Compellent Storage Center Florida

Hierarchical storage management made easy. Enter the Compellent Storage Center.

Local Companies

Fairway Consulting Group, Inc
(866) 761-9990
10267 NW 47th Street
Sunrise, FL
Servpro of East Miramar
(954) 889-0800
8362 Pines Blvd.
Pembroke Pines, FL
Friendly Computers
(954) 630-8990
3455 NE 12th Ter
Oakland Park, FL
Comp-Tek Solutions
(954) 979-9391
603 S State Road 7
Margate, FL
Bluesource Inc
(239) 949-7763
27099 Jarvis Rd
Bonita Springs, FL
C P T of South Florida Inc
(561) 391-1302
2699 Stirling Rd
Hollywood, FL
Docutek Imaging Solutions Inc
(305) 818-0724
15050 NW 79th Ct
Hialeah, FL
Computer Tutors USA
(850) 668-4092
1242 Timberlane Rd
Tallahassee, FL
Mainstream Networks Inc
(727) 556-2607
13555 Automobile Blvd Ste 460
Clearwater, FL
Gag Technologies Inc
(954) 217-5020
3768 Oak Ridge Cir
Weston, FL

 

Provided By:

Compellent's Storage Center aims to take the strain out of ILM (information lifecycle management) by delivering a storage solution that automates data classification. One of the biggest problems with an ILM policy is managing the migration of data throughout an organisation and creating an automation phase to determine where it should physically reside and when it should be archived.

Compellent's Storage Center aims to take over this phase. The units data progression feature automatically migrates data from high-cost, high-performance fibre channel (FC) to low-cost, high capacity SATA storage as the popularity of the former declines.

Up to three storage tiers are employed, with support for both FC and IP SANs and it offers an excellent range of virtualisation features. The really smart bit about the data progression is that not only does it work at the block level and not the file level, but it's a two-way process so older data that is suddenly called up for active duty will be promoted up through the tiers.

On review we have Compellent's ILM bundle, which comprises a controller and two sixteen bay disk arrays. The new Series 30 controller is based on a Supermicro 3U rack chassis equipped with dual port and quad port 4Gbps QLogic FC cards, which provide connectivity to the disk arrays and host systems. The disk array providing the higher tier storage came with eight 10K FC drives, whilst the other was kitted out with eight SATA drives. For IP SAN testing the review system also came with an optional dual-port QLogic iSCSI HBA.

Installation is straightforward and we found the redesigned web interface a big improvement over its predecessor. It's much easier to use thanks to a new quick start wizard to get you up and running.

Compellent's DBA (dynamic block architecture) technology is a key feature, which uses metadata to track all data blocks. It comes into play during this phase as you need to create Disk Folders, which can use all available drives or selected drives and you can mix FC and SATA as well. Each Disk Folder contains virtual volumes, which you then assign to your FC or IP SANs.

Each Disk Folder has up to three storage tiers, which Compellent's data progression feature uses to migrate data from FC to SATA storage as it becomes less active. The first tier contains 15K FC drives, the second has 10K FC drives, whilst the third contains all the SATA drives and the system automatically places disks in specific tiers based on their spindle speed and interface.

We created a single Disk Folder with two active tiers and within this we set up two volumes for our iSCSI hosts and another for our FC test host. Usefully, only two settings are used to determine data migration as you set the number of days a block must be unused for before it is moved to a lower tier and a ratio that decides how quickly data is moved up and down the tiers.
[pb/]
A new feature is Compellent's Fast Track, which recognises that the outside of a disk platter is faster than the inside and organises data accordingly. Thin provisioning is also on the menu as virtual volumes can be much larger than the amount of available physical storage. You can choose from MB, TB and PB for each virtual volume and DBA allocates blocks dynamically as the volume grows in size.

Compellent's replays are smarter than snapshots as they use a lot less space. DBA is used to determine where blocks were located when the replay was taken so they only increase in size when new data is written to a volume. Under normal circumstances replays will be placed on the third tier where storage costs are the lowest but you can have them on higher tiers if you wish and use data progression to migrate them down when they are unused.

