Evaluate

Evaluate

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

• Purchasing an enterprise SAN: Top-tier products compared

  Expert Jacob Gsoedl drills into eight top-tier enterprise SAN products and how each one performs in seven technical areas. Detailed charts make the information easy to digest. Continue Reading

• EMC Isilon S-Series NAS: Isilon S210 and Isilon S200

  The Isilon S210 and S200 are part of the EMC Isilon S-Series line of NAS systems for data storage environments that require mid-level network storage offerings. Continue Reading

• EMC Isilon NL400 NAS platform

  The EMC Isilon NL400 is a midrange NAS platform with a maximum raw capacity of 210 TB per node. The array is designed specifically for environments that require near-line storage. Continue Reading

• Top object storage vendor use cases for IT

  Today's object storage vendors provide products that are often the best option for archiving, backup and data lake architectures. Continue Reading

• Cost savings for virtualizing servers not yet reality

  Though you've heard for years that virtualizing servers will save money, Jon Toigo argues that the cost of virtualization hasn't lowered. Continue Reading

• EMC XtremIO storage array

  The XtremIO storage array from EMC is an all-flash system that offers scalability and high performance.Continue Reading

• Why are object stores a good match for archival data storage?

  Latency in object stores that stems from a large amount of metadata means the technology is better suited to non-transactional data.Continue Reading

• HUS VM SAN array platform

  The Hitachi Unified Storage VM is a storage array designed for enterprise SAN environments requiring high storage capacities.Continue Reading

• Taking stock of the cloud storage market

  Rich Castagna takes a closer look at the impact of cloud storage, what's preventing more widespread adoption, and the potential of the technology.Continue Reading

• Performance counts when buying a solid-state storage device

  More than half of our surveyed companies are using flash now, with plans to use it for more than just mission-critical apps.Continue Reading

• What separates object storage systems from SDS?

  Although software-defined storage and object storage can work in similar ways, there are significant differences between the two.Continue Reading

• What's the difference between EMC VNX series and ViPR?

  Brien Posey explains how two of EMC's virtual storage products work and for what use cases they work best.Continue Reading

• What's the best way to protect against HDD failure?

  HDD failure can put bytes of data at risk. Is multi-copy mirroring or erasure coding the more efficient data protection approach?Continue Reading

• Examine your computing environment before you buy flash storage

  The decision to buy flash storage can overcome many performance issues, but other areas of your computing environment could be contributing factors.Continue Reading

• Realize the benefits of storage virtualization

  Storage virtualization can come in a number of different forms. Some might consider storage virtualization as software that acts as a control layer to pool capacity from multiple, different vendors. Others might include the several types of products...Continue Reading

• Pros and cons of memory channel storage

  Memory channel storage is a relatively new technology that allows storage professionals to overcome some of the most limiting storage bottlenecks. Although flash storage is often heralded as providing far greater performance than traditional hard ...Continue Reading

• Will memristor technology replace NAND flash?

  Brien Posey says that with HP working on a memristor-based computer it plans to launch by 2020, the technology could eventually succeed NAND flash.Continue Reading

• SAN basics: All the tools you need to purchase a storage-area network

  Whether you're purchasing a SAN for the first time or looking to upgrade, this guide walks you through the buying process from start to finish.Continue Reading

• The ultimate network-attached storage guide

  Get tips on implementing a NAS system, find out where the technology works best and understand the need-to-know purchasing criteria.Continue Reading

• SCSI (Small Computer System Interface)

  Definition: The Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) is a set of parallel interface standards used to attach disk drives and other peripherals to a computer.Continue Reading

• Top five reasons to choose NAS vs. DAS

  DAS can be useful for specific applications, but NAS is often the better option because it can provide a greater number of storage architecture options.Continue Reading

• HP MSA 2040 storage array

  The HP MSA 2040 is a rack-mountable modular storage array for SAN environments that includes increased support for virtualization.Continue Reading

• EMC VMAX Series storage arrays

  The EMC VMAX is a family of SAN arrays designed for enterprise environments requiring large amounts of storage.Continue Reading

• Unlock the potential of a converged system for storage

  Converged storage offerings package compute, storage and networking together for easy deployment and cost savings. Two of the primary benefits of converged infrastructure systems are enhanced time to production and a potential for cost savings. A ...Continue Reading

• Hewlett-Packard 3PAR StoreServ 7000 Series Storage Arrays

  The HP 3PAR StoreServ 7000 series is a line of storage arrays designed for enterprise SAN environments.Continue Reading

• Three reasons why object storage is a good HDFS alternative

  HDFS manages data across dispersed nodes, but an object storage system that leverages commodity storage can be a compelling alternative.Continue Reading

• Vendors predict the future of data storage 2015

  The future of data storage isn’t easy to predict. While some vendors see it clearly, others prove that, going into 2015, their crystal balls may be a little hazy.Continue Reading

• Atlantis USX 2.0

  Atlantis Computing's USX 2.0 claims the silver medal in the storage system software category in Storage magazine's Products of the Year competition.Continue Reading

• Nimble CS700

  Nimble Storage adds a higher-capacity model to its iSCSI hybrid arrays, plus an all-flash shelf to bulk up performance.Continue Reading

• Scality Inc. Ring 5.0

  Scality's Ring 5.0 software-defined storage shares the bronze award in the Products of the Year storage system software category with VMware's VSAN.Continue Reading

