Last February, Principled Technologies compared Dell EqualLogic hybrid arrays with the industry-leading SAN storage solution for VDI. Results are here for you to review.
Following up the first study, Principled Technologies has now completed a study comparing Dell EqualLogic solution with the industry-leading NAS storage solution in the industry for a realistic desktop virtualization customer scenario.
They considered an IT organization that is deploying virtual desktops for 800 task workers. The organization had requirements of 10GB of storage capacity per user and throughput capacity of seven to eight IOPS per desktop.
Principled Technologies developed a solution for these requirements with VMware View using a Dell EqualLogic PS6110XS hybrid array for one configuration and the industry-leading NAS storage solution for another configuration. All other elements of the two configurations were identical.
To make an equitable comparison, the industry-leading NAS storage solution contained similar number of SSDs and HDDs, as well as software-based caching solution that leverages SSDs for “hot” data placement similar to EqualLogic automatic data tiering.
Principled Technologies tested both configurations using Login VSI software that measured end-user performance in all desktops. They also compared cost, system performance, power consumption, ease of deployment and operational management efficiency for both the solutions in this scenario.
For an 800-desktop VDI environment, Principled Technologies found the following:
- The Dell EqualLogic PS6110XS-based solution cost $102 per desktop; the competing industry-leading, similarly-configured NAS cost $210 per desktop; therefore, customers receive 51% savings with EqualLogic over the competition.
- Both EqualLogic PS6110XS and the competing solution performed similarly, as demonstrated by the Login VSI software and other system performance metrics.
- The Dell EqualLogic PS6110XS solution consumed 68% less power.
- The Dell EqualLogic iSCSI SAN storage array was very simple to setup and monitor.
Principled Technologies concluded that the Dell EqualLogic PS6110XS hybrid iSCSI SAN array is the better VDI storage solution than the industry-leading NAS storage solution as it costs 51% less, performs similar to the other solution while consuming 68% less power, and is easier to deploy and manage.
Check out the report for all the details.