Features

Features

• Storage management for virtualized servers

  Storage and virtual server management can now go hand-in-hand with new tools that offer single-console control of both storage and virtual servers.  Continue Reading

• Unified storage systems showdown: NetApp FAS vs. EMC VNX

  We compare EMC's VNX and NetApp's FAS series unified storage systems in terms of data services, autotiering and clustering. Find out what analysts and vendor reps think.  Continue Reading

• Isilon scale-out NAS helps production company manage 250 TB

  Isilon scale-out NAS helps NY-based creative production company meet the demanding data storage needs of media, entertainment and retail customers.  Continue Reading

• Scale-out NAS, object storage, cloud gateways replacing traditional NAS

  Scale-out NAS systems, object storage and cloud gateways are replacing file storage as IT companies face a plethora of unstructured data in their data storage environments.  Continue Reading

• Sizing up storage performance analysis options

  Vendors have been giving a lot of attention to improving storage capacity, but how do their options for storage performance compare? Find out in this column by Jeff Boles.  Continue Reading

• New hybrid cloud storage appliances attract attention for primary data

  New hybrid cloud storage appliances hold promise for primary data, addressing concerns about network outages, latency, security, bandwidth demands and data transfer fees.  Continue Reading

• Virtual NAS appliance spurs university to try hybrid cloud storage

  Nasuni’s virtual NAS appliance lured a university to try hybrid cloud storage based on low upfront cost, but software option requires on-premises storage system for local cache.  Continue Reading

• SharePoint data storage drives company to hybrid cloud

  SharePoint data storage needs drive construction company to use a hybrid cloud storage appliance from StorSimple; firm moves to expand use to backups, archives and DR.  Continue Reading

• Managing storage in a VDI environment

  The success of a VDI environment is dependent on user experience, and storage may be the area that has the biggest impact on users. Find out what steps to take to properly manage your VDI environment.  Continue Reading

• Storage virtualization products: An important niche

  Storage virtualization products help IT shops in need of non-disruptive data migration, tech refreshes and life support for aging storage assets.  Continue Reading

• Network storage options for virtual servers depend on needs, skill set

  Network storage options for virtual servers vary based on existing systems, skill set and budgets; Fibre Channel (FC) and iSCSI SANs, NAS can all work well.  Continue Reading

• Sub-LUN tiering: Five key questions to consider

  IT shops must consider five areas before adopting sub-LUN tiering as offerings vary in number of tiers, block size, analysis period, policies and monitoring  Continue Reading

• Auto-tiering software set to boost adoption of SSDs

  Discover why auto tiering could make expensive SSDs a more viable option, and about improvements to sub-LUN auto tiering and available auto-tiering options.  Continue Reading

• Radiology firm uses Compellent Data Progression to cut disk costs

  Compellent Data Progression automated tiering software expands data storage through cheaper tier 3 SATA disks; offers tiering and sub-tiering level options.  Continue Reading

• Implementing a unified storage system in a small business environment

  Greg Schulz discusses the pros and cons of unified storage systems and whether or not server virtualization is driving the adoption among SMBs in this Q&A.  Continue Reading

• NetGear ReadyNAS review: A look at the ReadyNAS 2100

  This NetGear ReadyNAS review takes an in-depth look at the ReadyNAS 2100. Learn about the ReadyNAS 2100 features, setup and configurations to determine if it's right for your environment.  Continue Reading

• Top SMB data storage technology trends for 2011

  Get insights from expert Marc Staimer as he predicts the top SMB data storage technology trends for the new year – and see how his 2010 predictions panned out.  Continue Reading

• SSD adoption slow despite rising enterprise solid-state drive shipment

  Adoption of enterprise solid-state drives (SSDs) soars from manufacturers to storage vendors, but user SSD adoption is slower; many users have no SSD plans.  Continue Reading

• Solid-state storage technology: App needs dictate choice of arrays, cache, appliances or servers

  Solid-state storage technology can be used in different ways. IT must decide whether to use technology in disk arrays, as cache, in appliances or in servers  Continue Reading

• Data storage optimization: The first step for data efficiency

  Now that we've made storage, networks and servers more efficient by virtualizing them, it's time to focus on data storage optimization for greater data efficiency. Read storage industry expert and SearchStorage.com contributor Steve Duplessie for ...  Continue Reading

