Brief ing March 2002 Version 3 s Lowering Storage TCO with Iomega NAS Summary Today s organizations no longer think of storage as a device. Instead, it is an architecture constructed with storage technologies such as mainframe disk storage, stand-alone servers, storage area networks (SAN), Internet storage, removable mass storage, and network attached storage (NAS). Network attached storage provides a cost effective and time efficient just as needed/just in time solution for network managers. A stand-alone NAS device bundles a high-speed processor, RAM, embedded operating system, network connection, and multiple storage drives into a single device that can be quickly and easily plugged into the network. IT analysts have estimated that NAS storage can be one-third as expensive as general purpose servers and this figure does not include the lower administration costs of NAS. Advantages of Iomega s NAS solutions include: IT analysts estimate that NAS storage can be onethird as expensive as general purpose servers. Low cost per gigabyte of storage Hard disk performance for the price of tape drives such as DLT Support for a wide range of network transport and file protocols Windows, NetWare, UNIX/Linux, and Macintosh clients support Open-source UNIX or tailored Windows 2000 SAK operating system Multiple file/directory languages for international operations Bundled Iomega QuikSync 3 automatic client backup software Sold and supported by Iomega, a storage market leader Iomega s NAS is targeted for organizations that (1) need more storage, (2) are buying general purpose servers and need to lower storage costs, (3) need a solution that is more easily managed than dedicated servers, and (4) need heterogeneous file sharing across all hardware and client platforms.
Lowering Storage TCO with Iomega NAS Page 2 The need for server storage capacity continues to increase at rates that stress network architectures. Clients are reporting compound annual server storage growth rates of 40 percent to 100 percent. As a result, storage management has become an important IT function and a major cost area. Expanding with network servers Analysts estimate that 50 percent of general purpose servers are used for file serving. This is a costly approach for a simple function better handled by NAS technology. Adding a server with its hardware platform, network operating system, installation, and configuration is a complex process that can cost from approximately $4,000 to $50,000. Upgrading a server requires network engineers to: 1. Take the server off-line 2. Install, format and configure the new hardware 3. Allocate storage to services 4. Test, and then bring the server back on-line Analysts estimate that 50% of general purpose servers are used for file serving. All this can consume up to eight hours of installation time requiring the server to be off-line. (Organizational downtime can cost anywhere from $1,000 per hour to $100,000 per minute for real-time environments.) What is needed is a convenient, cost efficient way to add storage capacity without interrupting network services or forcing costly off-hours work. Iomega Network Attached Storage Due to its lower cost and ease of operation, network attached storage has emerged as a popular alternative to traditional mainframe, network server, and high capacity tape solutions. An NAS device is a simple file server to which storage system administrators can map network drives. It runs a thin operating system highly optimized for storing and sharing data. Figure 1.
Lowering Storage TCO with Iomega NAS Page 3 Figure 1 shows the back panel of an Iomega NAS device. Models can contain up to four ATA drives, RAM, CPU, PCI slot, power supply, and dual Ethernet ports all in a 1U, 19-inch rack mount form factor. Features can include: Capacity of up to 480GB Up to 512MB of SDRAM One or two 10/100 Ethernet ports (plus 1GB Ethernet on some models) Network interface card load balancing and failover Software RAID 0,1,5 (ships pre-configured for RAID 5) 2 terabyte file size maximum Open-source UNIX (Windows for Network Attached Storage optional on some models) Provides NDS (bindery), and NIS support Installation is plug and play and includes these steps: Plug the Ethernet cable into either open port. Plug in the NAS power cable and turn the device on. Set up the server using a browser-based application from any client on the network that can access the NAS device. Iomega NAS data volumes can also be used by Iomega s QuikSync 3 software as both source and backup drives. Figure 2. Figure 2 shows a General Status screen that can be used to review the physical condition and disk statistics of an Iomega NAS device on the network. Once installed, Iomega NAS can be treated like any other volume. It can be managed through Microsoft Terminal Services, and be backed up like any server on the network using in-place backup routines and software. Its data volumes can also be used by Iomega s QuikSync 3 software as both source and backup drives.
