Email Alerts
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The pros and cons of using data reduction systems
Analyst Stephen Foskett outlines the pros and cons of using data reduction systems to slim down your data center footprint. Feature
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StorSimple Inc. 5010, 7010
StorSimple 5010, 7010 appliances use SSDs to speed local performance for primary storage, and treat the cloud as a storage tier. Automated tiering and primary dedupe are included. 2011 Products of the Year
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Storage systems
Guide
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Data storage tutorials
SearchStorage.com's tutorials offer storage professionals comprehensive training on topics such as SANs (storage area networks), NAS (network attached storage), backup, data storage devices, data management, and RAID (redundant array of inexpensive d... Tutorial
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SAS 2.0 improvements spur shift from Fibre Channel drives to SAS drives
SAS 2.0 increases interface speed to 6 Gbps, improves connectivity and facilitates better signal-to-noise ratio, which will propel the shift to SAS drives over next five years. FAQ
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Storage disk array training courses
These storage training course listings include a range of disk array classes, on topics like serial-attached SCSI (SAS) disks, serial ATA (SATA) disks and various aspects of Fibre Channel (FC) SAN disk arrays. Learning Guide
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Virtual storage via HDS USP VM disk array helps Canadian city upgrade to VMware ESX Server 3.5
City of Coquitlam, B.C., encounters no major obstacles in virtual storage implementation, as part of an upgrade to an HDS USP VM disk array and VMware ESX Server 3.5. Case Study
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Data deduplication and compression on primary storage can reduce data footprint
Data deduplication and compression on primary storage may not produce the data reduction seen with backups, but various techniques produce significant results with unstructured data. FAQ
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Primary storage data reduction advancing via data deduplication, compression
Primary storage data reduction is becoming more practical as hardware to support performance-impacting data deduplication and compression techniques matures. Special Report
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Storwize claims good data compression rates, no performance degradation on STN-6000 appliance
Storwize's STN-6000 inline appliance acts on primary storage using real-time compression; the company claims data reduction ratios as high as 15:1 and no performance degradation. Special Report
- See More: Essential Knowledge on Disk arrays
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Week in review: Nirvanix completes new round of funding
In our week in review podcast, Senior News Director Dave Raffo talks about the week’s top storage news with Assistant Editor John Hilliard. News | 04 May 2012
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Using Nimble Storage, construction firm reconstructs storage set-up
Two Nimble Storage arrays replace hodgepodge of systems from EMC, NetApp, Dell and Buffalo for primary storage and backup at construction firm Graniterock. News | 26 Apr 2012
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Hard disk drive shortage takes aim at enterprise SAS, SATA in 2012
Analysts and vendors expect the hard disk drive shortage caused by Thailand floods to curtail availability of enterprise SAS and SATA drives until at least the second half of 2012. News | 24 Feb 2012
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HDD shortages due to Thai floods disrupt enterprise storage planning
HDD shortages are disrupting enterprise data storage buying patterns, while raising prices for drives in storage arrays, laptops and PCs. News | 01 Feb 2012
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Oracle storage strategy: Make our apps run better
Oracle executives say their storage strategy is to sell storage systems that run their databases and other apps faster and more efficiently. News | 01 Jul 2011
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Dell data storage plans pique customer interest
Dell customers want to know more about how the vendor will integrate primary data reduction, as well as NAS and common Compellent and EqualLogic management. News | 13 Jun 2011
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Dell execs talk scale-out NAS, data reduction, 3PAR, EMC
Dell storage chief Darren Thomas and other Dell execs discuss the company’s storage strategy, with plans for scale-out NAS, data optimization and where Compellent fits in the mix. News | 08 Jun 2011
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HP upgrades EVA midrange SAN array, launches virtualization bundles
