loss in case of failure.
  2. Geographic distribution: Nodes may be in distant sites, offering resilience against local or regional disasters.
  3. Automatic failover: In the event of a node or site failure, the system automatically activates failover, keeping services running without interruption.
  4. High performance: The use of broadband connections minimizes latency between nodes, ensuring optimal performance even in distributed environments.

Advantages:

  • Ideal solution for companies that need business continuity without compromise.
  • Advanced disaster protection through geographic distribution.
  • Seamless integration with VMware ESXi and Open-E JovianDSS for Metro Cluster solutions.

Limits:

  • Greater implementation complexity than a scale-out cluster.
  • Higher initial costs due to the need for dedicated network connections and advanced storage.

Which solution to choose?

Distributed hyperconvergence: Suitable for organizations that require scalability and operate at a single site or with minimal fault tolerance requirements. OpenStor HA Metro Cluster: Ideal for companies that need large-scale resiliency, advanced data protection and business continuity across multiple sites. For companies that cannot afford disruptions and are looking for a robust and reliable solution, the HA Metro Cluster configuration is the best choice. With its ability to protect data even during disasters and its high availability, it offers unparalleled operational security.

Conclusions

Hyperconverged architecture has multiple declinations, each with its own strengths. While the scale-out architecture is an effective solution for growing centralized environments, the OpenStor HA Metro Cluster configuration is the preferred choice for realities that require fault tolerance and uninterrupted operations across multiple locations.