It is not every day that a good thing gets even better, so when it does happen, it’s a cause for celebration. Many Dell Storage customers already have efficient, easy-to-use PS Series arrays that are meeting their current workloads needs while lowering their overall TCO. But now the latest releases of Dell Storage PS Series Firmware 9.0, Dell Storage Manager (DSM), and SCOS 7 offer common management and cross-platform replication capabilities between SC and PS Series storage arrays.
The next question you may ask is how will this affect you if you are a PS customer? With these new capabilities, you have the option of leveraging your existing PS Series investment while taking advantage of new SC Series functionality. For example if you are adding a new workload or replacing a PS array or group, you may consider adding an SC array. In other words, PS Series is the “good thing” and adding an SC Series array and trying out new features like intelligent deduplication and advanced auto-tiering makes that good thing even better.
When adding an SC Series array to your environment, DSM provides a common management tool for PS and SC Series day-to-day activities with a “single pane of glass view.” Customers can also initiate volume replication between PS and SC Series with DSM, and easily configure and monitor replication tasks. An SC Series Thin Import feature simplifies migration if the customer chooses that option, by importing data from PS to SC Series.
We offer many best practices whitepapers, videos and a solution guide about cross-platform replication and the new Dell Storage Manager software to help simplify day-to-day processes. In addition, feedback from customers on Dell Storage Manager confirms that it offers the same ease of use that PS customers have come to expect.
“The Dell Storage Cross-Platform Replication feature was very easy to set up. Using Dell Storage Manager (DSM) to do Cross-Platform Replication was easy and straightforward as well…” Hans de Jongh, Director/Owner, IT Creation
However, some customers may prefer to keep on with a good thing, the PS Series, whether they are adding capacity to their current workload or maintaining their environment. Dell Storage continues to invest in and support PS Series and has been the iSCSI market leader for over 6 years according to IT Brand Pulse. Dell Storage PS Series software helps customers store and manage their data more efficiently and cost-effectively with the latest firmware and SAN HQ releases that are available now and with new Host Integration Tool kits that are available this summer.
If you are (or are interested in becoming) a PS Series customer, please talk to your Dell representative about your long-term and short-term data center goals. Together, you can determine the best options for your environment and map out a vision to “make a good thing better” at your own pace. To stay on top of the latest Dell Storage news, and share with us your own thoughts and goals, we invite you to connect with us on Twitter.
