Integrating the S500 into a Windows network is very simple, and setting ACLs on shares and directories in those shares is also simple. Snapshots are integrated with Windows' own Shadow Copy Service, and ACL management can be done from any Windows system with appropriate rights. The NFS side is also easy, with NIS bindings and POSIX-compliant ACLs. iSCSI LUNs can be created at a whim and masking is handled through a relatively straightforward initiator grouping mechanism. NDMP (Network Data Management Protocol) backups are supported, and replication between S500s is also built in.

Given its roots, the S500 has a head start on most other products, and it shows in the robust nature of the solution. Where the S500 falters is in performance. There are two gigabit NICs, but they cannot be bonded together, and although it's certainly capable of pushing lots of bits, it's hamstrung by a lack of resources. Whereas most of the other vendors are using dual CPUs, or at least a single dual-core CPU and a pile of RAM, the S500 runs with a relatively anemic 3GHz Intel Celeron CPU and 1GB of RAM.

The performance tests showed the S500 running in the low end of the pack, but handling different file sizes relatively equally. This is fine for many implementations, but in a high-demand scenario, it's overmatched. During backups, it's possible to consume most or all of the system resources, so 24/7 operations may need to look elsewhere.

That said, for the cost and the stability of the solution, it's a definite winner in the right environment.

Come Together
These products -- and their prices -- highlight a perfect storm of technological innovation. Fast processors, lots of RAM, and big hard drives are cheap these days. One top of that, a solid software base can turn anything into a fast filer. For smaller shops that need to bring in big storage in a hurry, any of these solutions will be right at home. They all have the caveats that come with lower-cost storage, but then again, they wouldn't be low cost if they didn't. Notably, OpenNAS, an open-source filer OS, can do most of what any of these products can do for just the cost of the hardware.

One perfectly reasonable implementation of any of these devices is in parallel. It's difficult for smaller shops to maintain strict tape backup schemes from both a personnel and cost perspective, but given the cost of these devices, buying a few simply to maintain a nearline backup is a terrific idea. They're cheap -- get two, and reduce backup/restore concerns. As front-line filers, they will do fine up to a point, and then it's time to break into the piggy bank for some higher-end storage, which definitely comes with a higher-end price.

The originally published version of this story was missing a page of text. That text has been restored in this republished version. InfoWorld regrets the error.