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VMWARE WHITE PAPER

MERGING THE PUBLIC & PRIVATE CLOUD:Making VMware Hybrid Cloud on AWS Work for You

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INTRODUCTION

- The Digital Transformation of the Workplace

THE DETAILS

- What is the Structure and Functionality of the “Best-in-Class”

Hybrid Cloud Service?

- What are the Top Challenges Organizations Face When Considering

Hybrid Cloud Implementation

- Who Should Implement a Hybrid Cloud environment and Why?

- What is the Value Proposition for Hybrid Cloud?

- What are the Benefits of Implementing VMware Cloud on AWS?

- How Can You be Ready for the Hybrid Cloud?

USE CASES

- Data Center Extensions and Disaster Recovery

- Cloud Migrations

- Next Generation Apps

ABOUT

RESOURCES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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INTRODUCTIONIf you’re not progressing, you’re regressing, especially when it comes to virtualization and what seems like everything’s move to the cloud. While the idea of the hybrid cloud has been an increasingly popular and a quickly-adopted solution, analysts predict that this adoption will only increase—quickly and indefinitely.

While 60 percent of large enterprises currently run workloads in the public cloud1, projections show an additional increase in the public cloud market from $146B in 2017 to $236B in 2020.2

The key to the modern cloud implementation is to marry public and private cloud capabilities; i.e., the best-in-class hybrid cloud. In today’s agile market—one that is focused on accelerating innovation and optimizing costs—the only true solution is a holistic cloud approach. This all-encompassing approach is here and being adopted quickly.

“80 percent of organizations committed to hybrid infrastructures by 2018.” - IDC3

This solution allows for the merging of the private and the public cloud world, which can be an extremely complex process, involving many pieces that need to seamlessly fit together, including:4

• Operational consistency• Existing skill sets and tools• Ability to control, manage and secure cloud data

and services• Compatibility with applications• Enterprise-class app SLA

Historically, IT professionals have spent a lot of time managing a public cloud infrastructure that requires a completely different set of skills than the environment they have on-premises. The introduction of the hybrid cloud is the solution to merging these two worlds while utilizing existing tools and skill sets, providing a smooth transition as well as access to AWS services.

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THE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF THE WORKPLACE

The presence and necessity of the hybrid cloud are clearly supported, but what’s the driver for this solution in the first place?

The short answer: People want flexibility, and they’re achieving it via the cloud. As virtualization increases and the remote nature of our personal and professional lives expand, the ability to be flexible online is a must.

Ninety-two percent of respondents already consider it important to have the same architecture on and off-premises5. And while 92 percent of respondents feel this way, 15 percent of global IT workloads are already located in the public cloud, and by 2030, VMware estimates this number will jump to 50 percent.6

This likely isn’t a surprise considering the percentage of solutions that are advancing online, but what exactly is driving this need for flexibility via the cloud?

1. CHANGING BUSINESS NEEDS

“50 percent of CEOs expect their industries to be substantially or unrecognizably transformed by digital.7”

2. ACCELERATING INNOVATION

“54 percent of IT professionals project rapid growth in cloud services over the next two years.8”

3. ALIGNING BUSINESS COSTS

“Customers view public clouds as a way to gain the flexibility and speed to respond to changing business needs, accelerate innovation and align costs to business requirements by managing upfront expenses, operational support and TCO.9”

Moving to the hybrid cloud is an incredible opportunity, and as adoption for this service continues to increase, organizations need to be ready to move forward, quickly.

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THE DETAILSWHAT IS THE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONALITY OF THE “BEST-IN-CLASS” HYBRID CLOUD SERVICE?

The vSphere-based cloud service is powered by VMware and Amazon Web Services (AWS), two titans of the industry.

AWS has the world’s largest and most experienced public cloud while VMware is an industry leader in computing, storage and network virtualization capabilities.

The VMware Cloud on AWS was created to bring enterprise-class Software-Defined Data Center (SDDC) software to the AWS Cloud10, bridging the gap between AWS services and VMware technology.

This hybrid cloud combines the functionality and security that comes from AWS Cloud merged with AWS services and managed from VMware vCenter Server Interface. Utilizing this solution allows the ability to leverage market-leading VMware technologies like vSphere, VMware vSAN and VMware NSX to run on the next-generation, elastic, bare metal AWS infrastructure.11

Operational Management

Native AWS ServicesVMware Cloudª on AWSPowered by VMware Cloud Foundation

vCenter Server vCenter Server

vRealize Suite, ISV Ecosystem

Customer Data Center AWS Global Infrastructure

vSAN vSphereincluding VIC

NSX

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WHAT ARE THE TOP CHALLENGES ORGANIZATIONS FACE WHEN CONSIDERING IMPLEMENTING A HYBRID CLOUD STRATEGY?

