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1Spectra Logic BlackPearl V3 Brings Object Storage to Enterprise Data
2BlackPearl V3 Runs on Spectra-Branded Appliances
Although BlackPearl V3 is an object-storage gateway and management product, the BlackPearl software is tightly integrated with Spectra Logic’s storage hardware and runs on the company’s branded appliances. That ensures compatibility with other Spectra Storage products, as well as full support for Amazon’s S3 object-storage system paradigm.
3Here’s BlackPearl’s Primary Dashboard
4Configuration Options Are Selected From the Main Dashboard
5BlackPearl Employs Concept of Buckets to Store Files
Spectra Logic leverages the concept of buckets, which roughly translate to containers for files. In other words, administrators create buckets, which are then deployed to storage resources to receive data files. Those buckets are accessed using access control lists (ACLs) and driven by defined policies, allowing users to access buckets as if the data contained was a file system. Buckets promote both ease of use and the object-driven paradigm needed for easily managed cloud storage.
6Buckets Give Administrators Granular Control
7Buckets Contain File Objects
8Tracking the Physical Allocation of Buckets
Buckets are designed to be a virtual representation of storage-object containers. With that in mind, it becomes clear that there is a physical abstraction layer being used that works akin to what virtualization does for hardware devices. Nevertheless, administrators still need to know the physical location of the bucket beyond the abstraction layer. BlackPearl allows administrators to drill down into the bucket and locate the physical storage pool.
9Data Policy Selection Is an Important Task
10Advanced Bucket Management Gives Administrators Full Control
Although buckets hide complexity from those working with files, the simple fact of the matter is a great deal happens behind the scenes when dealing with buckets. Thanks to abstraction, the casual user never has to deal with any alien concepts. That said, administrators still need to have full control over the data sets. Advanced Bucket Management helps by graphically conceptualizing how buckets interact with policies, storage domains, storage partitions and storage pools.
11Defining Partitions, Domains and Policies
12Defining a Disk Partition
Disk partitions are objects that are assigned to storage pools. The job of a disk partition is to be a target storage resource for a bucket. Several partition types exist, including speedy nearline storage and even faster online storage. Frequency of data usage, as well as policy definitions are used to determine if the data is to be stored nearline (archival) or actively available (online). Partitions can be created on disk or tape, depending upon the needs of the enterprise.
13Storage Domains Control Access Traffic
Much like a domain in Website terms, a storage domain offers a hierarchy that controls traffic. In BlackPearl’s case, that traffic is the objects associated with storage. Domains control what partitions are available as well as how data is written and how files are represented as objects to a file system.
14Data Policies Control Objects in Storage Subsystems
15Cache Management Speeds Data Access
BlackPearl includes the capability to assign high-speed disks to a cache and then allow administrators to define that cache based on the needs of the enterprise. A cache is critical when it comes to reducing latency and allows fast access of frequently accessed data, regardless of the source, whether it’s remote, on-site, on tape or on disk.
16BlackPearl V3 Displays Status Screens, Reports
The dashboard offers several status screens and reports, providing administrators with the critical information on how every aspect of the object-storage platform is performing. Extensive reporting makes it easier to track down issues or drive forensics, while monitoring of storage pools gives administrators an instant view into what is available.