In computing there is a predictable trend of evolution for all technologies - some slower than others, but always evolving and hopefully getting better! In the realm of storage appliances (NAS or application specific appliances) the technology evolution usually equates to things like more capacity (bigger drives), faster throughput, more IOPS, better availability, and easier management/provisioning, etc… but is that it?

With the speed of CPU’s today and the price of memory (making it more affordable and available) many storage appliances being shipped today have spare compute cycles sitting around begging to be used. Sure we will get great performance, management and availability - maybe even more than we need, but what can be done with those spare cycles? How about indexing the data sitting on the appliance? (See previous post about indexing) How about processing video streams, encrypting data, compressing data, monitoring other storage appliances and migrating data per policy, backing up networked PC’s? How about offloading some applications as well - like email and databases? The concept of adding services and features to storage appliances is hardly new, but the possibilities are becoming more vast with the compute powers becoming available.

I’m not making a case to have one box that does everything (don’t put all your eggs in one basket please!), but I am saying try not to under utilize your next storage appliance. Try to balance the systems capabilities with your needs. You may find that it can do something for you that you never realized you needed! So look around and pay attention to the additional features being offered by today’s high-powered storage appliances. If you find yourself looking at a system that touts the greatest performance on the planet but doesn’t offer you any other applications or features for those times when warp speed isn’t necessary, then maybe you should keep looking.

On the flip side, just because you’re in the market for another storage appliance, that doesn’t mean you necessarily need the fastest, most powerful thing that exists. Make sure you consider your needs first. Most of us in technology are “gadget freaks” (I know I am), and part of our personality (a-la “Tim the toolman” - more power! GRUNT! GRUNT!) is to live and die on the bleeding edge - because after all, if it breaks, we can fix it! Right? And so what if it’s so complicated to manage that you need to take a two week course on how to set the time zone - that just enhances our job security and makes us more valuable! Doesn’t it?

So let’s all try to supress our grunting for a minute and either find a constructive and useful way to use the new found “power” of these “Super” storage appliances or consider not throwing away money (even if it’s not yours) just for the sake of having the coolest toy on the block.

Blog ya later!

Joe

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 16th, 2007 and is filed under General, Storage Applications, Advisor - Joe Disher. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.