Run ZFS on Linux

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Although ZFS exists in an operating system whose future is at risk, it is easily one of the most advanced, feature-rich file systems in existence. It incorporates variable block sizes, compression, encryption, de-duplication, snapshots, clones, and (as the name implies) support for massive capacities. Get to know the concepts behind ZFS and learn how you can use ZFS today on Linux using Filesystem in Userspace (FUSE).

IBM gives some background information and tips to install zfs-fuse on linux: Run ZFS on Linux

If you want ZFS to run natively, then this guide explains how to set this up native ZFS on Ubuntu / Linux: Native ZFS On Ubuntu

Data storage best practices: Top five storage management answers

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The top five Ask the Expert answers of 2010 to help you learn about the most important data storage best practices for your organization. Read about storage management tools and technologies such as multiprotocol or unified storage, data migration, centralized data storage and cloud storage

  • How can multiprotocol storage arrays benefit SMBs?
  • What are some good data migration strategies for SMBs?
  • How does unified data storage apply to SMBs?
  • What type of centralized data storage should I use for 1.5 TB of data across multiple locations?
  • Is it possible to use a cloud storage service for primary storage?

Read the answers: Data storage best practices: Top five storage management answers

QNAP debuts high performance Turbo NAS server family

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QNAP Systems announced the TS-x12 lineup of affordable high performance Turbo NAS servers intended for the fast-growing home and SOHO market segment. The new models utilize the latest Marvell 1.2GHz processor and include 256MB of DDRII memory and Gigabit LAN ports, offering up to 8TB of networked storage with a unique blend of solid performance, high reliability, and advanced features at very affordable price points. The TS-x12 series includes the 1-drive TS-112, 2-drive TS-212, and 4-drive TS-412.

QNAP’s new TS-x12 models are easy to attach to existing networks and provides easy file sharing within the network, centralized backup of all networked computers, website hosting, printer sharing, even recording of surveillance video from IP cameras.

“The new TS-x12 series Turbo NAS servers offer affordable high performance coupled with ultra-low power consumption and virtually noise-free operation. Home users no longer need to sacrifice performance for lower cost NAS; and the new TS-x12 series offers advanced features like RAID and iSCSI support, making them an incredible value for the money.”

said Tony Lu, Product Manager from QNAP.

The new TS-x12 models also improve the multimedia experience and capabilities for home users. The built-in UPnP media server (TwonkyMedia) feature of the TS-x12 series supports numerous UPnP-compliant media players such as the Sony® PS3 and Microsoft® Xbox 360 gaming consoles. Users can even use their iPhone and Android phone to stream music and video or view digital photos stored on the NAS in real-time from anywhere they have a Wi-Fi or 3G connection.

Source

Linux-based home NAS devices use as little as seven Watts

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Qnap Systems announced additions to its Linux-based Turbo NAS family of network attached storage devices for the home/SOHO market. The TS-x12 lineup includes the four-drive (up to 8TB) TS-412, the two-bay TS-212, plus the single-drive TS-112, each providing a 1.2GHz Marvell 6281 processor, 256MB of DDR2 memory, plus gigabit Ethernet and USB connectivity.

“Like the four-bay TS-x19P+ NAS devices that Qnap announced in November, the TS-x12 models come in four, two, and one-drive versions, and are said to run on a Marvell system-on-chip (SoC). While the earlier devices ran on a Marvell 6282 processor clocked to 1.6GHz, the TS-x12 use a “brand new” Marvell 6281 clocked to 1.2GHz instead. This appears to be another version of the Marvell Kirkwood design, which also spun off the related Armada 300.

“The new TS-x12 models offer slightly scaled down functionality compared to their TS-x19p counterparts, although the two four-bay models appear almost identical. The two-bay and single-bay devices share a physical design that differs from the TS-219P+ and TS-119P+.

Linux-based home NAS devices use as little as seven Watts

zxfer – a handy ZFS tool

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zxfer, available under the BSD license,  is a really handy and much promising ZFS tool. It transfer ZFS filesystems, snapshots, properties, files and directories, which can be done with a single command, while having similar end-to-end assurance of data integrity as the ZFS filesystem itself.

Some more detailed features are:

  • recursive transfer of filesystems
  • minimal dependencies.
  • to transfer filesystem properties, and override specified properties (e.g. compression, copies, dedup etc.)
  • backup original properties to a file so as to be able to restore them later.
  • transfer via rsync.
  • delete snapshots on destination not present on source, and transfer from the latest common snapshot
  • comprehensive man page.
  • beep when done
  • compatible with FreeBSD, OpenSolaris and Solaris 11 Express.