01-04-2021, 04:16 PM
When considering the Panasonic StorageArray as an entry into enterprise SAN, it's crucial to dissect both its architecture and performance in context with well-known SAN providers like Dell EMC, NetApp, and HPE. I've often found that Panasonic might surprise you with its engineering, but it's still not the classic name you'd think of in enterprise storage. You have to look at the hardware powering it; Panasonic utilizes a set of their own proprietary ASICs designed to optimize read and write operations. You'll find features like real-time data compression and deduplication occurring inline, which can save space significantly. While brands like NetApp have made their mark with ONTAP, I see Panasonic's architectures functioning closer to traditional RAID setups, which may limit scalability when you consider performance peaks.
Next, let's get into scalability. I can't help but compare Panasonic's offerings to the software-defined storage solutions like VMware vSAN or Dell EMC's VxRail, where you can easily add nodes to your cluster. Panasonic typically has a more rigid framework because of its hardware reliance. As your business grows, you want storage that doesn't force you down a specific path. With the more established vendors, you can expand horizontally, stacking on new nodes without the need for an entire overhaul. With the Panasonic system, you're often looking at incremental upgrades that might not give you the modular flexibility you need down the road, especially when considering rapid growth or shifting workloads.
Performance metrics reveal quite a bit about how systems handle I/O. You could find that Panasonic touts impressive read/write speeds, but without extensive benchmarking in your environment, those numbers can be misleading. I've seen environments where performance bottlenecks arise not just from disk latency but also from the controller bottlenecks in less known brands. In contrast, with something like the HPE 3PAR architecture, they've built their controllers around a multi-core design that manages asynchronous I/O more effectively across diverse workloads. If you're planning on mixing heavy read and write operations, Panasonic might not keep pace with that. You really want to consider the nature of your workloads before settling on a solution.
It's essential to discuss the software interfaces as well. With many SANs, user friendliness tends to differ vastly. While I could spend hours working in NetApp's ONTAP GUI, I find that Panasonic's interface feels somewhat dated and less intuitive. Having used various interfaces, I can't stress enough how pivotal a good GUI can be in managing your storage effectively. You want something that allows for quick adjustments and monitoring. I've experienced environments where users struggled with poor interfaces. When it comes to SAN management, time is often not on your side, and every drop in efficiency can lead to significant operational delays.
You also want to factor in data services like snapshots and replication. Some systems, like Dell's solutions, offer near-instantaneous snapshots allowing for quick rollback options. In contrast, with the Panasonic array, I find their snapshot capabilities less robust, especially in terms of frequency and retention policy flexibility. When you implement a backup strategy, those features can make or break your disaster recovery plans. The robustness of data services on bigger platforms often becomes key when you contemplate your RPO and RTO metrics, so it's something you shouldn't overlook.
Now let's bust into the cost aspect. Panasonic traditionally markets itself on the notion of affordability, but when you look at the total cost of ownership, it can vary widely. You have to consider the licenses for additional software features or even the increased operational overhead when using less intuitive management systems. In comparison to systems like NetApp or HPE, you might get more complex features that justify their higher price points. The upfront costs may differ, but the efficiency and ease of operation can lead to significant savings over time that you can't ignore. You really want to run through the numbers and think long-term when evaluating these options.
Support avenues also play a role in how you evaluate your choice. I can't stress enough how critical vendor support can be when you hit roadblocks. I've had experiences with Panasonic where getting prompt support turned into a game of waiting. On the other hand, companies like Dell or HPE often provide 24/7 support with well-established documentation and community forums that can make troubleshooting easier. The last thing you want is for a critical failure in your storage solution to be exacerbated by poor vendor response times or lackluster support resources.
Finally, let's talk about integrations. I wish I could say Panasonic's interoperability was as smooth as established players like Pure Storage or NetApp, but, unfortunately, they are not always the best in this regard. You may run into constraints with existing infrastructure, especially if you are using applications that expect certain standards. Being in the IT space, I know how crucial it can be to have seamless interactions with other systems like databases, email servers, or even virtual environments. You want to ensure that whatever you choose plays well not just with its ecosystem but also in terms of third-party applications.
