Hybrid Storage Architecture | Nimble Storage

file:///Users/saumitre/other/read/tech/Hybrid Storage Architectu...

Blog

Products & Technology

Overview

Solutions & Alliances

Product & Specs

Architecture

Support Portal

Our Customers
Features

Partner Portal

Contact Us

News & Events

Proactive Wellness

Resource Library

Company

Scale to Fit

Nimble's Hybrid Storage Architecture

Nimble Storage solutions are built on the patented Cache Accelerated Sequential Layout
(CASL) architecture. CASL differs from the traditional bolt-on approach of using flash
as a tier. Instead, CASL is designed from the ground up as a hybrid solution to leverage
the lightning-fast random read performance of flash and the cost-effective capacity of
hard disk drives. CASL also incorporates innovative efficiency features, such as inline
variable-block compression, cloning, and integrated snapshots, to store and serve more
data in less space.

"[Nimble Storage's] compression has been remarkableand especially on VDIs, where

today we are seeing compression of between 60 and 80 percent. Now, we have literally
four times the space and our expansion options are seemingly limitless."
Tony Banken, Network Administrator at Central Minnesota Jobs & Training Services

Some of CASL's key innovations include:

Dynamic Flash-Based Read Caching
CASL caches "hot" active data into a flash-based SSD in real timewithout need to set any complex policies. This way it can instantly respond
to read requestsas much as 10X faster than traditional bolt-on or tiered approach to flash.
Write-Optimized Data Layout:
CASL collects or coalesces random writes to the array, compresses and writes them sequentially to disks. This results in write operations that are
as much as 100x faster than traditional disk-based storage.
Inline Compression
CASL compresses data as it is written to the array with no performance impact. It takes advantage of efficient variable block compression and
multicore processors. A recent measurement of our install base shows average compression rates from 30 to 75 percent for a variety of
workloads.
Scale-to-Fit Flexibility
CASL allows for the non-disruptive and independent scaling of performance and capacity. This is accomplished by either upgrading the storage
controller (compute) for higher throughput, moving to larger flash SSD (cache) to accommodate more active data, or by adding storage shelves
to boost capacity. This flexible scaling eliminates the need for disruptive forklift upgrades.
Snapshots and Integrated Data Protection
CASL can take thousands of point-in-time instant snapshots of volumes by creating a copy of the volumes' indices. Any updates to existing data
or new data written to a volume are redirected to free space (optimized by CASL's unique data layout). This means there is no performance
impact of snapshots and snapshots take little incremental space as only changes are maintained. This also simplifies restoring snapshots as no
data needs to be copied.
Efficient Replication
Nimble Storage efficiently replicates data to another array by transferring compressed, block-level changes only. These remote copies can be
made active if the primary array becomes unavailable. This makes deploying disaster data recovery easy and affordable especially over a
WAN to a remote array where bandwidth is limited.
Zero-Copy Clones
Nimble Storage arrays can create snapshot-based read/writable clones of existing volumes instantly. These clones benefit from the fast read and
write performance, making them ideal for demanding applications such as VDI or test/development.

Download the Nimble

Storage Feature Primer

1 of 2

Read the White Paper:

Scale-to-Fit with Nimble
Storage

Read the Wikibon Article:

Nimble Storage is Worth the
CIO's Attention

9/11/15, 12:27 PM

Hybrid Storage Architecture | Nimble Storage

file:///Users/saumitre/other/read/tech/Hybrid Storage Architectu...

Quick Links

Featured Solutions

Community / Support

Products Overview

Virtualization

Support Portal

Customer Stories

VDI

Partner Portal

Alliances

Microsoft Apps

Resource Library

Data Protection

Connect

408-432-9600
info@nimblestorage.com
Sign up for the Nimble Storage Newsletter

In the News
Our Blog

Nimble Storage. All rights reserved.

2 of 2

Privacy Policy | Site Map | Site Credits | Contact

9/11/15, 12:27 PM