Big Data, Just a Buzz Word?

Cutting Edge Technology to Turn Big Data into Big Value!

The term ‘Big Data’ has been coined by the IT industry and used extensively in recent times for commercial purposes. We appreciate that there is nothing like a new trendy buzz word to re-market an already existing notion, technology or trend. But is there more to “Big Data” than just a catch phrase?

According to Gartner, the term Big Data is “used to acknowledge the exponential growth, availability and use of information in the data-rich landscape of tomorrow.”*

Current and future extortionate data growth is an undeniable phenomenon; and how enterprises handle the challenges presented by such is a concern for all.

A recent report from McKinsey & Co states: “The increasing volume and detail of information captured by enterprises, the rise of multimedia, social media, and the Internet of Things will fuel exponential growth in data for the foreseeable future.” We at layer 47 tend to agree with McKinsey & Co who perceive Big Data as “The next frontier for innovation, competition and productivity.”**

As a full systems integrator, we at Layer47 have been there and done that and we like to think of ourselves as experts in the broad range of storage solutions available on the market. It is therefore fitting that we talk about market leading technology, designed for this trend, offering Big Data storage solutions for Scale-out NAS.

At this point some of you will be thinking, “What is Scale-Out NAS?” others are thinking, “I’m sure my NAS or SAN solution has our Big Data issues covered.” Let us give you a quick rundown on why Isilon is geared up for Big Data.

The technology vendor we are talking about is, Isilon Systems. In their own words “Big Data demands Big Storage,” and Isilon’s innovative technology is specifically designed to help users cope with data growth in a controlled and scalable manner. In fact, “Isilon is the leader in Scale-out NAS” Pushan Rinnen, Research Director, Gartner.

Isilon clustered storage solutions give companies fast access to critical business information, all the while enabling you to reduce the costs and complexities of storing expanding data sets.

Who is better to describe the technology than the experts themselves:

“With Isilon, you can aggregate massive data sets and consolidate a range of applications onto a single, shared, easy to use storage resource – giving you full control of big data assets. And, no matter how your needs change in the future, Isilon scales in lockstep, remaining as simple to manage at 15 petabytes as it was at 15 terabytes. In short, Isilon is on-demand storage for big data, when and where you need it.” Isilon

Still think that your average SAN or NAS is equipped to deal with the Big Data Dilema? Let’s leave you with some food for thought, it is estimated that by2020, data will grow 44x to 35 trillion gigabytes**– Big Data is not just a Big Phase, it is the shape of things to come!

There are plenty of resources available to help illustrate the importance and benefits of intelligent storage; we wanted to share a particularly interesting whitepaper with our readers - The Economic Benefits of Intelligent Clustered Storage.

We also have a webinar made available on-demand for those of you interested in learning more about scale-out NAS: http://www.layer47.com/webinar_center.html


* Gartner Press Release - Gartner Says Solving 'Big Data' Challenge Involves More Than Just Managing Volumes of Data – June 2011

** McKinsey Global Institute – Big Data: The Next Frontier for Innovation, Competition and Productivity - May2011

***Isilon The Era of Big Data has Arrived - current

For When Data Cascades Out of Control | Exagrid Scalable Disk Backup

Data Deduplication Solutions for Disk Backup and Disaster Recovery that Work!

As businesses grow, so does the amount of data that they generate. Maintaining an efficient and reliable backup process for business critical data can be complex and presents itself as a dilemma that most organisations face. Tape backup is sometimes perceived as a cumbersome, time consuming and expensive solution. Increasingly IT professionals are looking at reducing the costs and hassles that traditional tape backup presents.

Plans to reduce or eliminate the reliance on tape can be daunting; we want to introduce a vendor that we think offers an economically sound, high performance and innovative solution.

Exagrid Systems offer disk-based backup solutions that include data Deduplication. Exagrid’s true innovation lies in its unique approach to providing an unparalleled level of scalability in its backup. Firstly, Exagrid systems ensure “right-sizing”; meaning that you acquire just what you need right now and you can add more later on – if and when you need to.

The Data Deduplication aspect is important in that this approach minimizes the amount of data that clients need to store. Using less storage space leads to reducing additional storage costs!

