Cool discounts or time to get a storage system for HDTV content

3 targets for NetApp E270 storage

At the end of last year, the NetApp E-series line was significantly updated, and now, against the backdrop of the announced promotional discounts, we will tell you when solving which problems these models will bring tangible results.

NetApp E2700 to replace E2600

At the end of last year, the NetApp E-series line was significantly updated , and now, against the backdrop of the announced promotional discounts on the E2700, we will tell you when solving which problems these models can bring tangible positive results.

In place of the NetApp E2600 (aka OEM DS3524, aka Dell PowerVault MD3), the E2700 was released, featuring a higher maximum throughput.



Distinctive features of the E-series from FAS / V-series are the result of a more classical approach to storage organization. Despite this, the E-series storage system basically includes the following features:

• Snapshot (Point-in-Time)
• Volume Copy
• Synchronous Mirroring
• Asynchronous Mirroring
• SSD Drive Support
• SSD Read Cache
• Dynamic Disk Pools
• Thin Provisioning
• Storage Partitions
• AutoSupport Tool
• Integration with
o VMware (vCenter Plug-in, VASA Provider, VAAI for SAN (native to SANtricity), vSphere)
o Microsoft (SCOM Management Pack, SSMS Add-in)
o Oracle (Oracle Enterprise Plug-in)

What tasks are effective NetApp E2700

1. Backup (minimum cost per GB required)

Having block access, the E-series storage system implies its use in SAN or DAS mode. Thus, most of the functionality for increasing storage efficiency rests with the software of file servers or application servers.
For example, backup software often has its own deduplication and integration mechanisms with applications. From storage is required just disk space. And here the E-series can be more profitable in terms of "GB space per dollar" or "MB / s bandwidth per dollar."

2. Video surveillance systems and media content (high bandwidth required)

HDTV content brings tangible revenues, but with an increase in picture quality, tangible problems arise - high throughput of the entire infrastructure and huge disk space are required (do not forget about the archives).
Note that tools such as caching and timing, which have proven themselves in solving traditional problems, do not work for streaming video.

The specifics of working with such data can be described as follows:

• High bandwidth: HDTV: 8-30 Mbit / s, by 2015 UHDTV - 24 Gbit / s
• Huge amount of data: 1 hour of uncompressed UHDTV video - 25 TB !!!
• Multiple distributed access to data in real time for all types of operating systems - for processing video material.

In addition, when using HD resolution cameras and long-term storage of the video archive, there are several significant limitations and operating conditions. For example, if you use disk space collected on the basis of a RAID controller with internal server disks, we will have several points of failure, the difficulty of expanding the disk space, the difficulty of quickly replacing failed equipment, etc.

At the same time, the nature of the load is as follows. that the use of universal RAID-controllers does not allow to obtain the maximum possible performance even from a large number of hard drives. This is where the described storage system can come to the rescue.

The pre-installed SANtricity software is specially optimized for streaming load and allows you to squeeze the maximum out of your hard drives. Recommendations for using NetApp storage for media content are presented in the figure.



3. NetApp FAS-series does not pass on the budget.

You can also consider the E-series, when FAS systems (including the younger FAS2220 / 2240 series) do not pass due to budgetary restrictions. Just for such situations, NetApp offers a promotional program within which you can purchase E2700 storage systems at special prices .

Cool purchase discounts

Special prices, as part of a promotional program, allow you to purchase storage systems equipped with 12 NL-SAS disks. The differences are in the volume of disks, the number of controllers and the presence of interface cards for connecting via SAS, FC, iSCSI.
Ready to call interested prices in person .



The basic storage option is with one controller and two 12 Gb / s SAS ports for direct connection to servers.
Alternative options allow you to connect multiple servers. Connection is made through the existing SAN infrastructure of FC or Ethernet. The most commonly used fail-safe options for storage with two controllers. Each controller carries one of the following expansion cards (Host Interface Card, HIC) on board:

• 2 x 10 Gb / s iSCSI ports. Please note that unlike FAS, the card does not have SPF + ports, but RJ45;
• 2 x 16 Gb / s Fiber Channel ports. In these kits, shipments come with 8 Gb / s transceivers.

Each of these supply options can be equipped with 12 2TB or 4TB disks, as well as 600GB, 900GB and 1200GB SAS disks.

Naturally, all options allow further expansion. Three types of disk shelves are available, including high-density shelves for 60 disks:

• DE1600 for 12 3.5-inch disks, shelf height 2U;
• DE5600 for 24 2.5 ”drives, shelf height 2U;
• DE6600 for 60 drives 3.5 ”or 2.5”, shelf height 4U;

For single-controller configurations, you can subsequently purchase a second controller and interface cards.

Differences in deliveries through OEM partners

In the case of delivery via NetApp, all the above functionality is already included in the basic package of the E-Series. Unlike OEMs, it does not require separate licensing:

• Automatic caching on Intelligent Cache Tiering SSDs;
• instant snapshots (snapshots);
• data replication to remote storage.

Unlike OEM partners, there is no separately available Turbo performance option for NetApp E-series, which is responsible for removing software performance limitations.

E-series comprehensive test results

Together with one of our customers, we conducted a comprehensive test of the 12-disk version of the E-series storage system. The results were compared with the characteristics of the hard drives in the server and with inexpensive storage from another manufacturer of a similar configuration.
In the near future we will make and publish a separate detailed review of this testing. Here are some comparative data.



As can be seen from the table, the storage system was tested on loads of various profiles, because it was necessary to understand what is the effectiveness in various situations. Thanks to the optimization of architecture and system software, the storage system showed very high results in the test. In streaming operations, storage proved extremely positive.

Note that these tangible results were achieved with a very small number of drives. With a larger drive, the performance should increase further, as controller resource loading did not exceed several tens of percent.

P.S. In April, we will hold one webinar and one seminar in St. Petersburg (April 10), where the topic of the E-series will be discussed in detail. If you want to receive invitations, write about it to marketing@it-grad.ru