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Problem solve

Get help with specific problems with your technologies, process and projects.

• Object stores, metadata create smart storage systems

  Storage systems get smarter thanks to object stores and metadata, which are enhancing intelligence of scale-out storage systems. Continue Reading

• Pick the best LUN size

  Is it better to create one large LUN or many smaller LUNs? The following guidelines can help you to pick the most appropriate LUN size. Continue Reading

• Understanding data storage requirements in a virtual environment

  Even though virtualization has become commonplace in today's data centers, provisioning storage for applications on virtual machines (VMs) often remains a pain point for IT professionals. Random I/O processes unique to virtual environments often put... Continue Reading

• Five ways VDI technology is affected by storage

  Managing storage for your VDI infrastructure has progressed, but there are still some snags. Here are five ways to avoid VDI environment issues. Continue Reading

• Is data sovereignty affected by my cloud provider’s location?

  If your cloud provider stores your data outside of your country, does it mean you still need to follow local laws? Continue Reading

• Becoming familiar with VM-aware storage

  As with any product still in its infancy, an exact definition for virtual machine-aware storage can be difficult to nail down. In simple terms, VM-aware storage is an appliance that vendors build specifically with virtual machines in mind in ...Continue Reading

• The struggle between virtual machine performance and storage

  Storage has been painted as the cause of sluggish VM performance, but it might be your hypervisor's fault.Continue Reading

• Can I run Hadoop analytics without using HDFS?

  According to analyst George Crump, you might want to think about going with a non-traditional Hadoop architecture.Continue Reading

• What are the best cloud storage use cases beyond backup and archiving?

  Cloud storage doesn't just have to be for backup. According to George Crump, cloud services can make deploying a new application or disaster recovery environment easier.Continue Reading

• What should you consider before deploying an all-flash storage array?

  What is the one hidden gotcha that you'd advise users about if they were shopping for an all-flash storage array?Continue Reading

• 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

• 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

• Virtual flash caching increases SSD efficiency for VMware, Hyper-V

  To get the greatest benefit from virtual flash caching, you need to understand how your hypervisor uses the cache and then add flash storage.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 complications can arise when thin provisioning VMware storage?

  Brien Posey dives into the complications users might run into with thinly provisioned VMware data stores and how to address them.Continue Reading

• How do I increase cache memory?

  Increasing cache memory in your environment might help allocate CPU processes, but it doesn't necessarily result in better performance.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

• Are more than five nines of availability really possible?

  When cloud durability is added to the mix, cloud providers are able to tout a high number of nines of availability.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

• What are some cloud migration challenges or limitations?

  It's not uncommon to run into challenges when migrating data to the cloud. Here are some roadblocks to keep an eye out for.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

• Use third-party SRM software to improve monitoring and management

  Retrofit your existing infrastructure with third-party storage resource management software to gain more control over monitoring and management.Continue Reading

• Effective storage service management rests on well-allocated features

  Jon Toigo explains how proper management of value-added storage features can make a data center more efficient.Continue Reading

• Six things that can wreck storage system performance

  Performance bottlenecks can occur in different places in a storage system. Here's how to identify and eliminate them.Continue Reading

• Where should the iSCSI initiator run in a Hyper-V environment?

  Learn what Microsoft expert Brien Posey has to say about when and how to use an iSCSI initiator when using Windows Server 2012 R2 Hyper-V.Continue Reading

• Why isn't Windows Server allowing me to create a storage tier?

  Microsoft expert and SearchStorage.com contributor Brien Posey addresses key challenges to creating storage tiers in Windows Server 2012 R2.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

• 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

• How does VMware VDPA work with VMware's vSAN?

