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My impressions with the StarWind HyperConverged Appliance
Updated May 04, 2023

My impressions with the StarWind HyperConverged Appliance

Thomas Weil | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with StarWind HyperConverged Appliance (HCA)

StarWind HyperConverged Appliance is used as shared storage in a 4 host cluster. The connection is via LAN (10Gb) and runs with good performance. In this way we can virtualize an area of IT and thus relieve the hardware costs. In addition, data security is increased, although there is a stable backup and restore concept.
  • turnkey hyperconverged appliance
  • uninterrupted application delivery and data security
  • improving the graphical interface with pnp functions
  • Extension of the display to performance parameters via latency, access, etc.
  • I don't think the relatively high purchase compared to the pure hardware solution is that good
  • the reduced maintenance and flexible expansion is good
We have heard a lot about AI and have already used it as an alternative. This is not used in the HCA and therefore we cannot make any statements about it at the moment. In the future, the AI may replace the colleagues, but the proactive, human monitoring in connection with checkmk, etc. is more familiar and safer at the moment.
We installed according to the manual and created a parallel environment. The performance and service were very good. The installation caused some problems. During the process of migrating to the new system, there were minor disruptions that made themselves felt in the form of VM failures, but were quickly resolved by support.
Thanks to the finished hardware concept, the HCA is quickly ready for use and requires less configuration effort.The high speed and low failure rate are unbeatable in comparison to the virtual SAN.After a detailed examination, the costs balance each other out. In my opinion, the ROI is shorter with the HCA.

Do you think StarWind HyperConverged Appliance (HCA) delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with StarWind HyperConverged Appliance (HCA)'s feature set?

Yes

Did StarWind HyperConverged Appliance (HCA) live up to sales and marketing promises?

I wasn't involved with the selection/purchase process

Did implementation of StarWind HyperConverged Appliance (HCA) go as expected?

No

Would you buy StarWind HyperConverged Appliance (HCA) again?

Yes

VMware vSphere Data Protection Advanced (discontinued), Veeam ONE, Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365
In an environment where flexible storage usage is important, StarWind HyperConverged Appliance is the optimal solution. With the right planning, the system can be expanded flexibly. Personally, I find the integration into VMware class successful. This makes it easy to scale shared storage, which is almost always scarce. Thanks to the node principle, the reliability is high and the hypervisor can be maintained or replaced during operation without restrictions.

Using StarWind HyperConverged Appliance (HCA)

10 - Other manufacturers will be implemented as part of the existing knowledge.We are a consulting company with our own technical department.The focus of action is in the VoIP area.The technology is very well trained in VMware topics and implements requests and also creates designs according to requirements.In the hardware area, Hewlett Packard Enterprise equipment is primarily used.
2 - Colleagues have to act very independently and on their own responsibility. Continuous further training on the StarWind HyperConverged Appliance product is important so that all questions and problems can be answered or solved.A high level of knowledge in the field of virtualization, network and hardware distinguishes the colleagues very much.
  • Relief of the budget for vSAN
  • Increasing the performance of shared storage
  • the unexpectedly quick procurement of the appliance was a good start
  • the possibility of expanding the storage and realizing it with the StarWind product
  • to make resources immediately available through the expansion of the company
  • the gathering of positive empirical values about the product itself
The hardware appliance convinced me. It is also good to use as a product in the box.Experience of the speed and security of the storage and the data on the storage is important.Installation is relatively easy and support is supportive. You are not left alone.Therefore a clear recommendation

Evaluating StarWind HCA and Competitors

Not Sure
  • Integration with Other Systems
  • Other
It was about the decision to replace a hardware VSAN solution. There were the virtual SAN and the HCA in the selection.From a technical point of view, we prepared the test environment with the HCA and then made the decision accordingly.
The expectation is a transparent comparability. Even if our procedure involves two different technologies, i.e. hardware solution versus software solution.This simplifies the consideration of the aspects of the technical implementation, the financial size and in this context the ROI.

StarWind HCA Implementation

The old saying: Preparation is everything.It should be ensured in advance that the operating system is up-to-date and therefore suitable for the appliance.The recommended network adapters should also be used in the network and the firewall rules adjusted.If this is planned in advance and everything is prepared, then the installation can be carried out relatively quickly.The manuals and the StarWind website are also a very good help.
  • Don't know
  • Questions arose that the operating systems were not up to date.
  • The provision in the rack caused a short delay in the installation.

StarWind HCA Support

ProsCons
Quick Resolution
Good followup
Knowledgeable team
Kept well informed
Immediate help available
Quick Initial Response
Need to explain problems multiple times
During the installation phase, we used Premium Support. Since the handling was still unknown, as was the complete appliance, it was good to get support from the support.During operation, we then decided against support because our requirements were the same and no experiments are being carried out. The system is running.
In the early days of virtualization, it was about easy-to-operate storage solutions.StarWind's solution was the answer. It also blended in with the system landscape visually.Another bonus point was the clear connection and relatively quick commissioning.Internally, of course, it was also a question of costs. This was weighed up and in the long term the ROI of the StaarWind appliance is achieved faster than that of the competition.

Using StarWind HCA

ProsCons
Like to use
Relatively simple
Easy to use
Technical support not required
Well integrated
Convenient
Feel confident using
None
  • Set up LUNs
  • Manage iSCSI portals
  • manage capacity
  • Connection to not so high-quality switches
  • Working with the container/Docker
Overall, the appliance is versatile. It covers the adaptation to all current hypervisors and can be addressed via different protocols. This prepares you for a wide range of uses.Rack mounting is also well thought out. And last but not least, apart from the technical performance, it is also an eye-catcher.