Ism Module 8: Software-Defined Storage

Front 1

What is Software-defined Storage (SDS)?

Back 1

Storage infrastructure managed and automated by software, which pools heterogeneous storage resources, and dynamically allocates them based on policy to match applications

Front 2

What are the 5 key attributes of SDS?

Back 2

-Storage Abstraction and pooling

-Automated, policy-driven storage provisioning

-Unified management

-Self-service

-Open and extensible

Front 3

In relation to SDS, explain: Storage abstraction and pooling

Back 3

Single large storage pool spanning across the underlying storage infrastructure

Front 4

In relation to SDS, explain: Automated, policy-driven storage provisioning

Back 4

Dynamic Composition of storage services based on application policies

(using policies to give storage to applications only when it is needed)

Front 5

In relation to SDS, explain: Unified Management

Back 5

Single control point for the entire infrastructure

Front 6

In relation to SDS, explain: Self-service

Back 6

Users self-provision storage services from a service catalog

Front 7

In relation to SDS, explain: Open and extensible

Back 7

Integration of external interfaces and applications through the use of APIs

Front 8

Is SDS considered an inband or out of band component?

Back 8

Out of Band (Policy-driven control plane)

Front 9

What does REST API do for an SDS controller?

Back 9

REST API enables the SDS controller to:

-Effectively communicate with external applications

-Integrate multi vendor storage

-Integrate with management/monitoring tools

-Provide access to external cloud/object storage

Front 10

What is a Compute-Based Storage Area Network?

Back 10

Software defined virtual SAN created from the locally located storage on the compute system (server)

Does not require backend storage arrays

Example: ScaleIO

Front 11

What is a metadata manager?

Back 11

A compute-based SAN's control component

Serves as the monitoring and configuration agent to compute based storage

Front 12

What are 5 benefits of SDS?

Back 12

-Simplified storage environment

-Operational efficiency

-Agility

-Reusing existing infrastructure

-Cloud support

Front 13

What are key functions of the control plane?

Back 13

-Asset discovery

-Resource abstraction

-Provisioning resources for services

-Support for data protection

Front 14

What are the two types of user interfaces for SDS controller (applies to most controller software)

Back 14

-Command-line interface (CLI)

-Graphical user interface (GUI)

Front 15

In relation to SDS, explain: Asset Discovery

Back 15

The controller will automatically detect assets when they are added to the SDS environment

An asset can be any of the following: storage systems, storage networks, compute systems and clusters, data protection solutions, etc.

Front 16

In relation to SDS, explain: Resource abstraction and pooling

Back 16

Automates the certain processes such as disk selection, LUN creation, LUN masking, and different storage systems.

This allows the user to focus on the amount of storage needed, performance, and protection characteristics.

Front 17

In relation to SDS, explain: Resource Provisioning

Back 17

An SDS controller automates the provisioning of resources when a user requests a service

Provisioning is executed through workflows managed by orchestration

Front 18

In relation to SDS, explain: Data protection support

Back 18

Typically SDS will interact with data protection services natively offered on the underlying storage array or external solutions.

SDS does not typically conduct its own data protection

Front 19

What is an Application Programming Interface (API)?

Back 19

A set of programmatic instructions and

specifications that provides an interface for software components to communicate with each other.

(Commands that allow applications to talk to each other)

Front 20

What are the 4 REST design principles

Back 20

-Resource Identification using URI (resource address)

-Use of standard HTTP methods (PUT, GET, POST, and DELETE)

-Self descriptive resource representation (enables use of several different languages)

-Stateless design (reduces server side resource utilization

Front 21

How do REST APIs help SDS?

Back 21

Enables the SDS controller to be able to utilize third party management tools and cloud stacks by providing an open programming interface that anyone can integrate with

Front 22

What is ViPR Controller?

Back 22

-SDS platform that unifies the management of any underlying storage system

-Supports data protection across multiple data centers

-Driven by open source community

Front 23

What is ECS?

Back 23

-Cloud storage platform that enables multi-tenancy, metering, and self-provisioning
-Supports HDFS and object storage (file to be added)

-Can be bought as an appliance or software solution

Front 24

What is ScaleIO?

Back 24

-Software that creates a compute-based SAN from local server storage

-No backend storage systems necessary

-Elastic scale-out solution