HP launches long-awaited EVA midrange SAN array upgrade; adds integrated storage-server-networking stacks to take on EMC Vblock; rolls out new Windows-based NAS. News | 06 Jun 2011
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Thin provisioning driven by technology advances, best practices
Thin provisioning gaining in popularity as tech advances help alleviate de-allocation and reclamation issues; best practices ensure thin volumes remain thin. Article | 04 Jan 2011
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Dell buys SAN array vendor Compellent for $820 million, seeks data management next
Now that is has agreed to acquire SAN array vendor Compellent Technology for $820 million, Dell is looking for more storage acquisitions. VP Brad Anderson said data management is the top priority. Article | 13 Dec 2010
- See More: News on Disk arrays
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I/O performance in need of a fix
Despite technological advances, unacceptable I/O performance could hold the entire industry back. Here are some solutions that have materialized. Tip
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ATA over Ethernet protocol overview for data storage managers
The ATA over Ethernet (AoE) protocol, backed by Coraid, is used by some data storage managers for low-cost, high-volume storage. Learn 10 AoE protocol facts Tip
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Use MAID, intelligent power management as green storage options to control energy consumption
MAID and intelligent power management (IPM) are green storage options that align enterprise data storage performance and energy consumption levels. Learn what you should look for in a product with MAID or IPM-enabled capabilities. Tip
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Tutorial on solid-state disk (SSD) devices
Solid-state disk (SSD) devices use much less power and produce less heat than hard disks. But until their prices come down, they'll at best be niche devices. Tip
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Big storage in small packages
IT departments are thirsty for storage capacity, but IT managers simply won't put up with storage that requires more physical resources. Tip
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Tech Roundup: Enterprise arrays
Enterprise arrays are big storage boxes designed for big companies -- and the competition among vendors keeps getting more intense. Tip
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Midrange arrays get a makeover
Two fixtures of the midrange modular array scene have received substantial makeovers, and more are on the way. Tip
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CDP: Super snapshots -- eventually
This tip details two different definitions of CDP, the offerings from vendors in each camp and how continuous data protection differs from snapshots. Tip
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Disk-based backup for SAN and NAS
Disk-as-disk backups involve using disk drives behaving as disk drives -- the disks aren't pretending to be tape. Tip
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Checklist: Five steps to maximizing disk capacity
Before you commit precious budget resources to buying more storage hardware, be sure you're getting the most possible value out of what's already deployed in your data center. Tip
- See More: Tips on Disk arrays
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Creating half a mirror out of 3 drives totaling 300 GB
Storage management expert Ashley D'Costa answers a reader's question: "Can I create a logical array from my disk bay, which has two disks totaling 300 GB by installing RAID 0?" Ask the Expert
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SATA port multiplier vs. SATA multilane
What is the difference between a SATA port multiplier and SATA multilane? Ask the Expert
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Upgrading high-end arrays
We are currently using an HDS9960 array and are planning to upgrade early next year to another enterprise array. We're in the process of evaluating solutions from Sun/HDS, IBM and EMC. Are there any other vendors of high-end arrays that we should loo... Ask the Expert
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Active/active vs. active/passive arrays
Storage expert Greg Schulz outlines the pros and cons of active/active and active/passive arrays. Ask the Expert
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Storage and memory: What is their relationship?
Ask the Expert
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SATA, Fibre Channel and ATA disks on the same array?
Ask the Expert
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How much hard disk drive space should I actually use?
Ask the Expert
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Clariion CX700 vs. Symmetrix 8830
Ask the Expert
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Disk vs. tape, for low-cost storage
Ask the Expert
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Will nearline disk systems make tape obsolete?
