Complete guide to server-based storage in its modern forms
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Article
Can SAN and NAS stand up to the hyper-converged hype?
More vendors are getting into the hyper-converged game, but does that spell the end for standalone SAN and NAS? Read Now
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Article
Hyper-convergence meets needs of virtual environments
Virtualization requirements are constantly changing, and hyper-converged storage needs to be up to the task. George Crump explains how hyper-converged storage fits the bill. Read Now
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Article
Ease of deployment, management boost hyper-converged market
Thanks to its exciting vendor landscape, hyper-converged storage is seeing some confusion along with the enthusiasm. See what has people buzzing about this server-based storage technology. Read Now
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Video
How to implement hyper-converged storage
As the list of hyper-converged appliance vendors continues to grow, so do the number of hyper-converged technology options. Watch Now
Editor's note
Technologies like hyper-convergence and software-defined storage have brought server-based storage back to the forefront for shareable storage.
With the explosive growth in unstructured data, organizations are scrambling to nail down a storage method that is easy to implement and upgrade and allows them to maximize capacity resources. The advent of cloud storage also plays a part in the renewed interest, and server-based data storage has cemented itself as the favored storage infrastructure of cloud providers. Cost is another compelling factor for direct-attached storage (DAS). By using commodity servers and directly attached disks with software that can create a shared storage pool, more open platforms are able to offer server-based storage at a lower price than traditional storage systems.
Hyper-convergence has made a splash lately, combining storage, compute, virtualization and networking into one package. However, unlike a converged architecture, the components of a hyper-converged appliance are so well-integrated that they cannot be separated or used independently.
Other server-based storage methods include virtual storage appliances (VSAs), distributed file systems and server SANs. In this guide, we will dive into the different options for direct-attached storage and understand where they work best.
1Hyper-converged and software-defined storage
On the software side, hyper-convergence is joined by software-defined storage in the server-based data storage space. With the dual benefits of flexibility and scalability, software is not to be overlooked. This section digs into hyper-converged software options and software-defined storage.
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Article
DataCore releases hyper-converged storage software
DataCore's SANsymphony -V10 updates the vendor's virtualization software with significant additions like hyper-convergence, backup and deduplication. Read Now
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Article
The three definitions of software-defined storage
What exactly is software-defined storage? According to Jon Toigo, the explanation may be more complicated than you think. Read Now
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Article
Understanding software-defined applications
Software-defined applications have the benefit of adding resiliency and flexibility to the data center, but this server-based storage technology may require some additional management. Read Now
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Article
Hyper-converged software options may need more testing
If you decide on a software-only hyper-converged architecture, be prepared to put some extra work into choosing the hardware. Read Now
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Article
The pros and cons of software-defined storage
Confused about the variety of terms and features being thrown around in the software-defined storage market? We dive into the different types of software-defined, as well as the benefits and drawbacks. Read Now
2Server SAN and cloud
In addition to the hyper-converged and software options for server-based storage, server SANs and the cloud are also being used in the data center to pool storage. The cloud is a popular option for shared storage with the ability to scale and keep costs low. A server SAN architecture, consisting of multiple storage devices directly attached to separate servers, has been favored by companies like Facebook and Google. With the links below, see where these server-based data storage options are being used.
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Article
Integrating hyper-converged with the cloud
Both hyper-converged storage and the cloud are popular forms of server-based storage. Brien Posey explains where the two fit together. Read Now
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Article
Cloud and hyper-convergence transforming the data center
Both cloud and hyper-convergence have been surrounded with a bit of hype, and may shape the future of the data center. Read Now
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Podcast
Google, Facebook lead the way for server SAN model
The server SAN model is the server-based storage model of choice for companies like Amazon, Google and Facebook, but will it catch on with enterprise IT? Listen Now