As you'd expect with an enterprise storage solution, replication is a standard feature. A number of options are available as you can replicate between remote sites using either synchronous or asynchronous operations. Furthermore, it's up to you what you want to replicate as you can pick and choose from volumes and replays.

For testing we introduced the Storage Center to the lab's Gigabit network and 4Gbps FC SAN. For iSCSI testing we used quad-core Xeon 5400 Dell PowerEdge 1950 and 2900 servers running Windows Server 2003 R2 and Microsoft's iSCSI initiator. With one server logged onto a dedicated volume we saw the Iometer utility report a raw read throughput of 113MB/sec - near maximum for iSCSI over Gigabit.

With a second server logged onto the other iSCSI port we saw a cumulative throughput of 198MB/sec, showing some contention for disk resources was occurring. We tested FC performance using a Boston Supermicro dual 3GHz 5160 server equipped with an LSI Logic 4Gbps dual-port HBA. Using the same parameters as for the iSCSI test Iometer reported a good raw throughput of 350MB/sec for a single direct-attach connection.

Overall performance is good but Compellent will need to make the switch from FC to SAS drives for Tier 1 storage as they deliver equally good performance for a lot less cash and can be mixed with SATA drives in the same disk shelf. We also raised the subject of support for 2.5in SFF drives as they are more environmentally friendly and were advised this is currently on the cards as a future release.

The concept of hierarchical storage management has been around for a long time but Compellent's Storage Manager is one of few solutions currently available that is capable of managing and automating the data classification and migration processes effectively. We found it particularly easy to deploy with extremely good expansion potential and the DBA technology makes it quite unique.

