StarWind Virtual SAN Reviews

My main use case for StarWind Virtual SAN is testing in lab environments and as a temporary setup where I needed storage on existing hardware.

A specific example of how I used StarWind Virtual SAN in my lab is as storage for virtual machines in Proxmox.

The best features StarWind Virtual SAN offers in my experience are that there is a free version and it can be used as hyper-converged storage over multiple nodes.

StarWind Virtual SAN has positively impacted my organization because the straightforward setup has made things easier for my work and organization.

StarWind Virtual SAN can be improved by adding a possibility to install bare metal on hardware to use as storage without using it in a hyper-converged configuration.

I have been using StarWind Virtual SAN for approximately two to three years.

In my experience, StarWind Virtual SAN is stable.

From my experience, StarWind Virtual SAN's scalability is good.

I did not need to contact customer support for StarWind Virtual SAN.

I previously used a different solution, specifically Open-E, but the experiences were not as good from a stability standpoint.

I have not seen a return on investment and cannot share any relevant metrics, such as time saved, money saved, or fewer employees needed.

My experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing is that there is a free version, which is beneficial. However, when you need pricing information, you have to contact sales, which is a downside.

Before choosing StarWind Virtual SAN, I did not evaluate other options and simply found StarWind Virtual SAN ranked first on Google.

I have used StarWind Virtual SAN on multiple virtual machines to create a high-availability storage solution. I gave this review a rating of 8 out of 10.

On-premises

My main use case for StarWind Virtual SAN involves our physical servers, where I monitor the virtual machines and the storage we have attached to it.

It has simplified the daily monitorin gof our VMs

In my opinion, the best features StarWind Virtual SAN offers are its flexibility and the ability to combine the storage types we have, and it stands out because it is easy to use.

StarWind Virtual SAN has positively impacted my organization by giving us the flexibility and freedom to have more time for other projects. It is a tool that does not have many problems or create any issues, so we can concentrate on other projects.

Currently, StarWind Virtual SAN is working perfectly fine, so there are no changes I would suggest.

I have been using StarWind Virtual SAN for a couple of years now.

StarWind Virtual SAN is stable.

The scalability of StarWind Virtual SAN is pretty good.

We did not use customer support for StarWind Virtual SAN.

Positive

I did not previously use a different solution before StarWind Virtual SAN.

The pricing and setup were easy. It was easy to deploy, which was the best part I think, and for pricing, it is a relatively good price.

I have seen a return on investment with StarWind Virtual SAN, particularly in time saved, as I can have more free time to concentrate myself and the team on other projects.

My experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing for StarWind Virtual SAN was okay.

Before choosing StarWind Virtual SAN, I did not evaluate other options.

My advice to others looking into using StarWind Virtual SAN is that they should use it and give it a try because it is a very nice, easy, and working solution.

I just want to say to StarWind Virtual SAN to keep up the good job.

On a scale of one to ten, I rate StarWind Virtual SAN a ten out of ten.

On-premises

We use the service to provide two-node hyper-converged storage to our application servers. 

We previously did not have any type of high-availability storage, and as you can guess, it was a mess. Getting high-availability storage was one of our first priorities when a new IT team was formed. 

Through talking with other customers, this is a great solution for us. In the more than six years of use now, we have not had any issues and support has always been great. They have helped us make config changes and do updates without any downtime.

Moving us to high availability storage has made our websites and applications more reliable. It also has allowed us to perform updates on storage and application servers without having downtime. Previously, to do any of those things was a pain as we would have to shut services down to perform any updates, whether security or features.

When compared to other providers, StarWind provided a great product at a reasonable price. Cost is also very important to a non-profit.

Having high-availability storage has made our lives easier. Having a two-node cluster without dealing with split-brain saves us the extra costs in hardware and maintenance. This is especially important to us since we are a non-profit. 

Having support is also very valuable to us as we are a small team. We have had very few vendors that we never had frustrations with their support and StarWind is definitely one of them. As for reliability, we have never had a single problem.

Since our needs are simple in comparison to large corporations, when it comes to needs, we often just need the basic plans. Therefore, we cannot speak much into what we want to see improvements in due to our simple needs but also because we rarely touch it. We mostly touch it just to do updates. 

As for the financial aspect of this, there is not much need for improvement either as they are much cheaper than the alternatives. We have found this product to suit our needs. 

I've used the solution for more than six years.

Never had an issue with stability.

We have never had issues with scaling and we run applications and databases using the storage solution.

Their support did most of the work when it came to the setup.

On-premises

In production, I wanted to use StarWind Virtual SAN for shared storage. My main use case for StarWind Virtual SAN is shared storage. I wanted shared storage with local resources for Hyper-V, specifically Hyper-V nodes with local resources.

The best features of StarWind Virtual SAN are in the paid version. The integration with Hyper-V is very useful and stood out to me in the version features.