1. FEAR OF PUBLIC CLOUD LOCK-IN

Migrating everything to the cloud can seem irreversible, like putting all of your eggs-into-one (AWS) basket. While to traditional IT decision-makers, this may seem daunting, what better basket to place your eggs in than one that’s powered by two of the most trusted technology leaders in the industry? With VMware Cloud on AWS, you can modernize your online infrastructure while trusting the security and future stability of the hybrid cloud solution.

2. CONCERNS ABOUT ENTERPRISE READINESS OF PUBLIC & HYBRID CLOUDS

In the past, storing data on-site offered a sense of security and some measurability of control, but this limited solution no longer works in a modern environment. The hybrid cloud enables data, workloads and environments to be available and accessible to IT administrators anywhere, whether its physically on premises or not.

3. CHALLENGES IN ADAPTING A TRADITIONAL DATA CENTER OR CLOUD-ENABLED IT

Because the cloud is flexible and agile, the predictability when it comes to cost isn’t as cut and dry as a traditional IT architecture. In the past, it was easy to determine the cost of a server, storage, etc. But with a cloud-enabled architecture comes flexibility and agility, which can also come with a learning and comfortability-curve for traditional IT departments.

4. DIFFERENCES IN OPERATIONAL MODEL

Determining security, operational policies and on-premise governance while using cloud-scale and agility can be difficult. Every organization consumes IT resources differently. Some prefer an up-front cost, resulting in a more expensive purchase and a return over years of support. The cloud, however, is an operational cost, which can be spread out over time instead of a large up-front payment for a hardware refresh.

5. INABILITY TO MODERNIZE DIVERSE TYPES OF APPLICATIONS

The ability for IT to manage hybrid cloud environments can sometimes be at odds with developer needs, causing inflexibility or inability to change or modernize some enterprise applications.12

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WHO SHOULD IMPLEMENT HYBRID CLOUD AND WHY?

The simple answer: Any organization that is looking to utilize or extend VMware-based infrastructure to the AWS Cloud should implement this solution. The reasoning for this could include actions like supporting M&A, modernizing applications, meeting a cloud mandate or consolidating infrastructure.13

There’s no way around it, the decision to implement a hybrid cloud solution is a significant one that incorporates many moving pieces and steps. VMware Cloud provides the ability to grow an organization’s IT footprint without having to host it physically on site. This will grow an organization’s ability to bring new products to market, to stay ahead of the competition and to have that chargeback for different business units in their organization. For example, if the legal department needs x-number of resources and apps, it is easily trackable, whereas if it was done on a traditional platform, it wouldn’t be as easily determinable.

This solution allows organization’s IT and operations teams to maximize their VMware investments, as well as add value to their business in the AWS Cloud without having to purchase new hardware. Additionally, it allows organizations to modernize their infrastructure without going beyond their current skill sets and tools.14

OVERALL, THE VMWARE CLOUD WORKS BEST FOR ORGANIZATIONS IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS:

Visibility Operations Automation Security Goverance

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WHAT IS THE VALUE PROPOSITION OF HYBRID CLOUD?

In one sentence, this solution enables clients to run production applications across public, private and hybrid cloud environments on AWS infrastructure, delivered and supported by VMware.

VMWARE CLOUD ON AWS ALLOWS ORGANIZATIONS TO:

1. Run, manage, and secure production applications in a seamlessly integrated hybrid IT environment.

2. Utilize familiar skills, tools and processes for managing private and public cloud environments.

3. Innovate and respond to changing business demands with the enterprise capabilities of VMware SDDC, coupled with the elastic infrastructure, and the breadth and depth of AWS services.

4. Seamlessly move workloads bi-directionally between vSphere-based private and public clouds.

5. Produce rapid time-to-value with the ability to spin up an entire VMware SDDC in under two hours and scale host capacity in a few minutes.

6. Leverage established, on-premise enterprise security, governance and operational policies, and extend that with the cloud scale and security that AWS Cloud brings.15

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WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF IMPLEMENTING VMWARE CLOUD ON AWS?

1. BEST-IN-CLASS HYBRID CLOUD CAPABILITIES

Industry-leading technologies and networking run on bare metal AWS infrastructure allowing a seamless integration across on-premise infrastructure and the public cloud.

2. SIMPLE AND CONSISTENT OPERATIONS

Quickly provision and scale AWS resources that are operationally consistent with vSphere-based clouds.

3. CLOUD-SCALE FLEXIBILITY

Allows workload portability across clouds with no application re-platforming necessary, avoiding time-consuming and complex work.

4. RICH VMWARE SDDC DELIVERED AS A CLOUD SERVICE ON AWS

The VMware software components that are deployed on AWS are fully supported and certified by VMware.

5. ABILITY TO UTILIZE OTHER VMWARE CLOUD SERVICES AND NATIVE AWS SERVICES

Once in the cloud, organizations have the ability to expand their VMware Cloud services and native AWS services for the purpose of modernizing applications.

