How do you measure and report Service uptime?

December 21, 2011

Firstly, Uptime can be defined as the time a service/machine has been efficiently rendering service/reliable and stable, without any interruptions or break in service.

Uptime of a service also depends on the availability of that service, because, only when the service is available, it can be used efficiently.

Uptime can be calculated as a difference between availability and downtime of a service.

Uptime = Availability- Downtime

Where

“Availability” = A measure in time where a service is capable of being used.

“Downtime” = When the service is available but gives unreliable service or is not optimal/ has interruptions.

The uptime of a service can also be measured based on customer response and ratings.

StoneFly’s resources/casestudies  provides interesting information about service uptime.

Follow the link provided below:

http://www.stonefly.com/resources/casestudies_detail.asp?id=121

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Posted by Roela Regalado

Will Cloud Storage Replace Local Storage?

December 20, 2011

With Cloud Storage gaining hype in providing storage solutions and recent developments in its technology, there is a mis-conception that local storage will soon become outdated.

As much as Cloud storage is useful for some applications, local storage is preferred for applications that demand better storage options. This is so because large enterprise applications need high speed access to their storage, which is not practically possible by cloud storage due to the low WAN access speed to the cloud.

Also, in Local storage, you are in control of your data, it is accessible without an internet connection and more secure when compared to the data stored on a cloud.

Although cloud storage is perfect for enterprise computing, local storage benefits outweigh cloud storage.

For more information on the local and cloud storage solutions, visit StoneFly’s iSCSI.com.

The link below talks about StoneFly’s product, Windows ESS, giving you a better understanding on how Local as well as Cloud storage solutions can be uses as per the enterprise’s requirement.

http://www.iscsi.com/products/software/ess/

Leave a Comment » | DNF Storage, iSCSI, Storage | Permalink
Posted by Roela Regalado

What is snapshot, why do I need it?

December 19, 2011

Currently, most storage providers use this technology called Snapshot. This technology uses a method called “Copy On Write” which means that, if a location is changed, old data from the time snapshot for that location is stored in a repository called SnapSpace. The consequential snapshot will look like an actual volume, containing data at the time of snapshot taken.

Snapshot is also called Shadow Copy in windows Terminology. But the difference between windows based shadow copy and storage based snapshots are that windows based shadow copy will take the CPU cycles of the server, but storage snapshot does not.

Why do I need it?

Below listed are some usages of Snapshot.

-       Backup: Take a snapshot, backup the snapshot.

-      File Recovery: In case a file is deleted accidentally, it can be retrieved by going back to the snapshot.

-       Take a snapshot, give that to one or more other groups to work on it, while live volume is changing.

For more details on StoneFly’s Snapshot, Visit StoneFly’s  iscsi.com

Also refer the link given below:

http://www.iscsi.com/news/pressrelease_detail.asp?id=265

 

Leave a Comment » | backup, DNF Storage, IP SAN, iSCSI, StoneFly, Storage | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by Roela Regalado

What is this FCoE buzzword that I keep hearing? Do I need it?

December 16, 2011

FCOE- Fiber Channel over Ethernet is a mapping of Fiber Channel frames over Ethernet networks. Several datacenters use Ethernet for TCP/IP networks, and FC for SANs. FCoE uses the fiber channel as a network protocol, running on Ethernet beside IP traffic. FCoE is not routable at the IP layer, since it functions directly above Ethernet, in contrast to iSCSI, running on top of TCP/IP.

Users connect to FCoE using Converged Network Adapters (CNAs). FCoE is used in data center SANs as it can reduce cabling, it can also be used in server virtualization applications.

Do I need it? – when buying a new SAN,  iSCSI SAN offers a SAN over Ethernet along with all the features that FC SAN provided, making FCoE less compelling to buy. The only reason to choose FCoE over iSCSI SAN is when you already have installed a fiber channel SAN and you want to use this SAN, but along with same Ethernet infrastructure for both SAN and networking. Although this would be a good reason to get FCoE, the costs involved in new switches and infrastructure would keep you from choosing FCoE over iSCSI SAN.

For more information on FCoE versus iSCSI, visit StoneFly’s videos on FCoE vs iSCSI,

link provided below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQ49rtnroE8

 

Leave a Comment » | datacenter, DNF Storage, IP SAN, iSCSI | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Roela Regalado

What SSDs Can Do For Your Storage

December 16, 2011

Solid State Disks (SSD) use non-volatile flash memory for data storage, providing several benefits over traditional Hard Disk Drive (HDD) technology:

Improved Performance: The most noticeable benefit of SSD technology is improved I/O speed. SSDs boast random I/O rates up to 100 times faster than the best HDDs, and the lack of seek time reduces latency and further boosts I/OPS.

Superior Reliability: SSDs store data on nonvolatile microchips. The lack of moving parts makes them far less susceptible to mechanical failures. In addition, they offer greater protection against extreme shock, vibration than HDDs have lower access time and latency.

Low Power Consumption: SSDs use NAND based flash memory which saves memory even without power. They consume power only while reading or writing data which explains the less power consumption, also producing less heat and noise. SSD uses fewer drives to meet same operational performance, majorly reducing high cooling as well as electricity costs.

Data Protection: SSD firmware includes advanced data management functions, including over-provisioning, error detection code and error correction algorithms. Built-in dynamic and static wear-leveling and bad block mapping algorithms extend service life and prevent disk corruption.