The better features are in the paid version, and I would like to see something from the graphical user interface in the free version, which is not available.

I wanted to see better understanding of the software in the free version to have at least for a period of time all the functionality from the paid version, so I could make an opinion about the software.

I have been using the solution for over four years.

StarWind Virtual SAN is stable.

I use it with just two nodes of Hyper-V, and it handles growth well.

I use StarWind Virtual SAN because I switched from a different solution.

Before choosing StarWind Virtual SAN, I evaluated Cisco and Dell.

On-premises

Other

The StarWind vSAN product is not used directly by me. We use it in the organization via one of our clients. It is used as a shared storage solution for a Hyper-V converged project with two nodes. The project consists of a cluster with two Hyper-V nodes in which several virtual machines are running. 

The hardware is quite common. The disks used on the two virtual hosts are normal 7000 SATA disks. Only the synchronization interests are 10GB. Otherwise, there's nothing special; they are usual servers with Xeon processors from the 2018 generation.

StarWind Virtual SAN was the most optimal choice, both from a financial point of view and in terms of compatibility. It is an excellent choice for use together with Microsoft Hyper-V. Other options would have been the use of Microsoft Server Datacenter licenses on the two nodes and the use of Storage Replica and Storage Space Direct as a storage solution or VMware vSAN, both of which would have cost considerably more without bringing anything extra from the point of view of functionality or reliability, compared to Starwind Virtual SAN.

Although StarWind Virtual SAN free is fully functional and can be used in production, the support that comes with the license is priceless, the expertise of the StarWind support specialists is worth all the money. 

Also, the administration console, which is only available for the paid version, is extremely useful, being very intuitive and easy to use. The information displayed in the console is excellently structured, so that the complete solution can be seen in a single screen, which is very useful in monitoring and diagnosing the system.

While using StarWind Virtual SAN so far, I have not found anything missing. It is true that we are using it in a very strict project in which we were looking for a solution that would satisfy a strict set of requirements, and StarWind Virtual SAN explicitly fulfilled that set of requirements, we were not looking for a solution with many options. That's why I can't say if improvements are necessary. The options used in our project have everything we need and they have managed in excellent time regardless of the citations that have appeared so far.

We have been using this solution for over five years.

It is very reliable. In the five-plus years since we have had it in production, it has coped brilliantly with all the events that have occurred.

It is extremely scalable. The free version is limited to three nodes. However, the licensed version has an unlimited number of nodes.

The support was excellent. I was assisted well and all the steps were explained to me, including how it should be set up and why, making the initial implementation of the project easy.

Positive

We opted from the beginning to do the project with StarWind Virtual SAN.

The initial setup was quite intuitive. That said, I had full support from StarWind at the beginning of the project implementation.

The solution was implemented in-house.

Choose StarWind Virtual SAN, it is the most flexible, reliable and cheap solution.

I evaluated Window Server Datacenter licenses for Storage Space and B2B, and another attempt with VMware vSAN. Both did not fit very well and were also considerably more expensive.

You can use the free evaluation version to see if it is what you need.

On-premises

Other

Our use case is for an oil and gas site with 200 ATEX cameras and 30 administrative buildings that have 400 indoor and outdoor cameras. All of the cameras are connected to a VLAN switch in each area. 

All of the switches are connected to the core switch in the data center through a fibre network between buildings. 

We add all cameras to management servers and they are divided to recording servers. There are 30 cameras for each recording server. 

We create a Microsoft failover cluster to achieve redundancy between management servers.

Another use case is to create a storage pool (4TB) to store SQL DB to achieve database stability and make it reachable to each server.

It provides shared storage to multiple hypervisor hosts. Times have changed, however. StarWind Virtual SAN is the “software replaces hardware” for SAN. We have access control and CCTV systems up and running using Microsoft clustering and shared storage

From time to time we face some issues with the storage unit and the whole cluster goes down. We replaced the storage with virtual SAN on both the nodes of each system using StarWind and now the system is more stable and has failover redundancy.

It is easy to use and can monitor system synchronization and check the storage status. StarWind Virtual SAN (VSAN) combines flash and disks of the cluster and forms a virtual shared storage “pool” accessible by all hosts. 

StarWind cuts down virtualization costs and complexity by eliminating the need for physical shared storage (SAN). 

It offers enterprise-level high availability (HA), deployable and easily configured. We get technical support from their team for the implementation software and if we have any issues.

You can maintain and update it with little to no fuss, even the free version is incredibly capable whilst it brings the cost of a Highly Available HCI solution down to a very cost-effective point. 

Having used Starwind Virtual SAN for many years both for clients and for internal systems, it has always done exactly what it set out to do. It provides a cost-effective way to run an HCI storage platform for almost any hypervisor, but it is most effective with Hyper-V. It's simple and easy to use, 

The software monitoring should be web-based to be reachable from any VLAN workstation.

