This document discusses the storage challenges associated with server virtualization and how scale-out storage solutions address these challenges. It finds that supporting server virtualization initiatives is impacting storage spending. As organizations progress through stages of virtualization maturity, their storage challenges change. Scale-out storage solutions provide scalability, performance, faster provisioning and lower costs to better support virtual environments compared to traditional scale-up storage. Its management efficiencies and ability to scale capacity and performance together help organizations overcome barriers to further virtualization adoption.
20. Scale-Up vs. Scale-Out Storage Additional disk resources Disk resources Disk resources Disk resources Disk resources Disk resources System resources (e.g., processors, memory, host interfaces, disks) System resources (e.g., processors, memory, host interfaces, disks) System resources (e.g., processors, memory, host interfaces, disks) Additional system resources Internal network (bus or high-speed memory) Disk resources External network Multiple nodes acting as one storage system System resources (e.g., processors, memory, host interfaces) “Scale-Out” Storage: Scales by adding nodes - connected by an external network – that work together as a single system Storage system “Scale-Up” Storage: Scales by adding resources within a single system, connected by an internal network
21. Why Scale-Out Storage? Management efficiencies reduce the headcount required to provision, tune and manage storage Faster provisioning increases ability to respond to a dynamic virtual server environment Granular, or just-in-time, scalability allows IT to ride the commodity curves associated with declining disk and processor pricing, reducing CAPEX Better utilization means fewer systems to manage and less wasted floor space, power and cooling Scaling performance with capacity allows for greater capacity, more throughput and broader application support 21