A data center must work on a flexible, scalable, and economic architecture to deliver an excellent service. Software-defined storage is a technology that emerged to facilitate and streamline the process of moving data and contribute to this goal.
With the increasing use of technologies such as cloud computing, big data, and the internet of things, there is also a huge increase in the volume of data. Therefore, availability and high performance are prerequisites for applications to work quickly.
We will show below how this technology can contribute to optimizing the administration and efficient use of resources. Follow!
Understand What Software-Defined Storage Is
Software Defined Storage (SDS ) is part of a context called convergence, in which data processing, storage, and networking are virtualized and bundled into software-controlled services. Each of these components has its control interface; in the storage case, it is called SDS.
Thus, SDS is a layer of software installed on a server infrastructure to eliminate the need for manual configurations between hardware and service delivery. This way, control over resources is decoupled from the physical hardware, thus creating abstraction. With this, there is greater flexibility and better use of storage space, which can be adjusted according to business demand.
The SDS can be installed on any server with an x86 architecture standard, as all its intelligence is in the software layer. Therefore, the necessary hardware is no longer exclusive to a model or manufacturer with proprietary software and can be considered a commodity, as there is no need for a large added value. This characteristic is important, considering that cost is an increasingly relevant factor.
Because it is a very flexible software, it is possible to consolidate several storage devices on the same server that hosts the application’s virtual machines, creating the so-called hyper-convergence.
Understand What Is Required To Run SDS
SDS will be able to run on any disk or server because, unlike other software, this storage model does not depend so much on the hardware that is installed but on the software itself. That’s because SDS is designed to handle hardware failure, which can happen at any time, regardless of lifetime or cost. To support this flaw, the system distributes workloads across the infrastructure.
SDS can run on the virtual machine’s or server’s default operating system, and some solutions can be installed in containers. This allows users to manage applications and storage services using just one interface, no matter what infrastructure the container is on — virtual, cloud or bare-metal.
Learn How SDS Works
The main functionalities of an SDS can be grouped into two layers. The virtualized resources are managed in the control plane layer. In it, it is possible to manage, control and access the stored data through functions such as:
- volume management by the project;
- security policies and access control;
- communication interfaces;
- backup management.
The second layer, called the data plane, is responsible for storing data on devices. It manages the infrastructure functions, such as virtualization, replication, cryptography, indexing, etc.
The way SDS works is similar to virtualization. The main intelligence is in the software layer, providing greater resource management flexibility. This is because the software allows all hardware to be seen as a large volume that can be distributed and configured according to the needs of each application.
See The Main Features Of This Technology
Software-defined storage offers several features.
Abstraction
SDS works on an abstraction layer. Therefore, it is not necessary to physically configure the hardware to define the space used; the software layer does this.
Virtualization
Through virtualization, it is possible to bring together different types of devices, such as disks, tapes, etc., and present them as a logical unit managed by the system.
Automation
SDS automates the configuration of storage resources, which makes the administrator’s job easier.
Scalability
All software and hardware resources are presented as one large pool of allocable storage services. Thus, when the application requests a service, it is composed, dynamically and precisely, with the capacity, performance, and protection desired by the application.
Flexibility
SDS can work with internal, external, or cloud storage. In this way, the company can integrate its existing environment into the system according to the technology of these devices, which must follow the x86 standard.
Scale-Out
Supporting big data and analytics is critical in SDS. Therefore, the system allows the horizontal dimensioning of the environment so that requests are directed to meet the system’s needs.
Containers
Through containers, resources are precisely adapted and adjusted according to the application’s needs. With this, neighboring applications are not affected.
Understand What Can Be Done With SDS
The SDS and any other storage device on the market can be used in several cases.
Cloud Computing
SDS can be used both by public cloud providers to offer more benefits in their storage products and by companies with a private cloud. Its operation also allows data synchronization, facilitating the joint use of the two concepts of cloud computing (the so-called hybrid cloud ).
Desktop Virtualization
In desktop virtualization, an image of the operating system and applications installed on the machine is made, which is then made available to the user virtually. This way, the desktop can be accessed anywhere and from any device.
Big Data
The system facilitates the creation and configuration of an environment for storing and analyzing data in an agile and economical way. This facilitates working with big data, as this technology moves a large volume of data.
Internet Of Things
The internet of things uses several applications that move a lot of data. Therefore, SDS is a more affordable storage option, which makes using this technology feasible.