  VSphere Data Protection Advanced is currently the primary product for backing up VMs running on VMware's vSAN. Brien Posey explains how it works.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

• 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

• 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

• Data loss concerns with write caching products

  George Crump of Storage Switzerland discusses how data loss issues can be mitigated in write caching products.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

• Three key strategies to prevent RAID failure

  In this tip, analyst Jon Toigo shares several ways storage admins can proactively prevent the failure of RAID arrays.Continue Reading

• What is the top storage challenge with in-memory databases?

  Wikibon CTO David Floyer said the greatest challenge with an in-memory database from a storage perspective is recovery in the event of a problem.Continue Reading

• Is there still a place for RAID technologies to rule?

  While some analysts say RAID is no longer relevant, Jon Toigo points out how it can still be beneficial for data protection purposes.Continue Reading

• Curbing data storage capacity demand

  Analyst Jon Toigo's series of tips on common data reduction approaches will help IT pros make better use of their capacity.Continue Reading

• Comparing performance and cost of DRAM vs. NAND

  George Crump of Storage Switzerland compares the performance and cost of DRAM to NAND flash in this Expert Answer.Continue Reading

• Crafting a data lifecycle management strategy to control capacity

  Jon Toigo explains how an information lifecycle management strategy helps classify data so it can live on the most appropriate storage.Continue Reading

• How DRAM or NVRAM cache can reduce flash SSD write amplification

  DRAM/NVRAM caching provides SSD systems with better performance while reducing flash SSD write amplification.Continue Reading

• Comparing write-through, write-back and write-around caching

  George Crump of Storage Switzerland compares three common types of caching -- write-through, write-back and write-around -- in this Expert Answer.Continue Reading

• Data archiving system selection dependent on features, capabilities

  Once you've determined the specific data archiving needs of your organization, you'll have to sift through existing products to find the best fit.Continue Reading

• How to create a successful data archiving strategy

  A good archiving process provides the automation needed to deliver the necessary application granularity while minimizing the impact to IT operations.Continue Reading

• How to avoid wasted disk storage capacity

  Jon Toigo explains how hierarchal storage management and other technologies can help make the most of disk capacity.Continue Reading

• Alternatives to RESTful API for accessing object storage

  This tip examines other options for connecting to object storage when an application isn't compatible with the RESTful API.Continue Reading

• Is there a difference between traditional tiering and sub-LUN tiering?

  Sub-LUN tiering can help with performance in some environments, but according to analyst Jon Toigo, it can also get complicated with growing capacity.Continue Reading

• Using the RESTful API as an onramp to object storage

  RESTful APIs are essential in moving data on and off of object storage systems. Expert Marc Staimer describes the three options currently available.Continue Reading

• Four SSD best practices for efficient virtual machine storage

  Learn how server-side implementations of SSD differ from storage-side, and how to get the ultimate performance boost in virtual environments.Continue Reading

• Top considerations for deep archive design

  Jon Toigo explains how to determine what data should be archived and the most efficient way to migrate it for long-term storage.Continue Reading

• Tackling long-term data archiving: Three crucial factors

  Jon Toigo offers insights on storage options for deep archives, and the ways they affect data integrity and potential technology issues.Continue Reading

• Data archiving technology to keep on the radar

  Archival storage options are expanding, getting more resilient and less costly. Find out which technologies are making an impression.Continue Reading

• Five questions to ask when choosing a data archiving technology

  Many factors need to be considered when determining what the right archiving platform is for you. Jon Toigo highlights the most important in this tip.Continue Reading

• Big data storage challenges eased by metadata, caching and compression

  Systems that provide fast access to metadata, caching and heavy compression help ease media-rich big data storage challenges, Wikibon CTO says.Continue Reading

• RAID alternatives: Erasure codes and multi-copy mirroring

  Traditional RAID methods and their rebuild processes have some shops suffering long downtimes -- enter erasure codes and multi-copy mirroring.Continue Reading

• Hyper-V storage best practices to optimize your virtual environment

  Microsoft expert Brien Posey walks through the best storage tips and features to make the most out of a Hyper-V environment.Continue Reading

• Comparing DIMM-connected flash vs. PCIe flash benefits

  Leah Schoeb of Evaluator Group discusses DIMM-connected flash as compared with PCIe flash benefits in this Expert Answer.Continue Reading

• The variety of enterprise SSD options available today

  Leah Schoeb of Evaluator Group discusses the variety of enterprise SSD options available today in this Expert Answer.Continue Reading

• Are NAND flash wear-out issues solved?

