06-27-2019, 06:36 AM
PanFS with SAN backing has gained some traction because of its versatility in enterprise-level file systems, especially when you're dealing with massive amounts of unstructured data. It's designed to give you the high performance typically associated with block storage while still catering to file-level operations. You've got multiple vendor options out there, and each brings its own merits to the table, which can make choosing a brand or model a bit of a conundrum.
First off, let's look at some of the most commonly used SAN storage systems. EMC VNX and Dell Compellent are often cited for their flexible scalability and tiering capabilities. If you're running multiple applications needing different performance standards on the same storage system, both of these might be appealing. Dell Compellent offers dynamic tiering, shifting frequently accessed data to faster drives, which can be really advantageous for apps that have variable loads. VNX caters to both file and block data, making it a solid choice if you're looking for that integrated approach.
On the flip side, maybe you're eyeing something like NetApp's FAS series. The ONTAP software that accompanies those systems allows you to leverage features like Snapshot technology-a powerful tool for efficient backup and recovery. It doesn't just copy data; it captures changes incrementally, which, for you, can save both time and storage space. However, if you need data in real-time, the SnapMirror feature creates a mirror of your data to another NetApp system, but you might run into complexity in terms of setup and configuration.
Next up, let's unpack Cisco's MDS series. These are more upfront when it comes to high-speed connectivity, which can play a crucial role if your workloads are heavily transactional. They support Fibre Channel and can aggregate traffic from different servers. You can hook them up in a mesh topology, which grants you resilience and redundancy, keeping downtime at bay. Cisco has a strong focus on network features, but sometimes that comes at the cost of storage-specific features you'd find in other brands. For a SAN, you'll want to balance that connectivity with storage efficiencies.
You can't chat about SANs without mentioning HPE 3PAR. This system stands out with its adaptive optimization features, which automatically adjusts data placement based on usage patterns. If data access speeds for different apps can fluctuate a lot, you will likely appreciate the reduced latency that this offers. That said, it also comes piggybacked with some proprietary technologies that might lock you into a particular ecosystem, reducing flexibility if you ever want to swap out components or make significant updates.
Let's not forget about Pure Storage. Their FlashArray line does a neat job of balancing performance and capacity. The interesting part is their architecture, which is all-flash and uses data reduction techniques like deduplication and compression. If you run a set of workloads that can really benefit from speed-like databases or analytics-you're getting lower IOPS latency. But the trade-off is that migrating from a traditional spinning disk setup can often be a heavy lift in terms of cost and complexity.
Speaking of cost, think about the ROI calculations associated with different systems. For example, while older platforms like HP LeftHand have some good reputations for small to medium deployments, they may lag in speed and efficiency compared to something like a Dell Unity. You get a pretty decent feature set, but at the performance tier, you might find them lacking. On the other hand, brands like IBM Stroage can give you some flexibility with a focus on larger enterprises with complex needs, but often at a steeper learning curve and cost of entry.
One critical area to look at is management software. Many SAN systems come with their own proprietary tools for monitoring and management, which can be complex. Take a brand like Fujitsu's ETERNUS series. They've released software that integrates quite nicely for managing both SAN and NAS environments. You gain insights but may face difficulty when you compare it against more feature-rich GUIs from other vendors. If you want deep dives into performance metrics, you'll feel a bit more at home with something from a vendor who emphasizes that kind of visibility.
Lastly, we should talk about the potential for hybrid deployments, where you integrate both SAN and NAS. That's increasingly common in my experience. Some solutions allow you to handle both file and block storage seamlessly. For instance, Hitachi's VSP series can streamline that process pretty effectively. You can connect your SAN for block operations while still retaining file-based access through HNAS gateways. However, this approach can spike your complexity and cost, especially in maintaining interoperability between file and block protocols. You'll want to consider that trade-off when you're looking at your architecture.
