March 2002
Version 3
B rief ing s
Lowering Storage TCO
with Iomega NAS
Summary
Today’s organizations no longer think of storage as a device. Instead, it is an
architecture constructed with storage technologies such as mainframe disk
storage, stand-alone servers, storage area networks (SAN), Internet storage,
removable mass storage, and network attached storage (NAS).
Network attached storage provides a cost effective and time efficient “just as
needed/just in time” solution for network managers. A stand-alone NAS device
bundles a high-speed processor, RAM, embedded operating system, network
connection, and multiple storage drives into a single device that can be quickly
and easily plugged into the network. IT analysts have estimated that NAS
storage can be one-third as expensive as general purpose servers—and this
figure does not include the lower administration costs of NAS.
Advantages of Iomega’s NAS solutions include:
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“IT analysts estimate that
NAS storage can be onethird as expensive as
general purpose servers.”
Low cost per gigabyte of storage
Hard disk performance for the price of tape drives such as DLT
Support for a wide range of network transport and file protocols
Windows, NetWare, UNIX/Linux, and Macintosh clients support
Open-source UNIX or tailored Windows 2000 SAK operating system
Multiple file/directory languages for international operations
Bundled Iomega QuikSync 3 automatic client backup software
Sold and supported by Iomega, a storage market leader
Iomega’s NAS is targeted for organizations that (1) need more storage,
(2) are buying general purpose servers and need to lower storage costs,
(3) need a solution that is more easily managed than dedicated servers, and
(4) need heterogeneous file sharing across all hardware and client platforms.
© CooperComm, Inc., 2001, 2002. • 16457 Wilson Farm • Chesterfield, MO 63005-4525 • (636) 537-1100 • storage@coopercomm.com
Lowering Storage TCO with Iomega NAS
Page 2
The need for server storage capacity continues to increase at rates that stress
network architectures. Clients are reporting compound annual server storage
growth rates of 40 percent to 100 percent. As a result, storage management has
become an important IT function and a major cost area.
Expanding with network servers
Analysts estimate that 50 percent of general purpose servers are used for file
serving. This is a costly approach for a simple function better handled by NAS
technology. Adding a server with its hardware platform, network operating system,
installation, and configuration is a complex process that can cost from
approximately $4,000 to $50,000.
Upgrading a server requires network engineers to:
1. Take the server off-line
2. Install, format and configure the new hardware
3. Allocate storage to services
“Analysts estimate that
50% of general purpose
servers are used for file
serving.”
4. Test, and then bring the server back on-line
All this can consume up to eight hours of installation time requiring the server to
be off-line. (Organizational downtime can cost anywhere from $1,000 per hour to
$100,000 per minute for real-time environments.) What is needed is a convenient,
cost efficient way to add storage capacity without interrupting network services or
forcing costly off-hours work.
Iomega Network Attached Storage
Due to its lower cost and ease of operation, network attached storage has emerged
as a popular alternative to traditional mainframe, network server, and high capacity
tape solutions. An NAS device is a simple file server to which storage system
administrators can map network drives. It runs a “thin operating system” highly
optimized for storing and sharing data.
Figure 1.
© CooperComm, Inc., 2001, 2002. • 16457 Wilson Farm • Chesterfield, MO 63005-4525 • (636) 537-1100 • storage@coopercomm.com
Lowering Storage TCO with Iomega NAS
Figure 1 shows the back panel of an Iomega NAS device. Models can contain up
to four ATA drives, RAM, CPU, PCI slot, power supply, and dual Ethernet
ports—all in a 1U, 19-inch rack mount form factor. Features can include:
• Capacity of up to 480GB
• Up to 512MB of SDRAM
• One or two 10/100 Ethernet ports (plus 1GB Ethernet on some models)
• Network interface card load balancing and failover
• Software RAID 0,1,5 (ships pre-configured for RAID 5)
• 2 terabyte file size maximum
• Open-source UNIX (Windows for Network Attached Storage optional
on some models)
• Provides NDS (bindery), and NIS support
Installation is “plug and play” and includes these steps:
• Plug the Ethernet cable into either open port.
• Plug in the NAS power cable and turn the device on.
• Set up the server using a browser-based application from any client
on the network that can access the NAS device.
Page 3
“Iomega NAS … data
volumes can also be used
by Iomega’s QuikSync 3
software as both source
and backup drives.”
Figure 2.
Figure 2 shows a General Status screen that can be used to review the physical
condition and disk statistics of an Iomega NAS device on the network.
Once installed, Iomega NAS can be treated like any other volume. It can be
managed through Microsoft Terminal Services, and be backed up like any server
on the network using in-place backup routines and software. Its data volumes can
also be used by Iomega’s QuikSync 3 software as both source and backup drives.
© CooperComm, Inc., 2001, 2002. • 16457 Wilson Farm • Chesterfield, MO 63005-4525 • (636) 537-1100 • storage@coopercomm.com
Lowering Storage TCO with Iomega NAS
Page 4
Figure 3.
