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What is vSERV?
vSERV is file-system aggregation software for Windows-based servers, or a combination of servers and NAS devices. It simplifies the use and administration of distributed storage systems by merging file systems from multiple storage devices into a single, functional file system. Once aggregated, multiple servers look and behave as if they are one large storage device.
What is the difference between vSERV and vSERV/LX?
vSERV/LX is an entry-level file-server aggregation product at a very attractive price. It allows a maximum of 280 GB of storage to be aggregated and can be used across as many servers as needed as long as the combined capacity is below the maximum.
vSERV requires a license for each server aggregated. There is no limit to the number of servers or the amount of storage that can be aggregated.
What is file-system aggregation and why is it needed?
The word aggregate means to gather together into a sum to constitute a whole. In the case of servers and NAS, multiple file systems from multiple storage devices are inventoried and gathered together by the software into a single file system. All users interact with one directory as if it was residing on one large storage device.
The storage industry has been eagerly seeking a solution such as vSERV to simplify the use of storage while reducing its sharply increasing maintenance costs. The benefits that servers and NAS bring to storage are also the source of many of their own problems. These devices are relatively inexpensive and the growth of a storage system is as easy as adding more storage devices. The problem is that each device is a separate entity — individual storage capacity, individual directory, separate share point, and defined rights that permit or limit access of data by a set of users. vSERV removes the barriers between devices and joins them to provide a universally accessible pool of storage. Growing, using, and maintaining a pool of resources is much easier and more cost effective than managing a system comprised of many individual devices.
How simple is it to install vSERV?
A set of three servers can be aggregated in about 15 minutes. It's as simple as installing the software and rebooting the servers. The server space can be allocated to one or more groups from the configuration screen with a few mouse clicks and you're done. It really is that easy. No rewiring. No down time.
Who would use vSERV?
Anyone that uses or maintains a server-based storage systems and is searching for a solution that reduces costs while making the system easier to administer and use. Business sizes can range from small offices with two or more servers up to corporate storage environments with numerous clients accessing terabytes of data on an extensive storage system comprised of servers or a combination of servers and NAS devices.
How does vSERV work?
When the software is installed on each appliance to be aggregated, 1Vision’s patented Persistent File System (PFS) runs parallel to the storage device’s native file system without interfering with its operation or security. File-system information from each device is monitored and shared in real time with other devices that also have the software installed. The software gathers information from all devices and presents the user with a single share point with a single directory in Windows Explorer.
Do all users have access to all information?
Users have access to all files within the group's aggregated resources to which they have assigned rights.
During configuration of the devices to be aggregated, the administrator divides the resources into groups and creates a single share point through which members access the assigned resources. Only members of the defined group are allowed to view the aggregated directory. As with any network environment, the administrator can also assign individual rights for files and folders within the group. Users can access directories only in accordance to their assigned rights. vSERV honor all NTFS security.
Who benefits from using vSERV?
Anyone involved in purchasing, maintaining, and using servers, or a combination of servers and NAS, for their network storage.
How do system administrators benefit?
System administrators benefit primarily by seamless growth of the system, centralized administration, reduction of routine tasks, and more efficient utilization of all storage resources.
The addition of devices to grow the system are seamlessly integrated into the overall capacity. vSERV views a new device as additional storage space as opposed to an individual device. The capacities of newly installed devices are easily added to a group’s aggregated resources without bringing down all or part of the storage system, rebooting, or reconfiguring clients. Its resources are immediately available for use by the group through their common share point. Adding new devices is invisible to the end user.
Configuration of all participating devices is performed from a few simple screens. The administrator uses Enable and Configure screens to enable devices for aggregation, define work groups, allocate storage, and set simple operational parameters. The entire system can be setup or modified from one central location.
vSERV will save most administrators anywhere from 50 percent to 60 percent of their time spent on routine tasks such as planning, organization, resource allocation, hardware set up, client administration, and moving files.