I have been using the solution for five years.

We needed a solution that provided highly available storage via ISCSI, replicating to multiple physical sites synchronously. We needed it to be easy to use, easy to manage, and cost-effective. Ideally, there would be no vendor lock-in or special hardware needing to be purchased. 

We found StarWind, and this 100% solved our problem. We've used StarWind on a pair of nodes populated with a large amount of flash disks. They then are running on dedicated switches for ISCSI back to our Hyper-V hypervisors, as well as utilizing a dedicated sync link for replication across our metro wan. With this, we're able to have real-time replication of our data between multiple sites.

The ease of management of StarWind, compared to other vendors, has made it a top winner for us. Not only is it possible for junior sysadmins to understand it - it's also reliable. It's backed up by time-tested systems, such as MPIO, ZFS, and ISCSI. 

There's no vendor black magic in a StarWind Box. It's just a box that works. By adding the synchronous repped storage, our system is able to keep real-time data in sync for our virtual machines without having to look into application clustering.

The highly available setup and synchronous replication without the need for a quorum node is huge for us. We wanted storage that would sync the replication between two sites as fast as possible. By utilizing StarWind, we were able to set this up quickly, using dedicated connections, and not have to worry about it. 

It works as well as can be expected. In addition, the ability to choose our own hardware and our own vendors for this was hugely beneficial, as we had pre-existing relationships with vendors we wanted to maintain.

The company is going through a changeover in its current product lineup. This has led to looking stuff up via search engines, hitting both the new and old content, which makes answering questions on your own difficult. I also would have preferred it if I had been able to get pricing before contacting them. 

For additional features, I'd love to see native export of metrics (via Prometheus or something of that nature) to allow us to get more metrics available on our existing dashboard software. I'd also like to see a more robust API for controls.

I've used the solution for 12 months.

The stability has been rock solid. We're running it on a KVM hypervisor and have had no issues in the slightest.

Scalability met our needs; however, it would not perform as well if you added more nodes, as you're increasing your replication delta.

Customer service and support have been great for the little time that we've had to talk to them. They are out of Eastern Europe and are obviously on a virtual phone. This can lead to some audio issues, however, nothing stops it.

Positive

Historically, I had used HPE Lefthand for sync rep storage. While it did the job, it was definitely older technology and has been unsettled.

The setup is extremely straightforward. The software is delivered via a template, so rolling it out is like any other VM. Also, the software includes setup support directly with an engineer who is more than willing to answer questions.

We did a combo of both in-house and vendor. We deployed the VM and then had the vendor assist us. I'd rank them a ten out of ten for knowing how their system works and offering various hypervisors access storage.

Our ROI has been difficult to calculate as this was a required purchase.

The cost of this is less than you expect. Since they're selling a software stack, you do need to consider your own hardware costs.

We have gone through the gamut of technologies and examined Linbit, Ceph, non-clustered ZFS, cluster ZFS, HPE Nimble, Pure, and more.

On-premises

I work as a Senior Systems Administrator at a mid-sized company in the financial services industry.

The single sign-on capabilities have been a huge time saver for our users. The multi-factor authentication also adds a much-needed layer of security, especially with so many people working remotely these days. The centralized management is great. Being able to manage user access and permissions from one place simplifies things considerably. The integration with other Microsoft products is also a plus.

Initially, there was a bit of a learning curve for some of our users, but Microsoft's documentation was helpful. Also, the pricing can be a bit complex depending on the features you need.

We used a previous identity and access management solution before Azure Active Directory. Azure AD is much more user-friendly and has a better integration with our existing infrastructure.

Also, the pricing can be a bit complex depending on the features you need.

Overall, I would recommend Azure Active Directory to other companies. It’s been a valuable addition to our IT infrastructure.

Other

The product is being utilized within an airgap lab environment, which means it is isolated from external networks and internet connectivity for security reasons. The virtual Storage Area Network (SAN) is integrated into the system alongside Hyper-V, a virtualization platform developed by Microsoft. 

This configuration allows for efficient storage management and virtualization capabilities within the isolated environment of the lab. The virtual SAN helps in providing centralized storage resources that can be dynamically allocated to virtual machines running on the Hyper-V infrastructure, enhancing the overall performance and flexibility of the system. 

By combining these technologies, users can optimize their lab environment for testing, development, or research purposes without compromising security or network integrity.

This innovative product has significantly enhanced speed, security, and organization. With its advanced features and capabilities, users can experience improved efficiency and productivity. 

The optimization of speed ensures rapid performance, allowing tasks to be completed more quickly and effectively. Additionally, the enhanced security measures provide peace of mind and safeguard sensitive information from potential threats. 

