NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: ANDREAS M. ANTONOPOULOS ON THE DATA CENTER 11/16/04 Today's focus: Virtualization of storage improves utilization
Dear [EMAIL PROTECTED], In this issue: * Benefits of storage virtualization * Links related to Data Center * Featured reader resource _______________________________________________________________ This newsletter is sponsored by Force 10 Networks Is Gigabit Ethernet Density Important to You? The Force10 Networks TeraScale E-Series leads the industry with up to 672 line-rate Gigabit Ethernet ports or up to 56 line-rate 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports in a single massively resilient, fully redundant chassis. For more information on the industry leading family of switch/routers, visit http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=85882 _______________________________________________________________ IT SECURITY JOBS TO EXPLODE With an annual compound rate of nearly 14% from now until 2008, information security jobs are far outpacing IT jobs in general. For more results from this recent survey conducted by IDC of full-time security pros in 80 counties worldwide, click here: http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=88263 _______________________________________________________________ Today's focus: Virtualization of storage improves utilization By Andreas M. Antonopoulos It's almost an axiom that one can never have too much storage capacity. Year after year enterprises generate mountains of data requiring new storage capacity. In practice, however, the average utilization of storage resources in a data center hovers between 15% and 30%. IT managers allocate enough storage for a theoretical "peak" use, ensuring that there will not be a sudden shortage of capacity. In addition, storage is often allocated in separate silos, by application, leading to substantial inefficiencies. Unfortunately, the cost of maintaining a storage infrastructure at such low utilization (both in terms of capital spending and operational costs) is huge. Virtualization involves the consolidation of all storage resources into a virtual storage "pool." When an application requires storage, the storage manager can allocate capacity from the pool. Since the resources allocated to an application can be increased or decreased at will, there is no need to over-allocate storage. Furthermore, new disks can be added to the pool when new applications or increased demand are anticipated. As a result, utilization can be maintained at much higher levels without sacrificing flexibility. Both storage-area networks (SAN) and network-attached storage (NAS) allow much more efficient management of resources than storage that is directly attached to each server (DAS). With SAN or NAS, average utilization can be increased to 85%. Combined with the flexibility offered by comprehensive storage management products, SAN and NAS can dramatically reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO) from over $10 per gigabyte to under $5 per gigabyte. SAN and NAS storage, combined with virtualization and management software, offer several benefits: * Much increased utilization of storage resources through ��increased allocation efficiency. * Lower operating costs through centralized management. * Increased flexibility during periods of expansion through ��improved scalability. If you are discovering very low levels of utilization in your storage resources, especially if they consist primarily of direct-attached storage (DAS), you may find many benefits in a comprehensive storage strategy incorporating SAN, NAS and management software. To maximize the benefits of such a strategy you must examine your storage costs from a TCO perspective - operating costs are just as significant as the initial capital expenses. Virtualization, centralized management and consolidation will allow you to reduce your operating costs substantially while increasing your utilization. Finally, don't forget the hidden benefit: A flexible and rapidly scalable storage infrastructure will allow you to deploy new applications, increasing your business agility. RELATED EDITORIAL LINKS EMC Storage consolidation and virtualization http://www.emc.com/products/iis/index.jsp IBM Storage Virtualization http://www-1.ibm.com/servers/storage/software/virtualization/ HP Storage Virtualization http://www.hp.com/hps/storage/ns_virtualization.html Tech Update: App routers integrate data in a snap Network World, 11/15/04 http://www.nwfusion.com/news/tech/2004/111504techupdate.html Hospitals smooth prescription process Network World, 11/15/04 http://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/111504medinfo.html The Extended Enterprise Issue Network World, 11/15/04 http://www.nwfusion.com/ee/2004/ _______________________________________________________________ To contact: Andreas M. Antonopoulos Andreas M. Antonopoulos is principal research analyst at Nemertes Research. He can be reached at <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> _______________________________________________________________ This newsletter is sponsored by Force 10 Networks Is Gigabit Ethernet Density Important to You? The Force10 Networks TeraScale E-Series leads the industry with up to 672 line-rate Gigabit Ethernet ports or up to 56 line-rate 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports in a single massively resilient, fully redundant chassis. For more information on the industry leading family of switch/routers, visit http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=85881 _______________________________________________________________ ARCHIVE LINKS Archive of the Data Center newsletter: http://www.nwfusion.com/newsletters/datacenter/index.html Data Center research center: http://www.nwfusion.com/topics/datacenter.html _______________________________________________________________ FEATURED READER RESOURCE NEW! Website dedicated to Networking for Small Business now available The editors of NW Fusion and PC World have combined all their expert advice, authority, and know-how into a powerful new tool for small businesses, the new Networking for Small Business website. Get news, how-to's, product reviews, and expert advice specifically tailored to your small business needs. Find help with Security, Broadband, Networking, Hardware, Software, and Wireless & Mobile technology at: <http://www.networkingsmallbusiness.com/> _______________________________________________________________ May We Send You a Free Print Subscription? You've got the technology snapshot of your choice delivered at your fingertips each day. Now, extend your knowledge by receiving 51 FREE issues to our print publication. 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