• Small business NAS systems are becoming more enterprise-like

  Small business NAS systems are popping up with more enterprise-like NAS features. Find out what features to look for when choosing a small NAS system and why these NAS systems look like they belong in the enterprise.  Continue Reading

• NetApp dedupe users reduce primary storage needs for VMware VMDK files

  Early adopters of NetApp dedupe technology for primary storage note substantial disk capacity savings with VMware VMDK files; say performance hit is minimal.  Continue Reading

• Data reduction methods for primary storage: Vendor push impacts market

  Data reduction methods such as deduplication and data compression have bigger impact on primary storage in wake of Dell, IBM acquisitions of startups specializing in data reduction techniques.  Continue Reading

• VDI project plan: Start with right applications and use pilot program

  Experts say a VDI project plan demands different type of infrastructure; learn why you should start slow and use specific apps to gauge VDI storage results.  Continue Reading

• VDI licensing: Beware the under-$40-per-desktop promise

  Some data storage vendors claim VDI licensing at under $40 per desktop. But how big does your VDI storage implementation have to be to get that price point?  Continue Reading

• Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) implementation case studies

  Learn how three firms tackled management issues in a Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) implementation; case studies detail potential turf wars, restructuring.  Continue Reading

• Five tips on moving to Fibre Channel over Ethernet

  Learn five tips to help manage the transition to Fibre Channel over Ethernet and facilitate collaboration between your organization's SAN and LAN/WAN teams.  Continue Reading

• SRM tools: More agentless options, quicker ROI

  SRM tools are increasingly becoming easier to implement and use; they may bring quick ROI as IT shops reclaim larger amounts of unused storage.  Continue Reading

• Making the case for solid-state drives requires knowing price per I/O, gigabyte

  Presenting a case for solid-state drives (SSDs) to upper management requires a research on cost per gigabyte and price per I/O.  Continue Reading

• RAID level comparison chart: A free download

  Download our free RAID level comparison chart, where the most important RAID levels are defined, along with information about the pros and cons of each RAID level.  Continue Reading

• Managing data in a virtualized server environment vs. a storage environment

  In this Q&A, learn about managing data in a virtualized server environment. Find out what to consider when looking at data management tools for virtual servers and what storage vendors are doing to support virtual server environments.  Continue Reading

• Snapshot technology for data backups: Implementation issues

  W. Curtis Preston explains snapshot technology, the challenges of snapshot backup, as well as the top three mistakes people make when considering snapshots.  Continue Reading

• Understanding cloud storage services: A guide for beginners

  In this guide on cloud storage services for SMBs, get all of your cloud storage questions answers with the latest tips and expert advice.  Continue Reading

• Storage management tools for a virtual server environment

  A virtual server environment has constantly changing performance and capacity requirements; how do you choose storage management tools that meet your needs?  Continue Reading

• 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.  Continue Reading

• Implementing an electronic records retention system

  Learn the components of an electronic records retention system and best practices for implementing an electronic data discovery policy. Don't risk e-discovery request errors.  Continue Reading

• Fibre Channel over Ethernet has IT team adjusting to converged network

  Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) converged network has clinic joining Ethernet network and Fibre Channel storage groups, and moving to Fibre Channel switches from Brocade.  Continue Reading

• 10 Gigabit Ethernet technology, data center move offer storage options to law firm

  Law firm ties upgrade to 10 Gigabit Ethernet technology with data center move, shift to NAS storage and purchase of the Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS)  Continue Reading

• End-to-end FCoE storage a work in progress

  This FCoE tutorial explains why end-to-end Fibre Channel over Ethernet isn't ready yet, and how the technology's prospects should improve as FCoE standards are finalized and vendors offer new switches and storage.  Continue Reading

• 10 Gigabit Ethernet for iSCSI storage, NAS storage still hinges on cost

  While 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10 GbE) offers greater bandwidth for iSCSI storage or NAS storage, IT shops still have to justify upgrade costs with their needs.  Continue Reading

• 8 Gbps Fibre Channel storage: Use arrays, switches and server for gradual move to 8 Gbps

  Learn why upgrading your fabric switch and core switch, server, host bus adapter and cables can help you gradually move toward 8 Gbps Fibre Channel storage.  Continue Reading