Furthermore, the organization features streamlined processes and ensures easy access to important data, ultimately contributing to a more seamless and structured workflow. 

This product has proven to be a valuable asset in enhancing overall operations and effectiveness.

When it comes to ease of installation, the whole process is designed to be user-friendly and straightforward. With simple step-by-step instructions and all the necessary tools included in the package, setting up the product is a breeze. Even for those who are not particularly tech-savvy, the installation can be completed in a matter of minutes without any hassle. Whether it's assembling a piece of furniture, installing software, or setting up a new device, the ease of installation ensures a smooth and hassle-free experience for users.

The dashboard is functional, but it could benefit from a more modern and visually appealing design. A facelift would not only enhance the overall aesthetics but also improve user experience by making it more intuitive and user-friendly. 

Updates such as streamlined navigation, clearer data visualization, and customizable widgets could make the dashboard more engaging and efficient for users. 

A fresh look and improved functionality would elevate the dashboard to better meet the needs and expectations of users.

I've used the solution for six months.

One of the standout features of the device is its exceptional stability when used for virtual SANS (Storage Area Network). The stability ensures that data transfer and storage operations are smooth and uninterrupted, making it a reliable and efficient solution for managing and accessing large volumes of data in a network environment. 

This feature enhances the overall performance and reliability of the virtual SANS, making it a valuable asset for businesses and organizations that rely on secure and high-speed data storage solutions.

One of the best features of the product is its scalability. This allows users to easily customize and adjust the product to suit their specific needs and preferences. 

Whether it's expanding storage capacity, upgrading performance capabilities, or adapting to different user requirements, the scalability of the product ensures versatility and flexibility. 

Additionally, scalability often means that the product can grow with the user, accommodating changing needs over time without the need for a complete overhaul or replacement. This feature adds significant value to the product by enhancing its longevity and adaptability in various scenarios.

Their support team is highly knowledgeable and skilled in assisting customers with any technical issues they may encounter. 

Whether it's troubleshooting a complex setup, optimizing performance, or addressing compatibility concerns, the StarWind customer service team is well-equipped to provide expert guidance and solutions. 

Customers can rely on their technical expertise to ensure smooth implementation and operation of the Virtual SAN solution.

Positive

I did not previously use a different solution. 

The installation of StarWind Virtual SAN was straightforward and seamless. The user-friendly interface guided me through the process step by step, making it easy to set up and configure. 

I was impressed by the clear instructions and the minimal technical knowledge required to get the software up and running. The whole installation process was efficient and well-organized, allowing me to quickly deploy the virtual SAN solution without any hassle.

My experience with installing StarWind Virtual SAN was smooth and hassle-free.

We used an in-house team.

We witnessed an ROI within one to three months.

I did not evaluate other options. 

On-premises

HCI was set up to host our ERP web apps, domain controller, and phone system.  We are using this in production, staging, and development with around 40 virtual machines. We are using Linux and Windows with VMware as the ESXi host. 

Our main use of StarWind HCI is creating a super-smooth virtualized server setup. It blends tech magic, merging storage, networking, and more into one. We were always running into the issues of needing to add more storage and having to pull down our servers, notify customers of the downtime, etc., however, not anymore.

The solution offers failover protection and the ability to expand storage and nodes with no downtime.  Our customers who use our web apps benefit from nearly zero downtime due to hardware failure, hardware replacement, or upgrades. 

Now we are looking at replicating a similar cluster setup for our firewall, switches, and ISP so we can get nearly 0.00% downtime which I know is not possible, however, with the new HCI setup, it is possible to at least almost get there. 

Their support is by far the best enterprise-level support I have come across.

The failover protection and the ability to expand storage and nodes with no downtime are by far the best physical features we have benefited from. Once we requested help from sales, it was a very easy decision compared to VMware where you get lost among the mess of products and low-trained phone techs.

Their web UI is very basic and that is how it should be. The magic is what their HCI setup does behind the scenes for redundancy and the ability to expand storage without ever having to go offline since another node picks up the storage.

Our company was hoping for deduplication and encryption across HCI. That is currently not supported. They used to have it and was removed. Hopefully, both of these features will be coming in upcoming releases.  

A built-in DR that can be stretched with high latency would be very helpful as well. We were able to purchase VMware 8 for our hosts. It would be nice if they developed their own ESXi OS to compete with VMware as the other options out there are not great. VMware does what it needs, however, their support is not great.

I've been using the solution for one week.

We've had no downtime so far.

You can scale as much as your company will need.

Technical support is good. Somebody is always available 24/7.

Positive

I did not use a different solution.

The initial setup was very straightforward.

We used StarWind in-house support as they do most of the setup before they send it to you.

We've witnessed downtime within two years.

I'd advise new users to have sales walk them through all the options and also ask them about purchasing the hardware for you.

I previously evaluated VMware.

On-premises