VMware VSAN: When Good Enough More Than Passes Muster

Last week, I attended SFD9 and last session of the week was approximately 6.2 VSAN with VMware. This is not a criticism or analysis of individual characteristics of the products; there are plenty of them. Instead, I'll talk about what a product like VSAN 6.2 means for all SDS / HCl market.

The new version was released a few weeks ago and is an evolution of the product was initially launched no less than two years.

VSAN following vSphere version numbering, which means that it is actually version 2.2 and not 6.2. But that's not really important.

The first version (5.5) was really 1.0 - almost disappointing. Version 6.0 adds the basic features missing in the first version. 6.1, released six months ago, appeared as a very different product because the amount of improvements and additional features. The latest version, version 6.2, is another step forward in terms of efficiency and general characteristics; something to pay attention.

If at first, could be seen as a backlash in the VSA / HCI space, it is quite clear now that VMware has outperformed all other providers, and I mean all new businesses in this market. Despite their limitations and restrictions, VMware VSAN has now a solid and consistent appearance. Although it may not be ideal for all use cases, you can not be taken into consideration if you want to build an HMI based on vSphere.

It is an undeniable success

There is no doubt that VSAN is a success. 3000 facilities (paying customers), which is the VSA installed vSphere on the market after HP VSA StorVirtual. And I have no doubt that the numbers continue to rise due to product maturity. If at first it was only good enough as it is a very good option and is part of a solution from start to finish.

In fact, the real question is "why not?" Well, you might be skeptical about some technical details and yet-to-be-better functionality or lack of cross-platform support ... but even if this product was originally designed for the purpose of hiding all the complexity of storage the "girl for everything" poor who runs their virtual infrastructure (also known as VMware systems administrator enterrado- work), while doing a great job.

And that is bad news for many startups in this space. I do not know for sure, but it seems that it has become difficult to overcome TCO VSAN perspective now ATT could easily become a viable measure - especially when you do business, discounts, ELA and so on come into play.

VSAN, EVO: RAIL, VxRAIL and TCO

VSAN was a success from day one, but EVO: RAIL is a totally different story - a complete failure.

VSANs and not in direct competition with HCI providers (such Simplivity or Nutanix, for example). Products like the EVO: railroad, and now VCE VxRAIL, do. I really hope VxRAIL or developments EVO: RAIL Overall, if any, will be more competitive with suppliers. And yes, in this case from the perspective of TCA!

I have no particular preference, but I still see Nutanix and Simplivity as more sophisticated solutions, especially if you want to work with a provider that does not have the complete stack and want to have options for running workloads / to move through different hypervisors with the same management layer.

But again, if you are a single VMware store - VxRAIL? Why not? A time for competitors, it will be harder to find a differentiator. I think it's too early to look comparisons TCO 6.2 and VSAN VxRail are very new to the market, after all, but I like to see something soon.

Closing the circle

VMware is doing a good job with VSAN and sales speak clearly. A portion of these sales could be fanboys, others might come to ELA (sometimes it's just easier because the acquisition process) ... But that's not all; there are many more and the last VSAN is to confirm that VMware believes in this.

While still see a clear differentiator in some competing solutions out there, many of them in the competition becomes difficult. From this point of view, for example, Springpath did the right thing by coming to an OEM agreement with Cisco, but the lives of young players always get more difficult.