Evaluate

Evaluate

Weigh the pros and cons of technologies, products and projects you are considering.

• Why can't we perform primary storage dedupe on standard disk drives?

  Most all-flash arrays perform primary storage dedupe and/or compression to extend capacity. Why are we are still waiting on that for traditional disk drives? Continue Reading

• What's the difference between 'usable' and 'effective' flash capacity?

  Vendors often publish numbers for 'usable' capacity versus 'effective' capacity. Can you explain this and how can you plan flash capacity needs with these numbers in mind? Continue Reading

• Tiering vs. caching in flash-based storage systems

  George Crump compares tiering and caching in flash-based storage systems and explains the pros and cons of each in this tip. Continue Reading

• Maximize hybrid cloud benefits, avoid pitfalls for your organization

  There are several ways to implement hybrid cloud strategy in your organization, and this technical handbook is a practical guide for combining an on-premise, internal cloud and partnering with a public cloud provider. To get the promised benefits of... Continue Reading

• Should traditional data centers start using OpenStack Swift and Cinder?

  If your IT department has the skills set, OpenStack object or block storage might be a good idea, analyst George Crump said. Continue Reading

• How to decide whether a hybrid or all-flash storage array is right for you

  While hybrid flash arrays are currently the most popular way to deploy solid-state storage in enterprises today, demand for all-flash arrays is growing. Over the past year, the all-flash array market has changed a lot. At the end of 2013, you could ...Continue Reading

• When should I use global file locking in the cloud?

  According to analyst George Crump, global file locking isn't required for single-office cloud users, but for multisite organizations it is a top requirement in a cloud service.Continue Reading

• Hybrid, all-flash array performance comparison

  What advantage does all-flash array performance offer when compared with hybrid arrays?Continue Reading

• Are all-flash storage arrays being used for general-purpose storage?

  Initially, all-flash arrays were niche products for applications that needed ultimate performance. Are they still positioned for that, or are they being used more generally?Continue Reading

• What features should you expect from all-flash storage arrays?

  All-flash storage arrays were criticized for not including enterprise-class features. Do they have those features now, and what are the most important ones?Continue Reading

• Look beyond price per gigabyte when evaluating all-flash arrays

  How much more expensive are all-flash arrays than hard disks? And is there a better metric than just price per gigabyte for comparison?Continue Reading

• Data storage systems: 2014 Products of the Year finalists

  Our Products of the Year competition has narrowed a field of hundreds to 55 finalists in six different storage systems categories.Continue Reading

• Out on a data storage market limb: Six predictions for 2015

  Our crystal ball tells us this will be a year of change for the data storage market.Continue Reading

• Jon Toigo explains software-defined storage

  Like nearly everyone else, Jon Toigo has grappled with the definition of software-defined storage ... until he realized there are three.Continue Reading

• Cloud-based disaster recovery: Just add data for instant recovery

  Cloud-based disaster recovery (DR) is shaping up as a killer app for the cloud. It’s cheaper than other DR arrangements, can be implemented quickly and recoveries can be lightning fast. It’s a pretty direct route to solid data protection, but ...Continue Reading

• EMC, Dell and NetApp top NAS storage systems satisfaction survey

  Our ninth annual survey collected user feedback regarding the service and reliability of NAS storage systems.Continue Reading

• It's time to redefine the enterprise file sync-and-share market

  Today's enterprise file sync-and-share products do so much more than synchronizing data that it might be time to re-think the moniker.Continue Reading

• A wish list for the future of data storage

  Here's hoping for some clarity, standards, new tools and sanity in the new year.Continue Reading

• Will spinning disks continue increasing hard disk capacity?

  The use of spinning disks has resulted in added capacity, but that can't go on forever. Look into the future of SSDs and disk capacity in this expert answer.Continue Reading

• What criteria are most important when evaluating cloud storage costs?

  With cloud storage pricing models varying so much, it makes sense to compare summaries of these criteria to be sure you make the right choice.Continue Reading

• What are some considerations for choosing cloud block storage?

  If you're going to use block storage for cloud-based apps, there are some factors to consider. Andrew Reichman covers six in this expert answer.Continue Reading

• The rise of scale-out network-attached storage

  Scale-out NAS is being implemented across the storage landscape, with major vendors and startups releasing new and upgraded products. This guide discusses product offerings and how organizations use scale-out.Continue Reading

• What are the benefits of using the Boot to VHD feature?

  Boot to VHD may be seen as a novelty feature, but it also has practical uses in the workplace. Brien Posey explains in this expert answer.Continue Reading

• Why a storage reference architecture matters in software-defined IT

  Software-defined and hyper-converged storage don't eliminate the need for vendor reference architectures.Continue Reading

• How is big data changing data archiving strategies?

