StarWind recommended for vSphere 6.7 integration
Updated June 13, 2022
StarWind recommended for vSphere 6.7 integration
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Overall Satisfaction with StarWind Virtual SAN
Physical to virtual environment migration, requiring a VSAN storage for data center we had an old BLC 460 gen 6 blades with physical storage attached, so basically if we had any issues with the hardware or operating system the downtime for production would be for hours, so we created a virtual data center with VMware vSphere and added 3 20TB storage on each host then created 3-node StarWind scenario being shared on all 3 hosts, and creating virtual machines on 3 hosts and now running on StarWind storage.
- The three-node hyperconverged scenario for our data center works as fault tolerance and less worries on data loss.
- The management console over Windows, installing together with the PowerShell library, you can put images on maintenance mode from the management console which saves you a lot of time on syncing.
- With the PowerShell library I created a batch file for putting images on maintenance mode when our UPS reaches 10% battery capacity in case of a blackout and this lets you bring all host backup and StarWind storage not requiring sync.
- An easy migration to ZFS system that is being presented on a new version of StarWind, migrations look complicated as this restructures the whole architecture on the raid level, but could be a good option just by having it and letting the user decide this new feature migration, as based on our experience with ZFS systems they work pretty fast and secure.
- Android app for monitoring and receiving push notifications as alarms or monitoring I/O from any mobile device.
- SMTP makes management services to crash and restart if SMTP server not reachable
- This improved our organization by having a fault tolerance architecture for our virtual data center, this solution decreased a lot of our downtime compared to physical environment.
- Compared to HPE and main providers cost is considerably lower, and perpetual licencing lets you save a lot of money.
- Keeping updated for all features.
- HPE StoreVirtual VSA (Discontinued)
Yes, we used HPE StoreVirtual, we moved to StarWind to reduce costs. We tried VMware VSAN and the cost was too elevated for our requirements.
Do you think StarWind Virtual SAN delivers good value for the price?
Yes
Are you happy with StarWind Virtual SAN's feature set?
Yes
Did StarWind Virtual SAN live up to sales and marketing promises?
Yes
Did implementation of StarWind Virtual SAN go as expected?
Yes
Would you buy StarWind Virtual SAN again?
Yes
Using StarWind Virtual SAN
900 - Indirectly as they use terminal servers and other services on the organization. Running web services, DHCP domain controllers etc. using StarWind VSAN storage.
2 - Networking knowledge for preparing and understanding i/o speed in between the hosts.
Storage and RAID knowledge to understand i/o speed and arrays for i/o.
Storage and RAID knowledge to understand i/o speed and arrays for i/o.
- High availability.
- Fast syncing, reduces data loss.
- Sharing storage for all data center.
- PowerShell commands to put storage on maintenance mode.
- Integration with web interfaces.
- Integration with various operating systems.
- Creating new VSAN storage for expansion.
- Creating new VSAN storage for new locations.
Evaluating StarWind Virtual SAN and Competitors
Yes - HPE StoreVirtual.
- Price
- Product Usability
- Positive Sales Experience with the Vendor
By letting the support team do it next time, as based on their knowledge we have the correct configurations.
StarWind Virtual SAN Implementation
- Implemented in-house
Yes - first , network configuration for Sync channels for storages, then VM installation in this case for starwind OS and storage creation , then after that we deployed the iscsi services to be read by our datacenter.
- synchronization issues
- SMTP crashes the management services when smtp connection issues.
StarWind Virtual SAN Support
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Quick Resolution Good followup Knowledgeable team Problems get solved Kept well informed No escalation required Immediate help available Support understands my problem Support cares about my success Quick Initial Response | None |
yes,
due to how critcal our storage is, i would like to have the support from starwind in case of disaster,
due to how critcal our storage is, i would like to have the support from starwind in case of disaster,
for initial deployment, they reviewed our network to make sure compatibility and best performance.
Using StarWind Virtual SAN
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Like to use Relatively simple Easy to use Well integrated Consistent Quick to learn Convenient Feel confident using Familiar | None |
- management console
- putting storage into maintenance mode
- monitoring the VSA'a
- cant shutdown or reboot from management console
- not SMTP easy configuration for alarms, but notification configurations, management