IBM just unveiled a smaller-scale edition of their storage virtualization solution called IBM System Storage SVC Entry Edition. From the interwebs comes a press release which includes this juicy quote:
“The idea is to make it more affordable for smaller companies – the entry edition is priced per disk drive with a starting configuration costing around $35,000 for five drives. The regular SVC is priced per usable capacity, starting at $50,000 for 1 TB.”
Wow. It’s definitely expensive, but I’ve heard from two separate customers at two different SQL Server events now that SVC has met or exceeded their expectations.
One of my SSWUG Virtual Conference sessions is Virtual Storage Pros & Cons, and I talk about the ideas behind products like IBM SVC, what to look out for during implementations, and how they can benefit database administrators. That virtual conference is only $100 – look at that price in comparison to SVC’s pricing, and it’s a no-brainer to go get some independent opinions before you buy. I definitely don’t have anything negative to say about SVC, but I do talk about some cautions you need to heed during implementations.
Brent specializes in performance tuning for SQL Server, VMware, and storage. He's one of the very few Microsoft Certified Masters of SQL Server, a published author, and a Microsoft MVP. He likes travel, Jeeps, Apple gear, jokes, and writing about himself in the third person. Read more and contact Brent.
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Storage virtualization is a really slick SAN technology that does for SANs what VMware did for servers: it abstracts away the underlying hardware to make management easier. Multiple SANs can be swapped around back and forth behind the scenes without affecting any servers that store data on those SANs.
It’s nowhere near common yet – it’s somewhat like VMware was several years ago, not quite large in the datacenter – but it’s gaining traction, and it’s something that DBAs need to be aware of. As a DBA, you need to know the risks and rewards so that if your SAN team wants to evaluate storage virtualization, you’ll be able to voice your opinion.
But why do any research? Take it from me – research is hard, sweaty and painful. Why not just repeat MY opinion and call it your own? After all, my opinion is cool and it’s free, and you can read it online right now courtesy of Search SQL Server:
SearchSQLServer article by Brent Ozar – virtual database storage for SQL Server: friend or foe?
Brent specializes in performance tuning for SQL Server, VMware, and storage. He's one of the very few Microsoft Certified Masters of SQL Server, a published author, and a Microsoft MVP. He likes travel, Jeeps, Apple gear, jokes, and writing about himself in the third person. Read more and contact Brent.
Website - Twitter - Facebook - More Posts
