VMware and XEN are the killer apps for iSCSI SANs
VMware and it’s Open Source alternative XEN are changing the way that data centers are deployed and driving efficient and flexible use of application servers. The natural companion to this technology is a virtualized storage system running over the standard TCP/IP network you use in your offices – using iSCSI. Our VMX appliances and Storage Builder software are perfect certified companions that offer industry leading performance at a reasonable price.
The one-two punch of server virtualization combined with our iSCSI SAN technology gives you tremendous flexibility to adapt your IT resources to changing business requirements on the fly, dynamically even automatically. As capacity requirement grow, it’s easy to add one of our SAS based expansion units to a VMX system – when you need it. WASABI VMX: THE FUTURE OF VIRTUALIZATION IS HERE. With the increasing complexities of IT infrastructure in the SMB market, server virtualization, a technology that enables multiple operating systems to run concurrently on a single physical server, has become vital enough to drive the re-architecture of entire data centers. Storage applications deployed within secure disaster recovery and high availability environments are no longer an option; they are a requirement - and security, flexibility and reliability are key.
While the complexities of server virtualization and the increased demand it places on storage subsystems may be intimidating, it doesn’t have to be. And while your storage needs may be complex, your solutions shouldn’t be. Wasabi Systems is simplifying data protection with its latest product offering: the Wasabi VMX series.
A complete storage solution, the Wasabi VMX series takes storage to the next level with virtual volume management enabling the migration of virtual machines while transparently maintaining uninterrupted access to data storage. Delivering powerful storage capacity and a highly scalable SAN infrastructure, Wasabi VMX is designed to virtualize storage from the data path without imposing any performance penalties. With centralized management for distributed enterprise storage, Wasabi VMX significantly reduces total cost of ownership. With the Wasabi VMX series, you can decrease server spending and maximize investment while seamlessly integrating, expanding or shrinking server workloads.
ABOUT SERVER VIRTUALIZATION
With the speed and power of today’s hardware it is no longer necessary to have separate, dedicated servers for each and every application. Industry analysts estimate that servers that are running a single application are utilizing as little as 10% of each server’s resources. Redundant server hardware can quickly fill data centers to capacity, and with each new purchase the costs increase just as quickly – from power and cooling and eventually to the bottom line. Separating physical servers into virtual servers increases reliability, simplicity and speed while keeping expenditures under control.
A typical configuration utilizing multiple servers running a dedicated application.
Server virtualization is a technology that enables users to run multiple operating systems concurrently on a single physical server, where each of the operating systems runs in its own virtual computer, called a virtual machine. Each virtual machine has its own virtual CPU, virtual memory, virtual hard disks, and so on, and an operating system and applications are installed on the virtual machines, just as if they were actual physical servers. The operating system and applications are not aware that they are running in a virtual machine and will function just as if they were on physical servers.
Server virtualization software enables multiple virtual machines to run on the same physical server.
Server virtualization offers several key benefits, including –
• Reduced Hardware Costs - Making efficient use of hardware resources means fewer hardware purchases. Additionally, maintenance and management overhead is reduced.
• Eco-friendly Data Environment – Fewer physical machines results in a smaller foot print and decreased power and cooling requirements in the data center.
• Faster Deployment - Fewer physical servers to configure and connect to the network means servers can be put online more quickly.
• Bare Metal Recovery - Virtual machines can be backed up and copied to other physical servers. If a physical server fails, the virtual machines can be quickly up and running on another physical server.
• Pre-deployment Testing - Enables the creation of "sand box" virtual machines where new software can be tested without disrupting the existing virtual machines already in production.
VIRTUAL STORAGE FOR VIRTUAL SERVERS
The benefits of server virtualization are further enhanced with the addition of the Wasabi VMX Series, which provides virtual storage capabilities using proven IP-SAN (iSCSI) technology. The VMX storage systems abstract storage from the physical server, delivering a storage solution that is the perfect complement to virtualization software. VMX connects to the physical server(s) using standard Ethernet cables, adapters, and switches, making it a powerful, yet cost-effective storage solution.
It is not only the servers that are being underutilized, but oftentimes also the storage within each server is not being used efficiently. By making all of the storage available to any of the physical servers on a given network as well as resident virtual machines, storage can be more efficiently utilized and easily managed.
Using dedicated storage for each server often results in inefficient use of disk capacity
When used as shared storage among physical servers the Wasabi VMX solution enables the use of high availability features of server virtualization such as server failover and migrating virtual machines from one physical server to another while transparently maintaining uninterrupted access to data storage.
With best-in-class architecture and the latest intelligent management options, the plug-and-go VMX systems are the ideal storage solution for virtualization technology. With Wasabi VMX, you can quickly create high performance, highly efficient virtual volumes.
The Wasabi VMX series provides the flexibility and scalability to work and grow with all existing environments to deliver increasing capacity as needed.
The high-performance VMX storage appliances provide a highly reliable storage solution to ensure maxim uptime for virtual servers. Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) technology keeps data online and intact in the case of a hard disk physical failure. Support for multi-pathing delivers load-balanced and redundant data paths. Redundant power supplies∗ keep the storage system operating even if a power supply fails.
SUMMARY
Server virtualization revolutionizes the data center and enables more efficient use of hardware resources resulting in increased productivity, decreased costs, and a reduction in power and cooling requirements.
Wasabi Systems VMX series IP-SANs are designed to provide virtualized storage and integrate seamlessly into a server virtualization environment by delivering the following benefits -
• Cost-effective – The Wasabi VMX systems use standard Ethernet components. It does not require expensive specialized hardware.
• Simplifies Management – Consolidation of storage makes management and maintenance less complex.
• Sharable – VMX storage systems can be used as shared storage by physical servers enabling the use of high availability features such as failover and virtual server migration.
• Easy-to-use – VMX uses TCP/IP, which is widely used and understood.
• Scalable – VMX storage systems can be connected to a standard Ethernet switch. If more storage is needed, it is easy to deploy additional iSCSI targets – just plug a new iSCSI target into the switch.
• Flexible – VMX storage systems can be allocated for multiple physical and/or virtual servers, making more efficient use of disk capacity and making storage management less complex.
Since its inception Wasabi has delivered enterprise class reliability for the network components that power the world’s internet backbone and storage software that protects data across the globe. Today, the Wasabi VMX series enhances that legacy by incorporating its core technologies into a complete, robust solution that is powerful and reliable and won’t break your budget.
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