Hybrid cloud storage architecture

Hybrid cloud storage overcomes the problems of managing data and storage by integrating on-premises storage with cloud storage services. In this architecture, on-premises storage uses the capacity on internal SSDs and HDDs, as well as on the expanded storage resources that are provided by cloud storage. A key element of the architecture is that the distance over which data is stored is extended far beyond the on-premises data center, thereby providing disaster protection. The transparent access to cloud storage from a storage system on-premises is technology that was developed by StorSimple and it is called Cloud-integrated Storage, or CiS. CiS is made up of both hardware and software. The hardware is an industry-standard iSCSI SAN array that is optimized to perform automated data and storage management tasks that are implemented in software.

The combination of CiS and Windows Azure Storage creates a new hybrid cloud storage architecture with expanded online storage capacity that is located an extended distance from the data center.


Change the architecture and change the function
CiS performs a number of familiar data and storage management functions that are significantly transformed when implemented within the hybrid cloud storage architecture.


Snapshots
CiS takes periodic snapshots to automatically capture changes to data at regular intervals. Snapshots give storage administrators the ability to restore historical versions of files for end users who need to work with an older version of a file. Storage administrators highly value snapshots for their efficiency and ease of use—especially compared to restoring data from tape. The main limitation with snapshots is that they are restricted to on-premises storage and susceptible to the same threats that can destroy data on primary storage. Implementing snapshots in a hybrid cloud storage architecture adds the element of extended distance, which makes them useful for backup and disaster recovery purposes.


Data tiering
CiS transparently performs data tiering, a process which moves data between the SSDs and HDDs in the CiS system according to the data’s activity level with the goal of placing data on the optimal cost/performance devices. Expanding data tiering with a hybrid cloud storage architecture transparently moves dormant data off site to the cloud so it no longer occupies on-premises storage. This transparent, online “cold data” tier is a whole new storage level that is not available with traditional storage architectures, and it provides a way to have archived data available online.


Thin provisioning
SAN storage is a multitenant environment where storage resources are shared among multiple servers. Thin provisioning allocates storage capacity to servers in small increments on a first-come, first-served basis, as opposed to reserving it in advance for each server. The caveat almost always mentioned with thin provisioning is the concern about over-committing resources, running out of capacity, and experiencing the nightmare of system crashes, data corruptions, and prolonged downtime.

However, thin provisioning in the context of hybrid cloud storage operates in an environment where data tiering to the cloud is automated and can respond to capacityfull scenarios on demand. In other words, data tiering from CiS to Windows Azure Storage provides a capacity safety valve for thin provisioning that significantly eases the task of managing storage capacity on-premises.

Source of Information : Rethinking Enterprise Storage