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This article is part of the Vol. 6 No. 1 March 2007 issue of Using file virtualization to improve network-attached storage
Two smart guys Most of the emails and phone calls I get from vendors and PR people feature overblown phrases like "industry-leading," and are peppered with the typical tech litany of something being the first, fastest, biggest (or smallest) and so on. These exaggerated claims can sometimes overshadow the fact that there are plenty of smart people in the storage game. I was reminded of that last week when I met with two insightful industry experts. The meetings were eye-opening--maybe not epiphany-like experiences, but they made me think about some things a little differently. Cheng Wu is the founder of Acopia Networks, purveyors of file virtualization appliances. He sees virtualization more as a first step toward truly manageable storage networks rather than a solution unto itself. Virtualization can serve as the framework for disaster recovery, information lifecycle management and data protection, and still address the things commonly associated with virtualization like better capacity control, management of mixed systems and data migration. Virtualization ... Access >>>
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Rein in NAS with file virtualization
NAS filers have sprung up largely unchecked in many companies, creating major management headaches and forcing companies to reevaluate how they handle this critical piece of storage infrastructure. File virtualization appliances can address multiple filer pain points by pooling disparate storage, providing a global namespace and making short shrift of data migrations.
- Terabyte drives arrive
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Are you ready for new compliance rules?
Two things to know about storage and regulator compliance: There's no single technology product that meets all compliance requirements and there's plenty of prep work to do before you even think about technology. The first step is to define your unique requirements, including compliance and litigation-readiness needs, as well as business productivity and service-level objectives.
- 10GBase-T power issues may slow 10GbE adoption
- Networked storage for the masses
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Rein in NAS with file virtualization
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- Per-protocol pricing gets murky
- Backup apps take small steps to improve encryption
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Power costs put the squeeze on storage
Storage shops keep growing and growing, adding capacity to keep up with the business. But the cost of powering all that additional capacity and keeping it cool is growing, too, and some data centers are being pushed to their limits. Thinking green can help stem the tide of soaring power costs and also help you figure in the cost of end-of-life disposal for your aging equipment.
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Swap tape for removable disks
New removable disk drives combine the speed and reliability of disk with tape's portability. But widespread enterprise adoption may be inhibited until problems, such as costly disk drives and incompatibility with some major backup software products and automated tape libraries, are solved.
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Snapshot: Tiered storage usage
Thumbs-up for tiered storage
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Columns
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Two smart guys
Two smart guys
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Are backups a waste of time?
by James Damoulakis
Data protection is now much more specialized due to increased user expectations and new technology options. We need to rethink the way we approach risk and risk-related services.
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iSCSI: Learn it or be left behind
by Jon Oltsik
Thought you might get by without considering iSCSI storage? Think again. With continuous progress on the iSCSI protocol and steadily improving products, the technology is now gaining enterprise stature. Savvy users should prepare themselves now for iSCSI.
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We're in the midst of some seismic shifts in the storage world
Storage Bin: Changes in the tech world can evolve subtly or may hinge on a big, revolutionary event. Either way, we're in the midst of some seismic shifts in the storage world, and both vendors and IT pros will have to adjust to a new world order.
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Two smart guys
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