What exactly does Starwind Virtual SAN do?

[baiselmareo6]

I'm trying to learn SAN; I don't have hardware but another Redditor mentioned that I could use a single computer with partitions or virtual hardrives and play about with a configuration tool like Starwind Virtual SAN? Is it an OS, a simple program? What is the benefit of using Starwind Virtual SAN? Are there alternatives?

[O1982]

A simple piece of software that runs on windows server that can share part(s) of the local storage space to other computers over the network.

[O1982]

I said simple but I am currently having a problem with it

Also researching these phrases will help you:

iSCSI
Block Storage
RDMA
iSER

[yaroslav (staff)]

A simple piece of software that runs on windows server that can share part(s) of the local storage space to other computers over the network.

Well said . I have some things to add (StarWind VSAN is not only for Windows).

Is it an OS, a simple program?

An application. It can be installed industry-standard hypervisors like Citrix XenServer, MS Hyper-V, VMware ESXi, and RedHat KVM. On Windows Server, it is just an application. On others, it is installed inside a VM ( More details at https://knowledgebase.starwindsoftware. ... hitecture/ (old but gold). Find more at https://www.starwindsoftware.com/starwind-virtual-san.
You can install StarWind inside the VMs and play around with them. Make sure that VMs meet the requirements mentioned here https://www.starwindsoftware.com/system-requirements. Then, request NFR/Trial/Free license (find out more here https://knowledgebase.starwindsoftware. ... g-options/). Finally, install StarWind VSAN in a scenario and hypervisor of your choice as described in our guides (https://www.starwindsoftware.com/resour ... al_papers/)

What is the benefit of using Starwind Virtual SAN?

Licensing, performance, flexibility, no HCLs (a true hardware-agnostic solution), minimalistic requirements, simple and robust management, support... well, that's not all, I guess. You should better get on a tech call with my colleagues in PreSales (just reach out to the Sales team to schedule a call). Learn more at https://www.starwindsoftware.com/why-starwind.
P.S. we have a free version that can be used for production.

Are there alternatives?

There are some. Google is your best friend here They offer cool solutions, but StarWind VSAN has some killing features (see above and beyond) to offer. On top of that, we are constantly developing our solutions (see what we have in stock) to fit the constantly changing demands of modern environments. For example, StarWind pioneered NVMe-oF implementation by designing industry-first all-software NVMe-oF Initiator.

Should you have any other questions, I am here to help.

[yaroslav (staff)]

I said simple but I am currently having a problem with it

Also researching these phrases will help you:

iSCSI
Block Storage
RDMA
iSER

Saw your question, my colleague has responded to you.
Let us know if you need any assistance!

And, thanks again for shedding light on VSAN!

[jasonmiller]

Thanks for sharing this topic out here. I Got To Know Many Useful Things Here.

[yaroslav (staff)]

You are always welcome.

[munda1]

Starwind is basically just an iSCSI target service. Just like MS iSCSI target service in 2012+. There are alternatives. There are difference. where am i 192.168.8.1 192.168.100.1
But basically just an iSCSI service.

[anton (staff)]

This isn't true even close. There's sophisticated HA, RDMA support (iSER & NVMe-oF), full-blown web UI and extended CLI with PowerShell scripting, pro-active support (health monitoring), Linux port, integration with MDRAID/XFS and ZFS etc. Saying it's just an iSCSI target is the same like saying Lamborghini Aventador is the same as Ford Model "T" only because they have both internal combustion engines with Otto operational cycle.

Starwind is basically just an iSCSI target service. Just like MS iSCSI target service in 2012+. There are alternatives. There are difference. But basically just an iSCSI service.