In late 2023, VMware introduced vSAN Max, enhancing storage solutions for vSphere environments while addressing some common limitations associated with hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI).
The objective of vSAN Max is to give more flexibility in storage deployment by “disaggregating” the storage layer from compute resources.
This article examines the advantages and disadvantages of vSAN Max, along with key commercial considerations that Chief Information Officers (CIOs) should consider in the context of VMware’s acquisition by Broadcom.
VMware’s vSAN Max aims to create a storage-only cluster capable of scaling up to petabytes for vSphere clusters, while retaining many benefits of HCI and vSAN technology, but without the typical constraints associated with HCI.
Traditionally, VMware’s vSAN provided significant advantages, including ease of deployment and user-friendliness. It is built upon vSAN’s Express Storage Architecture and the earlier HCI Mesh.
Howard Holton, lead analyst at GigaOm, notes that previous storage systems were not optimized for virtual machines and required intricate setup. VMware was not seen as a priority by storage vendors until HCI emerged. “HCI provided an out-of-the-box solution optimized for virtual machines, enabling organizations to simplify their storage challenges,” he explains. However, organizations had to purchase compute and storage together, which became impractical as data volumes surged.
With the release of vSAN Max, VMware breaks away from the traditional HCI model, allowing for a separation of storage from compute resources.
“Disaggregating storage from compute provides enhanced design flexibility,” states Tom Howarth, principal consultant at Sjultra. “Compute and storage can be scaled independently based on specific needs.”
A significant advantage of vSAN and vSAN Max is that both can be managed through the same VMware console, maintaining management consistency.
What use cases is vSAN Max suited to?
VMware designed vSAN Max to provide versatile storage solutions for virtual machine users, making it adaptable to multiple applications.
One primary use case is when organizations surpass the storage capabilities of their existing HCI and vSAN systems. With vSAN Max, VMware customers can scale storage and compute independently, preventing unnecessary expenditures on redundant storage.
Additionally, vSAN Max facilitates a more tailored approach to storage architecture, which enhances performance and cost efficiency. “With disaggregated storage, customization is possible according to workload requirements, such as using faster NVMe disks for databases, SSDs for file services, and traditional HDDs for backup tasks,” explains Howarth.
While vSAN Max is primarily designed for VM storage, it can also function as an object file store or a basic file and print service.
Moreover, vSAN Max includes advanced storage features like deduplication, encryption, compression, and erasure coding, as highlighted by GigaOm’s Holton.
How do you deploy vSAN Max?
The deployment of vSAN Max is relatively simple. Users set up a cluster of new nodes using VMware’s vCenter, selecting the vSAN Max option. They can choose between local deployments or a “stretched cluster.” Local deployments require either four or seven nodes based on functionality, while stretched clusters necessitate a minimum of eight nodes across two locations.
While vSAN Max can be installed on standard hardware, experts recommend utilizing certified vSAN-ready nodes to ensure optimal performance.
What vSAN Max alternatives exist?
Within the enterprise landscape, vSAN Max competes with various options, particularly those compatible with vSphere ESXi hosts. These include solutions from hardware providers like HPE and Pure Storage.
Additionally, systems leveraging commodity hardware, such as software-defined storage solutions from Nutanix, StarWind, and Nexenta, present competition. HCI products from Scale Computing and HPE are also contenders.
“Given that vSAN Max is disaggregated storage, traditional SAN and NAS vendors like Dell, NetApp, IBM, and Pure Storage remain strong alternatives,” notes Howarth.
Notably, even non-vSAN-ready storage can connect to a vSAN Max cluster via iSCSI.
What kind of pressure is vSAN Max under after the Broadcom takeover of VMware?
The hardware options provided by vSAN Max offer advantages to enterprises seeking to enhance their virtual machine storage, especially for those with existing vSAN investments.
However, following Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware, uncertainty regarding product lines and licensing costs may cause CIOs to reassess their options, potentially favoring more adaptable solutions.
“The primary concern is the diminished trust in Broadcom and VMware,” says Holton from GigaOm. “Broadcom has negatively impacted the confidence customers and partners previously had in VMware. Increasing investment in VMware might not be the most prudent decision now.”
