StorSimple Cloud Storage Solutions for Business

StorSimple is a cloud-connected storage solution designed for businesses of all sizes. It's a scalable and secure way to store and manage data in the cloud.

With StorSimple, you can store up to 64 terabytes of data in the cloud, making it an ideal solution for large datasets and archives. This allows businesses to free up space on their on-premises storage systems and reduce the need for costly upgrades.

StorSimple supports multiple cloud providers, including Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, and Google Cloud Platform, giving businesses the flexibility to choose their preferred cloud storage solution.

StorSimple is a cloud-connected storage solution that simplifies data management.

You can start using StorSimple by connecting it to your existing infrastructure, such as your data center or cloud services.

StorSimple supports a wide range of storage protocols, including iSCSI and NFS, making it easy to integrate with your existing storage systems.

It's also worth noting that StorSimple can be managed through a user-friendly web interface or through PowerShell commands.

To get started, it's essential to have the right mindset. Having a growth mindset will help you navigate the process with ease.

First, identify your goals and what you want to achieve. Clearly define your objectives, whether it's to learn a new skill or start a new business.

Next, research and gather information about your chosen path. Read articles, watch videos, and talk to experts to gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Start small and take it one step at a time. Break down your goals into manageable tasks and focus on making progress rather than perfection.

Seek out resources and support to help you along the way. Online communities, mentorship programs, and local networking events can provide valuable connections and guidance.

Stay organized and keep track of your progress. Use tools like calendars, to-do lists, and spreadsheets to stay on top of your tasks and deadlines.

Remember, getting started is often the hardest part. Take that first step, and you'll be surprised at how momentum builds from there.

Getting started with a new project can be overwhelming, but let's break it down to the basics.

You'll get access to a comprehensive guide that outlines the necessary steps to set up your project, including defining your goals and identifying your target audience.

This guide will help you create a clear plan, which is essential for achieving success.

The guide will also provide you with a list of required tools and resources, including software and equipment, to ensure you have everything you need to get started.

You can expect to spend around $500-$1000 on initial setup costs, depending on the scope of your project.

As you progress, you'll learn how to create a project timeline, set milestones, and track progress.

This will help you stay organized and on track, even when faced with unexpected setbacks.

Additionally, you'll gain access to a community of experienced professionals who can offer guidance and support throughout your project.

This community will provide you with valuable insights and advice, helping you avoid common mistakes and stay motivated.

StorSimple's cloud configuration is designed to be easy to set up and manage. It's a key feature that allows you to integrate your on-premises storage with Microsoft Azure.

StorSimple Cloud Appliance is a virtual appliance that can be deployed in a few minutes, providing a simple and fast way to connect to the cloud.

The Cloud Connector Appliance is another option for connecting to the cloud, and it requires a separate network connection for secure communication with the cloud.

StorSimple supports multiple Azure storage types, including hot and cool storage, which can help reduce costs by storing less frequently accessed data in a lower-cost tier.

Managing controllers is a crucial aspect of StorSimple management. You can manage device controllers using the Controllers section of the Maintenance page in the StorSimple Manager service or Windows PowerShell for StorSimple.

To restart or shut down a controller, you need to access the device using the serial console or a telnet session from a remote computer. You'll need to connect to Controller 0 or Controller 1 and log in with full access.

You can't add more storage after purchase, as the arrays are sealed boxes. However, you can manage multiple arrays from a single console using the StorSimple Manager, housed in the Azure classic portal. This allows for easy backup and replication to Azure.

If you restart or shut down the active controller, the device will failover to the passive controller. However, if the passive controller is unavailable or turned off, you'll need to confirm the operation, as it will result in a temporary disruption of the service or downtime.

If a device update is in progress, a controller restart or shutdown will fail to progress. You can check the controller status on the Maintenance page to see if a controller has been restarted or shut down.

Integration was a key aspect of managing controllers, especially when dealing with cloud storage. Microsoft's acquisition of StorSimple led to the integration of the company's technology into the Azure product suite.

The 8100 and 8600 on-premise fixed-configuration storage arrays were launched in 2014, offering varying levels of local storage capacity depending on data compression and de-duplication. The 8100 offered between 10 TB and 40 TB locally, while the 8600 offered 40 TB to 100 TB locally.

