Why do some data storage solutions perform better than others? What tradeoffs are made for economy and how do they affect the system as a whole? These questions can be puzzling, but there are core truths that are difficult to avoid. Mechanical disk drives can only move a certain amount of data. RAM caching can improve performance, but only until it runs out. I/O channels can be … [Read more...] about The Four Horsemen of Storage System Performance: Get Smart
volume manager
Storage Decisions New York: Capacity Optimization
Later this month, I will be heading to New York for TechTarget's Storage Decisions conference. This show does a good job on the editorial side, suggesting timely topics and bringing in independent voices like Howard Marks. I will have two presentations on data reduction and storage virtualization in the main conference track. Registration is free for qualified end-users, and I … [Read more...] about Storage Decisions New York: Capacity Optimization
Undocumented CoreStorage Commands
Yesterday I noted that Apple included a full logical volume manager in Mac OS X 10.7 "Lion" without so much as a word. Today I am pleased to say that CoreStorage is much more functional than I had guessed, including a number of undocumented but seemingly functional commands for on-the-fly resizing of logical volumes as well as manipulation of physical volumes. Read on for the … [Read more...] about Undocumented CoreStorage Commands
Mac OS X Lion Adds CoreStorage, a Volume Manager (Finally!)
Apple fan boys won't like to hear this, but Mac OS X was majorly deficient in an area near and dear to my heart. You see, unlike every other modern operating system, Mac OS X lacked a volume manager. This wouldn't seem like a big deal to the average user, but it held back the operating system in many ways. A volume manager brings storage virtualization to an operating system, … [Read more...] about Mac OS X Lion Adds CoreStorage, a Volume Manager (Finally!)
Storage Decisions Chicago: All About Capacity Optimization
Next month, I will be heading to Chicago for TechTarget's Storage Decisions conference. This show does a good job on the editorial side, suggesting timely topics and bringing in independent voices like Howard Marks. I will have three presentations to give: Sessions on data reduction and storage virtualization in the main conference track, as well as a dinner discussion focusing … [Read more...] about Storage Decisions Chicago: All About Capacity Optimization