Microsoft Storage Spaces Direct Reviews

Microsoft Storage Spaces Direct is often considered cost-effective compared to competitors, especially when using Hyper-V instead of VMware. It features affordable one-time pricing with Windows server bundling and offers licenses on a monthly or yearly basis. However, some perceive it as costly, particularly due to data center licensing and additional tools required for Azure Local solutions. Its pricing is appealing for on-premises Windows environments, ensuring no ongoing hidden expenses within its integrated offerings.

• "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."

Microsoft Storage Spaces Direct is primarily used for consolidations, particularly with Application Centric Infrastructure, Electronic Data Interchange, knowledge bases, SQL Server, and other databases. High IOPS requirements for clients are met. Users utilize it for site recovery and hybrid-converged infrastructure. It supports virtualization, critical infrastructure storage, and SQL Server operations. As system integrators, they work with various storage solutions, focusing on fostering traditional hybrid culture expansion and optimizing data expanse costs.

Users indicate diverse experiences with customer service and support for Microsoft Storage Spaces Direct. While Microsoft's frontline support may not suffice for critical business needs, Premier support is recommended for medium to large enterprises. Dell and Lenovo users often bypass Microsoft by using direct support channels, thanks to their contracts with Microsoft. Support quality varies depending on contract level, but some report unresolved issues. Ratings range from three to four out of ten.

Microsoft Storage Spaces Direct's initial setup is generally straightforward, though hardware compatibility can complicate matters. Users with comprehensive storage knowledge find it easier to implement. Some administrators face challenges due to limited GUI support. There are step-by-step guides available, but varied hardware requirements pose difficulties, with brands like Dell, HP, and Lenovo needing specific configurations. Proper tuning of high-speed storage networks is essential for optimal functionality. Qualified engineers are often required for successful deployment.

Microsoft Storage Spaces Direct offers impressive scalability, allowing clusters to reach up to 16 nodes and utilize Cluster Set technology for grouping. It supports expansion with different hardware generations and offers both vertical and horizontal growth. Adding drives or directly-attached storage without boosting compute is possible. Users noted some scalability challenges when starting with smaller setups, yet praised its architectural advantages, finding it scalable across various scenarios. Automation for volume management remains a desired improvement.

Mixed experiences with Microsoft Storage Spaces Direct's stability are noted. Initial challenges were overcome with experience, and configurations play a crucial role. Many users report stable performance, especially when using Storage Spaces Ready Nodes. Regular training for administrators is recommended for optimal management. While some have not faced stability problems, others rate it between seven and eight due to occasional glitches. Proper configuration is essential for ensuring consistent performance without unexpected issues.