In Depth

In Depth

Storage management and strategy

• Options in small-business storage for server virtualisation

  SMBs moving to virtualised servers need shared storage to support a new, dynamic environment. We survey the key file- and block-level options in small-business storage.  Continue Reading

• Big vendors tail startups in primary storage deduplication

  Primary storage deduplication can slash disk utilisation rates, but it has yet to gain widespread mainstream product implementation. It’s coming though, and startups lead the way.  Continue Reading

• HPC storage requirements: Massive IOPS and parallel file systems

  We survey the key vendors in HPC storage, where huge amounts of IOPS, clustering, parallel file systems and custom silicon provide storage for massive number crunching operations.  Continue Reading

• Object-based File Systems come of age for HPC

  With HPC raring to enter the exaflop realm, object-based file systems can ensure better I/O performance. We take a look at the leading options.  Continue Reading

• Virtual machine storage optimisation methods explained

  Virtual machine storage for virtual desktops and servers has to deal with heavy and random I/O patterns. We survey the key methods of optimising storage for virtual machines.  Continue Reading

• Object-based storage allows users to tame ballooning data stores

  Object-based storage boots out hierarchical file systems for a flat-file layout, tames massive files stores and overcomes RAID’s inadequacies.  Continue Reading

• vSphere 5 storage features stake a claim in array territory

  vSphere 5 storage features move into traditional array territory, including LUN controls, array monitoring, NAS commands and even a virtual storage appliance.  Continue Reading

• Five types of tape for backup or archive

  There are plenty of tape formats to choose from when you are looking for a backup or archival medium. Here are five of the most common formats to consider.  Continue Reading

• Schiavello drops Symantec, picks up CommVault

  Difficulties backing up remote offices has seen business furniture company Shciavello discard Symantec software in favour of CommVault.  Continue Reading

• Expect weighty issues when installing Atmos

  A new user of EMC’s Atmos cloud storage product had weighty problems – literally and figuratively – when implementing its new systems.  Continue Reading

• Automated storage tiering product comparison

  Automated storage tiering is fast becoming a standard feature of midrange and enterprise SANs, but vendors differ in their implementation of the technology.  Continue Reading

• SMB storage: What can you outsource to cloud storage and backup services?

  SMB storage: Cloud storage and backup offer many cost-saving advantages to SMBs, but drawbacks too, so what exactly can you outsource to the cloud right now?  Continue Reading

• 2010 Storage revenue analysis from IDC and Gartner compared

  The two most prominent analyst firms, Gartner and IDC, have each published their analysis of storage vendor revenue for 2010. Both have EMC on top, IBM second and NetApp gaining fast. But their league tables then diverge.  Continue Reading

• Storage resource management (SRM) software in a virtual server environment

  Storage resource management (SRM) software has gained extra impetus in a virtual server environment, with products ranging from vendor tools to services in the cloud.  Continue Reading

• EMC VNX launch represents a move toward unified branding as well as unified storage

  EMC VNX launch marks a move toward unified branding as well as unified storage, but does a unified brand really indicate a unified product range?  Continue Reading