Storage virtualisation allows administrators
to pool storage resources that can then be organised, allocated
and managed without regard for the physical location of disks or
disk subsystems. Although host-based virtualisation can be
accomplished by running commercial virtualisation software on a
generic host server (see chapter 1 of this guide for
virtualisation software), software can also be packed with
hardware in the form of a dedicated appliance, incorporated into
storage subsystems or executed through an intelligent switch.
The product snapshots in this chapter highlight key
specifications for a cross-section of popular virtualisation
hardware products that run the gamut from dedicated appliances,
to storage systems with virtualisation capability, to
intelligent switches. The following products were selected based
on input from industry analysts and SearchStorage.com editors,
and specifications are current as of
November 2006.
The following specifications have been provided by vendors and
are periodically updated. Vendors are welcome to submit their
updates and new product specifications to
sbigelow@techtarget.com.
Go to the
first
product snapshot, or select the desired product below:
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Product Snapshot
#1
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Product:Acopia Networks, Inc.; Adaptive Resource
Switch (ARX) switch
Maximum Capacity:Unlimited
Largest Virtual Volume:Unlimited
Maximum Disks:Not applicable - we do not aggregate
physical disks, we aggregate file servers or NAS devices.
Maximum Virtual Volumes:384 virtual volumes (NAS
virtualisation volumes)
Virtualisation Software:Not provided
Maximum Throughput:2.6 GB/sec (~12Gbps)
Maximum Transactions:600,000 IOPS
Security Features:Yes; Radius, Kerberos, NTLM, NIS,
Access Control Lists
Provisioning Support:Yes; thin provisioning
Management Software:Any SNMP compliant management
product
Implementation:The platform interfaces with the existing
IP network fabric. It uses industry standard NFS and CIFS protocols
to virtualise the existing file storage infrastructure. It does not
require new storage hardware or software, and it does not require
agent deployments across the infrastructure.
Snapshot Support:Snapshot integration
Reporting and Logging:The platform support extensive
logging and reporting for all file storage and storage management
operations.
Connectivity:The platform supports Gigabit Ethernet
connectivity.
Vendor Comment:Acopia's intelligent file virtualisation
platforms are the only devices on the market today that are able to
support heterogeneous (multi-protocol, multi-vendor) environments,
real-time policy enforcement and the scale and performance
requirements of large enterprises.
Availability:Currently available
Base Cost:ARX500 is $24,995; ARX1000 is $55,000; ARX6000
is $175,000
Detailed Specs:http://www.acopia.com/products/
Vendor URL:www.acopia.com
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Product Snapshot
#2
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Product:Cisco Systems Inc.; MDS 9000 Storage Services
Module (SSM)
Maximum Capacity:Maximum capacity of manageable
storage is 16 PB
Largest Virtual Volume:2 TB
Maximum Disks:In theory a single volume could aggregate
4K disks (subject to the actual volume size of 2 TB). However, a
more practical number is 10 disks.
Maximum Virtual Volumes:The SSM itself can support 12K
volumes.
Virtualisation Software:EMC Invista and Incipient
NSP.
Maximum Throughput:40 Gbps
Maximum Transactions:500,000 IOPS
Security Features:An external mgmt station that needs to
connect securely to our SSM connects via the Switch Supervisor
which then relays the connection to the SSM.
Provisioning Support:The SSM software APIs provide
intrinsic support for virtualisation software features such as thin
provisioning. Availability of the feature is determined by the
virtualisation software that runs on the SSM.
Management Software:FM/DM can manage the SSM and the
provisioning (we have SNMP MIBs).
Implementation:Typically a solution involves
virtualisation servers (which are available in a clustered and
redundant configuration) and a set of SSMs (which reside in a
switch). Multiple SSMs are placed in each redundant fabric that
hosts are connected to. The multiple SSMs within a fabric deliver
on scalability and availability. The SSM across redundant fabrics
are primarily for availability but can also address scalability
requirements. The SSMs are focused on the datapath while the
virtualisation servers focus on management and control path. This
partitioning of control and datapaths allow the solution to scale
and deliver very high performance.
