Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

• NFS vs. CIFS/SMB: What are the differences?

  Network File System and Common Internet File System/Server Message Block were designed to work with any operating system, but NFS remains dominant in Linux and SMB in Windows.  Continue Reading

• What is the difference between memory and storage?

  Storage and memory each fulfill a connected but separate role in a computer, based mostly on whether or not the data each uses stays in place when the power is turned off.  Continue Reading

• Which NVMe fabric will win out?

  Are you wondering how NVMe over Fabrics will shake out? Expect RDMA to take the early lead, but storage pros will continue their love affair with Fibre Channel.  Continue Reading

• SAN vs. NAS architecture: How do the two storage systems compare?

  Compare SAN and NAS, and find out what to consider when using each storage system format. Object storage and the cloud are also affecting storage options that are available.  Continue Reading

• What is a LUN and why do we need one?

  Logical unit numbers are a logical abstraction between a physical disk device and applications. Learn more about LUN use cases and LUN security features.  Continue Reading

• Are flash workloads suited to handling unstructured data?

  The storage of unstructured data is a hurdle for many organizations. Object storage keeps it organized but lacks speed thanks to hard disks. Luckily, a better way is on the rise.  Continue Reading

• How do compression and deduplication affect performance?

  Data reduction methods, such as compression or deduplication, can have a positive effect on performance, but the significant CPU resources required could overshadow the benefits.  Continue Reading

• Is there an alternative to error correction and detection codes?

  Errors in NAND flash memory can be corrected, but that becomes more difficult as NAND reaches the end of its life. Are you utilizing every available error correction tool?  Continue Reading

• What's bigger than a terabyte, and how many gigabytes are in a TB?

  A terabyte comprises more than a trillion bytes. Discover how the storage measurement scale was created and how much a TB of storage will set you back.  Continue Reading

• How can SSD garbage collection help preserve drive speeds?

  The rumors are true: SSD speeds can slow down over time. Luckily, there are processes available that can help prevent this from happening and maintain the speedy nature of SSDs.  Continue Reading

• Does SSD overprovisioning have storage benefits?

  While overprovisioned SSDs have less usable capacity available, that space is put to good use. The majority of SSD manufacturers overprovision their drives, and for good reason.  Continue Reading

• Which enterprise NVMe SSD vendor is right for me?

  Picking an NVMe drive is an important decision. Consider thermal control, proprietary software and drive architecture to make the right choice.  Continue Reading

• Do users need 3D NAND flash memory?

  The population of users who need 3D NAND flash chips on their computers is limited to those who run extremely large workloads, such as big applications or multiple virtual machines.  Continue Reading

• RAID levels and benefits explained

  RAID can enable better storage performance and higher availability, and there are many different RAID types. Read about the different levels of RAID and where they work best.  Continue Reading

• How can I guarantee the best Ceph performance?

  Ceph object storage performance is largely based on network speed, but journal disks and the right file system for object storage devices also play a role.  Continue Reading