• Reduce storage power consumption via higher IOPS and capacity per watt

  Boost IOPS and capacity per watt to reduce storage power consumption; powering off disk drives and reducing data may not be enough to reduce power, cooling.  Continue Reading

• Disk spin-down: Power savings with a catch

  Disk spin-down and MAID can reduce power consumption, but spin-up latency and time-outs are drawbacks. Read about one firm's experience with disk spin-down.  Continue Reading

• Data reduction techniques for better storage efficiency

  Improve storage efficiency through data reduction techniques and capacity optimization using data deduplication, compression, snapshots and thin provisioning.  Continue Reading

• SAS and SATA, solid-state storage lower data center power consumption

  Learn why energy-efficient disk such as SAS and SATA will take on a greater role and lower data center power consumption, and why solid-state storage can be cost-effective.  Continue Reading

• Energy Star storage, storage efficiency technologies ease power burden of data storage equipment

  Energy Star storage list will make it easier to compare power usage of data storage equipment; meanwhile, storage efficiency technologies ease power burden.  Continue Reading

• Using a storage partition in your data storage infrastructure

  Learn about the common use cases for a storage partition in a data storage infrastructure, as well as the differences between a storage partition and a LUN.  Continue Reading

• Shared serial-attached SCSI (SAS) offers networked storage benefits on a budget

  Greg Schulz, founder and senior analyst with the Storage IO Group, talks about the pros and cons of shared serial attached SCSI in this Q&A.  Continue Reading

• LeftHand virtualized storage helps Texas school board with synchronous replication

  Learn how virtualized storage from LeftHand Networks helped the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) move toward synchronous replication between its two data centers.  Continue Reading

• Storage virtualization projects: Factors to consider when implementing storage virtualization

  Storage virtualization projects are complex. Learn the various factors to consider when implementing storage virtualization and when to consult professionals.  Continue Reading

• 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.  Continue Reading

• Disk archiving appliance types: High-end systems to low-end email archiving appliances

  Learn about the basic types of disk archiving appliances, from high-end disk archiving systems that handle multiple content types to low-end disk-based archive appliances.  Continue Reading

• Disk archiving appliances market outlook

  Learn about the market outlook for disk archiving appliances, alternatives to archiving appliances and how vendors are repositioning archiving appliances for growth.  Continue Reading

• NFS alternative meets Los Alamos National Laboratory's high-performance computing needs

  Los Alamos National Laboratory uses IBM's GPFS, Lustre, and Panasas' ActiveStor and DirectFlow as alternative to NFS while testing the parallel NFS (pNFS) specification for high-performance computing needs.  Continue Reading

• iSCSI storage: Common misconceptions

  iSCSI storage is gaining traction as an alternative to Fibre Channel, but misconceptions still surround the technology. Learn how iSCSI functions with NAS, if iSCSI disk drives exist and whether iSCSI can be partitioned as RAID.  Continue Reading

• Data classification trends: Classifying native applications for enterprise data storage

  The latest trend in data classification is classifying data in native applications. Learn about the data classification process and get advice before starting a data classification project.  Continue Reading

• Tiered storage: The importance of data migration in storage tiering

  We examine data migration and its role in a successful tiered storage strategy. Learn how to implement tiered storage and some of the business drivers behind storage tiering.  Continue Reading

• Service-level agreement (SLA) negotiation: Defining service-level objectives

  Learn how to negotiate a service-level agreement (SLA) and define service-level objectives, the importance of metrics and how a cloud storage service-level agreement works.  Continue Reading

• NAS management improves with scale-out NAS, file virtualization and cloud storage services

  NAS management can be difficult due to huge migrations and downtime. Learn how to control NAS sprawl with scale-out NAS, file virtualization and information classification tools, and cloud storage services.  Continue Reading

• NAS systems evolve to cope with unstructured data growth

  NAS systems ranging from scale-out NAS products to open source NAS to cloud NAS are evolving to deal with unstructured data growth, as well as new levels of performance and scalability demands.  Continue Reading

• Choosing and implementing a host bus adapter for small and medium businesses

  Host bus adapters can also be a common pain point when setting up your storage environment. Tony Palmer, senior lab engineer with Enterprise Strategy Group, answers some frequently asked questions about HBAs in this Q&A.  Continue Reading

• 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.  Continue Reading

• RamSan-20 NAND flash solid-state drives provide faster data delivery for software company

