Management of the capacity for storage

Storage is a central repository for data storage proceeding from the network of computers. The storage can be used for several functions, especially because of its capacity of storing a great volume of data. Amongst which we can highlight the utilizations of files and backups as servers.

The digital transformation increased even more the necessity of storing data. However, it is unavoidable to accompany such demand purchasing several new disks for the computers or servers. Because, besides the cost, there is the limited space of the desks and the difficulty of administrating multiple unities of storage in a decentralized manner. A possible solution would be the storage in the cloud, however several Companies opt for maintaining it in their own data centers, mainly the ones that deal with extremely sensitive data.

However, due to the importance of the storage as a central point for the warehousing of information is crucial to have the capacity of evaluating its usage. As well as predicting future requirements for the storage of data. In this manner, guaranteeing the efficient usage of the resources and that the demands of the users and applications are addressed.

TYPES OF STORAGE

The first step is to know the type of storage utilized. As well as their main characteristics.

Direct Attached Storage – DAS

Storage connected directly to the device. In this form, such type of storage can be utilized as an extension or complementary storing. These unities of storing can be external or internal. In more simple environments we can consider even an additional HD in a computer such as an example of direct storage. For greater environments such as data center, external unities such as dedicated storages can be connected directly to servers.

Network Attached Storage – NAS

Storage connected to the network. This time the access to the equipment of storing is done in a remote manner through the sharing in a network. In this manner the storage can be shared by multiple users and devices. However, in the vision of the user, the experience will be similar to the storage directly connected. Although, each user can have specific permissions. In this manner, being possible to centralize the management, guaranteeing greater flexibility and simplicity.

Storage Area Network – SAN

Storage connected to the private network. Therefore such as the NAS, the access to this storage is also made via network. However, this time it will be via dedicated network, with specific cabling, controllers and switches that connect the SAN to the servers. This modality of storage is indicated for applications that involves considerable volumes of storing data, such as many accesses and modifications. These dedicated networks have as main characteristics the best performance in relation to the other modalities, high availability, besides a better management due to the centralization of the storage in one separated network.

MAKING THE MANAGEMENT OF CAPACITY 

What is the percentage of usage of the capacity of storing of your storage?

The inefficient usage of the storage can bring impacts such as unavailability, problems of functioning of applications and even financial damage. Therefore, as the scenario of underutilization of the space available can characterize a waste of resources, the excessive usage will deprive the storage of new data. Consequently, seeking a balance is fundamental. Some specialists recommend keeping the percentage of usage close to 80%. In this manner, reserving 20% for potential peaks of demand.

In this manner, the tracking referring to the utilization of the storage and the capacity of realizing the predictive analysis will be primordial for the maintenance of healthy levels of utilization of capacity of storage. Thus, guaranteeing the following-up of the demand.

Through the SLAview the administrator of the network will be capable of performing the complete and personalized monitoring of the storage.

The SLAview enables the creation of profiles of personalized collection where the administrator will be able to choose which KPIs he/she desires to monitor and how those will be demonstrated in the charts. An example of that is the creation of a chart that demonstrates the percentage consumption of the storage. Besides the charts, the SLAview provides reports for specific and comparative KPIs assessments. One of the reports that can be configured is the report of projection. With this report it is possible to estimate the growth of the consumption of the storage based on parameters of current growing.

The SLAview also counts with a system of alarms, capable of generating notifications from any occurrence in relation to the assets of the network. With that the administrator can be notified about any relevant alteration related to metrics and behaviors of the storage.

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

In this sense, there are no doubts about the importance of investing in network management. In this manner, we are able to not only bring benefits for the visibility of the infrastructure, but also representing a way to guarantee greater agility and greater governance.

Thinking about that,  Telcomanager, leader in Latin America in the sector of software for network management, since 2002 in the market with a unique and innovative methodology, makes available smart solutions for the monitoring of data in order to provide complete visibility to the infrastructure of the client, allowing your Company to accompany the main aspects of your network.