Configure QuantaStor NAS Gateway Server
KEY FEATURES |
QuantaStor’s NAS gateway storage appliances can be configured to have local NAS storage which is periodically backed-up to IBM Cloud Storage as objects or alternatively can be configured to cache some metadata but otherwise be a pure NAS pass-thru gateway to IBM Cloud Storage.
QuantaStor NAS Gateway Appliance Features
- Provides NFS and SMB access to IBM S3 Object Storage
- Objects map one-to-one as Files and vice-versa
- Backup policies enable backups of NFS/SMB shares to IBM S3 Object Storage
- Snapshot Schedules with long term snapshot retention options make file recovery from appliance local Network Shares easy.
- Automatable via QS CLI and REST API
USE CASES |
- Accessing IBM Cloud Object Storage as NAS via NFS or SMB protocols
- File backups of NFS and SMB shares to IBM Cloud Object Storage
- General purposed NAS file storage which is optionally backed up to IBM Cloud Object Storage
EXPANDABLE |
Since the NAS gateway based Network Shares (QuantaStor Cloud Containers) are backed by IBM Cloud Object Storage there are no local storage requirements except that the boot device should be SSD based to improve cache performance. NAS gateway to object storage is for general unstructured data and backups. Gateways cannot be used directly for database and virtualization workloads. Add additional drives to expand capacity. Additional appliances may be added to a given storage grid for easy management of all appliances across IBM data centers. It is recommended to provision a 24-bay or 36-bay server with free drive bays available for expandability as expansion disk-enclosures are not available as an add-on except at the time of initial server/appliance deployment.
EXPECTED PERFORMANCE |
Each appliance is configured with at least one storage pool and each pool will deliver 400MB to 1.6GB/sec sequential throughput depending on block size and number of disks. IOPS are increased through the use of mirrored SSD storage
configured as a write log which in turn will increase IOPS to 10K to 20K depending on block size and access patterns. All-Flash configurations will deliver over 100K sustained R/W IOPS.
QUICK CONFIGURATION STEPS |
Step One: Storage Management Tab → Controllers & Enclosures → Right-click Controller → Configure Pass-thru devices → Select all → Click OK
Step Two: Storage Management Tab → Storage Pools → Create Storage Pool → Click OK
For iSCSI Block Storage Provisioning:
- Storage Management Tab → Hosts → Add Host → Enter host IQN → Click OK (do this for each host)
- Storage Management Tab → Storage Volumes → Create Storage Volume → Enter volume name, select a size, → Click OK
- Storage Management Tab → Hosts → Right-click Host → Assign Volumes → Select volumes → Click OK
For NFS/SMB File Storage Provisioning:
- Storage Management Tab → Network Shares → Create Network Share → Click OK (do this for each share)
- Storage Management Tab → Network Shares → Modify Network Share & SMB Access → Adjust Settings → Click OK (do this for each share)
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS |
Hardware | Networking | Licenses and Fees |
Small and Medium Tier configurations use 2RU server with 12x drive bays. Large Tier configurations use 4RU server with 24x or 36x drive bays. All configurations include mirrored boot. All Hybrid configurations include 2x 800GB SSD for write acceleration. |
2x 10GbE Private Network ports recommended for all configurations. Use LACP bonded network ports when NFS based Datastores are to be configured. |
Select the OSNEXUS operating system QuantaStor license tier based on the amount of raw storage capacity. License, maintenance, upgrades, and support included. |
CONFIGURATIONS |
Hybrid SAN/NAS Configuration Options
Small Tier - Hybrid SAN/NAS – 16TB | Medium Tier - Hybrid SAN/NAS – 48TB | Large Tier - Hybrid SAN/NAS – 128TB | Extra-large Tier - Hybrid SAN/NAS – 256TB |
2x E5-2620v4, 64GB RAM, 8x 2TB, QS Small Tier License 2x 800GB SSDs (write log), 2x 1TB SATA (mirrored boot) 2x 10GbE Private Network ports |
2x E5-2620v4, 128GB RAM, 8x 6TB, QS Medium Tier License 2x 800GB SSDs (write log), 2x 1TB SATA (mirrored boot) 2x 10GbE Private Network ports |
2x E5-2650v4, 128GB RAM, 16x 8TB, QS Large Tier License 2x 800GB SSDs (write log), 2x 1TB SATA (mirrored boot) 2x 10GbE Private Network ports |
2x E5-2650v4, 256GB RAM, 32x 8TB, QS XL Tier License 2x 800GB SSDs (write log), 2x 1TB SATA (mirrored boot) 2x 10GbE Private Network ports |
All Flash Configuration Options
Small Tier – All-Flash SAN/NAS – 15.2TB | Medium Tier – All-Flash SAN/NAS – 41.8T |
2x E5-2650v4, 128GB RAM, 8x 1.9TB SSD, QS Small Tier License 2x 1TB SATA (mirrored boot), 2x 10GbE Private Network ports |
2x E5-2650v4, 128GB RAM, 22x 1.9TB SSD, QS Medium Tier License 2x 1TB SATA (mirrored boot), 2x 10GbE Private Network ports |