Item: StarWind Virtual SAN
Rating: 10
Author: Ricardo Gonzalez

Overall Satisfaction with StarWind Virtual SAN

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

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.

Pros and Cons

Pros

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.

Cons

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

Return on Investment

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.

Support Rating

I sent an email, with an issue I had for notifications, but at the end it was no network communication to our SMTP, I got opened a ticket and asked a lot of log files for this bug, but I consider this as being a software bug by not telling a warning message that there is a network problem and not freezing could be replicated on StarWind's side to fix this issue on next version without asking users for logs. This is my opinion.

Alternatives Considered

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.

Key Insights

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

Other Software Used

ManageEngine OpManager, Macrium Reflect, NAKIVO Backup & Replication

Likelihood to Recommend

I would advise trying the 30-day trial, or if in a small data center, use the free version and manage it over PowerShell. There is a lot of documentation for implementation.

Using StarWind Virtual SAN

Users and Roles

900 - Indirectly as they use terminal servers and other services on the organization. Running web services, DHCP domain controllers etc. using StarWind VSAN storage.

Support Headcount Required

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.

Business Processes Supported

High availability.
Fast syncing, reduces data loss.
Sharing storage for all data center.

Innovative Uses

PowerShell commands to put storage on maintenance mode.
Integration with web interfaces.
Integration with various operating systems.

Future Planned Uses

Creating new VSAN storage for expansion.
Creating new VSAN storage for new locations.

Likelihood to Renew

We are very happy with the current configuration and tested failures and it worked as we wanted.

Evaluating StarWind Virtual SAN and Competitors

Products Replaced

Yes - HPE StoreVirtual.

Key Differentiators

Price
Product Usability
Positive Sales Experience with the Vendor

Evaluation Lessons Learned

By letting the support team do it next time, as based on their knowledge we have the correct configurations.

StarWind Virtual SAN Implementation

Implementation Rating

in my case a little longer than expected due to the mixed technologies we have on our infrastructure, using HPE virtual connect and vsphere, also mixed with smart arrays and cache memories.

Implementation Details / Implementation Partner

Implemented in-house

Implementation Phases

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.

Implementation Issues

synchronization issues
SMTP crashes the management services when smtp connection issues.

StarWind Virtual SAN Support

StarWind Virtual SAN Customer Support Pros and Cons

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

Premium Support

yes,
due to how critcal our storage is, i would like to have the support from starwind in case of disaster,

Bug Resolution

Exceptional Examples of StarWind Virtual SAN Support

for initial deployment, they reviewed our network to make sure compatibility and best performance.

Using StarWind Virtual SAN

Usability Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Like to use Relatively simple Easy to use Well integrated Consistent Quick to learn Convenient Feel confident using Familiar	None

Easy Tasks

management console
putting storage into maintenance mode
monitoring the VSA'a

Difficult Tasks

cant shutdown or reboot from management console
not SMTP easy configuration for alarms, but notification configurations, management

Mobile Interface Availability and Impressions

Usability

VSA with starwind has been deployed since 3 years ago with no issues, great on monitoring it everyday with the management console, great I/O based on other solutions as it can use SSD drives as cache memory for the storage deployed, also great support from starwing engineers, fast response and good technical explanation when asking technical questions.

Comments

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