These appliances combined solid state and standard disk drives, providing a robust storage solution. The 8100 had a maximum capacity of up to 200 TB inclusive of Azure cloud storage, while the 8600 had a maximum capacity of up to 500 TB inclusive of cloud storage.

A virtualised version of the platform, running on a virtual machine in the Azure cloud, was initially marketed as the 1100 and later re-branded as the 8010. This was later replaced by the 8020, which offered a maximum capacity of 64 TB.

In the world of storage technologies, recognition from industry leaders is a testament to a company's innovative solutions. Gartner Research named them a "Cool Vendor in Storage Technologies, 2010".

Their cloud storage solution impressed Dow Jones/VentureWire so much that they included it in their list of "Top 50 Startups to Watch” in 2010. This was a significant achievement, considering they were the only cloud storage company on the list.

The UP Cloud Computing Conference 2010 also recognized their efforts, awarding them "Most Promising Cloud Solution". This accolade further solidified their position in the industry.

Their hard work paid off in 2011, when they received the Storage Magazine Gold Award for "Product of the Year" in the storage systems category. This prestigious award is a testament to their dedication to innovation.

Microsoft also took notice, naming them the "Microsoft BizSpark Partner of the Year" in 2011. This recognition is a significant achievement, considering the high standards set by Microsoft.

Their success didn't go unnoticed at Interop Japan, where they won the Grand Prize for "Best of Show" in 2011. This award is a testament to their ability to deliver innovative solutions.

SQL Server Magazine also recognized their efforts, awarding them the Bronze award for "Best Storage Hardware" in 2011. This achievement is a significant milestone in their journey to becoming a leader in the industry.

Here's a summary of their notable recognitions:

Migration is a breeze with StorSimple. You can migrate 10TB of data from StorSimple 8100 to Azure File Sync.

StorSimple makes it easy to get your data into the cloud. It presents itself as an SMB share with NTFS permissions and automatically tiers cold storage to the Azure cloud.

Migrating to StorSimple means you can keep using Group Policy to redirect folders and map network drives. This is just like you've done for years, but with the added benefit of not having to rebuild your SAN every few years.

With StorSimple, you don't have to worry about running out of disc space or Joe in accounting downloading his entire iTunes library to the department file share.

Data is repatriated from the cloud tier to the Storsimple physical appliance using Robocopy to migrate data from Storsimple physical appliance.

The conditions under which data is repatriated from the cloud tier to the Storsimple physical appliance are not clearly documented, as noted by a user who couldn't find this information.

Robocopy will be used to migrate the CIFS shares fronted by Windows servers from the Storsimple iSCSI LUNs.

This approach is chosen to migrate data from the Storsimple physical appliance, as per the plan to migrate CIFS shares.

Managing your controllers is a crucial aspect of maintaining your StorSimple device. You can manage device controllers by using the Controllers section of the Maintenance page in the StorSimple Manager service or Windows PowerShell for StorSimple.

To restart or shut down a controller, you'll need to access the device using the serial console or a telnet session from a remote computer. This will allow you to connect to either Controller 0 or Controller 1.

If both controllers are healthy and turned on, restarting the active controller will cause the device to failover to the passive controller. This is a normal process, and you'll be prompted for confirmation before proceeding.

You can also shut down an active controller, but this will result in downtime, and you'll need to push the power button on the device to turn on the controller.

If the passive controller is unavailable or turned off, restarting the active controller will result in a temporary disruption of the service. You'll be prompted for confirmation before proceeding.

Restarting or shutting down a controller may fail if a device update is in progress, a controller restart is already in progress, or a controller shutdown is already in progress.

To check if a controller was restarted or shut down, you can check the controller status on the Maintenance page. The controller status will indicate whether a controller has been restarted or shut down.

Here are some key points to keep in mind when managing your controllers:

The TCP connections between initiators and the active controller will be reset as a result of controller failover, but will be reestablished when the passive controller assumes operation. There may be a temporary pause in I/O activity between initiators and the device during this operation.

The StorSimple Virtual Array EOL is a pressing concern for many IT professionals. The StorSimple Virtual Array (1200 series) will reach its end-of-life in December 2022.

This notification applies to the 1200 series appliance, but it's unclear if it affects Hype-V hosted virtual arrays.