VVols - the second generation

DataCore Software has unveiled the second generation of its universal vSphere Virtual Volumes (VVols) software technology at the UK’s annual VMUG Conference. Additionally, the company is offering all attending Vmware professionals’ the opportunity to take advantage of fully functioning “Not-for-Resale” license keys for the latest release of its Parallel I/O powered hyper-converged virtual SAN software.

  • 7 years ago Posted in
Brett Denly, Regional Director, DataCore Software, leads the serving team at the Conference. “One of the key agenda enablers at the Conference is effective VVOL usage. DataCore is the only VMware-certified software vendor to support universal VVols functionality, uniting VVols across all types of storage (disk subsystems, flash/SSD arrays, DAS). And with the new NFR allowing attendees access to our record breaking SPC performance results on a virtual SAN, there’s never been a better time to visit the DataCore stand to learn more.”
With VVols, server administrators can create policies and self-provision storage to suit their needs. DataCore adds the ability to provide a universal control plane that allows the instrumentation and administration of virtual machine-based storage policies to be easily managed across a mix of new and existing storage infrastructure investments from one or many vendors. This improves operational efficiency through a common management and policy platform where data services and performance service level demands are decoupled from any underlying deficiencies.
“DataCore is a great example of a company that has taken the powerful capabilities of what VMware has done with VVols and developed a software-based universal control plane so VVols can be used by a wider-base of customers and architectures," said Rawlinson Rivera, principal architect, office of CTO at VMware.
Even with a growing number of storage vendors providing uncertified VVols support, each has their own offering and enterprises now face the issue of having multiple VASA (VMware vSphere API for Storage Awareness) providers. The misalignments created as different generations or storage from multiple vendors occupying the data centre can lead to a sprawl of provider and storage silos.  DataCore delivers a software-based VVols VASA provider, so that vSphere high availability and/or multiple VASA provider installations can provide full redundancy and availability across a full heterogeneous environment. 
The benefits of using DataCore’s universal VVols software technology include:
  • Only one VASA provider is needed for all disparate arrays
  • No firmware upgrades or special licensing is needed to support storage
  • Local storage and external array are fully supported with VVols
  • All FibreChannel and iSCSI based storage can now be VVols capable
  • Virtual Machine migrations VMFS > VVols or vice-versa are fully supported with no application down time
  • Full availability and redundancy for VASA providers 
  • Up to 16,000 VVols per Protocol Endpoint are supported
DataCore also now includes enhanced support for VVols’VM-centric storage policy-based management (SPBM) using multi-tiered storage pools.
Additionally, DataCore will be offering all attendees license keys for its Parallel I/O-powered DataCore™ Hyper-converged Virtual SAN software at no cost to VMware vExpert, VMware Certified Design Expert (VCDX), VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP), VMware Certified Professional (VCP), and VMware Certified Implementation Expert (VCIX). The not-for-resale (NFR) license keys -- available for non-production uses such as home labs, course development, training, feature testing and demonstration purposes -- are intended to support virtualisation consultants, instructors and architects involved in efforts aimed at managing and fully leveraging storage assets. Download at: http://info.datacore.com/free-NFR-VMware-Professionals. Keys must be used for non-production purposes only.
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