Virtualization has disrupted the I/O path, reducing the value of enterprise storage arrays. But all is not lost: An effort is afoot to make things right by increasing communication between hypervisor and array and demultiplexing data before it is stored. “What we have here is a failure to communicate” The core problem with the I/O blender is that virtual machine disk images … [Read more...] about The I/O Blender Part 3: Behold the Power of the Demultiplexer
LUN
The I/O Blender Part 2: What Does Virtualization Do?
Virtualization is a disruptive technology in every sense of the word. By abstracting and simplifying physical resources, virtualization enables dynamic utilization. But this “translation” from physical to virtual disrupts the assumptions that enable performance and flexibility of physical devices such as storage arrays. Your Assumption Is Invalid See Storage Arrays Do A … [Read more...] about The I/O Blender Part 2: What Does Virtualization Do?
The I/O Blender Part 1: Ye Olde Storage I/O Path
Back in the day, when data was smaller and servers were machines, I/O followed a predictable pattern. Storage arrays could anticipate requests and RAID was beautiful. Then came virtualization, and with it an end to ye olde storage I/O path. Server = HBA = LUN It was a simpler time back in the 1990's. Each server had a SCSI host bus adapter (HBA) of its own. Maybe two, if … [Read more...] about The I/O Blender Part 1: Ye Olde Storage I/O Path
Are You a Hypervisor Hugger or a Storage Stalwart?
The time has come to take sides on the core question of storage for virtual servers: Do you want storage intelligence to live in the hypervisor or the array? Most administrators are already lining up on one side or the other, unintentionally casting their vote while the rest flounder. But the storage industry must wake up and embrace the divide. Hypervisor Huggers … [Read more...] about Are You a Hypervisor Hugger or a Storage Stalwart?
EMC V-Max FAST: Coming in December … And 2010!
EMC's Fully Automated Storage Tiering (FAST) was one of the most welcome annoucements made during the Symmetrix V-Max introduction. It would be a significant modernization of EMC's Symmetrix line, and would be one of the first unique features of the Symmetrix V-Max line. But many, including me, were disappointed to learn in May that FAST would not be available for upwards of a … [Read more...] about EMC V-Max FAST: Coming in December … And 2010!