MSA 2060 Storage Array

QuickSpecs
HPE MSA 2060 Storage Array
Standard Features
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I/O Workload Functionality
A beneficial user interface element called “I/O Workload” is included in the MSA web browser (SMU v4). The MSA array
controllers
keep track of a substantial amount of data pertaining to the I/O dynamics at a logical page level (4MB chunks).
From this data, it is
possible to provide some visibility to what percent of I/O’s are being processed by what percent of the overall array’s capacity
across a 7 day timeline.
While some workloads have “transient” data access patterns, many workloads have steady access patterns
on small portions of the array’s capacity. This produces “hot” pages in the array which remain hot a large amount of the array’s
uptime. Users would see substantial benefits if these pages could be served from the fastest media in the array (ideally SSDs). As
has been described in the MSA’s tiering functionality, the MSA array’s tiering engine will work to position the hottest pages on the
fastest media at any given time.
The new I/O Workload graph will show a line labeled Capacity and a line plot for each selected workload percentage (100%, 80%
, or
Other% value). Below are two examples of user scenarios where the I/O Workload Graph might be useful and how to utilize the
data the graph provides.
• New User or SSD Installation.
•
Once the MSA array is installed and has had workloads running against it for a week’s time, the I/O Workload data will give
a representation of what Capacity is servicing 100% of I/O and 80% of I/O. Users may select a custom % value if desired. In
a new installation or in an installation with no SSD tier installed, the 80% line is a reasonable starting point for an SSD tier.
Based on SSD RAID settings, customers can then calculate a good starting point with regard to SSD tier sizing based on
that week’s workload. While not a hard fast rule, it is a good starting point. These values should also be compared to the
Best Practices “rule of thumb” which suggest that 5-15% of the array’s capacity should be SSDs for tiered solutions.
• Users with existing SSD tiering or read caching installed and running.
• For arrays running with SSDs installed (tiered or read cache), the I/O Workload graph will have a dotted line which shows
the installed SSD capacity. The I/O Workload graphs can be checked periodically to see where the 80% I/O line is with
regard to the SSD capacity line. While there are no hard and fast rules which indicate good/bad situations, users can use
the graph with other system performance tools to better understand specific dynamics of their installation
and the normal
dynamics of a system in the day-to-day activities for a specific environment.
Interpreting the I/O Workload graphs allow users to strike a balance between the SSD costs versus performance benefits. For
example, some customers may be will
ing to have a couple of days where peak usage is far above the SSD capacity line as it may be
acceptable to have slower performance as the system uses HDDs for a larger percentage of the workload I/O. This may be
perfectly acceptable for systems sized to optimize $/TB due to budget constraints. Other users may want to optimize the system
such that a sizeable percentage of daily I/O have the opportunity to reside on SSD media (sized to 80% or 90%). When combined
with other performance monitoring tools, the new I/O Workload function gives users some representation as to how the workloads
and the MSA are working together in a user’s real-world environment.
HPE Complete – Zerto
HPE MSA Storage users can leverage Zerto Virtual Replication to replicate applications and data from one MSA array to another
MSA array. Popular use cases include departmental MSA storage replicated to enterprise storage, enterprise storage replicated
into MSA array, or protect MSA workloads into the cloud.
Zerto operates on the hypervisor level and includes orchestration and automation built-in to enable faster recovery of workloads
(RTO in minutes) at much lower Recovery Point Objective (RPO of seconds) available through other data protection tools like
backup. Zerto is also a workload mobility tool and allow IT to confidently move workloads and data across heterogeneous storage
or cloud.
Ordering, configuring and installing Zerto is simple. Zerto is licensed by number of Virtual Machines that are being protected or
moved. For mobility use cases, order the appropriate number of migration licenses needed. For replication use cases, order the
appropriate quantity of Zerto Virtual Replication licenses using a combination of the tiered licenses plus the corresponding
maintenance part numbers. The license is independent of source and target array size, type or capacity being replicated. See the