Where VSAN doesn't shine: Sources explain EMC's ScaleIO purpose

EMC introduced its scale-out ScaleIO Node virtual SAN a couple of weeks ago, with hybrid flash-disk and all-flash server chassises. It overlaps as a product with EMC-owned VMware's VSAN, and therefore EMC's EVO:RAIL implementation of that, and also competes with scale-out all-flash arrays. Discussions with sources have …

[Anonymous Coward]

Da phuq?

How about microsoft applications like sql server sitting in the middle of the stack? My sales guy keeps going to VSAN and our tech nerds keep going to ScaleIO. I am keep going to loo to cry about all the confusion.

[bdj]

Re: Da phuq?

ScaleIO works across multi-platforms; with most mainstream OS capable of hosting volumes from a ScaleIO cluster, or contributing storage to ScaleIO clusters or both if you so desired.

[Anonymous Coward]

For me down here in little old NZ the fact that ScaleIO starts at 3 nodes and VSAN needs 4 is compelling.

It means that customers on VMware's Essentials+ bundle cannot use VSAN without a SIGNIFICANT software investment, where ScaleIO in that space is approx 50% of the price.

[Cloud 9]

Well firstly you can run VSAN on 3 nodes. Secondly, they'll have a two node version out soon.

Not my bag but I hate to see factual errors like this.

[Michael Duke]

3 Node VSAN clusters, while supported do not have any resilience for node maintenance. How are you going to patch your 3 node vSphere cluster running VSAN when you cannot put on into maintainence mode. Also 2 node will only support branch offices and needs an external (vCloud Air) failover manager, no thanks.