6. CONSISTENCY AND FAMILIARITY OF VMWARE TECHNOLOGIES

This isn’t relearning a new platform or brand, it’s a jointly engineered solution delivering the best of VMware and AWS.

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HOW CAN YOU BE READY FOR THE HYBRID CLOUD?

THE PUSH TO MOVE TO A HYBRID CLOUD ENVIRONMENT IS HERE. HOW CAN YOU PREPARE?

1. KNOW THE DETAILS

The hybrid cloud is complex and so are the workloads that will be running in it. Understanding the ins-and-outs of the cloud as well as your organization’s needs and relationship with the cloud is the best place to start.

2. PREPARE TO IMPLEMENT THIS SOLUTION

Prepare your system as well as your organization. It’s important to understand who’s running workloads in the cloud as well as what apps will be migrated over from your data center, private cloud and any other public clouds so the transition is smooth.

MicroAge is your expert on implementing this technology within your organization, and we are committed to helping you through each step of the process. Whether it’s creating a list of dependencies or answering questions about the functionality of the cloud, we are your partners through this process.

3. IMPLEMENT THE VMWARE CLOUD ON AWS

All systems go! Implement the hybrid cloud and reap the benefits of the capabilities that it has to offer.

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USE CASESDATA CENTER EXTENSIONS AND DISASTER RECOVERY

Whether its ransomware attacks, natural disasters or power outages, disaster recovery is a major priority for most businesses. VMware Cloud on AWS allows end users the ability to spin up a secondary data center without having to incur the overhead expenses of actually having the space and resources to manage it.

VMware Hybrid Cloud acts like an insurance policy minus the upfront expenditures and costs of investing in that secondary set of resources in the case of an emergency.

VALUE ADD:

• Streamlines, simplifies or implements DR operations• Mitigates cost of DR site • Increases speed of recovery and time-to-protection• Supports footprint expansion

CLOUD MIGRATIONS

The digital transformation of the workplace has changed how people work. Migrations provide the flexibility to access an application or workflow wherever, whenever, rather than those capabilities being tethered to a physical place that depends on being in that place. This solution allows your organization to work through the workforce transformation, coming out on the other side stronger and more flexible.

VALUE ADD:

• Increases speed of migrations• Adds flexibility and efficiency through virtualization• Supports workforce transformation

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USE CASES CONTINUEDNEXT GENERATION APPS

When it comes to next-generation applications, it’s simply easier to develop and test new applications in the cloud that is familiar, operationally, to an environment on-premises. This keeps these apps away from the primary data center, which is more secure and flexible while allowing the user to discard resources allocated when they are no longer needed.

VALUE ADD:

• Supports application modernization• Provides security and flexibility • Provides consistency of the same environment on-premises and in the cloud

As recently announced at the VMworld conference in August, VMware is lowering the entry price of the VMware Cloud on AWS by 50 percent in addition to offering new, smaller configurations for production workloads16. Because of this lowered initial investment cost, mid-market tiers are now able to look into VMC on AWS as well as enterprise level companies.

In addition, to cutting the entry price of VMware Cloud on AWS in half, VMware is also introducing a list of new capabilities that will allow customers to leverage AWS Direct Connect technology and VMware capabilities to accelerate cloud migrations.17

Need more information? For additional resources or to learn more about VMWare Cloud on AWS, reach out to a

MicroAge expert!

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ABOUT MICROAGEREADY TO INCREASE FLEXIBILITY WHILE LOWERING COSTS?

Helping IT leaders navigate these choices is where MicroAge shines. With extensive experience in data center design, our solutions experts understand how to effectively and securely integrate on-premise applications and workloads with cloud-based options, creating a custom approach for every business.

Ready to talk to an expert? Contact MicroAge today!

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RESOURCES1 Balancing Freedom and Control: Evolution of the Cloud-2006-2030, VMware White

Paper

2 “The Public Cloud Services Market Will Grow Rapidly to $236 Billion in 2020”. Forrester. September 1, 2016

3 “Enterprise Adoption Driving Strong Growth of Public Cloud Infrastructure as a Service, According to IDC.” Press release. IDC. July 14, 2016.

4 VMware Cloud on AWS Customer Overview Document (Confidential)

5 VMware Cloud Survey, n=1,620

6 VMware Research, Customer Voice/Incircle Survey, 2016

7 Gartner “2016 CEO Survey: The Year of Digital Tenacity,” analyst Mark Raskino, April 2016

8 Economist Intelligence Research, August 2016

9, 12, 15 VMware Cloud on AWS, VMware White Paper, May 2017

10, 11, 13, 14 10 Questions, 10 Answers: Get to know VMware Cloud on AWS-The Best-in-Class Hybrid Cloud Service, VMware white paper, July 2017

16, 17 Gagliordi, N. (2018, August 27). VMware lowers entry price for VMware Cloud on AWS. Retrieved from https://www.zdnet.com/article/vmware-lowers-entry-price-for-vmware-cloud-on-aws/