Snapshot Support:The SSM software APIs provide intrinsic
support for virtualisation software feature such as Detached Mirror
Snapshots, CoW and NoW snapshots. Actual availability of this
feature is subject to the virtualisation software selected to run
on the SSM.
Reporting and Logging:Syslog, SNMP traps, separate debug
logs for the control path, for each datapath processor and for the
different applications.
Connectivity:32 FC front panel ports and backplane
connectivity. The platform doesn't impose any restriction and it
can work seamlessly whether the traffic comes from the front panel
ports or the fabric.
Vendor Comment:The product is currently in several field
trials and we expect to see these deployments go to production
shortly. This progress with our best of breed custom hardware that
enables fabric based virtualisation validates the need for
solutions that reduce pain points such as LUN reprovisioning,
tiered storage and data mobility tied to information life cycle
management.
Availability:Not yet available; In field trials since
Q3-2005
Base Cost:Subject to virtualisation software being
deployed
Detailed Specs:http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps5991/products_data_sheet0900aecd802496f7.html
Vendor URL:www.cisco.com
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Product Snapshot
#3
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Product:EqualLogic Inc.; PS Series Storage
Arrays
Maximum Capacity:84 TB
Largest Virtual Volume:15 TB
Maximum Disks:128
Maximum Virtual Volumes:1,024
Virtualisation Software:VMware Infrastructure 3 (ESX
Server), VMware Server, Microsoft Virtual Server, XenSource
Xen
Maximum Throughput:2400 MB/s per SAN
Maximum Transactions:480,000 per SAN
Security Features:Mutual CHAP, SSH and SSL are all
supported
Provisioning Support:Yes; EqualLogic's internal storage
virtualisation makes provisioning volumes, LUNs and new arrays easy
and the products support thin provisioning as well.
Management Software:PS Series arrays can be managed
through their own intuitive GUI and a CLI, but also work with
SNMP-based management products such as HP OpenView, IBM Tivoli, and
backup, recovery and archiving software products from many
vendors.
Implementation:The PS Series arrays can be fully
functional within 20 minutes. Automated configuration capabilities
eliminate complex and cumbersome manual tasks, enabling a quick
start.
Snapshot Support:Yes; EqualLogic's products support
space-efficient snapshots, which can be read-only or read-write.
The system supports 512 differentiated per LUN and 10,000 per
SAN.
Reporting and Logging:SNMP traps, email notifications,
'phone-home' capabilities, Syslog, alerting through the GUI and
CLI
Connectivity:3 gigabit Ethernet ports per array, and
multiple arrays can be combined in a SAN to provide up to 24
gigabit Ethernet ports per SAN
Vendor Comment:EqualLogic's PS Series Arrays
automatically virtualise and load balance data to optimise capacity
utilisation across disks, but also to use all available system
performance across disks, cache and network connection, so
customers can get better performance with less storage. These
intelligent virtualisation and load balancing capabilities underpin
EqualLogic's philosophy to simplify storage, delivering ease-of-use
that EqualLogic's 1700 customers rave about.
Availability:All products currently available
Base Cost:List prices start at $22K
Detailed Specs:http://www.equallogic.com/products/
Vendor URL:www.equallogic.com
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Product Snapshot
#4
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Product:FalconStor Software; (IPStor) NSS appliances
(Models 310 and 350)
Maximum Capacity:Model 310: 8TB; Model 350:
512TB
Largest Virtual Volume:2TB per virtual LUN
Maximum Disks:Up to 64
Maximum Virtual Volumes:Model 310: 512; Model 350:
1,024
Virtualisation Software:Powered by IPStor
software
Maximum Throughput:Not provided
Maximum Transactions:Not provided
Security Features:IPStor includes CHAP and mutual CHAP
authentication for iSCSI connected hosts, encryption for data
during remote replication, and authenticated access control for
administrators.
Provisioning Support:Standard provisioning plus
"capacity on demand" expansion
Management Software:Most major products
Implementation:As turnkey appliance; just add
storage.
Snapshot Support:64 per LUN standard, up to 256 per LUN
optional
Reporting and Logging:Not provided
Connectivity:Fibre Channel, iSCSI, CIFS, NFS
Vendor Comment:Because they are powered by IPStor,
NSS-series appliances provide the full set of virtualisation,
provisioning, protection, and management services independent of
storage vendor or physical attachment type. The storage being
virtualised can be heterogeneous, both in attachment type and
vendor, without any loss of functionality.
