Data Storage Optimization: What is it and Why Does it Matter?
Storage infrastructure plays a fundamental role in the ever-evolving world of technology. From basic operations to more advanced High Performance Computing systems, the amount of readily available storage space enables processes to efficiently operate. To ensure a system is capable of ingesting high volumes of data, a properly designed network and a properly designed storage system utilizing state of the art technologies is imperative.
Consumers are always after next generation technologies, which requires an up-to-speed approach to maintain quality solutions. This is especially true when dealing with online information and user accounts. Consolidating resources while minimizing storage administration is the goal. Future proofing the network and integrating storage management software is sure to drive technical success.
Its Role in High Performance Computing
Simply put, High Performance Computing requires a high-speed network and adequate storage space to maximizing the advantages of parallel processing. Optimizing network design and data storage is an integral part of maintaining storage systems. The trick for running advanced application programs is to find systems that prevent information from bottlenecking. High-speed, low latency Ethernet or InfiniBand networking from NVIDIA offers great performance, and helps to fend off the constant technological advances, which can put any company behind.
While hardware is important, there are also many other things that can be done to help reduce problems associated with data storage. With proper organization, less storage is essentially needed. There are many data storage options that can be used by an equipped system integrator to help manage stored information.
- Regularly deleting inactive user accounts after a period of time
- Using storage optimization and data management software that has automatic features
- Understanding cloud-based data storage companies versus physical storage and using them effectively
- Deleting redundant files
- Using data compression and consolidation tools, such as defragmentation and zip files.
- Using tiered storage systems, such as NVMe flash for small files and recently used data
- Continuously update your storage technology and services
Beyond these options, high-performance storage should be catered to need based on the type and size of data that is being stored. For example, small files and recently or frequently used data could be stored on a much higher performing NVME flash tier. Larger files, or files that are used less frequently can be stored on traditional spinning disks or even stored in an object storage system. Wi , one can move data extremely fast, allowing access to small files nearly instantaneously and large files very quickly. NVIDIA QM8700 is an ideal top of rack InfiniBand switch which offers 16Tb/s of non-blocking bandwidth with extremely low bandwidth. Adaptive routing and advanced congestion management optimize both storage and computing efficiencies.
The Benefits of Data Storage Optimization
The benefits of optimizing stored data are both extensive and varied. From reducing storage costs to improving customer experiences, companies which use a collective process will establish a framework built to produce results. The size of a company and the amount of data stored will impact how significant the effects of optimization will be. There are several specific benefits Data Storage Optimization brings to the table.
Lower Storage Costs
Whether it is physical (on-prem) or cloud storage, costs can rise along with the amount of data. Cloud users should consider the cost of accessing or downloading cloud stored data. When data is properly optimized, a company can then either purchase a lower amount of storage from a cloud service or use more affordable storage hardware. This is true regardless of the type of storage being used.
Increased Performance
If your data is well-organized, your systems will run with higher efficiency. A balanced and well thought out network cannot be an afterthought. Many performance issues are due to improperly designed networks, old and outdated network switches or simply, network switches that simply don’t offer the performance required from the storage system. For instance, if the performance of a new all flash storage system can provide 40GBs (Gigabytes) of throughput, a network switch that offers 100/200GB network connections (such as the NVIDIA SN3700 series) would be required (multiple connections). Putting a storage appliance like this on an old, antiquated 10Gb network, would starve the users of the data they are seeking leading to slower time to results.
Long-Term Efficiency
When a company makes the effort to optimize data storage, tailored solutions create high-functioning processes that last long-term. Instead of a quick fix, ensuring efficient technologies allows a company to establish dependable and available solutions. When this happens, customers notice and remain invested for the long haul.
Final Thoughts
High Performance Computing systems are put in place to help companies save time and money. Additionally, such processes can accelerate and improve quality solutions. This is made possible with advanced technology, properly designed solutions, organization, and optimized resources as a whole. Taking the necessary steps to ensure a balanced, low latency network along with the proper storage space is critical for success, both present and long-term.
About Applied Data Systems (ADS):
Applied Data Systems is a leading High Performance Computing system integrator. With more and more information being digitized, the requirement to ingest and analyze the mountain of data has created an opportunity for a company with expertise in compute, networking, storage, parallel file systems and data tagging. We work with companies in the following vertical markets: Government National Labs, Higher Educational Research facilities, Life Science/Genomics, Automotive, Media & Entertainment and Oil & Gas.
For more info, go to www.applieddatasystems.com.
Sources
https://www.rslni.com/five-benefits-of-storage-space-optimisation
https://www.conocophillips.com/spiritnow/story/high-performance-computing-the-need-for-speed/