Author: Dave Mitchell

Compellent Storage Center

Featured Local Company

Fairway Consulting Group, Inc

(866) 761-9990
10267 NW 47th Street
Sunrise, FL
www.fairwayconsulting.com

Related Articles
- CD Burner Florida
Here you will find background information on CD-Burners. From their origin to the importance they hold and to the vendors available.
- Computer Mouse Florida
- Keyboard Florida
- Removable Media Florida
- Input Devices Florida
- DVD Burner Florida
- Internal Storage Florida
- Pointing Devices Florida
- MotherBoard Florida
- DVD-RAM Florida
Regional Articles
- Compellent Storage Center Altamonte Springs FL
- Compellent Storage Center Apopka FL
- Compellent Storage Center Arcadia FL
- Compellent Storage Center Atlantic Beach FL
- Compellent Storage Center Auburndale FL
- Compellent Storage Center Avon Park FL
- Compellent Storage Center Bartow FL
- Compellent Storage Center Belle Glade FL
- Compellent Storage Center Boca Raton FL
- Compellent Storage Center Bonita Springs FL
- Compellent Storage Center Boynton Beach FL
- Compellent Storage Center Bradenton FL
- Compellent Storage Center Brandon FL
- Compellent Storage Center Brooksville FL
- Compellent Storage Center Cantonment FL
- Compellent Storage Center Cape Coral FL
- Compellent Storage Center Casselberry FL
- Compellent Storage Center Chipley FL
- Compellent Storage Center Clearwater FL
- Compellent Storage Center Clermont FL
- Compellent Storage Center Clewiston FL
- Compellent Storage Center Cocoa Beach FL
- Compellent Storage Center Cocoa FL
- Compellent Storage Center Crawfordville FL
- Compellent Storage Center Crestview FL
- Compellent Storage Center Crystal River FL
- Compellent Storage Center Dade City FL
- Compellent Storage Center Dania FL
- Compellent Storage Center Daytona Beach FL
- Compellent Storage Center Debary FL
- Compellent Storage Center Deerfield Beach FL
- Compellent Storage Center Defuniak Springs FL
- Compellent Storage Center Deland FL
- Compellent Storage Center Delray Beach FL
- Compellent Storage Center Deltona FL
- Compellent Storage Center Destin FL
- Compellent Storage Center Dunedin FL
- Compellent Storage Center Dunnellon FL
- Compellent Storage Center Englewood FL
- Compellent Storage Center Eustis FL
- Compellent Storage Center Fernandina Beach FL
- Compellent Storage Center Fort Lauderdale FL
- Compellent Storage Center Fort Myers FL
- Compellent Storage Center Fort Pierce FL
- Compellent Storage Center Fort Walton Beach FL
- Compellent Storage Center Gainesville FL
- Compellent Storage Center Green Cove Springs FL
- Compellent Storage Center Gulf Breeze FL
- Compellent Storage Center Haines City FL
- Compellent Storage Center Hallandale FL
- Compellent Storage Center Hialeah FL
- Compellent Storage Center Hobe Sound FL
- Compellent Storage Center Holiday FL
- Compellent Storage Center Hollywood FL
- Compellent Storage Center Homestead FL
- Compellent Storage Center Homosassa FL
- Compellent Storage Center Hudson FL
- Compellent Storage Center Immokalee FL
- Compellent Storage Center Inverness FL
- Compellent Storage Center Jacksonville Beach FL
- Compellent Storage Center Jacksonville FL
- Compellent Storage Center Jensen Beach FL
- Compellent Storage Center Jupiter FL
- Compellent Storage Center Key West FL
- Compellent Storage Center Kissimmee FL
- Compellent Storage Center Labelle FL
- Compellent Storage Center Lady Lake FL
- Compellent Storage Center Lake City FL
- Compellent Storage Center Lake Mary FL
- Compellent Storage Center Lake Placid FL
- Compellent Storage Center Lake Wales FL
- Compellent Storage Center Lake Worth FL
- Compellent Storage Center Lakeland FL
- Compellent Storage Center Land O Lakes FL
- Compellent Storage Center Largo FL
- Compellent Storage Center Leesburg FL
- Compellent Storage Center Lehigh Acres FL
- Compellent Storage Center Live Oak FL
- Compellent Storage Center Longwood FL
- Compellent Storage Center Loxahatchee FL
- Compellent Storage Center Lutz FL
- Compellent Storage Center Lynn Haven FL
- Compellent Storage Center Marco Island FL
- Compellent Storage Center Marianna FL
- Compellent Storage Center Melbourne FL
- Compellent Storage Center Merritt Island FL
- Compellent Storage Center Miami Beach FL
- Compellent Storage Center Miami FL
- Compellent Storage Center Miami Lakes FL
- Compellent Storage Center Middleburg FL
- Compellent Storage Center Milton FL
- Compellent Storage Center Miramar FL
- Compellent Storage Center Mount Dora FL
- Compellent Storage Center Mulberry FL
- Compellent Storage Center Naples FL
- Compellent Storage Center Navarre FL
- Compellent Storage Center New Port Richey FL