System utilization also reduces TCO by getting the most efficient use out of storage resources. In most distributed storage systems, it is not uncommon for one device to have large amounts of unused capacity while others are at or near total capacity. In the normal scheme, there is no way to dynamically shift available capacity to where it is needed. Using vSERV, the task is as easy as moving files to another device within the group (without bringing down the system) and reconfiguring the empty device so it is added to a group in need of additional space. The software allows these changes without affecting users in either group.
How do end users benefit?
The primary benefits are system navigation and data availability.
When dealing with a single file system to access all of their data, users are no longer concerned with the physical makeup of the storage system. Their files can reside on any or all of the group’s resources, but the directory looks as if it is one large directory residing on a single storage device. Users are freed from remembering numerous cryptic paths and share points to data scattered across many individual devices.
Can vSERV help me defer the purchase of new servers?
Yes. Studies show that commonly 50% or more of storage on a network is not used because it is on the "wrong" server. With vSERV, all available storage is accessible to the aggregated group. vSERV uses every available byte of data on all devices which can put off additional hardware purchases until absolutely necessary.
How long would it take a business to recoup its investment in vSERV?
Colorado Software Architects firmly believes the savings realized in improved system utilization and reduction of tasks for the administrator will pay for each vSERV license within 30 days of installation.
Can existing systems benefit from installing vSERV?
Yes. vSERV is not only for new servers and NAS devices, but can successfully aggregate file systems from devices that have extensive directory structures already in place. The software takes inventory of directories from each device and builds one aggregated directory.
Are storage systems aggregated with vSERV compatible with NAS systems aggregated with vSERV NAS Module?
Yes. vSERV and vSERV NAS Module are 100 percent compatible. Any storage aggregated with either software can be seamlessly integrated into an aggregated environment created with the other.
What are the system requirements for installing and using the software?
vSERV requires Windows 2000 SE as the operating system for all servers and NAS devices to be aggregated. All devices must also reside in the same domain and have vSERV installed.
Do storage devices added to the system need the software installed?
Yes. All devices to be aggregated must have the software installed. vSERV adds the Persistent File System (PFS) component to each device that enables the sharing of file-system data among the aggregated group. When installed, the new device can be instantly made available for use by an aggregation group.
Does vSERV require software to be installed on client computers?
No. As long as a client has access to the network domain that is being aggregated, no additional software is required to view or use directories to which they have rights.
Is there a limit to the number of devices or capacity that can be aggregated?
vSERV has no limit. Unlimited devices and their capacities can be aggregated as long as each device has an individual vSERV license.
vSERV/LX, the entry-level server-aggregation product, limits the capacity to 280 GB. However, it does not limit the number of servers using the single license to reach the maximum capacity.
How do I back up an aggregated environment?
Backing up the entire aggregated storage environment distributed across multiple devices can be easily taken care using one of two basic backup routines.
One strategy is to separately back up each device's file system, including both data and applications. If a device fails or is replaced, the files can be restored from the backup, then reaggregate all volumes with vSERV NAS Module.
A second approach is to backup the entire contents of the aggregated V: drive from the administrator's computer. Restoring affected data is accomplished by performing a restore operation of the entire V: drive with the option to overwrite files turned off.
To learn more about these two strategies, see our white paper, Backing Up Aggregated Environments.
Does Colorado Software Architects have plans to expand this type of product to other operating systems or storage schemes?
Yes. CSA plans to port the file-system technology and solutions to other storage devices and operating systems.
In many corporate environments, NAS and servers may be just two of the storage solutions available. In the case of a mix of systems (NAS, SAN, DAS, RAID, etc.), CSA will extend the benefits of its aggregated-file-system software to encompass file-level storage virtualization across all corporate servers and NAS devices. Servers may have direct-attached storage (DAS) or use SAN for their bulk storage. They may also have a combination of devices with different operating systems such as Windows, UNIX, and Linux. CSA plans to port its aggregated file system software to these operating systems.
As long as data storage evolves along divergent technological lines, problems with file-system navigation and access will be an ongoing challenge to IT managers, hardware manufacturers, and software providers. It is CSA's goal to enhance the versatility and cost effectiveness of mass-storage markets by providing the pervasive standard for distributed networked file aggregation.
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