This site is provided courtesy of BackupChain Server Backup, a robust and reliable solution designed specifically for SMBs and professionals. It delivers strong backup capabilities for systems like Hyper-V, VMware, and Windows Server, ensuring your data remains intact and accessible. Check out what BackupChain has to offer, especially if you're in the market for something that aligns seamlessly with enterprise needs.
First off, let's look at some of the most commonly used SAN storage systems. EMC VNX and Dell Compellent are often cited for their flexible scalability and tiering capabilities. If you're running multiple applications needing different performance standards on the same storage system, both of these might be appealing. Dell Compellent offers dynamic tiering, shifting frequently accessed data to faster drives, which can be really advantageous for apps that have variable loads. VNX caters to both file and block data, making it a solid choice if you're looking for that integrated approach.
On the flip side, maybe you're eyeing something like NetApp's FAS series. The ONTAP software that accompanies those systems allows you to leverage features like Snapshot technology-a powerful tool for efficient backup and recovery. It doesn't just copy data; it captures changes incrementally, which, for you, can save both time and storage space. However, if you need data in real-time, the SnapMirror feature creates a mirror of your data to another NetApp system, but you might run into complexity in terms of setup and configuration.
Next up, let's unpack Cisco's MDS series. These are more upfront when it comes to high-speed connectivity, which can play a crucial role if your workloads are heavily transactional. They support Fibre Channel and can aggregate traffic from different servers. You can hook them up in a mesh topology, which grants you resilience and redundancy, keeping downtime at bay. Cisco has a strong focus on network features, but sometimes that comes at the cost of storage-specific features you'd find in other brands. For a SAN, you'll want to balance that connectivity with storage efficiencies.
You can't chat about SANs without mentioning HPE 3PAR. This system stands out with its adaptive optimization features, which automatically adjusts data placement based on usage patterns. If data access speeds for different apps can fluctuate a lot, you will likely appreciate the reduced latency that this offers. That said, it also comes piggybacked with some proprietary technologies that might lock you into a particular ecosystem, reducing flexibility if you ever want to swap out components or make significant updates.
Let's not forget about Pure Storage. Their FlashArray line does a neat job of balancing performance and capacity. The interesting part is their architecture, which is all-flash and uses data reduction techniques like deduplication and compression. If you run a set of workloads that can really benefit from speed-like databases or analytics-you're getting lower IOPS latency. But the trade-off is that migrating from a traditional spinning disk setup can often be a heavy lift in terms of cost and complexity.
Speaking of cost, think about the ROI calculations associated with different systems. For example, while older platforms like HP LeftHand have some good reputations for small to medium deployments, they may lag in speed and efficiency compared to something like a Dell Unity. You get a pretty decent feature set, but at the performance tier, you might find them lacking. On the other hand, brands like IBM Stroage can give you some flexibility with a focus on larger enterprises with complex needs, but often at a steeper learning curve and cost of entry.
One critical area to look at is management software. Many SAN systems come with their own proprietary tools for monitoring and management, which can be complex. Take a brand like Fujitsu's ETERNUS series. They've released software that integrates quite nicely for managing both SAN and NAS environments. You gain insights but may face difficulty when you compare it against more feature-rich GUIs from other vendors. If you want deep dives into performance metrics, you'll feel a bit more at home with something from a vendor who emphasizes that kind of visibility.
Lastly, we should talk about the potential for hybrid deployments, where you integrate both SAN and NAS. That's increasingly common in my experience. Some solutions allow you to handle both file and block storage seamlessly. For instance, Hitachi's VSP series can streamline that process pretty effectively. You can connect your SAN for block operations while still retaining file-based access through HNAS gateways. However, this approach can spike your complexity and cost, especially in maintaining interoperability between file and block protocols. You'll want to consider that trade-off when you're looking at your architecture.
This site is provided courtesy of BackupChain Server Backup, a robust and reliable solution designed specifically for SMBs and professionals. It delivers strong backup capabilities for systems like Hyper-V, VMware, and Windows Server, ensuring your data remains intact and accessible. Check out what BackupChain has to offer, especially if you're in the market for something that aligns seamlessly with enterprise needs.