  Stock analysis software company VectorVest settled on PCIe-based RamSan-20 NAND flash solid-state drives for ultra-fast delivery of data to customers over the Internet.  Continue Reading

• HP IO Accelerator cards let Answers.com implement solid-state storage for database performance boost

  To improve database performance on its Web servers, Answers.com implements solid-state storage using HP IO Accelerator cards; sees a 900% increase in the number of queries each database server can handle.  Continue Reading

• Solid-state storage option must account for demands of IO-intensive applications

  IT shops need to determine the best solid-state storage option in disk arrays, servers or dedicated appliances by assessing the needs and demands of their I/O-intensive applications.  Continue Reading

• Information technology governance and the role of the storage manager

  Find out how storage managers can avoid e-discovery and other compliance issues associated with an information technology governance process, how they can educate technology users, and what tools they can use for data archiving and data ...  Continue Reading

• Cloud storage service-level agreements (SLAs) specify uptime guarantees but not data availability

  Cloud storage service-level agreements (SLAs) provide uptime guarantees but offer few specifics on data availability and data protection; users can try to customize the SLA for cloud backup and archive.  Continue Reading

• Cloud storage: Five best practices for moving to the cloud

  Learn best practices for getting the most from cloud storage, including what to look for in a service-level agreement (SLA), using existing resources to set up a cloud and how to avoid hidden pricing.  Continue Reading

• iSCSI storage system implemented by University of Alaska Fairbanks

  Learn about one university department's move to an iSCSI storage system from NFS, including why it made the switch to iSCSI, what problems it encountered, how things have improved and lessons learned from the implementation.  Continue Reading

• iSCSI SANs in a virtual server environment: Five best practices

  Storage experts offer best practices on how to maximize iSCSI SAN performance and efficiency in virtual server environments, where the protocol has found its biggest audience.  Continue Reading

• Improve storage utilization rates with storage optimization, capacity reduction techniques

  Learn how to improve storage utilization rates using storage optimization and capacity reduction technologies such as data deduplication, thin provisioning, analytics and storage resource management.  Continue Reading

• Data file archiving for small businesses: Determining what file archive tools to use for your SMB

  Learn how to determine what file archive tools are best for your organization in this FAQ.  Continue Reading

• An introduction to data compression

  Learn the basics of data compression: how to do it, what data should be compressed, the differences between deduplication and compression, and how to define a compression ratio.  Continue Reading

• iSCSI SANs a good fit for SMBs

  Greg Schulz, founder and senior analyst at Storage IO answers questions about iSCSI SANs in this Q&A.  Continue Reading

• Leverage existing network-attached storage and block storage for better data storage management

  Learn data storage management practices to better leverage your existing NAS and block storage and improve access to both types of storage.  Continue Reading

• Tools and techniques for reducing your enterprise data storage footprint

  Find out how storage managers can reduce their enterprise data management footprint. Learn about the importance of managing your data and the various tools for doing so, including data archiving, thin provisioning and data deduplication.  Continue Reading

• Electronic discovery best practices for SMBs

  E-discovery can be a challenge for organizations of all sizes. Brian Hill, senior analyst with Forrester Research, discusses the specific e-discovery challenges that SMBs face today and outlines e-discovery best practices in this Q&A.  Continue Reading

• Improving storage utilization with thin provisioning

  Investment company Maxim Group LLC uses FalconStor Software's Network Storage Server arrays to gain control of storage utilization, and clears capacity for data replication via thin provisioning.  Continue Reading

• How to select a storage resource management (SRM) tool

  SRM tools can help you evaluate and leverage your storage infrastructure. Learn the best practices for selecting an SRM tool and how SRM technology can reclaim orphaned storage.  Continue Reading

• Multimedia Tour

   Continue Reading

• Cloud network-attached storage (NAS) emerges to address secondary file storage needs

  As unstructured data continues to grow, cloud NAS could be a good option for many organizations. However, it has some limitations. Ashish Nadkari, principal consultant with GlassHouse Technologies, discusses cloud NAS in this Q&A.  Continue Reading

• Alternatives to Cisco's Unified Computing System: HP BladeSystem Matrix and InteliCloud 360

  Looking for alternatives to Cisco's Unified Computing System? HP's BladeSystem Matrix has integrated services, while InteliCloud Inc.'s 360 has an innovative chassis design.  Continue Reading

