Pain Clinic

Q: I am
an IT consultant and have been asked by my client to create a blueprint for
storage virtualization. But I need to get a fix on aspects like-the starting
point, issues involved and the options available for virtualization.

             -Gopa
Kumar, Trivandrum

A: When we
typically break what storage technologies enterprises are using, it would be one
or the combination of technologies like DAS, SAN, file system and back up
layers. There are technologies available to manage virtualization. The starting
point is in understanding the virtualization method that would be deployed. It
is today widely accepted that virtualization can be done on the host. Another
method would be on the storage array or on the SAN and finally, controller
based. For instance, when we take into account host based virtualization, all
the leading vendors provide solutions. But one area IT managers often overlook
on host-based virtualization is not factoring the computing power. Hence, one
needs to scale up the computing infrastructure to successfully accommodate
host-based virtualization.

Meanwhile, if opting for SAN virtualization, it happens
through standalone devices which function as switch in the network. Some leading
vendors provide network storage virtualization solution. Hence, there are two
approaches here-software and hardware based. The final option of controller
based is not very open as it is vendor dependant. And, it is embedded on the
storage array. It can also function as a separate device. Every vendor is strong
in one method of virtualization, and the trick here is to opt for a method that
brings in virtualization that best suits and satisfying your requirements.

Q: One of the
biggest pain areas for us off late is growing data. Is there any specific SMB
storage model available in the market today?

-Anil Sadrangani, Pune

A: SMBs are
indeed a big challenge, for they very often overlook IT as an investment and
rather see it as a cost center. Your case is a result of improper planning and
you are not able to scale up your storage as per business growth. The first
premise for you is in selecting the right vendor who has a good track record in
providing storage solutions for the SMBs. Today, NAS is used predominantly by
SMBs, which has an employee size range of 250 to 400. Yes, there are specific
solutions and packages available for SMB from leading vendors. With the help of
a storage consultant, you must first create a storage architecture which should
broadly address aspects like storage capacity needed, and you should also give
due attention to agility and flexibility, so that you can scale up as the
business grows. Then, you must arrive at the storage solutions needed. Emphasis
here should be proactive rather than reactive.

Q: Our
storage tank size has been increasing constantly and we also need to grapple
with compliance management. We intend to put in place various IT best practices
so that we can be ahead of time. Is ILM a right choice or is it the panacea for
all storage problems?

-Arvind Saxena,Pondicherry

A:
ILM is considered as the holistic approach to manage the flow of IS
data and associated metadata, and takes into account the entire data lifecycle.
ILM is a key building block in effective and efficient storage management.
Hence, ILM is indeed an intelligent option, if you deal with multiple business
partners spread across the world and churn huge data. From the point of
compliance, archiving data forms the key. For instance, various regulations ask
for data to be kept for a certain period of time. Hence, one should deploy
concepts like ILM, through which one can comprehensively store data and retrieve
it intelligently.

However, ILM needs to be deployed with careful planning, as
both old and new data need to be managed, and have various controls in place so
that on a tiered environment, access to data has to be planned. Typically, ILM
divides the enterprise storage architecture into two-active changeable storage
and active archival storage. So if you are deploying ILM, data classification
has to be done meticulously, and here comes the role of various tools like SRM
which makes for pro-active storage management. Moreover, other aspects like
business continuity have to be seamlessly embedded with the ILM framework. So,
ILM itself is just the beginning on the road to proactive storage management.

Attention CIOs/IT Managers:
Any storage related queries mail to maildqindia@cybermedia.co.in