Backup expert Pierre Dorion offers advice on remote data replication and network bandwith limitation. Ask the Expert
- See More: Expert Advice on Disk arrays
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multi-level cell (MLC) flash
Multi-level cell (MLC) flash writes two data segments to the same cell, effectively doubling the capacity of flash storage media. Definition
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terabyte (TB)
A terabyte (TB) is a measure of computer storage capacity that is 2 to the 40th power or approximately a trillion bytes (that is, a thousand gigabytes). Definition
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array-based memory
Array-based memory is an evolving solid-state storage technology similar to flash memory but with potentially greater storage capacity. The increased capacity results from the fact that array-based memory is three-dimensional (3D) while most traditio... Definition
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Kilo, mega, giga, tera, peta, and all that
Prefix multipliers are used in data storage, data communications, electronics, and physics to denote extremely small and large quantities. Read definitions for terms including kilo, mega, giga, tera and peta here. Definition
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array
In general, an array is a number of items arranged in some specified way - for example, in a list or in a three-dimensional table. Definition
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gigabyte (GB)
A gigabyte (GB) is a measure of computer data storage capacity and is "roughly" a billion bytes. Definition
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storage medium
In computers, a storage medium is any technology (including devices and materials) used to place, keep, and retrieve data. Definition
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byte
In most computer systems, a byte is a unit of data that is eight binary digits long... (Continued) Definition
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column address strobe
In computer memory technology, CAS (column address strobe) is a signal sent to a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) that tells it that an associated address is a column address. A data bit in DRAM is stored in a cell located by the intersection of a... Definition
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hard disk
A hard disk is part of a unit, often called a "disk drive," "hard drive," or "hard disk drive," that stores and provides relatively quick access to large amounts of data on an electromagnetically charged surface or set of surfaces. Definition
- See More: Definitions on Disk arrays
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Gartner analyst on data deduplication for primary storage
Primary storage data deduplication will take hold first with network-attached storage (NAS) and then block-based options over the next 18 months, says Gartner analyst, who advises users to architect with new products in mind. Podcast
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Podcast: Solid-state drives entering enterprise storage environments
What should a storage administrator be doing today in terms of planning for solid-state drives entering the storage environment? Jeff Janukowicz, research manager at IDC for solid-state drives and hard drive components, discusses the impact SSDs are ... Podcast
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Boost Array Performance Podcasts
As data wends it way from hosts, through the fabric and to the array, it encounters many potential bottlenecks. But that also means there are a number of ways to improve storage subsystem performance. The key to the tuning process is a thorough under... Podcasts
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Week in review: Nirvanix completes new round of funding
In our week in review podcast, Senior News Director Dave Raffo talks about the week’s top storage news with Assistant Editor John Hilliard. News
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Using Nimble Storage, construction firm reconstructs storage set-up
Two Nimble Storage arrays replace hodgepodge of systems from EMC, NetApp, Dell and Buffalo for primary storage and backup at construction firm Graniterock. News
-
The pros and cons of using data reduction systems
Analyst Stephen Foskett outlines the pros and cons of using data reduction systems to slim down your data center footprint. Feature
-
Hard disk drive shortage takes aim at enterprise SAS, SATA in 2012
Analysts and vendors expect the hard disk drive shortage caused by Thailand floods to curtail availability of enterprise SAS and SATA drives until at least the second half of 2012. News
-
StorSimple Inc. 5010, 7010
StorSimple 5010, 7010 appliances use SSDs to speed local performance for primary storage, and treat the cloud as a storage tier. Automated tiering and primary dedupe are included. 2011 Products of the Year
-
Storage systems
Guide
-
HDD shortages due to Thai floods disrupt enterprise storage planning
HDD shortages are disrupting enterprise data storage buying patterns, while raising prices for drives in storage arrays, laptops and PCs. News
-
I/O performance in need of a fix
Despite technological advances, unacceptable I/O performance could hold the entire industry back. Here are some solutions that have materialized. Tip
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Oracle storage strategy: Make our apps run better
Oracle executives say their storage strategy is to sell storage systems that run their databases and other apps faster and more efficiently. News
-
Dell data storage plans pique customer interest
Dell customers want to know more about how the vendor will integrate primary data reduction, as well as NAS and common Compellent and EqualLogic management. News
- See More: All on Disk arrays
About Disk arrays
Disk arrays allow for storing information on multiple devices, which is critical to enterprise organizations with big storage needs. Find the latest information on disk arrays on this topic page.
Storage Management Strategies for the CIO