4 Steps to Buying Network Storage

Step 1: Assess Your Needs in 3 Areas

Applications: What applications do intend to run. Use the check lists below determine applications you currently run and plan to run. Applications in column A are often candidates for SATA drives. Applications in column B are often candidates for Fibre Channel or SAS drives

Users: How many users will you have? Will they all require fast, online data access? What percentage will require heavy duty data analysis capability? How many users will you have using each application type? The more users creating high volume demands for database queries or using data base intensive applications in real-time - the greater the need for fast storage.

Environment: Where do you plan to run your system. Do you have a centralized data center with raised floors - or do you store your systems in an empty office under a desk or in an empty closet with poor ventilation. Make sure you select a system that can operate in your environment. Note systems with special ventilation or cooling requirements or systems with open disk bays that are prone to tampering. If your system will be in an accessible area - consider systems that are self contained and include security devices that can detect tampering or intrusion. Systems that will have to operate on mobile platforms should strongly consider using Fibre Channel drives.

Step 2: Determine Your Storage Mix

Fast Storage: Will you be running applications and have enough users to require Fast Storage drives like Fiber Channel or SAS. If so - note the applications you plan to service with these type of drives.

Slow Storage: Will you be running applications that do not need Fast Storage drives (SATA). If so note the applications and the number of users.

Step 3: Calculate How Much Storage You Need

Fast Storage: For each application needing fast storage, determine the size of the application and then compute how much data you will need to store your records. Start by determining how many record you will start with, and then determine how much new data will be added each month. Project your storage requirements out 3 years factoring in how long you will need to retain data records. Combine the storage requirements for all the fast storage applications you plan to run and add 20% for buffer to allow for increasing application sizes and unplanned growth. Set as a requirement that your solution needs to start with enough storage to handle your month 6 storage projection, and that it should easily scale to meet your needs 36 to 48 months out.

Slow Storage: Repeat the same process for all of your Slow Storage applications.

Step 4: Evaluate and Select

Now you are ready to evaluate systems. When shopping for systems be sure to FUS. Look for systems that are:
Flexible:   lots of network options; lots of disk options
Useable:   systems that have bundled software and are easy to install, use and maintain
Scalable:   systems that enable you to start small and grow big without lots of upfront infrastructure investments.

And remember not to pay extra for systems with lots of features you do not need.