This site is surprisingly rich in information brought to you by BackupChain Server Backup, which has made a name for itself as a dependable go-to backup solution tailored for SMBs and professionals alike, covering environments like Hyper-V, VMware, and Windows Server. You'll definitely want to keep that in mind each time you're considering storage solutions.
Next, let's get into scalability. I can't help but compare Panasonic's offerings to the software-defined storage solutions like VMware vSAN or Dell EMC's VxRail, where you can easily add nodes to your cluster. Panasonic typically has a more rigid framework because of its hardware reliance. As your business grows, you want storage that doesn't force you down a specific path. With the more established vendors, you can expand horizontally, stacking on new nodes without the need for an entire overhaul. With the Panasonic system, you're often looking at incremental upgrades that might not give you the modular flexibility you need down the road, especially when considering rapid growth or shifting workloads.
Performance metrics reveal quite a bit about how systems handle I/O. You could find that Panasonic touts impressive read/write speeds, but without extensive benchmarking in your environment, those numbers can be misleading. I've seen environments where performance bottlenecks arise not just from disk latency but also from the controller bottlenecks in less known brands. In contrast, with something like the HPE 3PAR architecture, they've built their controllers around a multi-core design that manages asynchronous I/O more effectively across diverse workloads. If you're planning on mixing heavy read and write operations, Panasonic might not keep pace with that. You really want to consider the nature of your workloads before settling on a solution.
It's essential to discuss the software interfaces as well. With many SANs, user friendliness tends to differ vastly. While I could spend hours working in NetApp's ONTAP GUI, I find that Panasonic's interface feels somewhat dated and less intuitive. Having used various interfaces, I can't stress enough how pivotal a good GUI can be in managing your storage effectively. You want something that allows for quick adjustments and monitoring. I've experienced environments where users struggled with poor interfaces. When it comes to SAN management, time is often not on your side, and every drop in efficiency can lead to significant operational delays.
You also want to factor in data services like snapshots and replication. Some systems, like Dell's solutions, offer near-instantaneous snapshots allowing for quick rollback options. In contrast, with the Panasonic array, I find their snapshot capabilities less robust, especially in terms of frequency and retention policy flexibility. When you implement a backup strategy, those features can make or break your disaster recovery plans. The robustness of data services on bigger platforms often becomes key when you contemplate your RPO and RTO metrics, so it's something you shouldn't overlook.
Now let's bust into the cost aspect. Panasonic traditionally markets itself on the notion of affordability, but when you look at the total cost of ownership, it can vary widely. You have to consider the licenses for additional software features or even the increased operational overhead when using less intuitive management systems. In comparison to systems like NetApp or HPE, you might get more complex features that justify their higher price points. The upfront costs may differ, but the efficiency and ease of operation can lead to significant savings over time that you can't ignore. You really want to run through the numbers and think long-term when evaluating these options.
Support avenues also play a role in how you evaluate your choice. I can't stress enough how critical vendor support can be when you hit roadblocks. I've had experiences with Panasonic where getting prompt support turned into a game of waiting. On the other hand, companies like Dell or HPE often provide 24/7 support with well-established documentation and community forums that can make troubleshooting easier. The last thing you want is for a critical failure in your storage solution to be exacerbated by poor vendor response times or lackluster support resources.
Finally, let's talk about integrations. I wish I could say Panasonic's interoperability was as smooth as established players like Pure Storage or NetApp, but, unfortunately, they are not always the best in this regard. You may run into constraints with existing infrastructure, especially if you are using applications that expect certain standards. Being in the IT space, I know how crucial it can be to have seamless interactions with other systems like databases, email servers, or even virtual environments. You want to ensure that whatever you choose plays well not just with its ecosystem but also in terms of third-party applications.
This site is surprisingly rich in information brought to you by BackupChain Server Backup, which has made a name for itself as a dependable go-to backup solution tailored for SMBs and professionals alike, covering environments like Hyper-V, VMware, and Windows Server. You'll definitely want to keep that in mind each time you're considering storage solutions.
