S2D to Dell PowerStore OnPrem Pros

Key Points

• A customer looking to upgrade their aging Storage Spaces Direct (S2D) setup considered AX Ready Nodes but ultimately switched to PowerStore.
• Cost and software licensing challenges made the Ready Node solution less viable compared to PowerStore.
• PowerStore's active-active architecture and Metro synchronous replication provided superior resiliency.
• Hands-on testing in xByte Solution Lab gave the customer confidence in the PowerStore solution.
• Deployment will include guided setup to ensure a seamless transition.

Customer’s Initial Considerations

The customer initially sought to expand their existing four-node cluster running S2D, but the inability to source a 14th-gen node led them to explore alternatives. While the AX Ready Nodes seemed like a natural choice, skyrocketing licensing costs made them reconsider.

• S2D operates similarly to VMware’s vSAN, using software-defined storage to create a unified pool from independent servers.
• Microsoft’s discontinuation of stretch cluster support in S2D complicated their redundancy requirements.
• AX Ready Nodes provide a pre-validated hardware-software bundle but come with high costs due to licensing.
• xByte explored different solutions, aiming to meet the customer’s redundancy and cost-effectiveness needs.

Why PowerStore?

PowerStore was initially dismissed due to the customer's previous negative SAN experience, but they revisited it after seeing the potential benefits. The switch to PowerStore offered better scalability, performance, and resilience while keeping costs lower than the AX solution.

• PowerStore’s active-active setup with Metro synchronous replication meant no downtime in case of failure.
• Storage remained highly available, ensuring continuous operation despite potential hardware failures.
• Cost comparison revealed that PowerStore delivered superior performance at a lower price than the AX alternative.
• The customer appreciated the ability to test failure scenarios before committing to the solution.

Hands-On Testing in xByte Solutions Lab

To validate the PowerStore deployment, xByte set up a hands-on test in their Solutions Lab. The customer was able to simulate failures, verify system redundancy, and assess manageability.

• Failures were autonomously handled without intervention, showcasing PowerStore’s built-in resiliency.
• Metro synchronous replication ensured zero data loss in the event of a site failure.
• The customer was able to interact directly with the system, verifying its ease of management.
• Competitive claims against PowerStore were debunked through real-world testing.

Deployment & Transition

With deployment scheduled, xByte’s team will guide the process, ensuring a smooth transition. The customer will take an active role in the installation, gaining firsthand experience in managing their new infrastructure.

• xByte’s experts will be on-site for hands-on deployment and training.
• The customer will actively participate, ensuring they fully understand their new system.
• The transition from S2D to PowerStore is expected to bring better long-term scalability and reliability.
• Free access to the Solutions Lab proved instrumental in making an informed decision.

Explore Your Options with xByte

For those considering similar upgrades, xByte offers the opportunity to test solutions firsthand. If you want to explore PowerStore, AX Ready Nodes, or other infrastructure options, contact us to experience the technology before making a commitment.