Streamlined Virtual Infrastructure

  • Industry: Software & Services (Billing, CRM, OSS, Web Portals)
Address security vulnerabilities and manageability issues caused by mismatched VMware versions across the client's virtual infrastructure.

Engagement Details

  • Project Name: ESXi Upgrade and Virtual Infrastructure Alignment
  • Technology Upgraded: VMware ESXi (to 6.0 U3/6.5), vCenter Server Appliance (VCSA) (to 6.7)

Business Need

  • Address security vulnerabilities and manageability issues caused by mismatched VMware versions across the client’s virtual infrastructure.
  • Ensure a secure and standardized virtual environment to optimize resource utilization and improve system health.

Challenges

  • Unpatched and unsupported ESXi versions leading to security and operational risks.
  • Difficulty in managing the environment due to version inconsistencies.
  • Limited interoperability, which hindered efficient resource allocation.
  • Aging hardware affecting the overall health and performance of the virtual infrastructure.

Solutions

  • Inventory Analysis and Classification: Categorized servers based on compatibility with the target ESXi version and identified unsupported hardware.
  • Legacy Environment Migration: Migrated unsupported servers to a dedicated legacy environment to ensure continuity.
  • Planned Upgrades: Coordinated with server owners to schedule downtime for the necessary upgrades.
  • ESXi and VCSA Upgrades: Upgraded all supported ESXi hosts and vCenter Server Appliance to the desired versions (6.0 U3/6.5 and 6.7).
  • Inventory and Documentation Update: Updated the server inventory and documentation for better reference and control moving forward.

Results

  • Successfully upgraded the virtualized environment to VMware’s latest VCSA version (6.7).
  • Standardized ESXi versions across 280+ physical servers (upgraded to 6.0 U3 or 6.5).
  • Achieved:
    • Improved environmental consistency and manageability.
    • Enhanced business agility with a streamlined infrastructure.
    • Strengthened data protection with updated and secure versions.
    • Identified opportunities to improve computing efficiency.
  • Project completed within 90 days using a phased approach with monthly milestones.

Key Takeaways

This project demonstrates Softenger’s expertise in upgrading and aligning virtual infrastructures. By addressing version inconsistencies and outdated hardware, we successfully delivered a secure, manageable, and efficient virtual environment for the client, helping improve operational performance and agility.

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