• HP OneView for VMware vCenter 7.4.2

  HP OneView for VMware vCenter management software provides a complete look into virtual environments, spanning both physical and virtual layers.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

• 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

• 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

• 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 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• production data

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

• 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 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

• 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

• February 2014: Products of the Year

  Storage magazine's February issue reveals the 2013 data storage products of the year, describes 10 common DR mistakes, and explains how to configure storage for big data files.Continue Reading

• More faith in cloud backup services compared to last year

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• Choosing storage for streaming large files in big data sets

  Learn how to select storage that can both scale and perform to effectively stream large files in big data environments.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

• How NAND flash degrades and what vendors do to increase SSD endurance

  Storage Switzerland senior analyst Eric Slack digs into the technical aspects of SSD cell degradation and how vendors are increasing SSD endurance.Continue Reading

• External storage might make sense for Hadoop

  Using Hadoop to drive big data analytics doesn't necessarily mean building clusters of distributed storage; a good old array might be a better choice.Continue Reading

• Building a better archival storage strategy

  This guide walks through important tips and considerations regarding storage archive design strategies and technologies.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

• How data storage type can give efficiency a boost

  Jon Toigo examines how tape storage and the cloud each affect overall data storage efficiency in a given environment.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

• Achieving data storage efficiency: Chief challenges, top tools

  According to Jon Toigo, IT pros need to look past vendors' claims to achieve a truly efficient infrastructure, but there are tools that can help.Continue Reading

• Data storage systems: 2013 Storage Products of the Year finalists

  These 52 data storage systems products are finalists for the Storage magazine/SearchStorage.com 2013 Products of the Year awards.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

• Figuring out when 16 Gbps Fibre Channel storage networking makes sense

  Moving to 16 Gbps FC makes sense for IT shops with new and heavily virtualized servers, solid-state storage and test firm president advises.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 and analytics

  There are two basic types of big data analytics—synchronous and asynchronous—but both have big data storage appetites and specialized needs.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

• Complete guide to Hadoop technology and storage

  Learn how Apache Hadoop works, some of its benefits and drawbacks, and what it means for big data and cloud storage.Continue Reading

• Using an object storage system as a traditional array alternative

  Storage expert Phil Goodwin discusses how object-based storage provides better flexibility and scalability than traditional shared storage.Continue Reading

• Data storage options: Exploring clustering, pooling, unified systems

  Storage expert Phil Goodwin discusses several different options for storing large data sets on traditional storage systems.Continue Reading

• Erasure coding tradeoffs include additional storage, disk update needs

  Erasure coding tradeoffs include requirement for additional data storage, need to update extra disks for redundancy purposes, UC professor cautions.Continue Reading

• Future of data storage: Addressing traditional architecture problems

  Storage expert Phil Goodwin discusses the main issues with traditional primary storage options and how those issues are being addressed.Continue Reading

• Erasure coding brings trade-off of resilience vs. performance

  IT's decision on using erasure coding in storage rests on data importance, durability more than amount of data, says storage consultant Marc Staimer.Continue Reading

• Micron adds RPMC support to NOR flash devices for improved security

  Micron announced its Replay-Protection Monotonic Counter (RPMC) feature is now available for its serial NOR flash memory devices.Continue Reading

• What to consider when storing data in the cloud

  Storage administrators who want to keep data in the cloud need to consider collaboration regulations, cost factors and performance requirements.Continue Reading

• Big data storage architecture: Categories, strengths and use cases

  We explore distributed nodes, scale-out NAS, all-SSD arrays and object storage as choices for a storage architecture for big data.Continue Reading

• SCSI controller (Small Computer System Interface controller)

  A SCSI controller, also called a host bus adapter (HBA), is a card or chip that allows a SCSI storage device to communicate with the operating system across a SCSI bus.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

• 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

• MRAM technology likely choice as post-flash solid-state storage

  NAND flash-based storage is becoming a common alternative, but NAND flash could soon be replaced by newer forms of non-volatile memory like MRAM technology.Continue Reading

• April 2013: Rethinking storage architectures

  Storage magazine's latest issue describes alternatives to traditional storage systems. Also in this issue: cloud backup and keeping tabs on disk usage.Continue Reading

• NexGen Storage Inc. n5-150 Storage System

  IT admins using the NexGen Storage n5-150 Storage System can guarantee performance to each app and isolate workloads from one another on the SAN.Continue Reading

• Can shared storage be used with Hadoop architecture?

  Storage expert John Webster discusses three ways to use shared storage together with Hadoop architecture in this Ask the Expert answer.Continue Reading

• Ten questions to help compare cloud storage services

  Cloud storage expert Arun Taneja suggests 10 questions to help you successfully compare cloud storage services.Continue Reading

• Expert Video: Brien Posey on Windows Server 2012 iSCSI features

  Microsoft MVP Brien Posey discusses how to configure iSCSI using the Windows Server 2012 iSCSI Target feature in this expert video webcast.Continue Reading

• Should you believe vendors’ jaw-dropping solid-state performance specs?

  The benefits of solid-state storage are clear -- cool running, space-saving and blistering performance. But just how “blistering” is that performance? Data storage vendors toss previously unheard of numbers around, like millions of IOPS, to show the...Continue Reading