The software defined data center continues to evolve with Storage, compute, and networking.  ScaleIO has become a leading SDS solution and is continuing to improve.  Below will cover some enhancements of ScaleIO 3.0.

Storage Efficiency

• Space Efficient layout
  • 4k granularity disk layout – optimized for SSD
  • Optimized for SSD and leverage NVDIMM’s
  • Snaps now on equal footing with AFA when it comes to efficiency, management and performance
• Compression
  • Variable size compression algorithm based on LZ4
  • Optimized for SSD and leverages NVDIMM’s
  • Can be turned on / off at a pool or volume level

Volume Migration

• Zero application impact
• Non-disruptive storage-side volume migrations moving volumes between different Storage Pools and Protection Domains
• Entire VTree can be non-disruptively migrated

Full Support for Dell EMC PowerEdge 14G and NVMe Drives

• ScaleIO 3.0 takes full advantage of the latest Dell hardware
  • NVDIMMs
  • NVMe
• ScaleIO Ready Nodes
  • R740XD and R640 Support
  • SSD, NVMe and HDD Options. Hybrid to be released later.

VMware vVols Support

• Tie VMs more directly to storage Volumes which provides simplified management, less resource contention, and the ability to leverage storage side features like snapshots
• Requires ESXi 6.0 and newer
• VASA service runs in a VM
  • Mapping database is stored in a ScaleIO Volume
  • HA is handled by VMware
  • VASA services presents an API to VMware and talks directly to ScaleIO MDM
  • Uses existing ScaleIO SVM Template and adds services to it

Snapshot enhancements

• Snapshot count increased by 4x
  • 31 to 127 for current medium granular layout
  • Fine granular layout snapshot count is increased 8x – 255 snapshots
• Volumes can be reverted to any snapshot within the vTree
• Volumes can be refreshed in place
• Snapshot can be deleted anywhere in the vTree without affecting other snapshots in the vTree
• Automated snapshot management
  • Set snapshot creation and retention policy and ScaleIO will automatically manage the snapshots
  • Snapshot management works with CG as well

AMS with OS/FW patching and Storage Only Support

• AMS handles Storage SW, OS and Firmware
• VMware support now for 6.5
• All components upgrade in a rolling manner
  • ScaleIO Software
  • SVM Operating System
  • VMware ESX / RHEL OS
  • Firmware for hardware components

I will be working increasingly with ScaleIO in the future so expect more posts!!