StarWind iSCSI SAN Version 8.0 Beta

[Bohdan (staff)]

Dear Beta-Team members,

StarWind Software presents the new version of its main storage virtualization solution – StarWind iSCSI SAN 8.0 (beta version) – now improved with new Log-Structured File System (LSFS), which delivers high performance for random write access patterns, eliminating I/O blender effect in virtualized environments; Flash Cache, which ensures 10x faster performance; and super simple and clean user interface.

Today we are delighted to provide our customers with high-performance, robust and easy-to-manage storage solution for powerful data protection and business continuity.

New Features and Improvements

New Log-structured File System container:
LSFS container implements thin-provisioning, snapshots and optional online deduplication features. Synchronous replication for high availability can be configured for a LSFS device. Snapshots are replicated too.
LSFS device is flash-friendly. It eliminates multiple rewrites of same data blocks.
LSFS provides high performance for random write access patterns, eliminating I/O blender effect in virtualized environments.

Flash cache:
L2 cache can be used with LSFS or flat storage devices for acceleration.

Management console:
User interface has been reworked to provide super simple and clean user experience.

Default storage pool path can be set up for the server. This path will be used for all new devices.

New simple device creation wizard allows create virtual device with target in three steps.

High availability device can be created from any existing device by adding replication partner through replication manager.

Network settings for replication can be changed on fly without rebuilding replication partners.

Installation notes

Installation: Previous versions can be updated by installing this version over the existing installation.
Warning: Mirror, IBV and Deduplication devices of version 6.x and earlier versions have limited support in v8.0! Data from existing Mirror, IBV and Deduplication devices must be migrated to new ImageFile or LSFS devices after installation.
Use replication manager to add synchronous replication functionality for your device. Use LSFS virtual device type when thin-provisioning and snapshots features are needed.
Please, take the following steps to update the existing HA devices:
1. To prevent data loss, disconnect clients from HA (if it is possible).
2. Update StarWind service on the first HA node. Wait until the service starts. At this step the HA node is unable to synchronize its HA devices and is not accepting the client connections. Client requests are processed by the second HA node. The next step will disconnect the existing client connections.
3. Update the StarWind service on the second HA node. Wait until the service starts.
4. Start synchronization on the first HA node. The second node changes its state to “ready” and starts processing client connections. Now, you can safely connect to the HA device.
5. Wait for synchronization to finish. Now the first HA node can process the client connections too.

StarWind 8.0 beta is ready for download from the following link:
http://starwindsoftware.com/tmplink/StarWindBeta.exe
and its license key:
http://starwindsoftware.com/tmplink/sw6 ... _beta8.swk

SMI-S Provider (compatible with Windows 2012R2 + SCVMM 2012 only):
http://starwindsoftware.com/tmplink/Sta ... 3_beta.exe
and configuration guide http://www.starwindsoftware.com/images/ ... -SMI-S.pdf

Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions.

[awedio]

Can we install on Win Server 2012 R2 Preview?

[awedio]

How does one get a license file?

[sunyucong]

Wow! Can you share some performance numbers, espeically the random read on LSFS

[mahuan1688]

This change is too big, there is little used, and some of the original function is cancelled, also does not have documentation, a little too will use.

[fbifido]

Note: Please do a video on this new version and compare it to v6, then a deep dive into the new stuff, as well as the upgrade from v6 & fresh install.

New Log-structured File System container:

optional online deduplication features

Does this mean its not inline anymore?

Flash Cache, which ensures 10x faster performance

What is the performance without Flash Cache?
What about using extra memory for Flash Cache?

very important. say it with me: "Cluster", windows 2008/2012/2012R2

Thank you.

(NOW LET THE TESTING BEGINS)

[awedio]

I found the email with the link to the license key (It was in my junk mail)

[anton (staff)]

Sure you can. R2 is a planned "companion" OS fo the V8 release.

Can we install on Win Server 2012 R2 Preview?

[anton (staff)]

If you don't have one already please drop a message to sales@starwindsoftware.com and we'll also remove key management from beta with a next minor update ("remove" just for beta only of course).

How does one get a license file?

[anton (staff)]

This is something we expect you to do with your test beds

Wow! Can you share some performance numbers, espeically the random read on LSFS

[anton (staff)]

1) Yes, it's a major update. Tons of core components updated, replaced and re-written "from scratch".

2) We did not cancel anything. Async replication for LSFS and FLAT together with tiering are coming with Beta-2 and we have also few aces in the sleeve (VDI-related) we did not promise to use with V8.

3) GUI is simplified so you don't need new manuals.

This change is too big, there is little used, and some of the original function is cancelled, also does not have documentation, a little too will use.

[anton (staff)]

1) We'll do a video. Actually you're welcomed to shoot one and post on YouTube

2) W/o flash cache it's the same as it was with V6 for a FLAT storage. LSFS is different (it;s still faster).

3) Flash accelerates reads and writes up to 10x times compared to the conventional storage. Designed to work with RAM cache and not to replace it.

4) We don't use Windows cluster for StarWind. StarWind is clustered on it's own.

Note: Please do a video on this new version and compare it to v6, then a deep dive into the new stuff, as well as the upgrade from v6 & fresh install.

New Log-structured File System container:

optional online deduplication features

Does this mean its not inline anymore?

Flash Cache, which ensures 10x faster performance

What is the performance without Flash Cache?
What about using extra memory for Flash Cache?

very important. say it with me: "Cluster", windows 2008/2012/2012R2

Thank you.

(NOW LET THE TESTING BEGINS)

[anton (staff)]

We'll remove key check for beta either way...

I found the email with the link to the license key (It was in my junk mail)

[fbifido]

Thanks for the reply, but i forgot to add one little tip.

In your v6 vs v8 comparison chart/video do include win2012r2 iscsi & deduplication

[lakis]

Hi Anton
I seem to remember from a previous post that VAAI for Vmware was to be supported in this release ???
if so can you expand on how to install it?
if not is it to be released soon ??

Thank you