For more information on SSD Storage, visit StoneFly’s iSCSI.com

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Posted by Roela Regalado

MDA switches to StoneFly’s IP SAN to expand and revamp data backup procedures

December 13, 2011

Medical Doctor Associates (MDA), involved in providing quality medical staffing to the healthcare community recently faced issues as their entire data center was dependent on a FC- SAN.  Large amounts of data being processed on a daily basis demanded much superior data backup as well as storage procedures.

The problem: Apparently, MDA’s IT department deliberated a switch of their data from their fiber channel network to a backup tape. This process was inadequate and could not meet time constraints. Another issue that cropped up was the insufficient options offered by fiber channel storage, making data storage less scalable. All this led them to switch to a three phase plan to achieve their expansion in data storage.

Approach used to get the desired solution used the three phase plan to transfer data, explained in simple terms below:

Phase 1.  Migrate pre-existing files by creating a disk to disk (D2D) backup. – uses StoneFly’s ISC 2402 S-    Class IP SAN.

Phase 2.  Achieve scalability by using StoneFly’s ISC- 2402E S- Class Expansion unit, using RAID 6, for storing data involved in applications.

Phase 3. Performance enhancement, using StoneFly’s ISC -2402 E S- Class Expansion Unit with SAS 6g RAID architecture.

StoneFly’s IP SAN storage is a good choice in providing a solution to MDA’s problem due to the following key factors:

  1. Versatility of appliances.
  2. Ease of data management
  3. Advanced features that could not previously be achieved with Fiber channel storage.
  4. Reasonable pricing.

For more details about the products used for this type of storage, Please go to StoneFly’s IP SAN products.

Link: http://stonefly.com/products/ipsan/isc-6gs/

Image

Leave a Comment » | backup, DNF Storage, IP SAN, RAID, StoneFly, Storage | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Roela Regalado

Practical RAID Optimization

December 6, 2011

There    are  many    factors   to  consider   when    optimizing   your   RAID    configuration,   such   as   reliability, performance, cost, access times, application type and operations under degraded mode. These factors influence how your RAID configuration is fully optimized. Therefore, the advantages and disadvantages of various RAID levels need to be considered and compared with the IO workloads to determine the best configuration for your solution.

Storage experts at StoneFly Inc. have conducted an extensive research. This paper specifically   addresses   SMB   and   SME   RAID   implementations   with   current   technology   and  practical   application,   taking   into account   manufacturers   features   and   capabilities   targeting   these   two  markets.

Leave a Comment » | DNF Storage, RAID | Permalink
Posted by simratdhindsa

Surveillance System Considerations

November 30, 2011

Choosing an IP-based surveillance system is an important decision – there are several factors to consider. Since, network cameras transmit over your existing IP network, bandwidth is important. You’ll also need to think about storage based on archival time, image quality and  continuous vs recording triggered with motion. Other key consideration include network and system scalability. Putting thought into these areas before your system setup will ensure that you have the right equipment and proper game plan to fulfill your surveillance requirements.

There are a number of factors to consider when calculating the amount of hard disk space required for your specific storage need:

1. How many surveillance cameras are you operating ?

2. Will the cameras be recording continuously or only at certain hours of the day ?

3. Will your IP cameras be set too record only when motion is detected?

4. How long will the video footage be stored on the hard disk?

5. What level of image quality is the required (this will determine parameters such as frame rate and compression)

 

Feeling overwhelmed with these questions ? Not to worry – speak now with an IP surveillance  expert at 510.265.1122.

We will get you the right configuration, at right price with tech. support just a call away.

Leave a Comment » | digital video, dnf security, IP Surveillance | Permalink
Posted by simratdhindsa

DAS to SAN Migration Using a Storage Concentrator™

November 17, 2011

A common side effect of server consolidation projects or implementing a centralized Fibre Channel SAN is scores of unused disk arrays. Many organizations are reluctant to perform that they call ‘forklift upgrades’.

Through our extensive analysis we have found three ways to migrate captured server disks (direct-attached external JBOD or RAID) to an IP SAN (Internet Protocol Storage Area Network) using the StoneFly Storage Concentrator™. This StoneFly whitepaper clearly explains the three methods of converting storage to an IP SAN using the Storage Concentrator.

P.S – The document assumes that that you are an IT administrator in a small to medium business (SMB) who is responsible for this migration. It assumes that you are familiar with Microsoft Windows 2000/2003 OS, iSCSI, IP SANs, SNICs (Storage Network Interface Cards), and StoneFly’s Storage Concentrator solutions.

Happy reading!

Leave a Comment » | DNF Storage, Migration, StoneFly, Storage | Permalink
Posted by simratdhindsa

It’s All About Restore

November 10, 2011

Peace of mind comes from knowing your backed-up data can actually be restored quickly and reliably. Backups can be easily verified, but there is high anxiety associated with confirming
the reliability of a restore.    In most cases, knowing that a restore actually works usually occurs after data is lost. Keeping your fingers crossed should not be an integral part of a data recovery program.

High profile events, such as recent natural disasters, provide harsh reminders of the many ways information can be lost. Among the most common are hardware and software malfunction, human error, computer viruses and natural disasters.There are three main quantifiable costs associated with each incident of data loss:  the cost of technical support in the recovery effort, lost productivity due to user downtime, and the possible cost associated with data that is permanently lost.

Visit StoneFly Whitepaper Library to learn all about cost-effective restore suggested by experienced StoneFly experts.

Leave a Comment » | backup, Disaster Recovery, DNF Storage, Storage | Permalink
Posted by simratdhindsa

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