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Overview of vSERV™ and vSERV NAS Module™ |
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File-System Aggregation Maintains NAS Manageability
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Colorado Software Architects, Inc. introduces vSERV™ and vSERV NAS Module™ Aggregated File System, the first two products to simplify and enhance the manageability of networked storage with true file-system aggregation. vSERV NAS Module is file-system aggregation for storage systems comprised of network attached storage (NAS), and vSERV is for systems made up of servers, or a combination of servers and NAS.
Aggregation is a software solution that melds all resources from multiple devices into combined capacities that are viewed and accessed with a single, common directory. Using an aggregated storage system is the same as using one large storage device — one directory, one combined capacity, one common share point.
Creating a unified virtual environment separates the logical view of storage from its physical makeup. Users no longer have to be concerned with the structure of their storage environment. With vSERV NAS Module or vSERV, they can interact with one file system accessed through one share point. Conversely, the separation of logical from physical gives administrators the latitude to make changes to storage hardware — take down storage devices, move files, add devices — without disrupting service.
True file-system aggregation is the solution to the problems inherent to growing server-based or NAS storage systems.
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Servers and NAS Devices are Efficient and Balanced for Specific Tasks
Both file servers and NAS devices are balanced and well-designed to deliver files from the network to clients and back with optimized efficiency. NAS devices come with an installed OS, integrated software and hardware, and are preconfigured specifically for the task of file sharing and file storage. Servers are also designed for efficient file sharing across a LAN, and add the ability to share programs. Both NAS and servers are also highly reliable, highly scalable, and easily deployable. The balance of security, dependability, efficiency, and price make NAS and servers, or a combination of the two, attractive storage options. File-system aggregation helps a multi-device system retain the simplicity with which a single device was designed.
Upsetting the Balance
The balance and efficiency of NAS and server storage can be easily upset by continual incremental growth. As more capacity is needed, a new device is added. When the new device is almost full, another is added…then another...then another, and so on until the system grows in complexity to the point of being unmanageable. The simple, well-designed balance of an individual storage device is quickly lost.
Each device is a separate storage entity with its own capacity, share point, and user base. Although total capacities are expanded when new devices are installed, unused capacities cannot be shared where needed. Servers and NAS, in these cases, become more collections of isolated devices rather than storage systems. Achieving balanced utilization across all resources becomes difficult as some devices run at near capacity while others are scarcely accessed. The average device utilization across extensive storage systems can be as low as 30 or 40 percent. Isolated pockets of unused storage cannot be made available without extensive file migration and reconfiguration. The seemingly simple task of moving files from one device to another can be a major undertaking as one or more devices must be taken off line, and therefore unavailable, during the move.
True file-system aggregation is the solution to the problems inherent to growing server-based or NAS storage systems.
Creeping Growth Brings Its Own Set of Problems
Although aggregating the file system benefits storage systems as small as two devices, larger enterprises systems experiencing creeping incremental growth will reap the most benefit from vSERV NAS Module or vSERV.
Problems associated with creeping growth include:
- Complex navigation — The addition of each storage device adds yet another new share point. Users must remember where data resides among an expanding number of share points.
- Expensive maintenance — Valuable IT time is spent maintaining individual devices.
- Uneven Utilization — Each device's capacity is self-contained. Some devices may be at or near capacity while others have an abundance of unused disk space. Unused space cannot be made available where needed, except through time-consuming "forklift" upgrades.
- Painful reconfiguration — Moving files, reallocating resources, upgrading a drive, or attending to a faulty device requires taking devices off line, thereby disrupting access.
- Single points of failure — Device failure renders its resident data inaccessible.
For storage systems to scale and operate smoothly, they must regain the balance with which they were designed. File-system aggregation creates a single, virtual device with the inherent balance of a single device.
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vSERV and vSERV NAS Module are the solutions to regain system balance needed to efficiently store, retrieve, and receive data to and from network users. The software is a simple solution to some of the more vexing problems encountered when growing a storage environmnet. Behind its apparent simplicity are well designed building blocks.
Building on a solid foundation
vSERV NAS Module is built solid, tested technology: 1Vision's patented Persistent File System and the trusted Microsoft Windows Server OS.
The Persistent File System
PFS is the power and intelligence behind vSERV NAS Module, providing the component that monitors and shares data among aggregated devices. This collected information is presented as a comprehensive directory, updated continually in real time.