Availability:Currently available
Base Cost:Model 310: $40,000; Model 350: $76,000;
Replication option, including encryption and compression,
$8,000
Detailed Specs:http://www.falconstor.com/en/solutions/?pg=Products&sb=Turnkey&sm=NSS
Vendor URL:www.falconstor.com
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Product Snapshot
#5
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Product:Fujitsu Computer Systems; ETERNUS
VS900
Maximum Capacity:3.5TB
Largest Virtual Volume:2 TB
Maximum Disks:The maximum number of physical LUNs that
can be aggregated in a single volume is 16.
Maximum Virtual Volumes:65,535 virtual volumes
Virtualisation Software:Fujitsu Systemwalker Resource
Coordinator
Maximum Throughput:2Gbps (256MB/s) per port
Maximum Transactions:Depends on the storage systems
being used
Security Features:Not supported
Provisioning Support:Not supported
Management Software:Not supported
Implementation:One pair of virtualisation nodes are
connected to either directly to servers/storages or via SAN;
Install Fujitsu Resource Coordinator on a management server; The
management server and the virtualisation nodes are connected via
LAN.
Snapshot Support:Not supported
Reporting and Logging:Log files can be exported to
servers.
Connectivity:1/2Gbps (Full Duplex), Class 3 & Class
F
Vendor Comment:Out of band, network based, cache less
virtualisation with minimum latency. 128 port version will become
available in 4Q 2007.
Availability:Currently available
Base Cost:Starts at $200K
Detailed Specs:http://www.computers.us.fujitsu.com/www/products_storage.shtml?products/storage/fujitsu/virtualisation
Vendor URL:http://www.computers.us.fujitsu.com/
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Product Snapshot
#6
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Product:Network Appliance Inc.; V-Series
appliances
Maximum Capacity:504 TB
Largest Virtual Volume:16 TB
Maximum Disks:1,008
Maximum Virtual Volumes:200
Virtualisation Software:Network Appliance Data ONTAP 7G
software
Maximum Throughput:Not provided
Maximum Transactions:50,139 ops/sec. According to
SPCsfs
Security Features:Yes; NetApp V-Series systems support a
range of data protection software including: SnapRestore®,
SnapMirror®, SnapVault®, SnapLock® Enterprise, LockVault™
Enterprise
Provisioning Support:Yes
Management Software:MultiStore; SnapMover; SnapDrive;
SnapManager for Microsoft Exchange; SnapManager for Microsoft SQL
Server; Single Mailbox Recovery; VFM (Virtual File Manager);
SnapValidator; FlexClone; FlexCache; DataFabric Manager;
SecureAdmin; ApplianceWatch for HP OpenView; ApplianceWatch for
Tivoli; HiScan Agent for HDS HiCommand (applicable only to HDS
arrays)
Implementation:NetApp V-Series systems seamlessly
integrate into mission-critical enterprise class SAN
infrastructures, allowing users to deliver NAS as well as block
solutions, while dramatically increasing utilisation of your
infrastructure. Companies gain the advantages of enterprise Fibre
Channel storage connectivity without the costs of physically
connecting each host to the SAN infrastructure, thereby optimising
storage usage and preserving future scalability. The NetApp
V-Series product line also supports a broad range of IBM, Hitachi
Limited, and HP storage subsystems, including the IBM Enterprise
Storage Server (ESS) series, IBM TotalStorage DS4000 series,
Hitachi Limited SANRISE, and HP StorageWorks XP series. These
enterprise-class and modular storage systems support diverse
business applications across the enterprise and provide highly
scalable solutions.
Snapshot Support:Yes
Reporting and Logging:V-Series systems have a
functionality called AutoSupport. The "phone home" functionality
runs direct from the controller head sends an email to NetApp
support and any other pre-defined addresses that user configures
capability that reports.
