The solution is useful for machine learning and scientific applications, including computer simulations.
Stability-wise, a device that has been up and running for years
What is our primary use case?
What is most valuable?
The failover capability and resiliency are some of the solution's valuable features. The big thing is resilience because it has richer coding in it, so multiple devices can't fail. Also, one can still access a number of CBoxes that can allow one to access their file system. Once a device fails, it fails the transparency of the end-user, and it just starts using another resource. The encryption capability, the snapshots, along with a whole bunch of features make the tool valuable. VAST Data keeps adding more and more features all the time.
What needs improvement?
The read/write ratio is an area in the solution with some flaws and needs improvement.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have experience with VAST Data. In the beginning, we put the system in NIH and NASA. NIH initially was using one DBox. Then, it extended to three and later on to ten. They have gone up above eighteen. Also, my company has a partnership with VAST Data.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Stability-wise, we have never had the device go down, even though the policies have been down. It has been a hundred percent available for years.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Our company scaled up the solution to a lot of boxes. We did a lot of data model testing. Then, we discovered it was pretty close, like, ninety percent of linear scaling.
How are customer service and support?
I rate technical support a ten out of ten. In our company, we use the SOC feature and report whatever we want to report, and the technical support gets back to us within hours and sometimes within minutes to address our queries. If I contact the help desk or even call anyone at VAST Data and provide them with a little note or whatever the case is, they get back to us right away.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
How was the initial setup?
The solution's initial setup process was straightforward. Typically, it's up and running every day. It gets installed in less than a day, depending on how big the solution is, and usually, for a single rack, it's less than a day.
It takes a couple of people to rack the equipment, but only one person is needed there to do the software-related aspects during deployment.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Price-wise, VAST Data is not the cheapest, not the most expensive one.
What other advice do I have?
I would tell those planning to use it that they need to test it with features because the benchmark doesn't show its true value. I rate the overall product a ten out of ten.
