Access "Open source storage users break free of vendor lock-in"
This article is part of the October 2011 issue of Break free with open source storage
Open source storage: It’s an idea that makes so much sense. After all, the storage systems most of us buy simply comprise a bunch of disks with proprietary controller software on top. Such disk systems cost people the largest chunk of their storage spending, and a proprietary system locks them into their vendor’s roadmap and support structure. Open source storage is a potential solution to this Faustian accord, however. Unlike a fully commercial product, the controller software is open source. This doesn’t mean it’s free necessarily, but it can be, or nearly so. And unless you choose to buy a preconfigured system from an open source vendor, you are free to build your storage with commodity drives. Whatever you do with open source, it’s likely to cost you far less than proprietary storage and offer some benefits of flexibility that you wouldn’t get by striking a pact with a fully commercial vendor. The fundamental concept of all open source products is that the development community produces the software and opens the source code to anyone who wants it. If ... Access >>>
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In pursuit of affordable shared-storage options
by Antony Adshead, UK Bureau Chief
There are viable, affordable shared-storage options available via open source storage software and AoE-based gear, so why is the big-vendor regime still so powerful?
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Storage thin provisioning benefits and challenges
by Stephen Foskett, Contributor
Storage thin provisioning requires transparency into your storage environment and an understanding of how the technology works. We detail the benefits and challenges.
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Remote and mobile data backup: Backup's last frontier
by W. Curtis Preston
With organizations becoming more mobile, the time to get a handle on mobile data backup is now.
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Where is the cloud storage market headed?
by Jeff Byrne, Contributor
Break down the cloud storage services market and you’ll find players both big and small jockeying for position in key segments.
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In pursuit of affordable shared-storage options
by Antony Adshead, UK Bureau Chief
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Open source storage users break free of vendor lock-in
by Manek Dubash
Open source storage frees users of the need for proprietary software on top of commodity disk. Read how UK IT departments have used it to gain cost-saving advantages.
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Exchange 2010 and storage systems
by Brien M. Posey, Contributor
With Exchange Server 2010, Microsoft made some significant changes to the email app's database structure, and those changes may also affect the storage it resides on.
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Tape makes a comeback (but was it ever gone?)
by Rich Castagna, Editorial Director
Somebody out there is spreading rumors about the death of tape, but there’s plenty of life left in this venerable storage technology.
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Open source storage users break free of vendor lock-in
by Manek Dubash
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