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SAN/NAS UPDATE

Tools for using your enterprise data storage resources more efficiently


Robert Scheier
11.04.2009
Rating: -3.50- (out of 5)


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Getting the most out of the enterprise data storage resources you already have isn't just smart, it might be the only way to keep your data storage shop alive and well. Storage technologies like archiving, compression and deduplication, thin provisioning, and wide striping can help you run your infrastructure more efficiently by making better use of your already installed capacity. Here are some tips for effectively using these tools.

Efficiency technology
What it does How you save
Archiving
Moves older data out of production data stores
  • Frees expensive primary disk space


  • Back up less data


  • Speeds applications

Compression and data deduplication
Reduces amount of data stored on disk
  • Redundant files eliminated


  • Individual files take up less space


  • Only unique data is stored


  • Backups require much less disk space

Thin provisioning
Let's you "oversubscribe" your installed disk capacity
  • Avoids wasteful unused space in allocated volumes


  • Pools available installed capacity so that it's used more efficiently with higher utilization rates


  • Delays new disk purchases
Tiered storage
Moves less valuable data to cheaper, lower performance disk
  • Takes less-demanding apps' data off primary storage to avoid/delay buying more tier 1 disk


  • Preserves high-performance storage for apps that require it


  • Reduces backups by not backing up static data as frequently

Wide striping
Spreads data out across more disks
  • Gets better performance out of inexpensive disks


  • Avoids or delays buying expensive higher performance disk storage

This article originally appeared in Storage magazine.

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RELATED GLOSSARY TERMS
Terms from Whatis.com − the technology online dictionary
application-aware storage  (SearchStorage.com)
capacity optimization  (SearchStorage.com)
compression artifact  (SearchStorage.com)
data classification  (SearchDataManagement.com)
data deduplication  (SearchStorage.com)
depository  (SearchStorage.com)
storage consolidation  (SearchStorage.com)
storage provisioning  (SearchStorage.com)
storage resource management (SRM)  (SearchStorage.com)
wide-area file services  (SearchStorage.com)

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