DataCore Software, a storage virtualization software provider, has added device-independent auto-tiering to its SANsymphony-V product. †This new option automatically relocates disk blocks among pools of different storage devices, keeping the most mission-critical and demanding workloads operating at peak speeds. The less critical and less demanding disk blocks will naturally gravitate towards lower cost disks.
The quick ascent of SSDs into mainstream IT has increased demand for auto-tiering. Auto-tiering helps reserve premium storage resources for the most demanding applications. Datacore’s infrastructure-wide software spans multiple storage systems from potentially different suppliers, giving customers the chance to shop at each tier from competing sources while being able to hold onto the equipment they already own.
Using the auto-tiering option gives customers the opportunity to choose pre-defined rules for easy storage management. By auto-tiering at the disk block level instead of the file level, hot spots on file systems will have the best response, compared to seldom-used areas. System administrators are also able to retrieve and update information quickly, regardless of access frequency.
Auto-tiering is included at no charge for SANsymphony-V node licenses supporting over 100TBs. For those using the midrange of the SANsymphony-V product line, auto-tiering can be added as an optional feature for $2,000 per DataCore node.
