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EMC discusses ScaleIO, VSAN and ViPR
What's the difference between EMC's ScaleIO, VMware VSAN software and ViPR? That's a question EMC execs get a lot. Read Now
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EVO:RAIL turns VSAN into a franchise
VMware's EVO:RAIL allows hardware vendors to build hyper-converged appliances running VSAN and other VMware software. Read Now
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The differences between EVO:RAIL and VSAN
EVO:RAIL may be packaged with VSAN software, but the two aren't one in the same. Learn the pros and cons of each. Read Now
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Could VSAN fuel SDS adoption?
VMware's VSAN 6 upgrade adds full integration with vSphere – which gives it a big advantage according to analyst Scott Sinclair. Read Now
Editor's note
Implemented with vSphere 5.5, VMware virtual SAN made a splash in the hyper-converged storage space. Not to be confused with the traditional "virtual storage area network," this VSAN is an important part of VMware's larger goal of creating a software-defined data center. Known to many as a virtualization company, VMware's entry into the storage market has generated curiosity and invited comparison to known hyper-converged storage vendors like Nutanix, Scale Computing and SimpliVity.
One of the most talked-about VMware VSAN features is its "hardware-agnostic" approach that allows it to be used on newly purchased hardware or existing systems. While this is a boon in that companies do not have to purchase expensive new gear to go with VSAN, beta testers had some initial issues with compatibility. With EVO:RAIL, hardware vendors can now build systems running VSAN, and everything can be purchased at once. This "one-stop shopping" is appealing to users and to the hardware vendors VMware has partnered with.
So, how does VMware's VSAN measure up? In the links below, you can read about VSAN features and issues and the reception the product received from users. Whether you're considering implementing it in your data center or just trying to see how VMware VSAN features work, this guide should have you well on your way to making your own judgment.
1Implementation and management best practices
Despite the buzz, users acknowledge that VMware VSAN lacks such features as deduplication and thin provisioning, and causes some hardware compatibility issues. You will need to do a bit of digging to decide if VSAN is right for your environment.
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Hardware for a VMware virtual SAN environment
The compatibility of VMware VSANs with hardware is flexible, but there are some requirements. Find out what hardware to use and what to avoid. Read Now
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The pros and cons of VMware VSAN
Expert David Davis drills into the benefits of using VSAN and notes some caveats to consider. Read Now
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How can VSAN performance be improved?
Those experiencing latency in a VMware VSAN environment should take a look at their hardware configuration, according to expert Brien Posey. Read Now
2What sets VMware VSAN apart?
While there are certain considerations to make, there are a number of VMware VSAN features that appeal to users. With more easily scaled storage and resilient security, the benefits make VMware a contender in the hyper-converged space.
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VMware launches VSAN 6.1, still without dedupe
Data protection was added in version 6.1, but users will have to wait a bit longer for one of the most noticeably missing features in VMware's VSAN. Read Now
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Hyper-converged storage users are fans of VSAN
VMware's VSAN beta appeals to customers who like having their storage, compute and hypervisor in one box and supported by one vendor. Read Now
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VSAN 6 adds better performance, more snapshots
VMware launched an upgraded version of VSAN with vSphere 6. The hyper-converged technology now has support for flash and can scale to 64 nodes per cluster. Read Now
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How to use VMware's VDPA with VSAN
VMware's Data Protection Advanced feature is the primary method of backing up virtual machines running on VSAN. Read Now