Don't rain on Sun's parade before it even starts: new T3 architecture could prove you wrong

Computer Technology Review, Jan, 2002 by Mark Ferelli

One of the large corporations in the IT space that has recognized the importance of storage is server giant Sun Microsystems. Over the last year, a new management team for the storage operation has been put in place, and one executive notes that Sun is no longer content to be a lesser-known player.

Not that they are unknown by those who watch the industry. Indeed, some pundits have been playing nay-sayer as far as Sun's storage operations are involved. They particularly target the StorEdge T3 disk array. Many consider the product a failed one, lacking robustness and market appeal in the enterprise.

The point deserves exploration, but familiarity with the product needs to come first. The hardware-based full-fibre T3 disk array is positioned at the midrange enterprise open systems market. It can be configured for OLTP or DSS application workloads, or anything in between, including, HPC, messaging, and web content delivery applications. When configured for high availability, the Sun StorEdge T3 array provides multi-path fail-over for single or HA clustered servers.

The Sun StorEdge T3 arrays are highly scalable (up to 167TB on a single Sun server; over 25GB of cache; over 25GB/sec transfer); as capacity is expanded, performance is increased in a consistent, linear fashion because with every nine (9) drives added, one controller is added; each controller provides IGB of cache, a parity engine, a control processor, a fabric-capable optical port, and pipelined XOR capability driving dual backend loops to provide 100MB/sec.

The Sun StorEdge T3 arrays are fully integrated, tested, qualified, and supported in the Solaris Operating Environment, so they provide higher levels of integration and application availability.

Sun's competitors would suggest that those who need to scale out would need more than the drive count and capacity point that T3 offers. But one customer focused on scalability as a final selling point for the T3. That customer, Mike Coakley at Epsilon, working on the frequent travel program for Hilton hotels, noted: "The unique ability of the Sun StorEdge T3 arrays to scale in three dimensions--capacity, performance, and reliability reduces administration complexity. Sun can help simplify the tasks of integrating, managing, supporting, and maintaining storage. Hilton is no longer faced with large equipment outlays to support each of their system platforms; they have the flexibility to address a wide range of storage needs within their enterprise, including database, NFS, Web serving and email, and a variety of other workloads. By Working in true alliance with all of the parties, we were able to help Hilton Honors smoothly transition from a difficult and potentially costly migration process."

System expandability was on the mind of Brad Whitley at Devon Energy. The engineer said: "The Sun StorEdge T3 arrays are about 44% faster than the top performer we tested, and they deliver approximately 102% performance gain over all of the old systems we used. I like to say that the Sun StorEdge T3 arrays have progressive performance, meaning that the more disks you add to the system the faster it becomes. This is inherent in every Sun StorEdge T3 array you add because you are adding backbone, controllers, connections, and disks. This concept in storage is cutting edge and in theory allows fm infinite expansion."

1000 TB Sold

Some observers consider the T3 a failed product. Two considerations: First, Sun has sold well over 1000TB of T3 array. This is respectable installed base in anyone's book. Many of their customers plan to standardize on the T3. "A.B. Watley requires high performance arrays which allow us to quickly insert NASDAQ Level II quote and options data into an Oracle database." Says IS adminstrator Eric LeSatz at the A.B. Watley Group. "The combination of Fibre Channel and a large cache gives us a great deal of confidence on days when trading volume is extremely heavy. Because of the Sun StorEdge T3 array's outstanding performance, A.B. Watley has ordered 10 arrays and plans to standardize on the Sun StorEdge T3 array. This will prepare our Sun systems for the stock market move toward decimalization and penny increments."

Second, some people look at the agreement between Sun and Hitachi as a tacit admission that T3 could not be successfully transitioned into the highest end of the enterprise. The agreement is a tacit admission, yes. But nothing to do with the limitations of the T3. The Hitachi agreement, which brings a co-branded 9900 to the high-end marketplace, is a sign of maturity on Sun's part. The "Old Guard" at Sun Storage would never have admitted to any holes in the product mix, let alone set up a partnership agreement of any kind. The brightest and best companies can't go it alone, and it is to Sun's credit that they have taken the step.

CTR asked Sun executives what product improvements for the T3 were upcoming. This listing was returned:

* Continuously improving the hardware design to increase reliability, quality, and flexibility of the system (modified chassis for greatly improved RFI immunity, fewer components for lower failure rate/higher MTBF, use of more modern componentry further improves inherent reliability, use of higher-speed components improves availability, expansion connector for scalability, and ease of integration. Management network interface upgraded to Fast Ethernet provides improved speed and performance of management and diagnostic functions).