Exagrid has a Data Deduplication ratio of 30:1, their post process approach to Data Deduplication means that data is de-duplicated after the information is on the system. An obviously more effective methodology, giving Exagrid a lead on other technologies in this market. :)

Exagrid’s client base is a true testament to their technology, check out how Exagrid Helps U.S Federal Government Agencies.

Earlier this year, a ‘Thursday @ Three’ with Layer47 webinar event looked at the ‘Best Practice Storage Architecture for Virtual Server Infrastructure, view the on demand version here.

Any questions about Exagrid or to discuss replacing your tape backup system, don’t hesitate to get in touch: http://www.blogger.com/www.layer47.com.

Xsigo Virtual I/O adds value to your virtualized infrastructure

Everyone likes to save money, and in these times of financial unrest and stretched budgets, it is no surprise that IT Managers are increasingly looking to derive greater value from implementing cost efficient solutions. With this in mind, we’d like to introduce you to Xsigo, the latest addition to our solution portfolio that dramatically reduces data center server I/O costs.

Enter I/O Virtualisation – The Final Piece in the Virtualised Infrastructure Puzzle

Virtualisation of IT infrastructure began back in the 80’s when we virtualised our LAN. Then came storage virtualisation and, with VMware growing in the 90’s, server virtualisation. Today we face I/O virtualisation, the next step in data centre consolidation.

Why do we need I/O virtualisation?

We like to keep things pretty simple in the blog, so we are giving you a brief overview of the merits of I/O virtualisation. However if you want to really geek out on Xsigo’s technology, you can read more here.

Deploying VMware brings together all your servers. To make use of these servers, each must have access to all network and storage resources. For example, if an application requires access to your fibre channel storage and your server doesn’t have that access, the application can’t run there.

This adds limitations to service delivery. For true flexibility, organisations need to be able to connect ANY server to ANY network /storage resource. This is exactly what Xsigo does; offer “any to any functionality” for true, limitless server connectivity.

Without virtual I/O, organisations end up with lots of connections to each server, the typical being 16 per server in any one virtualised environment. That my friends equates to a lot of cables! Xsigo eliminates 70% of the cards, cables and switch ports previously used to provide a simpler, faster way to connect servers to networks.

Xsigo Systems Consolidates your Infrastructure

With Xsigo you have just two physical connections per server, those two carry all your network connections, storage connects and Ethernets, all of which are fully redundant.

With Xsigo, you can add up to 64 isolated connections per server through a single cable, for increased flexibility in server connectivity and a simpler operating environment in the data center. Not only does Xsigo help to minimize the number of physical connections, it actually increases available bandwidth and reduces power consumption, thereby dramatically lowering the capital and operational costs associated with server connectivity.

Ok so the cost savings are clear, but a great technology solution doesn’t just save you money. From a QOS perspective, Virtual I/O addresses an urgent requirement in today’s data centre to eliminate connectivity issues such as I/O bottlenecks and outages for less downtime and a more consistent user experience. It also enables IT Managers to repurpose existing assets and massively simplify server management, thus freeing up the network team to manage other projects.

Virtual I/O for Every Server on Earth!

The greatest testament to Xsigo’s revolutionary technology is VMware’s endorsement that virtual I/O extends the value, flexibility and scalability of their proposition. A public display of this was during VM World 2009, where Xsigo powered all of the demos in the VMware booth and virtual I/O took centre stage throughout the show.

Finally, if our glowing review was not enough to convince you of Xsigo’s merits, perhaps knowing that it was recently tipped as “the next big thing” by the Wall Street Journal is. That’s right, from a pool of more than 5000 startups, Xsigo was recognized by the news powerhouse for its market potential and growing presence. Read the full story here.

Additional Info

Xsigo introduced their new Ethernet-attached product at the VMworld 2010; those of you who missed out on “Fight for the Next Generation Data Centre” can watch the highlights here: http://www.xsigo.com/blog/?p=1126 “Knock out Cisco in the data centre” Challenging words from Steve Schuckenbrock, President of Large Enterprise at Dell.