  Dennis Martin of Demartek discusses whether NAND flash wear-out is still a concern in this Expert Answer.Continue Reading

• Wikibon CTO: Erasure coding can help reduce data backup costs

  Erasure coding can help reduce the data needed for backups and lower the cost of backup and recovery over the traditional approach, Wikibon CTO says.Continue Reading

• How essential is a Hadoop infrastructure to a big data environment?

  Expert Jon Toigo explains why Hadoop and big data are frequently used together, but argues that Hadoop has a number of downfalls.Continue Reading

• Fact or fiction? Flash SSD storage is faster than HDD storage

  The general perception of SSD storage is that it's always faster than HDD storage. Marc Staimer examines whether that's actually true.Continue Reading

• What role does Smart Paging play in Dynamic Memory allocation?

  Smart Paging uses physical storage to make up for shortcomings in available physical RAM. Learn how it works on a host server with a high VM density.Continue Reading

• Are the advantages of solid-state storage worth the investment?

  Brien Posey examines the advantages (less heat, less energy than hard drives) and disadvantages (less capacity at a higher cost) of investing in SSDs.Continue Reading

• How does storage thin provisioning work with Hyper-V automatic trim?

  Learn how Windows Server 2012 R2's automatic trim feature frees up capacity from thinly provisioned virtual hard disks.Continue Reading

• Using live virtual disk merge in Windows Server 2012 R2 Hyper-V

  Live virtual disk merge, a new feature in Windows Server 2012 R2, allows snapshots to be restored without downtime. Expert Brien Posey explains how.Continue Reading

• Problems with using SSDs for write caching and how to avoid them

  Marc Staimer looks at using SSDs for write caching and explains why most storage SSD caching is write-through and not write-back.Continue Reading

• The importance of NVMe and SCSI Express for PCIe SSD development

  Leah Schoeb of Evaluator Group discusses whether the emerging SCSI Express and NVMe standards will have an impact on PCIe flash adoption.Continue Reading

• Auto tiering vs. caching in hybrid storage systems

  Auto tiering and caching provide similar benefits in hybrid storage systems, but are different technologies with different capabilities and use cases.Continue Reading

• Tips for first-time SCSI pass-through disk users

  Learn how to directly attach a virtual machine to a physical storage device by using pass-through disks in a Hyper-V environment.Continue Reading

• Limitations of SCSI pass-through disks in Hyper-V

  Brien Posey explains some of the ways Hyper-V can restrict SCSI pass-through disks, and details to remember when using them in a virtual environment.Continue Reading

• Why is persistent cache important?

  Leah Schoeb, partner with Evaluator Group, discusses the importance of persistent cache in this Expert Answer.Continue Reading

• Choosing the correct laptop SSD

  Leah Schoeb, partner with Evaluator Group, discusses the important considerations for selecting the right laptop SSD.Continue Reading

• How does the shared VHDX file feature in Windows Server 2012 R2 work?

  The new shared VHDX feature brings shared storage to guest clusters by eliminating the need for an iSCSI or Fibre Channel connection.Continue Reading

• Use Windows Server 2012 R2's Storage QoS feature to boost performance

  Learn how the new Storage QoS feature in Windows Server 2012 R2 can boost storage performance and make the best use of capacity.Continue Reading

• Windows Server 2012 R2 Hyper-V features: Generation 2 virtual machines

  Learn how Generation 2 virtual machines, a new Hyper-V feature in Windows Server 2012 R2, affect storage with dynamic resizing, cloning and more.Continue Reading

• How cloud providers are using NAND flash technology today

  Leah Schoeb, senior partner with Evaluator Group, discusses how cloud providers are using flash today in this Expert Answer.Continue Reading

• Will memristor technology be a successor to NAND flash?

