Server and storage modernisation
Golshtech replaced a client’s ageing six-server VMware cluster and failing storage array with three new Dell hosts, a faster hybrid SAN and Microsoft Hyper-V. Every virtual server was moved and signed off by the client one batch at a time, with downtime planned around the business.
At a glance
| Client | Organisation running around 50 virtual servers on premises |
|---|---|
| Services | IT audit, infrastructure design, procurement, project delivery |
| Technology | Dell servers, hybrid SAS/SSD SAN, Microsoft Hyper-V, 10Gbps SFP+ networking, tape backup |
| Delivery | Staged migration, each server tested and accepted by the client |
| Headline result | 6 hosts down to 3, ~50 virtual servers down to 41, VMware licensing removed |
The challenge
The client’s core server platform had reached the end of its useful life. Around 50 virtual servers ran on a six-server VMware ESXi cluster, backed by a single storage array of 7.2k SAS drives.
- Unreliable storage: the array had already suffered several disk failures, putting every service on it at risk.
- Ageing hosts: the server hardware was no longer fit for purpose.
- Rising licence costs: VMware licensing had become prohibitively expensive.
- Network bottleneck: each host connected to the core switch over multiple 1Gbps links, limiting performance.
Our approach
We started with a full audit of the existing environment, covering server load, storage use and what each virtual server actually did, alongside practical constraints such as rack space and network connectivity.
The audit let us size the new platform on real data rather than guesswork. It also showed which virtual servers could be retired or combined, so the client would be moving a leaner estate, not just the old one onto new kit.
The solution
We consolidated the cluster onto three new Dell servers, specified to carry the full current load with room to expand. One host was fitted with an expansion card to connect a tape drive directly, giving the client offline backups.
- Storage: a new hybrid array of 10k SAS drives with SSD caching, connected to the hosts over 25Gbps external SAS.
- Networking: new 10Gbps SFP+ load-balanced links from each host to the core switch.
- Virtualisation: a move from VMware to Microsoft Hyper-V, removing the VMware licensing cost.
Delivery
The migration was planned in stages so that services kept running and the client stayed in control throughout.
- New storage alongside the old: we installed the new SAN first, so both arrays ran in parallel and nothing depended on a single cut-over.
- Consolidation: a review of the virtual servers found room to retire and combine workloads, cutting the estate from around 50 servers to 41.
- Server-by-server migration: we converted each server from VMware to Hyper-V and tested every service as it moved. The client signed off each batch before the next began.
- Decommissioning: once every server was accepted, we removed the old hosts and storage array.
The results
The client now runs a smaller, faster and more resilient platform, and no longer pays for VMware licences. Every server was accepted by the client before the old kit was switched off.
- Built-in resilience: the three hosts can absorb the failure of any one host with no loss of service, with headroom to add more.
- A leaner estate: virtual servers cut from around 50 to 41, and physical hosts from six to three.
- Lower running costs: VMware licensing removed by moving to Hyper-V.
- Faster performance: 10Gbps networking and SSD-cached storage give quicker responses to users.
- Reliable storage: the failing array was replaced, removing the risk of data loss from further disk failures.
- Less space, power and cooling: fewer servers freed up rack space and cut power and cooling demand.
- Offline backups: a directly connected tape drive keeps an offline copy of the client’s data.
Before and after
| Before | After | |
|---|---|---|
| Hosts | 6 ageing servers | 3 new Dell servers |
| Virtual servers | ~50 | 41 |
| Hypervisor | VMware ESXi | Microsoft Hyper-V |
| Storage | 7.2k SAS array with repeated disk failures | Hybrid 10k SAS with SSD caching |
| Host to storage | Existing array | 25Gbps external SAS |
| Host to network | Multiple 1Gbps links | 10Gbps SFP+ load-balanced links |
| Resilience | Single array with failing disks | Survives the loss of a whole host |
| Expansion | Hardware no longer fit for purpose | Headroom to grow, plus direct-attached tape backup |