Gartner Research

Best Practices for Software-Defined Storage Implementation

Published: 11 September 2015

ID: G00271981

Analyst(s): Angelina Troy

Summary

Software-defined storage is an emerging technology that addresses specific pain points. Two types of SDS target different use cases by either providing storage services or coordinating the delivery of other storage services. This document outlines best practices for implementing either type of SDS.

Table Of Contents

Synopsis

Analysis

  • What Is Software-Defined Storage?
    • The Seven Attributes of Software-Defined Storage
  • Software-Defined Storage Benefits
    • Infrastructure SDS Benefit: Address Growth and Deployment Pain
    • Infrastructure SDS Benefit: Introducing Commodity Storage
    • Management SDS Benefit: Unify Storage Management Practices
    • Management SDS Benefit: Improve Focus on Application Service Delivery
  • Software-Defined Storage Obstacles
    • Infrastructure SDS Obstacle: Solution Viability
    • Infrastructure SDS Obstacle: Software and Semantic Lock-In
    • Management SDS Obstacle: Product Integration and Interoperability
    • Management SDS Obstacle: Staff Skill Sets and Management Practices
  • Identify Pain Points
  • Choose One Pain Point to Address
  • Dedicate Time to Research
  • Reconcile With Upcoming Initiatives
  • Lay Out a Multiyear SDS Adoption Plan

Conclusion

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