Archive for February, 2009

Cloud Storage: Review – Zumodrive

Over the last few weeks I’ve been using Zumodrive, another cloud storage offering.  This week Zumodrive released their iPhone client, which enables storage to be synchronised to an iPhone or iPod Touch device.   Background Zumodrive is a cloud storage service.  Data is stored on Amazon S3 and...
February 28th, 2009 | Cloud computing, GestaltIT | Read More

Enterprise Computing: Understanding The Cost Of Storage

There was an interesting question posed this afternoon by Ditchboy on ITToolbox.  The gist of the question was why Enterprise storage is so expensive, when 1TB drives are less than £100 a piece.  It’s a good question and something I’m asked quite often.  To us seasoned professionals,...
February 27th, 2009 | Uncategorized | Read More

Enterprise Computing: Data Migration Strategies – Part II

This is a continuing series on Enterprise Data Migration Strategies.  Previous Posts: Enterprise Computing: Data Migration Strategies – Part I In the previous post, I discussed reasons for migration.  This post will cover the next step; identifying the owners of storage resources. It may be...
February 24th, 2009 | Enterprise Computing, GestaltIT | Read More

Enterprise Computing: Data Migration Strategies – Part I

I recently posted on the issue of migrating data from large Enterprise storage arrays. The post covered a summary of the migration steps, with some brief discussion on calculating costs. In this series of posts, I will discuss migration strategies in more detail, covering the major steps in developing...
February 22nd, 2009 | Enterprise Computing, GestaltIT | Read More

Cloud Computing: Common API Standards

Beth Pariseau had an interesting comment today regarding the use of Cloud Storage API standards, following on from a SNIA summit on the subject. As usual, SNIA have got a hold of the wrong end of the stick.  Standardizing on Amazon’s API is just crazy.  In fact, at this stage, attempting to...
February 19th, 2009 | Cloud computing, Enterprise Computing | Read More

Enterprise Computing: Flash – What We Really Need

Storagebod had a great comment on the use of Flash Drives in Enterprise arrays.  I’d agree entirely that the vendors have bolted them into existing hardware and as a consequence they’re not working to their most efficient.   Here’s a prediction – an array which works on fixed...
February 16th, 2009 | Enterprise Computing | Read More

Enterprise Computing: Is DMX The Worst Array for Wastage?

As part of my work with Storage Fusion, I’m reporting on capacity and utilisation figures for different array vendors.  Part of this includes analysing exceptions and wastage.  DMX and Symmetrix seem to have more issues than any other platform.  Is this by design? I guess I should define what...
February 13th, 2009 | Enterprise Computing, GestaltIT | Read More

Enterprise Computing: Storage Reclamation

Dave Merrill has an interesting new post on his HDS blog.  He’s discussing reclamation options for recovering wastage and avoiding spending. He divides storage up into four categories: Old or Worthless Data Duplicate Data Usable but unallocated to hosts Allocated by unused Fortunately for Dave,...
February 12th, 2009 | Enterprise Computing | Read More

Review: OCZ SSD – Solid State Disk

We’re all aware of how solid state disks are becoming mainstream storage devices. Vendors are adding SSDs to arrays and to servers in order to increase levels of performance. I’ve been curious to understand how an SSD performs relative to traditional disk devices so I’ve purchased...
February 10th, 2009 | Uncategorized | Read More

Enterprise Computing: DMX-4 Is Dead – Long Live DMX-5!

  Chris Mellor posted a great article recently, speculating on the future of certain storage products.  He hinted at a new high end array from EMC, presumably an extension to the DMX range – tentatively titled DMX-5.   We’re about due for a new hardware release.  Looking back, the schedule...
February 9th, 2009 | Enterprise Computing | Read More
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