  Analyst Jon Toigo explains why performing analytics on big data sets means that data is no longer considered cold, reducing the importance of archives.Continue Reading

• Archiving methods: Smart meta tags, archive in place and FLAPE

  Jon Toigo outlines several archiving techniques, the technologies that make them run smoothly, and explains why data classification is crucial.Continue Reading

• When should persistent VDI be used over non-persistent VDI?

  VDI expert Brian Madden explains why most of today's storage options can handle persistent desktops, and how non-persistence can contribute to VDI failure.Continue Reading

• What are the benefits of using an object storage system with file access?

  With increasingly demanding workloads, NAS systems can have a hard time keeping up. Can using NAS with an object storage option relieve some of these problems?Continue Reading

• What are some downsides to using erasure codes with object storage?

  Erasure coding is an effective tool for correcting errors in data systems, but when used with object storage systems, latency issues can arise.Continue Reading

• What advantages does cloud object storage have over scale-out storage?

  While scale-out storage has its benefits, object storage is becoming a more popular option. Learn about cloud object storage advantages in this expert answer.Continue Reading

• Figuring out the real price of flash technology

  Sometimes comparing the costs of flash arrays is an apples-to-oranges affair -- interesting, but not very helpful.Continue Reading

• Yesterday's unified storage is today's enterprise data lake

  How unified storage needs to develop to support new applications and new data center environments.Continue Reading

• Comparing 2-D and 3-D NAND performance and longevity

  How will 3-D NAND compare with 2-D in terms of performance and longevity?Continue Reading

• Choosing between scale-up and scale-out all-flash arrays

  Eric Slack of Storage Switzerland compares scale-up and scale-out arrays in this tip, and explains the use cases for each.Continue Reading

• Learn the benefits of converged infrastructure systems

  Converged infrastructures bundle compute, storage and networking into a single offering that can be deployed quickly. Find out what else they can do.Continue Reading

• Top five VDI use cases and their effect on storage

  As VDI technology matures, more user interest is growing. Expert Brien Posey discusses five use cases where VDI works best.Continue Reading

• How does DDR4 SDRAM compare with DDR3 on performance?

  How does DDR4 SDRAM compare with DDR3 in terms of performance? What else has changed since DDR3?Continue Reading

• What is the difference between cloud file syncing and cloud storage?

  There's a lot of confusion when it comes to differentiating file sync-and-share products and cloud storage. Analyst Marc Staimer clears things up.Continue Reading

• Configure and manage storage for a virtual desktop environment

  The unique workloads and demands of virtual desktops require a rethinking of the supporting storage systems.Continue Reading

• File storage capacity key to new NAS purchase

  Thinking of making a new NAS purchase? Learn the requirements of your storage peers and the criteria they use to evaluate a storage vendor.Continue Reading

• What is VMware VAIO and why is it important?

  VSphere APIs for I/O Filters, available with the next release of the hypervisor, lets third-party products access a VM's I/O stream to provide storage features.Continue Reading

• SAN storage systems purchases driven by capacity, performance

  Anticipated year-over-year capacity growth of 24% and the need to boost the performance of existing applications is driving new SAN storage systems.Continue Reading

• The need for application-aware storage

  Server virtualization leads to unpredictable workloads. Application-aware storage could be the answer.Continue Reading

• What is the relationship between cache technology, CPU and RAM?

  As flash memory caching is on its way in because of its cost and non-volatile nature, RAM may be on its way out the door, says analyst Jon Toigo.Continue Reading

• Cloud storage providers moving to all-flash platform

  Colm Keegan explains why some cloud storage providers are moving to an all-flash platform and how bursting workloads into an all-flash cloud can reduce costs.Continue Reading

• Is the cost of cloud storage really cheaper than traditional storage?

  Cloud storage can be less expensive from a cost-per-gigabyte perspective, but it's important not to lose sight of other benefits as a value proposition.Continue Reading

• What should I consider when using SSD cloud?

  Using solid-state in the cloud can boost performance, but first be sure you look past cost per gigabyte and are aware of any constraints from providers.Continue Reading

• What is the difference between a storage snapshot and a clone?

