What is our primary use case?
We offer virtual desktops.
We use our own proprietary technology using Sunlight.
Sunlight works very well for people who require a virtual desktop. Windows performs much better, and we have VDIs for GPU machines. They specialize in high-end graphic management, and this solution enables us to effectively use it.
How has it helped my organization?
If I had to use VMware or Nutanix, the same application would take three nodes and provide 400,000 IOPS, or input-output operations. But with Sunlight, I can get four million IOPS for the same price, allowing me to run an application on much less hardware. My infrastructure costs, as well as software licensing costs, can be reduced.
What is most valuable?
It is the fastest virtualization stack that helps with the VDI.
The performance and small footprint of this solution are its most valuable features. I am able to obtain and use more than 90 percent of the physical hardware capacity.
I can also save money on infrastructure.
What needs improvement?
It lacks the bells and whistles that are typically associated with Amazon Services or Nutanix. It is still a work in progress, and all of these add-on tools are being added.
It doesn't have many of those features, but it does allow you to use the core technology.
My recommendation would be to add this technology to Azure, Microsoft Azure so that we can bring it to the market, or deploy it on public clouds such as Microsoft Azure and Google. It is currently only available on Amazon's public cloud.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been working with Sunlight for the last two years.
I am guessing that they have the most recent version. I am not sure of the version number, but they have the most recent version.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Sunlight has been very stable.
The initial releases were unreliable. But, for the past year, we have had these machines running for the longest time without stopping. We only had one instance where it went down, but otherwise, it has been 99 percent uptime.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Sunlight is a scalable solution. It supports on-premises and distributed deployments, as well as public deployments. It has a single pane of management so I can manage all of my VM installations in a distributed manner.
It also has a footprint, that allows me to operate on Edge.
If for example, you have a retail shop with 2,000 locations and they use a networked point of sale system, or if you are Chipotle and they have so many locations and they have to use a backend system at each location.
At the moment, these are all standalone systems that operate with very little connection to the central. We could, however, connect and create a network using Sunlight.
We can virtualize and run with Edge thanks to Sunlight.
This allows us to operate and obtain high-end computing on Edge for retail.
Sunlight is a startup. I am not sure how many users they have, but we have been using it constantly and using the technology to bring in customers.
How are customer service and support?
All technical support is provided remotely. We don't have a person who answers the phone, but everything is done remotely. They have, however, been very responsive. They respond and resolve issues within 24 hours.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Previously, we used a variety of solutions, including Nutanix and VMware. We switched due to the performance and cost savings.
I was able to reduce my infrastructure by 30 percent.
How was the initial setup?
It is deployed both on AWS and on a private Cloud.
We have had very few issues because there isn't much to manage and maintain.
If the deployment is well planned, it does not take long. It is just a matter of migrating the workloads. Because it allows you to manage, migration is simple with this technology.
After a one-hour training, we were able to operate on our own with the initial configuration.
What about the implementation team?
If they know how to operate the system, the deployment can be done in-house. It is simple to use. It is possible for a technical team to complete the task on their own.
What was our ROI?
We have been able to maintain our costs. Our expenses were lower, and we were able to reduce our previous costs by 30 percent.
We were able to reduce the cost of infrastructure by 30 percent.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The licensing fee is a one-time fee.
This infrastructure is hyperconverged. Because it is HCI, everything is included. It is easier to compute because the pricing and patch structures are much simpler.
There is an operating cost for the VDIs, which is an additional cost. However, the licensing fee is half that of VMware or Nutanix.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We were using Amazon Services public cloud. When we tested the technology we saw the value of it, and where I can reduce my cost while improving my performance by three or five times, it was an easy decision.
What other advice do I have?
We are experts, as well as partners in the use of this technology. We can assist businesses in implementing VDI, fast, high-performance computing VDIs for enterprises or mid-level businesses.
We are introducing Sunlight technology to all of our customers. Because it is a startup, it is not as widely used as it is in VMware or Nutanix. However, we hope to have a unique value proposition by utilizing this technology to provide customers with high-end computing VDIs.
We are a reseller/partner.
I would rate Sunlight a nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Private Cloud
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: partner & reseller