Connectivity:FC SAN, IP SAN, and NAS
Vendor Comment:Not provided
Availability:Currently available
Base Cost:Varies based on deployment
Detailed Specs:http://www.netapp.com/products/v-series/
Vendor URL:www.netapp.com
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Product Snapshot
#7
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Product:ONStor Inc.; Bobcat Series NAS Gateway &
Pantera Clustered NAS
Maximum Capacity:40 PB
Largest Virtual Volume:100 TB
Maximum Disks:Unlimited
Maximum Virtual Volumes:400 file systems
Virtualisation Software:Compatible with DataCore, IBM
SVC, Acopia, NeoPath
Maximum Throughput:Sequential: 300MB/sec
Maximum Transactions:36,000 NFS operations per sec
(please note this is a file level operation. It translates to a far
greater number of block operations on the back end)
Security Features:As a file server, security is
integrated with directory services (Active Directory for Windows,
NIS for UNIX/Linux)
Provisioning Support:ONStor provisions capacity from a
single pool shared by all file systems. The feature, called
AutoGrow, allows available capacity to be allocated automatically
where and when it's needed using rules.
Management Software:As a file server, it supports all of
the applications that file servers typically require. Backup:
Symantec, Legato, Commvault; Device monitoring: Openview (ONStor
supports SNMP and has its own MIB); Anti Virus: McAffee,
Norton
Implementation:The device is implemented as a file
server. Applications typically include file sharing and home
directory. Shared storage for servers (such as web servers) is also
common. Because the system bandwidth is linearly scalable, it
provides a scalable storage backend for growing web server farms.
Capacity can be configured in two ways: Disk supplied by ONStor or
by 3rd party vendors, or share disk space with applications on the
SAN.
Snapshot Support:Yes; File level snapshots are
integrated. Up to 48 point-in-time images of each hosted file
system to be recorded on either a scheduled or on-demand basis. To
minimise storage requirements, only file system differences are
recorded. For fault tolerance, the images may be accessed by any of
the ONStor NAS Gateways.
Reporting and Logging:Full reporting including
performance, capacity, and CPU utilisation. Quotas may be set and
monitored on the user and group levels. Automated diagnostics
monitor system health. If desired, they will regularly report
information to ONStor Support, providing continuous health
monitoring to check for anomalies and/or configuration
errors.
Connectivity:Per node: 4 gigabit Ethernet and 2 2Gb FC.
Per cluster: Up to 32 gigabit Ethernet, 16 2Gb FC
Vendor Comment:Virtual servers provide a permanent mount
point for users and applications. Each virtual server (up to 256 in
a cluster) appears to clients and servers on the LAN as a complete
NAS device with a unique identity, IP address and security
authentication. But the power of a virtual server lies in its
mobility. It can be transparently relocated among all ONStor
devices in the cluster for load balancing, failover, or performance
scaling. The admin is therefore free to grow capacity, grow
bandwidth, even take machines out of service, with no impact to
users and applications.
Availability:Both products currently available
Base Cost:Bobcat NAS Gateway: starts at $20,000,
including all required software and virtual server functionality.
Pantera Clustered NAS: starts at $40,000 with 6TB of storage,
including all required software and virtual server
functionality.
Detailed Specs:Bobcat:
http://www.onstor.com/bobcat_series.php
Detailed Specs:Pantera:
http://www.onstor.com/pantera.php
Vendor URL:www.onstor.com
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Product Snapshot
#8
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Product:Reldata Inc.; IP Storage Gateway 9240
Maximum Capacity:Depending on the application, it can
manage several PB.
Largest Virtual Volume:A practical virtual volume size
would be several 100TB. This again depends on the
application.
Maximum Disks:There is no hard limit on the number of
physical disks the 9240 can manage or aggregate in the volume
group. However, a reasonable limit would be around 512.
Maximum Virtual Volumes:There is no hard limit on the
number of virtual disk volumes the 9240 can support. However, a
reasonable limit would be around 256 per volume group.
Virtualisation Software:The platform has a built-in
high-speed virtualisation software that uses proprietary
format.
Maximum Throughput:370MB/s with real storage
arrays.
Maximum Transactions:110,000 IOPS on file shares, 36,000
on straight-through non-cached iSCSI operations with real storage
arrays.
