1
Introduction
Features

NFS Support

When it comes to remote files access and sharing, the number one option most system administrators choose is Network File System (NFS). NFS is a distributed file system protocol that allows users accessing remote files and data over a shared network just if they were stored locally. As to VM storage management, and VMware vSphere particularly, NFS is much more convenient comparing to FC and iSCSI. This all leads the NFS protocol to be effectively used for simplifying IT infrastructure scalability and ensuring centralized data management since it provides simple and convenient access for multiple systems. Nevertheless, considering the configuration of traditional HA NFS File Server, certain challenges may arise.

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2
Problem

Problems of Highly Available Network File System (NFS) Implementation

The number one problem companies usually face is high capital expenditure since the HA NFS implementation requires some form of shared storage. This leads to the need of deploying additional servers, non-redundant JBODs or even costly SANs. Another challenge is low return on investment (ROI) of the overall solution since more investments are required to improve the performance of the hardware already in use. Furthermore, the customer lifecycle value (CLV) gets crippled due to the lack of data services including caching, snapshots, QoS or data optimization features in the existing solutions. Therefore, building a unified and redundant platform with a necessary set of data services becomes a pitfall that is hard to overcome.

Traditional implementation of an HA NFS File Server

3
Solution

Shared Storage Solution Featuring NFS Support

CapEx and OpEx are significantly reduced since StarWind eliminates the need for dedicated shared storage. It unites the storage and compute layers virtualized on commodity servers, allowing the cluster footprint to go as low as 2 nodes.

The solution’s ROI also gets improved thanks to StarWind multi-level redundancy and high-performance architecture. Performance gets a considerable boost with DRAM and Flash caching functionality. The CPU overhead is minimized due to RDMA implemented for data synchronization.

CLV is increased as StarWind delivers such data services as caching, snapshots, QoS, and data optimization features. Furthermore, simple software updates throughout the solution’s lifecycle offer extended functionality providing additional value for companies.

‘Shared nothing’ approach to the implementation of an HA NFS File Serve

4
Conclusion

Ensure High Performance with StarWind’s NFS Protocol Implementation

The StarWind solution significantly reduces companies’ CapEx and OpEx and in turn, offers high performance and availability for mission-critical applications. StarWind guarantees higher ROI and CLV as it maximizes the power of an HA NFS File Server through efficient hardware utilization for shared access and provides beneficial data services.

5
What The World Says About Us

StarWind included as Niche Player for the fourth consecutive time in 2021 Magic Quadrant™ for HCI Software

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StarWind
Hyperconverged Infrastructure Software
4.8
278 verified reviews
96%
Recommended
reviewed April 5, 2021
“StarWind Has Worked Extremely Well For Us For Over 7 Years.”
Industry: Finance
Company size: 3b – 10b usd
01 / 10 Read more
reviewed Sep 13, 2021
StarWind is an excellent Virtual SAN solution for Vmware
Industry: Construction
Company size: <50m usd
02 / 10 Read more
reviewed June 12, 2021
Great Software. Support and help is very good.
Industry: Manufacturing
Company size: 50m - 250m usd
03 / 10 Read more
reviewed October 14, 2020
High Performance Virtualisation Without The Expensive Hardware
Industry: Education
Company size: <5,000 emp
04 / 10 Read more
reviewed March 16, 2021
Starwind Brings High Availability And Efficiency To Our Windows Environment!
Industry: Manufacturing
Company size: 3b - 10b usd
05 / 10 Read more
reviewed February 28, 2020
Complete Hyper-Converged Solution, Easy To Implement And Manage
Industry: Finance
Company size: 1b - 3b usd
07 / 10 Read more
reviewed November 14, 2019
Customer Service Top Notch
Industry: Finance
Company size: 1b - 3b usd
08 / 10 Read more
reviewed October 20, 2016
Excelent Value For Money, Easy Implementation
Industry: Manufacturing
Company size: 3b - 10b usd
09 / 10 Read more
reviewed September 1, 2021
Great Shared Storage Solution For A VMware VSphere Essentials Cluster
Industry: Services
Company size: <50m usd
10 / 10 Read more
6
Success Stories

We are satisfied with StarWind. The support is really fantastic. Whenever any issue arises, the response is very prompt, and solution is immediate.

Srinivas Kouda, Company’s Representative
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We were able to build 2-node storage clusters based on virtualization in 19 hypermarkets without any problems and with high cost-efficiency.

Vass Sandor, IT Infrastructure Leader
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By being able to virtualize our environment with StarWind, we were able to retire some old hardware, get our services highly available, reduce power consumption and heat in our server closet.

David Gardner, Information Systems Manager
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StarWind got us off the clustered environment, which was a big help. So, I could regain control of my storage and reclaim and redistribute the space we desperately needed.

Ryan Fulton, Company’s Representative
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Price + Simplicity. StarWind vSAN offers great pricing and allows us to get work done without expensive custom hardware. It also makes getting back online quick and easy after an outage or hardware failure.

Aaron Hayes, IT Manager
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We chose StarWind Mainly because of the cost compared to other vendors. Simplicity of setup was also a major factor and I like the fact that you don’t need a vendor certified engineer to perform the installation.

John Harris, Windows System Administrator,
Department of Physics, University of Oxford
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Because of recommendations of older colleagues, with StarWind, we got a reliable storage with no additional hardware. There was a need to increase IT infrastructure performance and we saw StarWind as the most cost-effective solution.

Željko Medić, Director of IT Department
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StarWind is the best storage product I have ever used! It satisfies and exceeds requirements.

Joe Gursky, Director of IT
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7
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