Hybrid Cloud Storage Array:Hybrid Cloud Storage Array

Benefits

With the popularization of cloud computing technologies, the flexibility, ease of use, and reliability of public clouds are widely recognized. An increasing number of enterprises begin to deploy cloud computing solutions. However, many enterprises are highly dependent on traditional storage arrays. They face a series of challenges to completely migrate their business to the cloud in a short term. During the migration, system reconstruction or application development may be involved. In this case, they need to make great changes and face considerable risks. In addition, many customers have specific requirements for the physical storage location of sensitive data. Therefore, an increasing number of enterprises are adopting hybrid clouds to implement future-oriented digital transformation.

As a storage device that integrates software and hardware, HCSA integrates with Alibaba Cloud storage services and combines the competencies of public cloud storage and traditional storage arrays.

• Simplicity

  Without the need to change the original IT architecture, customers can use HCSA in the same way as they use on-premises storage devices. HCSA provides customers with both the on-premises storage space and cloud storage space. Customers do not need to be concerned with the compatibility between on-premises storage protocols and cloud storage protocols.

• Flexibility

  Seamlessly integrated with Alibaba Cloud storage services, HCSA takes full advantage of the benefits of public cloud storage, including scalability, rapid deployment, and pay-as-you-go billing. This allows HCSA to rapidly respond to requirement changes of customers.

• Efficiency

  HCSA supports automatic cloud replication. A copy of the on-premises data is stored on the cloud. If the array fails, all data stored on the cloud is accessible. If the network fails, all data in the array is accessible.

  The cloud cache feature allows HCSA to rapidly respond to applications even if data is stored on the cloud by using the cache of the on-premises storage space. HCSA stores hot data in the on-premises storage space to ensure fast data access. HCSA stores cold data on the cloud to make the most of the vast cloud storage space.

• Reliability

  HCSA adopts a fully redundant hardware design, supports data encryption, integrates with Active Directory (AD) and Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) directory services, and supports access control lists (ACLs). HCSA provides multi-replica cross-region protection for the distributed storage in the cloud, ensures 99.999999999% (eleven 9s) reliability, and supports comprehensive data consistency verification to ensure the security and reliability of user data.

HCSA is designed for enterprise customers who require highly efficient and stable data storage and want to seamlessly migrate their business to the cloud.

• Data can be automatically synchronized to the cloud based on policies to implement cloud backup and disaster recovery.

• Automatic cloud replication and cloud cache are supported to ensure fast data access and effective use of storage space.

• Data compression and deduplication are supported so that data can seamlessly flow between the cloud storage and on-premises storage.

• A comprehensive set of host-side protocols are supported, including Fibre Channel (FC), Internet Small Computer Systems Interface (iSCSI), Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE), Network File System (NFS), Common Internet File System (CIFS), and Cinder.

• Rich enterprise data services are provided, such as multi-version snapshot and replication.

• Gateway-free active-active disaster recovery is supported to protect key enterprise applications.

• Heterogeneous virtualization is supported to improve utilization of existing arrays and reduce total IT costs.

• Multi-controller scaling of storage arrays is supported to improve array performance and capacity.

• A fully redundant design is adopted to ensure data safety and reliability. Rack deployment in data centers is supported.

• The volume clone feature allows you to create cloned volume copies that can be read and written.

• The failover and crash recovery features are supported. If a controller fails, an online failover can be performed to ensure business continuity.

HCSA combines the cost efficiency and scalability of public cloud storage with the architecture of data centers to help customers achieve the seamless flow of data between data centers and Alibaba Cloud.

Specifications

The following table describes the specifications of Alibaba Cloud HCSA.