StarWind Virtual SAN--Best ROI
March 30, 2022
StarWind Virtual SAN--Best ROI
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Overall Satisfaction with StarWind Virtual SAN
We use the StarWind Virtual SAN in a HA stack. We then use readily available HPE servers (DL380DL - 26 disk) to be the hardware. This allows use to have reliable hardware with reliable software and no downtime. It also drives cost down to almost nothing compared to hardware based SAN devices. Year after year cost are also down with not needing to keep hardware warranties up, due to part being available easily. Overall we have saved many thousands of dollars by going this way. We see no difference in IOPS or any other performance metrics. We have also tested the high availability a few times (once on purpose and a few not) - it seems to work flawlessly.
- Hardware agnostic
- Cost of Software Maintenance
- Ease of use
- lightweight software
- Maybe more integration into Veeam to be able to use hardware snapshots
- Possibly some reporting on metrics via smtp
- Initial Cost of cheap servers is way low
- cost of yearly support is nothing compared to SAN support contracts
- you can go all flash for minimal cost compared to dedicated SANS
- change hardware at will
We used HPE lefthand and tried several enterprise grade NAS systems from Lenovo. We have also had a few Dells Poweredge systems. I like StarWind the most due to the agnostic approach with the hardware. Easy to change hardware and keep your license. Also easy to swing data and don't have to worry about proprietary software on each server.
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
4 - Only a few admins get to see it.
4 - Overall we don't deal with it on a regular basis - it is kinda a fire and forget type software. I would be more concerned if we needed to tinker with it on a even monthly basis.
- Storage
- HA
- Throughput
- We have discussed a long term archive going in one of our remote sites.
Evaluating StarWind Virtual SAN and Competitors
Yes - Dell Poweredge
HPE Lefthand
Lenovo NAS
HPE Lefthand
Lenovo NAS
- Price
- Product Features
- Product Usability
Took a chance and tried starWind with some very old hardware to try it.
They gave use a free trial, and everything worked very well.
Price point would be the single biggest factor - but performance is directly tied to it as well.
They gave use a free trial, and everything worked very well.
Price point would be the single biggest factor - but performance is directly tied to it as well.
would be the same - compared all of our current hardware to this.
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 - I save enough money that I like to have support incase I need it. When I am running my entire environment on this, I want to ensure that I have everyone's attention if needed. So far I have not needed it, and we have been running for I think 6 years - but just incase.
I had some theoretical questions and they entertained me just as if they were a system down. Very impressed.
Using StarWind Virtual SAN
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Like to use Relatively simple Easy to use Technical support not required Well integrated Consistent Quick to learn Convenient Feel confident using Familiar | None |
- Very lightweight
- Doesn't need a bunch of options - this is a SAN
- take almost no time to see all systems - main screen
- none really