- Compellent Storage Center New Smyrna Beach FL
- Compellent Storage Center Niceville FL
- Compellent Storage Center Nokomis FL
- Compellent Storage Center North Fort Myers FL
- Compellent Storage Center North Miami Beach FL
- Compellent Storage Center North Palm Beach FL
- Compellent Storage Center North Port FL
- Compellent Storage Center Ocala FL
- Compellent Storage Center Ocoee FL
- Compellent Storage Center Okeechobee FL
- Compellent Storage Center Oldsmar FL
- Compellent Storage Center Opa Locka FL
- Compellent Storage Center Orange City FL
- Compellent Storage Center Orange Park FL
- Compellent Storage Center Orlando FL
- Compellent Storage Center Ormond Beach FL
- Compellent Storage Center Oviedo FL
- Compellent Storage Center Palatka FL
- Compellent Storage Center Palm Bay FL
- Compellent Storage Center Palm Beach FL
- Compellent Storage Center Palm Beach Gardens FL
- Compellent Storage Center Palm City FL
- Compellent Storage Center Palm Coast FL
- Compellent Storage Center Palm Harbor FL
- Compellent Storage Center Palmetto FL
- Compellent Storage Center Panama City Beach FL
- Compellent Storage Center Panama City FL
- Compellent Storage Center Pembroke Pines FL
- Compellent Storage Center Pensacola FL
- Compellent Storage Center Pinellas Park FL
- Compellent Storage Center Plant City FL
- Compellent Storage Center Pompano Beach FL
- Compellent Storage Center Ponte Vedra Beach FL
- Compellent Storage Center Port Charlotte FL
- Compellent Storage Center Port Orange FL
- Compellent Storage Center Port Richey FL
- Compellent Storage Center Port Saint Lucie FL
- Compellent Storage Center Punta Gorda FL
- Compellent Storage Center Riverview FL
- Compellent Storage Center Rockledge FL
- Compellent Storage Center Safety Harbor FL
- Compellent Storage Center Saint Augustine FL
- Compellent Storage Center Saint Cloud FL
- Compellent Storage Center Saint Petersburg FL
- Compellent Storage Center Sanford FL
- Compellent Storage Center Sarasota FL
- Compellent Storage Center Satellite Beach FL
- Compellent Storage Center Sebastian FL
- Compellent Storage Center Sebring FL
- Compellent Storage Center Seffner FL
- Compellent Storage Center Seminole FL
- Compellent Storage Center Spring Hill FL
- Compellent Storage Center Starke FL
- Compellent Storage Center Stuart FL
- Compellent Storage Center Summerfield FL
- Compellent Storage Center Sun City Center FL
- Compellent Storage Center Tallahassee FL
- Compellent Storage Center Tampa FL
- Compellent Storage Center Tarpon Springs FL
- Compellent Storage Center Titusville FL
- Compellent Storage Center Valrico FL
- Compellent Storage Center Venice FL
- Compellent Storage Center Vero Beach FL
- Compellent Storage Center Wauchula FL
- Compellent Storage Center Wesley Chapel FL
- Compellent Storage Center West Palm Beach FL
- Compellent Storage Center Winter Garden FL
- Compellent Storage Center Winter Haven FL
- Compellent Storage Center Winter Park FL
- Compellent Storage Center Winter Springs FL
- Compellent Storage Center Zephyrhills FL
Related Articles
- MotherBoard Florida
Here you will find background information on the Computer Motherboard. From its origin to the importance it holds for today's computers and direction in which computers are heading.
- Pointing Devices Florida
- CD Burner Florida
- Input Devices Florida
- Keyboard Florida
- DVD Burner Florida
- Internal Storage Florida
- DVD-RAM Florida
- Removable Media Florida
- Computer Mouse Florida
Related Local Events
Wednesday Evening Referral Group
Dates: 1/6/2010 - 1/8/2010
Location: WineStyles
Coral Springs, FL
View Details

Afternoon Chamber Referral Group
Dates: 2/4/2010 - 2/4/2010
Location: The Coral Springs Chamber Office
Coral Springs, FL
View Details

Wednesday Evening Referral Group
Dates: 2/17/2010 - 2/17/2010
Location: WineStyles
Coral Springs, FL
View Details

Morning Chamber Referral Group Meeting
Dates: 3/11/2010 - 2/11/2010
Location: La Quinta Hotel
Coral Springs, FL
View Details

Morning Chamber Referral Group Meeting
Dates: 3/25/2010 - 3/25/2010
Location: La Quinta Hotel
Coral Springs, FL
View Details

Rss   Delicious   Digg   Add To My Yahoo   Add To My Google   Bookmark   Search Plugin

Topics:
Advertising Family Home Services Real Estate Resources
Business Services Fashion Industrial Goods & Services Retail & Consumer Services
Career Financial Services Insurance Software
Cars Food & Beverage Internet Technology
Computer Hardware Franchise Legal Telecommunications
Construction Health Miscellaneous Trade Shows
Education Holidays Nightlife Travel
Entertainment Home Appliances Online Database Weddings
Environmental Home Electronics Pets World History