Storage

File Services

OpenSolaris features a complete range of file services that provide reliable, flexible data management, including the ZFS file system, in-kernel Windows interoperability, and world class NFS services.

• • ZFS
  ZFS is a new kind of file system that provides simple administration, end-to-end data integrity, and immense scalability that's changing the way storage is deployed and managed.
  
  
• • CIFS
  Open interoperability with Windows has never been easier, thanks to the OpenSolaris CIFS service. Significant performance and security enhancements make the integrated OpenSolaris in-kernel CIFS implementation ideal for Open Storage.
  
  
• • NFS
  Delivering a world-class NFS implementation for over 25 years.
  
  

Storage Targets & Drivers

A storage aware OS makes it easy to deploy storage in your environment. Our COMSTAR framework simplifies this task even further.

• • Fibre Channel
  Create a Fibre Channel storage array without relying on special purpose (expensive) hardware.
  
  
• • iSCSI
  Create an iSCSI storage array without relying on special purpose (expensive) hardware.
  
  
• • COMSTAR
  A Common Multiprotocol SCSI Target (COMSTAR) framework that allows you to turn any OpenSolaris host into a SCSI storage device or target, accessible by any initiator hosts. Fibre Channel and iSCSI are supported. To learn more about COMSTAR, read the Administration Guide.
  
  

Storage Management

Streamline storage management functions with tools that address the day-to-day tasks of the IT environment.

• • Solaris Volume Manager
  
  
• • Internet Storage Name Service (iSNS)
  The Internet Storage Name Service (iSNS) is an industry standard which allows automated discovery, management and configuration of iSCSI and Fibre Channel devices (using iFCP gateway) on a TCP/IP network.
  
  

Data Services

• • Data protection with ZFS snapshots
  The built-in snapshot feature of the ZFS file system allows you to save and protect file data as an alternative to local backups.
  
  
• • Reduce Storage Footprint With ZFS Compression
  ZFS supports multiple compression algorithms, including lzjb, gzip, and gzip-N, to reduce the amount of disk space used to hold files and increase data throughput. Compression is performed on a per block basis to help improve storage device utilization.
  
  
• • Hybrid Storage Pools
  ZFS is the first and only file system optimized for Flash that offers increased performance and minimal downtime. Solaris ZFS can combine DRAM, SSDs, and traditional hard drives into a "Hybrid Storage Pool," which provides customers with the speed of Flash SSDs and the economies of hard drives.