Chuck's Blog

The Split In Software Defined Storage

You just have to love enterprise IT tech.  

While much of it can be safely identified as “settled science”, interesting portions predictably morph and evolve quickly at the edges.

In my cozy little world, it’s clear that one category is showing obvious signs of splitting cleanly into two completely different beasts that share the same name — software-defined storage.

In many ways, this split has very little to do with vendors and technology — and everything to do with how customers are putting the technology to work.

Why I Think VSAN Is So Disruptive

Looking for a great disruption story in enterprise IT tech?  I think what VSAN is doing to the established storage industry deserves to be a strong candidate.  

I've seen disruptions -- small and large -- come and go.  If you're into IT infrastructure, this is one worth watching.

A few years ago, I moved from EMC to VMware on the power of that prediction.  So far, it’s played out pretty much as I had hoped it would.  There’s now clearly a new dynamic in the ~$35B storage industry, and VMware’s Virtual SAN is very emblematic of the changes that are now afoot.

There’s a lot going on here, so it’s worth sharing.  In each case, you’ll see a long-held tenent around The Way Things Have Always Been Done clearly up for grabs.

See if you agree?

Considering The Next Wave Of Storage Automation

From the time enterprise data centers sprang into existence, we’ve had this burning desire to automate the heck out of them.

From early mainframe roots to today’s hybrid cloud, the compulsion never wanes to progressively automate each every aspect of operations.

The motivations have been compelling: use fewer people, faster responses, be more efficient, make outcomes more predictable, and make services resilient.

But the obstacles have also been considerable: both technological and operational.

With the arrival of vSphere 6.0, a nice chunk of new technology has been introduced to help automate perhaps the most difficult part of the data center – storage.

It's worth digging into these new storage automation features: why they are needed, how they work, and why they should be seriously considered.

Kernel Integration: It’s A Matter Of Degree

I suppose I asked for it.

Way back when VSAN was introduced, I wrote how its deep integration with the vSphere kernel and software stack gave it some pretty interesting advantages — especially as compared to any storage software that ran in a guest OS.

I sparked a bit of a debate, but that's normal :)

Well, VMware is not the kind of company that wants to preclude deep, value-added integration with vSphere, so I knew it was only a matter of time until one or more storage software vendors could claim that, yes, they too were “kernel integrated” with vSphere — at least, to some degree.

So now I’m in the slightly awkward position of having to dig even deeper into the topic for those that care.  

The technical distinctions do matter to a certain crowd; everyone else might want to skip this post :)

How Software-Based Storage Is Changing Servers

If you’re a server manufacturer, you’re playing a very demanding game.  

There’s a never-ending parade of new technologies you’ve got to rapidly adopt.  Customers expect both flawless execution as well as steadily declining prices.  And you’ve got some pretty aggressive competitors as well :)

You’re also paying attention to shifting workload demands from your customers.

As I track the various server vendor announcements, I couldn’t help but notice a pronounced shift towards designs that are obviously intended to be used as part of a storage or database farm.

Looks like the pendulum is swinging — again.

Software-Defined Storage -- Reading

For those of you interested in software-defined storage, I wanted to point you to two pieces (written by me) that you might find useful.

The first is more of a conversational treatment: if you're interested in SDS, what should you be looking for?  

It's a quick read, and doesn't require that you be an enterprise architect to follow along.

The second is a more exhaustive treatise on SDS from a VMware perspective.  It is lengthy, detailed and is aimed at enterprise architects who need to take a multi-year view.  

It will also give you a sense of some of the areas VMware will be focusing on (both alone and with partners) without getting into roadmap details.

At some point, these will be posted on the VMware website -- just wanted to give you all a preview!

"Understanding The DNA Of Software-Defined Storage"

"The VMware Perspective On Software-Defined Storage"

As always: feedback, commentary, criticisms, complaints, etc. -- all welcome!

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Making The Case For Software-Defined Storage

My corner of the IT industry is foisting a new concept on enterprise IT shops: software-defined storage.  Supposedly, it’s TNT — the next thing!

But we as vendors need to be held accountable for making our case.  

The existing storage kit seems to be doing the job; why would we need anything radically different?  

Where’s the big advantage, and — more importantly — is the expected gain worth the trouble?

Unless we — as an industry — can make our case for the new technology, it will join the scrap heap of glittery ideas once considered and eventually discarded.

But that won’t happen here — at least, that’s what I think.

Don’t Call It Software-Defined Storage, Unless …

Anytime a new concept enters the marketplace, the inevitable Definition Wars begin.

Understandably, it takes a while for the industry to collectively wrap its head around a consensus perspective regarding a new subject.

When it comes to one of my personal hot topics (software-defined storage), I do try to patient, but I fail.  I despair as I encounter many of the flaccid definitions currently in vogue. 

Maybe my standards are too high?

Making matters more irritating is the seemingly endless army of chirpy storage marketing types looking to slap a fresh label on familiar products and technologies — inserting even more noise into an already weak signal. 

In this post, I’m going to resist the temptation to assert a black-and-white definition, and disclaim all others.  The reality is that software-defined storage is a cluster of related concepts: some fundamental, others more optional depending on requirements.  

Depending on your situation, good enough may be good enough.

As I walk through the list here, I’d encourage the motivated reader to assemble their own personal list of attributes he/she considers important in their emerging environment.  

Software Defined Storage: The Journey Is Yours

I thought it fitting that I close out this series on software-defined storage with a bit of practical advice for those of you who are intrigued — and motivated — to move in this direction. 

To be transparent, it would be inaccurate for me to say that there’s a landslide of significant SDS deployments to date.  Yet interest is very, very high. 

That’s to be expected: I remember the early days of cloud, big data, etc.  All were once exotic concepts, but all are quite mainstream today.

And I’ve met enough architects who have that gleam in their eye to be encouraged :)

Software-Defined Storage: An Alternate View

In the early days of cloud, we were beset by competing (and confusing) definitions, often delivered with generous helpings of vitriol and rancor.

When it comes to software-defined storage, things are surprisingly genteel: I yet to witness a good #twitpiss on the topic.

Maybe it’s too early?

As part of this series on SDS, I think it’s worthwhile to share and critique other definitions besides the framework we’ve established here.  While there seems to be no shortage of frustratingly shallow marketing pieces that glom onto the term; I have been laboring to find a reasonable alternate framework to compare and contrast.

Fortunately, someone sent me a link to a short PDF produced under the auspices of SNIA — the Storage Networking Industry Association.  Although it’s only a working draft, it does show that reasonable people can get together and come up with a definition that’s quite different than the one presented here.