A telecommunication company is looking to upgrade its storage system. The current storage infrastructure, consisting of a 200TB SAN supporting approximately 60 VMs and storing mostly infrequently accessed cool data, is approaching the end of its lifecycle. With a mix of flash storage for VMs and 7.2k spinning disks for cool data, the organization faces a crucial decision about the next storage solution.
This blog will explore the considerations and benefits associated with choosing between a traditional SAN, a quality NAS, or the integration of a StoneFly USO appliance.
Current Scenario of the Company
- Capacity and Workloads: The SAN manages 60 VMs utilizing flash storage and accommodates 150TB of cool data, predominantly accessed infrequently. The storage environment experiences an average of 100 IOPS, with 2000 95%-IOPS during regular operations and 3500 peak-IOPS during peak times.
- Tiered Storage: The VMs utilize flash storage, while the cool data is stored on 7.2k spinning disks for cost-effectiveness.
Challenges and Considerations:
- Scalability: Anticipating a potential doubling or tripling of the 150TB cool data over the next storage device’s lifespan raises concerns about the scalability of the current solution.
- Cost Efficiency: Balancing the simplicity of a single storage solution against potential cost savings is a key consideration. Exploring alternatives that provide cost-effective scalability without compromising performance is crucial.
- Past Experiences: Previous attempts with cheaper NAS solutions (Drobo) encountered issues handling IO, highlighting the importance of selecting a robust and reliable storage solution.
Options Considered by the Company
- Continue with SAN:
- Pros: Familiarity with the existing setup, simplicity of a unified storage system.
- Cons: Concerns about scalability and potential cost inefficiencies with increasing cool data.
- Implement Quality NAS:
- Pros: Potential cost savings, scalability for cool data.
- Cons: Past negative experiences with cheaper NAS solutions, potential performance concerns.
- Integration of StoneFly USO Appliance:
- Pros: Unified storage and server solution, optimized for performance and scalability.
- Cons: None.
StoneFly USO Appliance Integration
The company decided to go for the StoneFly USO appliance. The appliance offers a compelling solution that addresses the organization’s requirements. By combining storage and server functionality, the StoneFly USO appliance provides a unified and efficient platform. Key benefits include:
- Performance and Scalability: Designed to handle demanding IOPS workloads, the StoneFly USO appliance aligns perfectly with the required IOPS range, ensuring no compromise on performance even as it scales.
- Unified Solution: Offering a seamless blend of storage and server functionalities eliminates the dichotomy and costs related to managing separate infrastructures.
- Cost-Effectiveness: The streamlined architecture of the USO appliance not only promises operational efficiency but also is poised to render cost benefits vis-a-vis traditional SAN or NAS setups.
- Reassurance in Reliability: Bearing the hallmark of StoneFly’s reputable performance, the USO appliance addresses and mitigates any apprehensions stemming from past experiences with NAS solutions.
Conclusion
Evaluating the landscape of storage solutions through the prism of contemporary enterprise needs positions the StoneFly USO appliance not just as an alternative, but as a strategic pivot towards a more integrated, resilient, and scalable storage infrastructure. This move promises to imbue the organization’s storage capabilities with the agility needed for its next growth phase, offering a nuanced blend of performance, scalability, and economic efficiency. For IT Managers and tech aficionados navigating the intricate maze of storage solutions, the path towards unified storage with StoneFly USO presents a compelling trajectory worth consideration.
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