Unleashing the Power of Optane and QLC in Azure Stack HCI

Unleashing the Power of Optane and QLC in Azure Stack HCI

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. The Combination of Optane and QLC Drives
3. The Benefits of QLC Drives
4. The Concerns about QLC Performance
5. The Solution: Pairing Optane with QLC
6. The Azure Stack HCI Cluster
7. The Two-Node Setup
8. The Performance and Capacity of the Cluster
9. The Resiliency of the Two-Node HCI Environment
10. Windows Admin Center and DataON's MUST Tool
11. Conclusion

The Hybrid Solution of Optane and QLC Drives in Azure Stack HCI

Introduction In the world of storage solutions, DataON has emerged as a reliable partner, excelling at delivering various Windows solutions. Their latest offering, the Azure Stack HCI clusters, stands out due to its unique combination of Optane and QLC (Quad Level Cell) drives. This article delves into the benefits of this hybrid solution, exploring its performance, capacity, and resiliency.

The Combination of Optane and QLC Drives DataON takes advantage of Intel technologies by pairing Optane SSDs with QLC drives in their Azure Stack HCI clusters. These clusters consist of four 750GB Optane drives and four 15.36TB QLC drives, providing an impressive amount of storage capacity. The combination of Optane and QLC drives allows for a cost-effective solution without compromising on performance.

The Benefits of QLC Drives QLC drives significantly drive down the cost of flash drives, making them appealing for organizations looking for cost-effective storage solutions. However, concerns have always persisted about the performance of QLC drives. DataON addresses these concerns by incorporating the use of Optane SSDs, an Intel technology known for its performance capabilities.

The Concerns about QLC Performance Despite the cost benefits, many users have been skeptical about the performance of QLC drives. The primary concern revolves around the lower endurance and slower write speeds compared to other types of SSDs. DataON's hybrid solution aims to alleviate these concerns by boosting performance with the inclusion of Optane SSDs.

The Solution: Pairing Optane with QLC DataON combines the high capacity of QLC drives with the speed and endurance of Optane SSDs, resulting in a powerful and reliable hybrid solution. This combination allows organizations to enjoy the cost benefits of QLC drives while maintaining high performance levels.

The Azure Stack HCI Cluster The Azure Stack HCI cluster offers a versatile solution suitable for various use cases, including small office environments and remote office/branch office (ROBO) setups. This two-node setup provides an optimal configuration for organizations seeking a reliable and scalable storage solution.

The Two-Node Setup The two-node setup is the perfect choice for organizations with specific workload requirements. DataON ensures that their Azure Stack HCI cluster is designed to utilize the latest technology from Intel, such as Optane and QLC drives, to meet the performance demands of their customers.

The Performance and Capacity of the Cluster The Azure Stack HCI cluster impresses not only with its exceptional capacity but also its performance. The combination of Optane and QLC drives allows for seamless workload handling, even under heavy usage scenarios. The cluster's performance remains unaffected, even if a node fails or a drive encounters issues.

The Resiliency of the Two-Node HCI Environment Resiliency is a crucial aspect of any storage solution, especially for remote locations with limited on-site support. DataON ensures that their two-node HCI environment can continue functioning efficiently even in the event of a drive failure or node outage. This resiliency provides organizations with peace of mind that their workloads will remain operational.

Windows Admin Center and DataON's MUST Tool The management of Azure Stack HCI clusters is made easy with the Windows Admin Center, which provides a comprehensive visual interface for monitoring and managing the cluster's health. DataON enhances this experience further through their MUST (Manage, Unify, Scale, and Transform) tool, which offers additional features such as drive mapping, alert services, and inventory management.

Conclusion The hybrid solution of Optane and QLC drives in Azure Stack HCI clusters presents an innovative storage solution. DataON's commitment to integrating the latest technologies, such as Intel's Optane SSDs, offers organizations the perfect balance between cost, performance, and resiliency. With a two-node setup and efficient management tools like Windows Admin Center and MUST, DataON has created a reliable and scalable solution for various workload requirements. By embracing this hybrid solution, organizations can optimize their storage infrastructure and meet their data storage needs effectively.

Pros:

• Cost-effective storage solution
• High storage capacity with no compromise on performance
• Resilient two-node setup for reliable operation
• Efficient management tools for easy monitoring and maintenance

Cons:

• Endurance and write speed limitations of QLC drives, although mitigated by Optane SSDs

Highlights:

• DataON's Azure Stack HCI clusters offer a hybrid solution by combining Optane and QLC drives.
• The combination provides cost-effective storage without compromising on performance.
• Resilient two-node setup ensures uninterrupted operation even in the event of drive or node failures.
• Windows Admin Center and DataON's MUST tool offer efficient cluster management capabilities.

FAQs:

Q: What is the advantage of using Optane and QLC drives in the Azure Stack HCI clusters? A: The combination of Optane and QLC drives provides a cost-effective storage solution without sacrificing performance. Optane SSDs enhance the performance of QLC drives, addressing concerns about their slower write speeds and lower endurance.

Q: Can the Azure Stack HCI cluster handle heavy workloads? A: Yes, the Azure Stack HCI cluster, with its hybrid solution of Optane and QLC drives, can handle heavy workloads efficiently. The performance remains unaffected even under heavy usage scenarios, ensuring smooth operations.

Q: How does DataON ensure resiliency in the two-node HCI environment? A: DataON ensures resiliency in the two-node HCI environment by designing their clusters to continue functioning seamlessly even in the event of a drive failure or node outage. This resilience provides organizations with peace of mind regarding their data storage.

Q: What management tools are available for monitoring and managing Azure Stack HCI clusters? A: Windows Admin Center offers a comprehensive visual interface for monitoring and managing Azure Stack HCI clusters. DataON's MUST tool further enhances the management experience by providing features like drive mapping, alert services, and inventory management.