The Advantages & Disadvantages of Choosing Local Storage
Posted by Josh Moss, xByte Solutions Architect on Sep 19, 2023
Choosing local storage for your IT solution has its advantages and disadvantages, and the decision should depend on your specific requirements and constraints.
Here are some reasons why you might consider using local storage:
Performance: Local storage, such as hard drives (HDDs) or solid-state drives (SSDs), can offer high read and write speeds, especially if you are dealing with large datasets or require low latency. This can be crucial for applications that need to process data quickly.
Cost-effectiveness: Local storage is typically more cost-effective than other storage solutions, especially when you need to store a large amount of data.
Data Security: Dell PERC (PowerEdge RAID Controllers) support a variety of Self-Encryption Drives (SED) to guard against physical loss or theft of disks.
Reduced Latency: Data stored locally is typically quicker to access than data stored across a network. This low latency can be essential for real-time or performance-sensitive applications.
Ease of Setup: Setup and configuration of local storage solutions is much simpler when compared to SAN/NAS or HCI storage solutions. Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) provides quick setup via the GUI or using the Redfish API for administrators with many servers to configure.
However, it is essential to consider the potential drawbacks of local storage:
Limited Scalability: Local storage has finite capacity, which can be a limitation as your data needs grow. You may need to invest in additional hardware as your storage requirements increase.
Data Redundancy: Local storage does not inherently offer data redundancy or disaster recovery capabilities. If your hardware fails or is damaged, you could lose data unless you have robust backup and redundancy strategies in place.
Lack of Central Access: Local storage cannot be shared among multiple servers, meaning there is no possibility of high-availability or clustering.
Management Complexity: Local storage introduces management complexities. Each server with local storage typically must be managed individually as compared to centrally managing a SAN or NAS appliance. Dell’s OpenManage Enterprise is one key piece of software that helps alleviate this concern by providing a single pane of glass to manage many systems across the Dell portfolio with one user interface.
Dell offers a wide range of local storage solutions tailored to meet the diverse needs of businesses, from small and medium-sized enterprises to large-scale data centers. Here is an overview of some of Dell's local storage offerings:
Dell PowerEdge Servers: Dell's PowerEdge Server lineup includes various models that can be configured with different storage options. These servers can house multiple hard drives or SSDs, making them suitable for applications that require high-performance local storage or simply a vast amount of HDD storage. PowerEdge servers are used in a wide range of applications, from general-purpose computing to data-intensive workloads thanks to their variety of storage media options from SAS/SATA HDD and SSD, to PCIe NVMe direct. For example, the PowerEdge R740xd2 provides up to twenty-six 3.5” drive bays in a single 2U solution for dense HDD solutions, while the R760 provides configurations of up to twenty-four NVMe direct drive bays for high performance workloads.
Dell PowerVault Storage: Dell PowerVault is a series of DAS solutions designed for small and medium-sized businesses. PowerVault storage enclosures are available in various form factors and support both HDDs and SSDs. They provide cost-effective and expandable storage for businesses with growing data needs. For example, the MD1400 provides twelve 3.5” drive bays and the MD1420 provides twenty-four 2.5” drive bays, while the PowerVault ME484 provides eighty-four 3.5” drive bays for dense storage needs.
Dell's local storage solutions are known for their reliability, performance, and scalability. They are commonly used in a wide range of industries, including healthcare, finance, education, and manufacturing, to address data storage and management requirements. When considering Dell storage solutions, it is essential to assess your specific business needs, data growth projections, and budget to choose the most suitable product or configuration.
At xByte Technologies, we have Dell certified Solution Architects that have expert knowledge of storage solutions and can help you determine what solution best meets your needs. To schedule a call with a storage expert, contact [email protected] or call 888-929-8348.