• Integrating reporting tools into your storage infrastructure

  Learn how storage resource management, storage utilization, provisioning and other reporting tools can benefit your storage environment, as well as strategies IT professionals can use to maximize the efficiency of their storage infrastructure.  Continue Reading

• Using clustered network-attached storage (NAS) to manage unstructured data

  Marc Staimer, president of Dragon Slayer Consulting, discusses the pros and cons of clustered NAS and the various clustered NAS vendors. His answers are also available as an MP3.  Continue Reading

• Storage Decisions Session Downloads: Management/Executive Track (Chicago 2009)

  Sometimes technology alone won't solve storage-related issues. You also need to be adept about the business of acquiring storage systems. As a storage manager, you will be called on to develop storage solutions to satisfy evolving business needs -- ...  Continue Reading

• Storage Decisions Session Downloads: Backup Technologies Track (Chicago 2009)

  Data protection continues to be Job #1 for most storage managers -- a job that only gets more complex as each year companies add up to 50% more storage capacity. The good news is that newer technologies can help in this uphill battle, but you still ...  Continue Reading

• How storage blades work in today's data centers

  This podcast explains how storage blade technologies work with server and storage virtualization, as well as with Cisco Systems' new unified computing system (UCS).  Continue Reading

• Tips for protecting data on VMware virtual machines

  In this FAQ interview and podcast on protecting data in virtual environments, Taneja Group's Jeff Boles discusses the best technologies from VMware and third-party challengers.  Continue Reading

• Removable disk storage for SMBs

  Removable disks provide simple and effective storage. But are removable disks a viable storage replacement for tapes in the SMB space? In this FAQ, noted SMB storage consultant, Tory Skyers, discusses removable disk storage.  Continue Reading

• FAQ Guide: When to expect solid state drives in the enterprise

  How will solid state drives affect enterprise storage in 2009? Storage analyst Mark Peters discusses the future of solid state technology and which applications will drive its enterprise use.  Continue Reading

• File virtualization FAQ

  Jeff Boles, senior analyst with the Taneja Group, discusses the benefits and drawbacks of file virtualization in the SMB space. His answers are also available as an MP3.  Continue Reading

• Storage Decisions Session Downloads: Storage & Capacity Management Track (San Francisco 2008)

  With spiraling capacities the norm, managing storage systems has become a challenging task. Traditional SRM tools are often adept on keeping tabs on the state of your storage infrastructure, but more focused applications are becoming increasingly ...  Continue Reading

• Thin provisioning FAQ

  Ashish Nadkarni, principal consultant with Glasshouse Technologies answers frequently asked questions about thin provisioning in the SMB space. His answers are also available as an MP3 for you to download.  Continue Reading

• Learning to make the most of primary storage optimization

  Experts offer their thoughts on primary storage optimization; how to select, set up and use primary storage optimization tools.  Continue Reading

• Six requirements for deploying primary storage optimization solutions

  With companies starting to perform data reduction on primary storage, it's important for them to understand the requirements that primary storage optimization demands.  Continue Reading

• Adding archive storage can be easier than expanding primary storage

  Despite what many storage managers believe, it can be faster, simpler, cheaper and more effective to add archive storage than primary storage.  Continue Reading

• Network-attached storage FAQ

  Though network-attached storage (NAS) offers a number of benefits, it also presents some challenges. Ashish Nadkarni, Principal Consultant with GlassHouse Technologies Inc., discusses the pros and cons of using NAS in an SMB environment and offers ...  Continue Reading

• Email archiving FAQ

  Stephen Foskett, director of data practice with Contoural, discusses the email archiving market today, the pros and cons of email archiving services, common email archiving mistakes and more. His answers are also available as an MP3.  Continue Reading

• ISCSI SAN FAQ

  ISCSI storage area networks (SANs) are frequently touted as a solution for small-midsized businesses (SMBs) moving to networked storage. But, why not just use Fibre Channel? Terri McClure, analyst with Enterprise Strategy Group, discusses the pros ...  Continue Reading

• Content addressable storage FAQ

  Depending on what industry you work in, compliance can be a major issue and content-adressable storage (CAS) has emerged as an option for archiving data on disk. Terri McClure, analyst with Enterprise Strategy Group, discusses the pros and cons of ...  Continue Reading