Figure 3 shows a network configuration screen that is available in the browser
based administration application. It is possible to complete the NAS installation
process in a little as 10 minutes—all without taking down any part of the network.
More complex volume, security, and access configurations will extend this time,
but are much easier than with stand-alone servers.
Applications of Iomega NAS
“It is possible to
complete the NAS
installation process
in as little as 10
minutes—all without
taking down any part
of the network.”
Low-cost, high capacity network attached storage offers a tactical and flexible
solution for expanding storage. Potential applications of Iomega NAS include:
Unlimited expansion … Expand network storage as needed with multiple
Iomega NAS devices.
Extend the life of servers … Offload file sharing services from servers at maximum
capacity so that they can concentrate on value-added, server-level activities such as
e-mail, security, Web serving, etc.
Conserve network bandwidth … Use Iomega NAS to localize file transfers within a
workgroup or subnet (i.e., contain graphics department or engineering large file
transfers within their own workgroups.)
Create centralized storage … Add workgroup storage where none previously
existed, such as in peer-to-peer environments.
Enable “live” workgroup backup ... Provide enough capacity to allow clients to
periodically or continuously back up all of their data to Iomega NAS devices.
Provide server backup … Use the additional capacity of Iomega NAS servers to
provide lower cost, high speed backup to critical server files.
Organize files for users … Group files by subject or project so that end-users can
locate and retrieve information more quickly. Data for a single workgroup can be
pooled onto a single device. Capacity can be added for many users in one step.
Provide security … Install an Iomega NAS device containing sensitive or secure
data within a controlled environment where access can be physically restricted and
remotely administered vs. a server installed in openly accessible office or computer
center locations and physically accessible by administrators.
© CooperComm, Inc., 2001, 2002. • 16457 Wilson Farm • Chesterfield, MO 63005-4525 • (636) 537-1100 • storage@coopercomm.com
Lowering Storage TCO with Iomega NAS
Page 5
Benefits of Iomega NAS
Iomega NAS can lower the total cost of ownership for storage solutions in the
following areas:
Lower acquisition cost than traditional servers or storage area network solutions ...
Iomega NAS costs only a fraction of a general purpose server solution.
Reduced installation costs ... Iomega NAS can be installed in as little as 10 minutes
vs. up to eight hours to add an NT server.
Increased network availability ... Iomega NAS installation does not affect the
network or require any other services to be taken off-line.
Lower software license fees … Iomega NAS requires no per-seat client access
license—unlike dedicated server OS’s.
Lower administration cost …Iomega NAS’s easy to use, browser based
administration application can be operated by an administrator vs. a higher cost
certified network engineer. Also, having a single application that can be used by a
single person at a single location to manage the entire inventory of Iomega NAS
devices saves additional administration costs.
“Iomega NAS requires
no per-seat client
access license—unlike
dedicated server OS’s.”
Bundled QuikSync 3 software ... Iomega NAS includes a QuikSync end-user license
bundle. This proprietary Iomega continuous backup application, allows Windows
and Mac users to specify source and target drives for backing up their work
save-by-save. This means that no data is lost in the event of a PC problem or due
to end-user error.
Summary
In testing, Iomega’s NAS unit installed quickly in our network containing a mix of
Windows 9X, NT, NetWare, UNIX, Linux, and Macintosh clients. Once set up, we
were able to utilize QuikSync 3 to provide a continuous backup capability for any
saves to a designated local or network folder.
While the administration software is extremely easy to use, the network functions
controlled by it require an experienced administrator in order to make the setup,
domain, and security decisions.
We believe that NAS is an excellent segment of the Iomega product line,
continuing Iomega’s expansion into core strategic storage technologies.
Iomega brings size and stability to this product area, one that has seen vendor
instability and consolidation.
The bundling of Iomega’s proprietary QuikSync 3 program is a useful addition,
and one that we hope will be extended with other value-added, storage-related
software solutions.
© CooperComm, Inc., 2001, 2002. • 16457 Wilson Farm • Chesterfield, MO 63005-4525 • (636) 537-1100 • storage@coopercomm.com
Lowering Storage TCO with Iomega NAS
Page 6
Henry Baltazar, “Deciphering NAS, SAN Storage Wars,” eWeek,
April 9, 2001, pg. 26.
Richard March, “Storage ROI Sells,” Computer Reseller News,
April 4, 2001, pg. 24.
Steve Rogers, “Not All Network Attached Storage is Created Equal
–Part 2,” Storage Management Solutions, March 2001, 6:1, pgs.56-59.
All brands, products and services mentioned in this Briefing are the trade names or registered trademarks
of their respective owners.
Information in this report was obtained from sources CooperComm believes to be reliable.
CooperComm disclaims any and all warranties as to the reliability, accuracy and adequacy of such information,
and CooperComm shall have no liability for the inclusion or exclusion of information. CooperComm may,
without notice, change expressed opinions. Use of this report to achieve desired results is the sole responsibility
of the reader.
© CooperComm, Inc., 2001, 2002. • 16457 Wilson Farm • Chesterfield, MO 63005-4525 • (636) 537-1100 • storage@coopercomm.com