  Leah Schoeb, senior partner with Evaluator Group, discusses whether memristor technology might be a successor to NAND flash in this Expert Answer.Continue Reading

• VM storage: Fundamental rules for efficient environments

  Brien Posey explains the aspects of virtual machine storage that it's important to be mindful of to maximize the performance of a virtual data center.Continue Reading

• How Windows Server 2012 R2 will change storage management

  Microsoft MVP Brien Posey explains how new features in Windows Server 2012 R2, such as native tiering and deduplication, affect storage management.Continue Reading

• Hadoop clusters: Benefits and challenges for big data analytics

  Brien Posey explains how Hadoop clusters can be extremely beneficial to large amounts of unstructured data, but aren't ideal for all environments.Continue Reading

• FlexPod architecture: Top five things you should know

  FlexPods may seem like an easy way to implement storage and a hypervisor at once, but Brien Posey explains there are several things to consider first.Continue Reading

• The future of SATA and SAS SSD

  Independent storage expert Marc Staimer discusses the future of SCSI and SAS SSDs in this Expert Answer.Continue Reading

• Synchronous, asynchronous and toggle-mode NAND

  Independent storage expert Marc Staimer discusses synchronous, asynchronous and toggle-mode NAND in this Expert Answer.Continue Reading

• Does RAID have a place in object-oriented storage environments?

  Expert Brien Posey explains whether RAID technology can bring any benefits to an object storage environment.Continue Reading

• Avoid VDI performance issues with monitoring, testing and tools

  Steer clear of VDI performance issues with freeware monitoring and internal testing methods, and free up storage and staff resources as well.Continue Reading

• OpenStack Swift object storage: How does data placement work?

  OpenStack Swift uses regions, zones, servers, drives for data placement and places three copies of each object in unique-as-possible locations.Continue Reading

• How to decide between hybrid SSD-HDD and 100% SSD systems

  Choosing hybrid SSD-HDD storage systems over all-SSD storage systems comes down to IOPS, throughput, capacity, functionality and, of course, cost.Continue Reading

• Top tips for OpenStack Swift object storage use

  Senior cloud architect Beth Cohen offers tips on how to use OpenStack Swift object storage in the most efficient and economical ways.Continue Reading

• How to align laptop flash drive partitions in Windows

  Marc Staimer outlines how to ensure that your laptop flash drive partitions are aligned properly in this Expert Answer.Continue Reading

• Tiering storage: Best practices to promote efficiency

  Storage expert Jon Toigo explains how to effectively use storage tiering to boost efficiency and ultimately cut storage costs.Continue Reading

• RAID alternatives: Will erasure codes rule?

  Learn why the reliability of RAID technologies could be related to the increased use of erasure coding by both new and established storage vendors.Continue Reading

• The top three use cases for PCIe SSD

  Learn more about the most common applications of PCIe solid-state cards today in this Expert Answer from independent storage expert Marc Staimer.Continue Reading

• Can object storage systems be used with file-based apps?

  Learn how to use applications such as Microsoft Exchange or SQL Server with object storage systems on the back end.Continue Reading

• Storage thin provisioning: Comparing implementation types

  Analyst Erick Slack explains how to create a thin volume, migrate from thick to thin provisioning and determine when to use thin provisioning.Continue Reading

• Storage considerations for a Hadoop implementation

  Storage Switzerland analyst Colm Keegan explains how to determine whether a SAN or NAS should be used as primary storage with Hadoop.Continue Reading

• Manufacturing NAND flash chips

  NAND flash chips are made in fabrication plants known as fabs. Market oversupply or undersupply can cause manufacturers to alter production plans.Continue Reading