  Cloning and snapshotting can both be good approaches to disaster recovery. Learn what environments are best suited to each.Continue Reading

• What you should know about flash-based storage systems and replication

  Running flash? Read why George Crump thinks replication must be part of all flash-based storage systems and what to look for from a third-party replication product.Continue Reading

• Improve all-flash storage array efficiency with thin provisioning

  George Crump discusses how an all-flash storage array benefits from thin provisioning and what to look for when evaluating a system's thin provisioning capability.Continue Reading

• Flash options for the array or server

  Many shops are using flash to accelerate mission-critical apps today. Learn the available flash options for deployment.Continue Reading

• Redundant cloud storage ensures high availability

  Redundant cloud storage gateways and redundant WAN links help companies avoid protection gaps that could result in outages or data loss.Continue Reading

• Purchase criteria for all-flash storage arrays

  All-flash storage arrays share the common trait of being fast, but once you get past the speed, there's still a lot to consider.Continue Reading

• What are the pros and cons of using the VMware free hypervisor?

  Expert Brien Posey explains why VMware's free hypervisor can be beneficial to test and development environments, but because it's missing storage features, it's difficult to use for much else.Continue Reading

• Crump: DIMM flash has brighter future than PCIe flash for storage

  PCIe drives require a constant board and specific OS drivers, while DIMM slots push storage closer to servers. But DIMM is costly due to low production.Continue Reading

• Are there any downsides to using VMware thin provisioning?

  Storage should be monitored carefully when using VMware's thin provisioning feature to avoid slower performance and potentially maxing out capacity.Continue Reading

• Cloud storage challenges and choices

  Our comprehensive e-book tackles the cloud storage challenges and business decisions that surround cloud storage investments, and breaks them into three areas of concentration: architecture, availability and return on investment.
  
  Get ...Continue Reading

• Red Hat's Inktank Ceph storage adds erasure coding, tiering

  Red Hat's first Ceph upgrade since its Inktank acquisition adds erasure coding, cache tiering and management updates.Continue Reading

• NVDIMM vs. memory channel flash storage

  Marc Staimer of Dragon Slayer Consulting compares NVDIMM and memory channel flash, explaining the advantages and disadvantages of each.Continue Reading

• Memory channel flash storage vs. PCIe flash storage

  Marc Staimer compares memory channel flash storage with PCIe connected flash and offers insight on the advantages and disadvantages of each.Continue Reading

• Cloud storage architecture vs. local storage

  Expert Brien Posey explains how cloud gateways can help to make cloud storage seamlessly available to a local network.Continue Reading

• EMC VMAX array embeds backup, cloud services

  EMC VMAX launch includes three new models, multi-core architecture, embedded data protection and a public cloud tier.Continue Reading

• What is object storage technology (and why should you care)?

  Object technology offers scalability, economical operation and better data management; but it's very different from file and block storage systems.Continue Reading

• What you need to know about flash caching

  Using solid-state storage as cache can boost server and application performance dramatically, but the kind of flash cache you choose is critical.Continue Reading

• Deconstructing the storage algorithm

  Jon Toigo examines the four steps of the storage algorithm, and concludes that the current storage equation just doesn't add up.Continue Reading

• Flash storage: Guide to all-flash storage arrays

  TechTarget's all-flash storage array guide navigates the hotly contested market with a comparison chart and snapshot profiles of 15 products.Continue Reading

• NetApp upgrades high, low and all-flash FAS array systems

  Along with new 'extreme' high-end and entry-level FAS arrays, NetApp adds all-flash FAS array systems -- but still no FlashRay.Continue Reading

• Panasas adds 6 TB helium drives, advances RAID to scale-out NAS

  Is it possible to use larger capacity hard drives, yet make them more reliable and decrease rebuild times? Panasas says it is.Continue Reading

• Violin 6000 arrays feature proprietary flash modules, memory fabric

  Violin 6000 Series all-flash storage arrays use proprietary flash modules, memory fabric architecture and RAID to improve performance and latency.Continue Reading

• IBM N Series dropped from NetApp OEM deal, E Series stays

  IBM says it will stop selling NetApp FAS arrays as the IBM N Series to concentrate on its own branded systems; keeps OEM deal for NetApp E Series.Continue Reading

• NetApp has one all-flash array with mainstream FlashRay on the way

  NetApp still hasn't delivered FlashRay -- its flagship all-flash array -- but has two EF all-flash models for high performance.Continue Reading

• EMC XtremIO, VNX-F all-flash arrays offer scale-out, scale-up choice

  EMC XtremIO all-flash array targets customers seeking predictable low-latency performance, scalability; EMC VNX-F focuses on price/GB, price/IOPS.Continue Reading

• The critical role of archiving systems

  Archiving data is more important than ever; it ensures proper data retention, saves space and eases the backup burden.Continue Reading

• Making sense of the alphabet soup of server-attached storage

  There's been plenty of talk about software-defined storage and how it creates networks from DAS, SAN and NAS. See if it's right for your shop.Continue Reading

• Stop the data storage presses, flape is here!