Enter the E-Series! | Energy Efficient Disk-Based Storage by Nexsan

Storage has been designed and executed in the same way for years but here at Layer47, we like to question if things can be done better and embrace new technologies.
A pioneering vendor sharing the same values is Nexsan and we have been a fan for quite a while now.

Nexsan has always been focussed on developing a comprehensive range of enterprise-class, easy-to-use, efficient storage systems. Previously, the SASBoy, SATABeast and DATABeast have led the way, offering high-capacity storage solutions with great performance, at an attractive price point.

However this week, Nexsan have been proudly showcasing their latest release, the E-Series. In the words of the guys themselves;

“The new E-Series advances Nexsan's Flexible Storage Platform by delivering a suite of storage systems with industry-leading storage density, power efficiency, and an enterprise-class feature set.”*

We like the E-Series for many reasons. From a geeky perspective, the feeds and speeds are impressive; the E60 boasts industry-leading storage density of 60 drives in 4U of rack space! Nexsan’s next-generation RAID controller delivers over twice the performance of its predecessor. The high-speed cache supports dual active/active controller configurations, for increased performance and no single point of failure.

From a practical business perspective, the E-series effectively serves organisations who struggle to meet the demands of increasing storage requirements, with limited or shrinking budget and resource. The guys at Nexsan claim that the family is purpose built to deliver robust, scalable storage at a price point that aligns with mid-market business models.

We think that this is where the E-Series really wins, offering mid market customers the ultimate value proposition when meeting their ever-evolving storage requirements.

But it’s not just about giving you more TBs for your money. The E-series builds its green credentials with the energy saving AutoMAID technology which will reportedly enable up to 87% reduction in power consumption without performance compromise. This will be ideal for popular processes such as archiving, backup to disk and large file storage.

This is just the start for Nexsan, Looking to the future; they are definitely the one to watch! It will be interesting to see how competitors respond to the launch of the E-Series.

Check out: http://www.layer47.com/nexsan.html for more info!

*http://www.nexsan.com/about/news/pressreleases/2011/030111.aspx

Looking For a Long Term Relationship! | Layer47 Client Services

Good news everyone, Layer47 is launching a Client Services division!

Unlike one of my previous blogs [We Love Jack – The IT Guy :) WAN Acceleration with Riverbed] which may have induced a technical overload, this time round I’m going to keep it simple.

Largely because Layer47 Client Services is a simple concept, where you guys leave all the complexity and hassle of provisioning and supporting your organisation’s IT solutions to our tech team of specialists! :)

In today’s fast paced IT environment, mid-market organisations require and demand a high level of support that has traditionally only been accessible to enterprises. We want to even up the playing field a bit and are positioned to deliver enterprise class support services to the Mid-market.

As I’m sure you appreciate from all our blog bragging, Layer47 also boasts a portfolio of best of breed technology which is selected for its price and performance capabilities. The Client Services division extends the capabilities of Layer47 to offer fully integrated technology operations from system design right through to preventative maintenance and support.

We are all about true value - our experienced technical team are highly trained engineers, armed with the know-how to help you derive optimum performance and maximum value from your IT investment. Wouldn’t it be nice if everything in the IT department just worked?!

Here’s for the cheeky product pitch. Layer47 Client Services include:

• System design
• User helpdesk support
• Remote support
• Preventative maintenance
• Network monitoring
• Bespoke IT support
• Onsite engineering

Check out the website: www.layer47.com/layer47_client_services_index.html.

And as a final note lets all revel in the fact that you didn’t make it into the “Top 5 Tech Fails of 2010” which are very publicly reviewed here: http://technorati.com/technology/article/top-5-tech-fails-of-2010/ .
Don’t get caught out in 2011, let Layer47 Client Services work for you!

Go Green in Business | Benefits of HD Video Conferencing by Layer47

Most of us try to do our bit in saving the planet and over the years we have become fairly conscious of being “eco-friendly”. Changing behaviour is easier to manage on a personal level, but what about in terms business operations? Good news is that you do not have to chain yourselves to trees outside the office to demonstrate a commitment to the environment! :)

Play an active role in the Video Conference revolution and you can reap the rewards of high definition video communication whilst boosting your brand with “green-credentials” and participating in a global effort to reduce carbon emissions and protect the ozone layer.

