Microsoft Storage Spaces Direct Reviews

Enterprise users find Microsoft Storage Spaces Direct to be cost-effective compared to VMware, with significant savings when used with Hyper-V. While the initial investment can seem high due to data center licensing, some users highlight the affordability, particularly with one-time pricing as a bundled Windows Server feature. No ongoing costs exist. Monthly or yearly licenses offer flexibility, but some note potential hidden costs in Azure environments with additional monitoring tools. Overall, it is a budget-friendly option.

• "The solution is expensive."
• "Cost-wise the product is one of the more affordable within the category of products."
• "With the data center licensing and everything that is connected to that, this solution is relatively costly."

Organizations primarily use Microsoft Storage Spaces Direct for consolidation efforts, including ACI, EDI, knowledge bases, SQL servers, and application-centric infrastructure. High IOPS support is essential for these tasks. Many leverage this technology for virtualization and as a hyper-converged storage option. Site recovery using a hybrid-converged infrastructure also ranks highly. System integrators focus on fostering traditional hybrid culture transitions and addressing VMware maintenance challenges, optimizing data management, and scaling storage from internal disks to servers.

Microsoft Storage Spaces Direct customer service and support receive mixed feedback. Some find frontline support inadequate for critical business needs, recommending Microsoft Premier for larger operations. Users benefit from vendor partnerships with brands like Dell and Lenovo, allowing direct support without contacting Microsoft. Premium-level contracts enhance the support experience, sometimes reaching developers. While some rate the support favorably, others highlight issues like delayed solutions and a lack of focus due to Azure prioritization.

Microsoft Storage Spaces Direct's initial setup is generally straightforward, especially with the right hardware. Early documentation had gaps, particularly in RDMA interoperability, though updates have improved clarity. Some administrators find it intuitive with command-line experience, but limited GUI options challenge others. Diverse hardware makes specific requirements complex, and understanding storage intricacies is vital. Setup often necessitates specialized knowledge despite ease in following online guides and compatibility requires careful considerations.

Microsoft Storage Spaces Direct supports scalability up to 16 nodes. Users appreciate the ability to expand vertically and horizontally, allowing integration of diverse hardware generations. Some note challenges when adding nodes, suggesting automation for improved volume management. The technology enables the grouping of clusters for expanded capacity, though two-node setups require a complete rebuild. The architecture offers flexibility in upgrading storage or adding nodes without increasing compute, with mixed opinions on initial redundancy handling.

Early challenges were noted, but confidence increased with use and learning. Stability improves with proper configuration and training. Some users experienced no issues, while others faced glitches, especially when configurations were incorrect. Ready Nodes aid in stability, making management easier. Stability is rated seven or eight out of ten. Training is crucial despite familiarity with Windows Server. Smaller applications tend to run smoothly, and testing takes time to ensure reliability.