Lowering Storage TCO with Iomega NAS Page 4 Figure 3. Figure 3 shows a network configuration screen that is available in the browser based administration application. It is possible to complete the NAS installation process in a little as 10 minutes all without taking down any part of the network. More complex volume, security, and access configurations will extend this time, but are much easier than with stand-alone servers. Applications of Iomega NAS It is possible to complete the NAS installation process in as little as 10 minutes all without taking down any part of the network. Low-cost, high capacity network attached storage offers a tactical and flexible solution for expanding storage. Potential applications of Iomega NAS include: Unlimited expansion Expand network storage as needed with multiple Iomega NAS devices. Extend the life of servers Offload file sharing services from servers at maximum capacity so that they can concentrate on value-added, server-level activities such as e-mail, security, Web serving, etc. Conserve network bandwidth Use Iomega NAS to localize file transfers within a workgroup or subnet (i.e., contain graphics department or engineering large file transfers within their own workgroups.) Create centralized storage Add workgroup storage where none previously existed, such as in peer-to-peer environments. Enable live workgroup backup... Provide enough capacity to allow clients to periodically or continuously back up all of their data to Iomega NAS devices. Provide server backup Use the additional capacity of Iomega NAS servers to provide lower cost, high speed backup to critical server files. Organize files for users Group files by subject or project so that end-users can locate and retrieve information more quickly. Data for a single workgroup can be pooled onto a single device. Capacity can be added for many users in one step. Provide security Install an Iomega NAS device containing sensitive or secure data within a controlled environment where access can be physically restricted and remotely administered vs. a server installed in openly accessible office or computer center locations and physically accessible by administrators.
Lowering Storage TCO with Iomega NAS Page 5 Benefits of Iomega NAS Iomega NAS can lower the total cost of ownership for storage solutions in the following areas: Lower acquisition cost than traditional servers or storage area network solutions... Iomega NAS costs only a fraction of a general purpose server solution. Reduced installation costs... Iomega NAS can be installed in as little as 10 minutes vs. up to eight hours to add an NT server. Increased network availability... Iomega NAS installation does not affect the network or require any other services to be taken off-line. Lower software license fees Iomega NAS requires no per-seat client access license unlike dedicated server OS s. Lower administration cost Iomega NAS s easy to use, browser based administration application can be operated by an administrator vs. a higher cost certified network engineer. Also, having a single application that can be used by a single person at a single location to manage the entire inventory of Iomega NAS devices saves additional administration costs. Iomega NAS requires no per-seat client access license unlike dedicated server OS s. Bundled QuikSync 3 software... Iomega NAS includes a QuikSync end-user license bundle. This proprietary Iomega continuous backup application, allows Windows and Mac users to specify source and target drives for backing up their work save-by-save. This means that no data is lost in the event of a PC problem or due to end-user error. Summary In testing, Iomega s NAS unit installed quickly in our network containing a mix of Windows 9X, NT, NetWare, UNIX, Linux, and Macintosh clients. Once set up, we were able to utilize QuikSync 3 to provide a continuous backup capability for any saves to a designated local or network folder. While the administration software is extremely easy to use, the network functions controlled by it require an experienced administrator in order to make the setup, domain, and security decisions. We believe that NAS is an excellent segment of the Iomega product line, continuing Iomega s expansion into core strategic storage technologies. Iomega brings size and stability to this product area, one that has seen vendor instability and consolidation. The bundling of Iomega s proprietary QuikSync 3 program is a useful addition, and one that we hope will be extended with other value-added, storage-related software solutions.
Lowering Storage TCO with Iomega NAS Page 6 Henry Baltazar, Deciphering NAS, SAN Storage Wars, eweek, April 9, 2001, pg. 26. Richard March, Storage ROI Sells, Computer Reseller News, April 4, 2001, pg. 24. Steve Rogers, Not All Network Attached Storage is Created Equal Part 2, Storage Management Solutions, March 2001, 6:1, pgs.56-59. All brands, products and services mentioned in this Briefing are the trade names or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Information in this report was obtained from sources CooperComm believes to be reliable. CooperComm disclaims any and all warranties as to the reliability, accuracy and adequacy of such information, and CooperComm shall have no liability for the inclusion or exclusion of information. CooperComm may, without notice, change expressed opinions. Use of this report to achieve desired results is the sole responsibility of the reader.