Use of software to automate services and functionalities has become a rising trend among technology service providers. IT experts are seeking to reduce their dependency on the extensive use of hardware to eventually reduce the operational cost. Virtualization and automation have facilitated them to achieve their business goals without affecting efficiency and quality of services they are offering.
IT vendors are offering a wide range of IT services from website hosting, cyber-security and data storage. Among these services, third-party data storage is one of the widely adopted services. Traditional data centres offer a range file storage options from private, public and hybrid storage for their clients. They have installed multiple servers with redundant power and cooling supplies to offer maximum level business continuity.
Though they have dedicated teams to run their setup, they are also seeking for alternative ways to enhance their performance. Being a service provider, data storage services can’t outsource their functions to overcome the challenges of resources and power supplies. Instead, they have to look for the other possibilities to reduce their dependency on hardware and resources.
What is Software-defined data storage (SDDS)?
Software-defined data storage (SDDS) is the emerging technology, which is actively being adopted by IT companies and cloud service providers. Service providers are using it to enhance their performance and service quality without extending the size of the facility. SDDS emerged as the buzzword and become a popular option due to its strong potential to meet the demands of next-generation data storage. In a short span of time, it becomes a preferred option over inherited infrastructure. According to the prediction of International Data Corporation (IDC) market share of SDS is expected to receive a high rate of compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.5% and generate revenues of 16.2 billion by 2021.
A typical SDDS is a storage facility whose infrastructure elements (networking, storage, CPU and security) are completely visualised and provided as service. Whereas all tasks from deployment, operations, provision and configuration are abstracted from hardware and implemented and controlled via software intelligence.
What are the architectural features of SDDS?
Here I am sharing essential characteristics and architectural differences of SDDS to give potential users an idea of how it differs from conventional data storage.
Abstraction
Abstraction in SDS architecture can be described as decoupling/uncoupling of storage software from hardware. It’s different from legacy storage systems, which are available as all-in-one solutions; in which software is tightly integrated with hardware. Technically the separation of software from hardware is known as abstraction.
Virtualization
SDDS utilises the concept of virtualisation to pool and supervise storage resources as a cohesive unit. Virtualization is almost similar to the standard server virtualisation in today’s data centres. Though, virtualisation is applied to the whole storage system instead of computing resources only.
Automation
As we all know system automation reduces the burden of system administration, automation of Software-defined-data-storage does same for the data storage facility. It reduces the burden of system administration, storage management tasks, which have to be performed manually.
SDDS industry standards
Vendors who are planning to offer software-based storage have to fulfil industry standards and install servers and standard APIs application programming interface for efficient storage management. API lets them develop protocols and clearly defines communication methods.
How is SDDS transforming legacy data storage?
When it comes to discussing the impact and benefits of using SDDS, abstraction of hardware fails to offer any benefits to consumers, unless data owners learn to use this opportunity to maximise the benefits. Here I am sharing a small list to present potential capabilities of SDS.
Uninterrupted data access
The real benefit of abstraction in software-defined storage is uninterrupted data access and easiness to change hardware according to workloads. Flexibility to add and subtract hardware is a significant benefit attracting vendors to adopt SDDS.
Scalability
Virtualization and use of standard hardware have simplified the addition and removal of storage capacity while continuously managing the storage as a unified system. Besides, this
Flexibility
According to standard definitions, software-based storage solutions allow users to pick hardware of their choice. Customers are not bound to select hardware from particular vendors.
Endnote:
Though software-defined-data-storage is expected to transform legacy datacentres, entrepreneurs should learn the tactics and compliance if they want to reap the maximum benefits of software technology.
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