An example: EMC's approach to automated storage tiering reflects the difference between "simpler" and "smarter." For operational management, simpler tends to encompass taking fewer steps (such as clicks) and clarifying the understanding/execution of complex processes. That is good, but it is storage tiering that entails shifting data to the storage systems and media that best support it. For that, an analysis of information (such as which blocks are "hot," meaning those which require high I/O systems, and which are not) has to be analyzed over time.
How best to accomplish this? Automation in the form of software algorithms that examine data usage patterns over time and automatically make the assignment of which data should be placed on which tier is a "smarter" idea than doing things manually. The overall benefits of this methodology include raising service levels (as data that requires faster access gets it) while lowering costs (by putting data that does not demand fast access on slower, less expensive storage devices) and reducing manual administration (as storage tiering manually would take a considerable amount of time even if simple to do).
EMC is essentially turbo-charging its already fully automated storage tiering (FAST) technology with next generation FAST VP (Virtual Pools). FAST VP offers virtual pool-based, sub-LUN, extent-based data movement. In layman's language, that means that more granular (i.e., smaller) chunks--in this case, smaller than a megabyte--of data can be moved automatically, resulting in far more efficient placing of data in tiers. For example, if even a piece of a larger chunk (LUN) was hot, it would be classified as hot (to meet service-level demands) even if the rest of the data was "warm" (less I/O required) or "cold" (zero or very little I/Os required).
What are the practical results of this? EMC cited one example where using FAST VP resulted in the client using 70 percent less Tier 0 flash storage (the most expensive tier by far) and 50 percent more Tier 2 SATA (the most cost-effective tier) HDDs. The company also claims that FAST VP can determine where data should be placed much faster. Another point is that using FAST VP in conjunction with a Symmetrix VMAX system with three tiers (Flash, FC and SATA) is much more cost-efficient than simply using a traditional Symmetrix system using only Fibre Channel. EMC noted that its new technologies in a 140Tbyte VMAX system could result in the number of drives being reduced from 1,129 FC HDDs to 152 Flash, FC and SATA devices, resulting in 40 percent higher performance and 40 percent lower cost, while providing more beneficial environmental changes (a much smaller system footprint and significantly less power consumed).
Symmetrix VMAX is EMC's favored platform for the initiatives leading to the private cloud. The focus here is on a new usage model where storage resources can be non-disruptively and transparently used to access data on demand in local or distributed environments. A key to enabling this approach is around the Symmetrix Enginuity operating system, and EMC states that the latest version, Enginuity 5875, is the biggest software release in Symmetrix history, with more than 50 new major VMAX features and capabilities.