  Musing over a new acronym, we can see how, once again, what's new is really what's old.Continue Reading

• EMC rolls out VNXe3200 array, unveils 'Project Liberty'

  EMC brings out the newest entry-level VNX unified storage array and reveals its next software-defined storage initiative, code-named 'Project Liberty'.Continue Reading

• All-flash storage arrays: Performance vs. function

  George Crump offers criteria to help IT pros decide whether performance or function is most important when choosing all-flash storage arrays.Continue Reading

• VMware hypervisor swap-out means loss of data storage features

  Switching from VMware's hypervisor to a commercial or open source alternative might necessitate third-party tools to replace storage features.Continue Reading

• When should you consider the purchase of an all-flash storage array?

  The decision to buy an all-flash storage array depends on finances; use case; and needs for performance, functionality and scalability.Continue Reading

• Working with OpenStack storage: Tips on Cinder, Swift and the cloud

  This guide explores the block, object and cloud storage offerings from OpenStack, one of the most sought-after open source storage platforms.Continue Reading

• Five top new Windows Server 2012 R2 features for storage management

  The latest version of Microsoft's flagship server OS offers a bevy of new storage management features.Continue Reading

• How moving data to the cloud can replace all, or most, onsite storage

  Cloud storage is cheaper, expands endlessly and needs little attention; but how much data can a company realistically park in the cloud?Continue Reading

• How to evaluate and deploy flash storage technology

  Your apps might be begging for flash storage performance, but you'll have to decide where to put it, how much you'll need and how it should be used.Continue Reading

• Planning and management for a software-defined storage architecture

  Jon Toigo offers implementation tips to help users avoid vendor lock-in and get top performance from their software-defined storage environments.Continue Reading

• production data

  Production data is data that is persistently stored and essential to completing day-to-day business tasks and processes.Continue Reading

• To address limitations of today's NAND chips, 3-D NAND emerging

  In this Q&A, learn more about 3-D NAND, how different vendors' architectures compare and contrast, and when we'll see 3-D-NAND-based products.Continue Reading

• HP upgrades MSA, other SMB storage products

  Hewlett-Packard unveils entry-level MSA shared storage system; HP upgrades StoreEasy NAS quality of service and expands capacity for StoreOnce 4500.Continue Reading

• Examining the future of the RAID volume

  Expert Jon Toigo provides a set of tips to answer key questions regarding RAID's place in today's storage world, and whether it will be replaced.Continue Reading

• VMware Virtual SAN appeals to hyper-converged storage fans

  VMware's vSAN beta appeals to customers who like having their storage, compute and hypervisor in one box, supported by one vendor.Continue Reading

• Hypervisor comparison: VMware vs. Microsoft vs. Red Hat

  VMware has had the dominant enterprise-class hypervisor, but there are others worth reviewing. This tip details how Microsoft and Red Hat compete.Continue Reading

• Fujitsu takes the Quality Award for enterprise storage arrays

  In our ninth annual Quality Awards survey for enterprise arrays, Fujitsu didn't just make the cut; it took the cake by earning top honors.Continue Reading

• Managing cloud storage: Tools to control your deployment

  Whether your company is using public, hybrid or a private storage cloud, you need tools to manage, monitor and keep track of the stored data.Continue Reading

• How does a scale-out NAS environment affect storage management?

  Phil Goodwin explains how scale-out NAS systems simplify storage management through a single point of control and by combating performance problems.Continue Reading

• Are SSDs the best VM storage option for high performance?

  Storage expert Phil Goodwin describes how solid-state drives can improve performance in virtual environments, if they're deployed effectively.Continue Reading

• Are SSDs necessary to perform analytics on big data efficiently?

  Storage expert Phil Goodwin explains how SSDs can speed up analytics, but solid-state technology is only needed in certain types of environments.Continue Reading

• Pros and cons of file- and block-based flash caching

  George Crump of Storage Switzerland discusses pros and cons of file and block flash caching and how they can be implemented in this Expert Answer.Continue Reading

• Enhance RAID by leveraging storage virtualization

  According to expert Jon Toigo, RAID doesn't have to be on its way out, as long as it's supplemented with other technologies.Continue Reading

• A tiered storage model is different from caching

  In this podcast, Evaluator Group strategist Randy Kerns looks in-depth at today's tiered storage model, including how it differs from flash caching.Continue Reading

• Exablox OneBlox 3308

  OneBlox has a global namespace for data access from multiple servers, as its object-based file system presents itself as a NAS box to applications.Continue Reading

• More faith in cloud backup services compared to last year

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