Axiom Pro Services: Real-world applications 

Axiom Pro Services has worked closely with businesses to address key IT concerns since its launch in 2023. Here we look into three different case studies in which we helped customers better manage their datacenter infrastructures.

Case Study #1:

Concern: Data migration

Data migration has become a prevalent IT challenge for businesses, especially with the launch of newer cloud systems and SaaS (Software as a service) platforms. Businesses that are committed to newer platforms must be able to move data safely between systems or environments, with minimal to no interference on daily business operations. As such, data migration strategies have shot to the top of the IT priority list for businesses worldwide.

While a relatively simple concept, data migration is not as straightforward in execution. Moving data between systems leaves businesses vulnerable to data loss, data compatibility issues, server downtime and other risks. Businesses must also choose between cutover migrations (moving everything at once) or staged migrations (moving in different phases). This decision will often come down to the size of the organization and the volume of traffic in a network. Cutover migrations may be more suitable for small-medium enterprises with lower traffic, while staged migrations are often necessary for larger enterprises that need to compartmentalize the transfer process. 

Problem:

In this case, the customer was looking to transfer their email data systems from Exchange 2007 to the newer Office 365 suite. They needed assistance with licensing, implementation of O365 and migration. They were unfamiliar with other assets/conditions in their environment that needed to be addressed during migration, so consulting time was also requested. 

Solution: 

The initial steps were to confirm licensing/certificates/users security/DNS/bandwidth for the client. The implementation and configuration involved installations with a complete active directory, analysis on schema, as well as environment prerequisite installs. Verification of third-party services such as spam filter, archiving, legacy gateways, DNS hosting were also configured to allow mail flow. Axiom Pro Services migrated 670 mailboxes from the Exchange 2007 server to the Office 365 servers in a final cutover migration and decommissioned the Exchange 2007 servers.

Case Study #2:

Concern: Datacenter virtualization

Virtualization is one of the most powerful tools for maximizing data center output but requires careful implementation and proper management of VMs (Virtual Machine). Improper VM management can induce VM sprawl (too many VMs in the network) for system admins to manage effectively. The under-utilization of expensive hardware contributes to wasteful spending, which is more common in networks without careful planning and proper hardware resources allocation. 

Another concern with virtualization is dated hardware and the lack of hardware support once it reaches EOL or EOSL. Outdated hardware and improper configuration of hypervisors can be potential bottlenecks to system performance.  

Problem:

The customer currently deploys a hybrid combination of hardware and software products for shared network storage. Customer also supports over 20 virtualized servers running Windows Server 2012, Server 2019 and various Linux OS servers. The ESXi (hypervisor) hosts, however, currently do not have enough hardware resources for proper HA failover. To further compound the problem, the existing hardware is approaching the EOSL stage and in need of a refresh.

Solution:

A multi-step solution was required for this case. The customer asked for our consultation on the installation of equipment and the installation/configuration of their Vsphere environment. Via remote assistance, we assisted with the installation of two Cisco Catalyst 9300 switches, two Cisco C220 M7 Servers, one NetApp 2750, and two ESXi hosts. Axiom Pro Services deployed the new vSphere VCSA version 8.x and configured a new VCSA. We also created a migration plan for up to twenty-five Virtual Machines and five active CIFS shares.

Case Study #3: 

Concern: Virtual desktop migration

VDI environments offer greater flexibility with less resources as they clone desktops in a virtual setting so that it can be accessed from a cloud-based server. There are a few VDI hypervisors to choose from, which each offer their own benefits for managing the virtual desktops and keeping the data secure. As is the case with standard virtualization, a key challenge for VDI virtualization is to mitigate performance issues and issues such as image sprawl.

Upgrades to VDI clients such as from linked clones to instant clones are needed because newer VDI clients offer faster provisioning, do not require dedicated servers or external databases and also require less maintenance. The VDI migration process can be challenging without proper knowledge of both the VDI technology as well as the architecture. 

Problem:

The customer needed assistance converting their VDI-based Horizon linked clone 7.13 environment over to a production ready Horizon 8 Instant Clone environment. Customer had some knowledge around the transition but wanted a consultant to assist with and confirm both the architecture and the migration process as the project was being completed.

Solution:

From evaluation of the current environment and migration plans, we pre-scheduled 4-hour blocks, did some architecture and review and writeup. We then proceeded with a profile management review and a miscellaneous Horizon related SME review. Axiom Pro Services concluded the case with deployment and migration planning.

Axiom Pro Services

Axiom Pro Services addresses all facets of IT services with a focus on datacenter architecture and implementation, server based computing, and data migration and management. From VMware to Microsoft applications, networking and storage, to the cloud, Axiom Pro Services delivers solutions for a wide range of modern applications. Under the technical guidance and oversight of Axiom Pro Services, your business can create, manage, and optimize IT assets like never before. 

Contact our team to learn more about Axiom Pro Services: info@axiomupgrades.com