Security Features:IPsec encryption and CHAP
authentication are available for iSCSI. Active Directory
authentication for SMB/CIFS. NIS support for NFS. IPSec encryption
and compression is available for remote replication on block and
file levels.
Provisioning Support:The 9240 can map LUNs directly to
iSCSI target, provision virtual block-level LUNs over iSCSI, and
file-level volumes over SMB/CIFS and NFS.
Management Software:The 9240 is managed using a
proprietary Java-based web interface or web services API.
Implementation:One or more 9240 devices are connected
directly to storage arrays, JBODs, tape libraries and/or fibre
channel SAN on the back-end, and to the Ethernet switch(es) on the
front-end. All provisioning, block and file, is performed over
IP.
Snapshot Support:The virtualisation platform supports
unlimited read-only and writable snapshots and clones per virtual
volume. Snapshot working storage can be expanded dynamically as the
snapshot usage grows.
Reporting and Logging:The 9240 supports e-mail
notifications and SNMP traps. It also provides front panel and
audible alarm notification for certain failures.
Connectivity:Ethernet/IP: 6x1 GbE copper ports
(auto-negotiating); SCSI: 2xUltra320 LVD ports; Fibre Channel: 2x4
Gb/s optic FC ports(auto-negotiating)
Vendor Comment:It consolidates and virtualises
industry-standard Fibre Channel, SCSI and iSCSI storage resources
and presents them as high-performance, scalable and independent
iSCSI SAN volumes and CIFS or NFS NAS shares. The appliance offers
a comprehensive set of reliable, high performance storage
protection and replication features.
Availability:December 2006
Base Cost:MSRP: $31,500
Detailed Specs:http://www.reldata.com/?id=23
Vendor URL:www.reldata.com
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Product Snapshot
#9
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Product:SANRAD Inc.; V-Switch 3800
Maximum Capacity:8 PB
Largest Virtual Volume:64 TB
Maximum Disks:64 for a single volume
Maximum Virtual Volumes:We can create up to 51,200
virtual volumes
Virtualisation Software:Storage Pro for
V-Switch
Maximum Throughput:Qty 3 IP ports at line speed – 300
MBs
Maximum Transactions:30,000 IOPS
Security Features:ACL, SRP, RADIUS and iSNS
Provisioning Support:LUN virtualisation and storage
services including: mirroring, data migration, partitioning,
striping, resizing, remote and local replication and Snapshot with
Rollback
Management Software:All iSCSI initiators, MS MPIO and
VSS, Veritas, Commvault, CA
Implementation:The V-Switch resides between the FC SAN
and iSCSI enabled servers on an IP network. The V Switch performs
volume creation and management using storage virtualisation
technology. The V Switch receives a LUN from the FC SAN, just like
any other FC connected server on the SAN. However, this LUN is not
used "as is". The LUN is placed into the storage pool of the V
Switch and is managed as a shareable resource. Additional LUNs from
any FC array can be used to increase the capacity of the storage
pool. From this central storage pool, unique virtual volumes are
created for the iSCSI connected servers. By using V Switch storage
virtualisation, a couple of LUNs and a few FC switch ports is all
that is needed to create and deliver storage resources to hundreds
of iSCSI connected servers.
Snapshot Support:Yes; There are 32 SNAPshots per volumes
(increasing to 256 in 2007) Snapshots can be scheduled, triggered
by a script or can take advantage of Microsoft VSS.
Reporting and Logging:A complete CLI can also be used
for customising or automating StoragePro operations to synchronise
with server applications. StoragePro also supports
Telnet.
Connectivity:8 FC ports for connecting to the SAN, 3
iSCSI IP ports for connecting to the IP iSCSI server LAN. RS232 and
10/100 out of band mgt port.
Vendor Comment:SANRAD solutions provide every server
within an organisation with low cost SAN connectivity and
management. Specifically, the V-Switch 3800 delivers the maximum
speed, scalability and storage capacity required by today's
enterprises while retaining the cost benefits inherent to IP
SANs.
Availability:Currently available
Base Cost:$12,000 to $39,000
Detailed Specs:http://www.sanrad.com/iscsi.asp?IP-SAN=16
Vendor URL:www.sanrad.com
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