PFS is proven technology released in all previous 1Vision products with more than 2 million installations. It is adaptable, working with file systems for removable media, Internet storage, and now networked storage.
As the exclusive developer and owner of PFS, Colorado Software Architects has a true, patented technology that separates itself from all other competitors in the storage-aggregation and virtualization market.
Windows
vSERV NAS Module
vSERV NAS Module leverages the performance, scalability, high availability, and data protection provided by Windows 2000.
Microsoft included its Server Appliance Kit in its 2000 operating system to promote the development of third-party software and hardware for appliances running on the Windows platform. 1Vision is a certified Windows Embedded Partner, developing software on the SAK and leveraging the marketing opportunities offered by the Microsoft partnership (see vSERV NAS Module at Microsoft's Embedded Partners web site).
As most NAS devices do not provide direct access through monitors and keyboards, the SAK is used for remote access and configuration. The SAK provides an HTML interface for the installation, configuration, and documentation of partnered products. Once vSERV NAS Module is installed, enabling and configuring devices is performed using the browser interface. Any reconfiguration of existing resources can be performed from the SAK with just a few mouse clicks.
vSERV
vSERV is a simple stand-alone Windows application accessed by a single server. It is used to configure all devices to be included in the aggregated groups. The Windows program provides the same configuration options and operational settings as the vSERV NAS Module HTML interface.
Set Up
Setting up and using the software is surprisingly simple. The software is first installed on all devices to be aggregated. Once installed, the fields and selections on two screens are all that have to be completed before aggregation begins: one screen to enable vSERV NAS Module and another to configure and allocate resources within the group.
Setting up an aggregated file system is as simple as:
- Enabling a device for participation
- Creating an aggregation group
- Setting the device's high-water mark (the percentage of total capacity to be used before data is written to another device)
- Creating a share point for group members to access the aggregated resources
- Assigning storage devices to the group
Aggregated directories and capacities are available immediately after completing configuration. When using the new share point, users are presented with the familiar Windows directory encompassing all resources allocated to the participant's group. The directory is viewed through Windows Explorer and does not require the vSERV NAS Module or vSERV interface, or other software, to view the aggregated directory.
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vSERV and vSERV NAS Module bring together fragmented resources to create a single pool of storage that is used as if it is one large device. Just as the stand-alone storage device is simple and balanced, a single virtual device returns the balance to the entire storage system.
Both users and administrators benefit from implementing an aggregated file system.
Here are just some of the benefits that aggregation brings:
- Simplified navigation — One aggregated directory eliminates memorizing where files are scattered across multiple share points.
- Enhanced data availability — Access to multiple devices eliminates single points of failure.
- Seamless scalability — Additional NAS or servers immediately become additional resources — not isolated entities with their own directory, capacity, and share point. Since aggregated groups are made from multiple devices, the processing load is spread across multiple CPUs, effectively creating a multi-processor file server.
- Centralized administration — Create storage groups, allocate resources, and create group share points with a few clicks of a mouse.
- Simplified maintenance — Modifications to the storage system, such as moving files or adding resources, are invisible to users and do not disrupt service.
- Increased utilization — Get the most out of your storage investment by evenly utilizing all resources.
- Reduced TCO — Drive down total cost of ownership by reduced IT maintenance and more efficient use of storage resources.
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Windows-based NAS and servers are sound technologies that provide an inexpensive and simple storage solution for companies of all sizes. However, their simplicity can quickly be overshadowed by the rising maintenance costs and user confusion as systems grow unwieldy.
File-system aggregation is the solution for growing systems to retain the basic simplicity and balance of a single device. 1Vision's solutions remove the barriers between isolated devices to realize their full storage capabilities.
vSERV and vSERV NAS Module bring many benefits to users and administrators such as more even utilization of the entire system, direct accessibility through a single share point, strategic segmentation of resources in the creation of work groups, and separation between the physical structure and the logical view of storage to create a high degree of administrative independence without disrupting storage services.
1Vision's unique PFS technology places vSERV and vSERV NAS Module as the only products on the market to achieve true file-system aggregation.
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Copyright © 2002 Colorado Software Architects, Inc. All rights reserved.
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2004 - 2009 © Colorado Software Architects, Inc. All rights reserved. |
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