The benefits of Video Conferencing technology are clear, delivering a cost-effective and green alternative to travelling to meetings. Less time out of the office means more time making decisions and more time on projects, resulting in an increased rate of productivity. Not to mention the reduced cost implications, saving on expensive flights, car hire, hotel rooms and meal costs.

But what about the quality?

If the thought of Video Conferencing conjures up images of blurred visuals, disjointed audio, poor connections and massive delays, think again. The quality of VC technology has come a long way in recent years. High definition video conferencing was launched in 2005 and has changed the face of video, offering a far superior quality of experience. The sophistication of the technology is so advanced that it replicates human interaction, empowering your team to collaborate naturally and freely. So you’ll be sitting in your office in London experiencing life-like interaction with your colleague in New York. This is true telepresence!

Video Conferencing does not just deliver a more productive work environment but also a more flexible one. You no longer need to leave the comfort of your home in order to go for that training session in Hong Kong. Remote workers out in the field can have regular catch up meetings as if they were back in the office. Here’s a pretty good video to illustrate my point: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DilfZFGqnDs.

Furthermore, with multi-point solutions you can transact with three or more users from remote points as naturally as if everyone were right there in the same room. The world seems like such a small place once you start doing business in this way!

Upon reflection it seems that Video Conferencing is no longer a poor and unreliable alternative to wasteful travelling but a preferable approach!

If you’re considering adopting a greener business model, why not try LifeSize Video Communications. LifeSize introduced high definition to the market and have been the leaders in this space, delivering unrivalled price:performance.

As usual I will send you in the direction of where you can find useful resource in your hunt for valuable solutions, so check out: http://www.onevideoconferencing.com/video-conferencing-vendors.html.

Still not sure? Book a demo with us to test out the LifeSize kit at a state of the art demo lab. http://www.layer47.com/.

We Love Jack – The IT Guy :) | WAN Acceleration with Riverbed

This blog is dedicated to Jack – the animated face(hero?) of Riverbed WAN Optimisation Technology. Jack has a way of simplifying complex technical issues, such as the bandwidth vs latency debate, so that even the least technically minded person in the workplace will appreciate the benefits of WAN Optimisation.

He certainly makes our job at Layer47 easier, bonus!

Let’s look at a common scenario and a snapshot of a modern enterprise. You have workers and offices, out and about, all over the place and the WAN network is bound to experience considerable data congestion as a result. When an organisation’s Wide Area Network is running slow, file transfers can take forever, office and remote workers get frustrated and project deadlines are missed. Furthermore the Network Manager most often takes the brunt of co-workers complaints and moans regarding sluggish access.

So what is the solution? A common misconception is that increasing your bandwidth will make applications and the network in general run faster. ‘Bigger pipes are always better’ as some would say. But that isn’t always the case, adding more bandwidth does not necessarily improve the end performance of an application over the WAN.

You can have lots of bandwidth but still experience slow applications, and why is that I hear you ask? :)

One reason is latency. The performance profile of many applications is defined by the latency of the connection. Adding more bandwidth will help with the concurrency of the connection but will not improve latency.

This is because most protocols have an element of serialization meaning that they require a response to a packet of data before they can send the next one. Each application will be running back and forth getting bits of information. Combine the number of round trips that some ultra “chatty Applications” such as CIFS make, with high latency between remote offices and you can have a problem on your hands, regardless of available bandwidth.

So if you, like Jack, have got issues like bandwidth limitation, poor TCP performance and application protocol chattiness, what are you going to do about it?

Riverbed WAN Acceleration Technology to the rescue!
A WAN accelerator can help to overcome the pesky effects of latency by reducing the amount of data transmitted over the network using low level compression and caching.

It is a great solution for organisations that wish to:
- Accelerate end user experience over the WAN
- Optimise WAN bandwidth utilisation
- Enable IT consolidation
- Accelerate backup, recovery and replication
- Accelerate mobile workers
- Improve productivity whilst cutting IT costs


However if all this is too much of a technical overload, why not check out Jack’s much more simplified explanation here:
http://www.layer47.com/riverbed_jack_demo_video_menu.html