In network-attached storage (NAS) design, also known as scale-out storage, the total amount of disk space can be increased by connecting additional devices in separate arrays with their resources. 

A scale-out system allows for adding and configuring new hardware as required. It can be expanded by adding another array when its storage capacity is reached. A scale-out Isilon NAS can take advantage of the extra storage introduced across arrays to boost network storage capacity and performance while also addressing the need for more storage. 

Scale-Out NAS Vs. Traditional NAS

Traditional NAS

Traditional NAS, also known as scale-up NAS, uses a scale-up methodology when enhancing current hardware with resources like storage solutions and memory. Scale-up NAS systems have devices that can store hundreds of terabytes of data, making it a desirable option for SMBs’ storage requirements. 

Additionally, given the potential for hundreds of devices, the power, cooling, and space needs make storage management challenges, potentially complicating and raising the cost of scale-up NAS. It must also overcome the difficulty of predicting capacity needs in the future. 

The amount of resources you can add to a scale-up storage system depends on the NAS hardware’s physical capabilities. These capabilities determine how much resource increase a NAS device can handle. New hardware is necessary when resource demands outpace the system’s capacity because adding capacity is no longer an option. However, this raises the possibility of server sprawl.

Scale-Out NAS

On the other side, a scale-out Dell EMC Isilon strategy is more common regarding unstructured data demands. Scale-out network-attached storage offers a natural solution to the difficulties of scale-up storage systems because both performance and capacity may be enhanced. 

It provides the adaptability necessary for changing business requirements, managing complexity and costs, and maximizing resources. Scale-out NAS offers a scalable solution that doesn’t put further strain on already overburdened IT infrastructure to handle the ever-growing volumes of data businesses struggle to manage. 

While scale-out storage systems use a set of servers to create a clustered storage array and provide logical unit numbers or file shares over a network, their performance improves as capacity grows. Due to the lack of disruption caused by adding nodes, the architecture does not require downtime to increase the array’s capacity and performance.

The Extent of Scalability For Scale-Out Isilon NAS

Scale-out network-attached storage has an unrivaled capacity thanks to its controllers’ ability to connect several entities and make them act as a single logical unit. This makes it possible to manage the entire system at once. Because twice the resources result in doubling the performance and there are no diminishing returns while scaling, the scale-out system scales linearly. 

Scaling makes it simple for scale-out NAS to manage enormous volumes of data when there is no degradation. In contrast to scale-up techniques, where more powerful hardware would be needed to address data expansion, scale-out NAS can also readily handle demand surges because adding capacity without transferring any data is simpler.

Advantages of Going The Scale-Out Isilon Route

Flexibility At Its Best

Since the storage solution depends on client requirements, scaling out storage allows you to increase or decrease capacity and speed. Scale-out NAS can handle the large amount of unstructured data being produced today thanks to its flexibility, which also meets the needs of a big data environment. 

Space-Saving

Scale-out network-attached storage, as opposed to regular NAS, frees up space in the data center and eliminates the need for pricey upgrades. The continual scalability of scale-out NAS addresses the concerns of scale-up storage, such as administration difficulties, physical limitations, and potential server sprawl. 

Efficient

To give consumers the maximum benefit from their storage capacity, an efficient scale-out NAS solution goes beyond the constraints of conventional hard drives. Additionally, because firms can concentrate on managing data rather than storage, overall organizational effectiveness is increased. Less storage space is needed for data with an efficient system. 

Control

Any connected node may view every file stored throughout a cluster thanks to scale-out NAS’s visibility. As a result, clusters may be managed as a single storage system, and by dynamically allocating resources, capacity and performance can be increased without losing management difficulties. As a load can be dispersed across a cluster in the event of a node loss, visibility also helps reduce downtime. 

Affordability

Scale-out NAS hardware purchases are economical since they do away with the need to plan for future expansion. With a flexible on-demand strategy, scale-out NAS reduces data center space needs, energy expenses, and management costs. 

Final Thoughts

There are many advantages to Dell EMC Isilon scale-out NAS. But when it comes to distributed file systems, a scale-out network-attached storage system is unquestionably superior to a scale-up NAS. To reap the rewards of scale-out NAS and achieve optimum cost-effectiveness, you must ensure the solution is straightforward, effective, accessible, and adaptable. At Pre Rack IT, we can make this simple for you. Reach out today to speak with an expert.