How to Reuse Old Hardware During Migration from Open-E DSS V7 to Open-E JovianDSS – Best Practices, Benefits, and Recommendations

As organizations evolve, so do their data storage needs. The transition from Open-E DSS V7, which is going to reach its End-of-Life in November 2024, to Open-E JovianDSS presents an opportunity to evaluate and potentially reuse existing hardware. This article explores the scenarios for repurposing old hardware during the migration process, ensuring it meets the minimum requirements of Open-E JovianDSS, and aligns with best practices for a smooth transition.

Learn more about the Open-E DSS V7 End-of-Life.

Scenarios for Reusing Old Hardware

Note: Before deciding on specific reuse scenarios, it’s crucial to understand the minimum hardware requirements for Open-E JovianDSS, which vary based on the deployment configuration:

1. Reusing Hardware for Single-Node Configuration

If the existing hardware from the Open-E DSS V7 system meets the minimum requirements for a single-node configuration, it can be repurposed to host Open-E JovianDSS. This involves ensuring the CPU, RAM, and network capabilities are adequate.

Open-E JovianDSS Single-Node Configuration Minimum Hardware Requirements:

• CPU: 1x 64-bit quad-core 2.60GHz.
• RAM: Minimum of 16GB, but 64GB or more is recommended for optimal performance.
• Network: A 1GbE network interface is minimum, but 1 x 1GbE + 2 x 10GbE network interfaces are highly recommended.

Best Practices: Evaluate the hardware’s performance history and reliability. If the hardware is nearing the end of its lifecycle or has had frequent failures, consider upgrading to new hardware to avoid potential downtime.

2. Reusing Hardware for Cluster Configuration

Cluster configurations require more robust hardware due to the increased demands of high availability and performance. If the old hardware meets or exceeds the minimum requirements for each node in a cluster, it can be utilized in a clustered Open-E JovianDSS environment.

Open-E JovianDSS Cluster Configuration Minimum Hardware Requirements:

• CPU: 1x 64-bit quad-core 2.60GHz (64-bit 8-core 3.00GHz is highly recommended)
• RAM: Minimum of 64GB per node, with a recommendation for 128GB or more for high availability and performance.
• Network: Minimum 3x 1GbE network interface, but 3 x 1GbE + 2 x 10GbE network interfaces are recommended.

Best Practices: Ensure that all nodes in the cluster have uniform performance characteristics. Mixing old and new hardware with significantly different specifications can lead to performance bottlenecks.

3. Reusing Hardware as a Third Node for Backup

Even if the old hardware does not meet the requirements for a single node or cluster configuration, it can still be valuable as a third node for backup purposes. Open-E JovianDSS’s On- & Off-Site Data Protection feature allows for efficient backup and recovery operations.

Open-E JovianDSS Third Node (Backup System) Minimum Hardware Requirements:

• CPU: 1x 64-bit quad-core 2.60GHz.
• RAM: Minimum of 16GB.
• Network: 1GbE is sufficient, though additional network cards are preferred for faster backup and recovery operations.

Best Practices: Ensure the third node has sufficient data storage capacity to handle backup data. Regularly test backup and recovery processes to verify the integrity and performance of the backup system.

Recommendations for a Smooth Transition

• Backup: Before conducting any operations on your data storage, make sure you have a working backup of your data.
• Assessment and Inventory: Conduct a thorough assessment of the existing hardware, documenting specifications and performance metrics. Identify hardware that meets or exceeds the minimum requirements for Open-E JovianDSS.
• Testing and Validation: Before deploying old hardware in a production environment, test it extensively to ensure compatibility and performance. This includes stress testing and running simulated workloads.
• Upgrade Path: For hardware that does not meet the minimum requirements, consider an upgrade path. This might include adding more RAM, upgrading CPUs, or improving network interfaces.
• Redundancy and Reliability: Focus on building redundancy into the new infrastructure. Even if old hardware is reused, ensure that critical components have failover options to maintain high availability.
• Documentation and Monitoring: Document the hardware configuration and setup process meticulously. Implement robust monitoring to track the performance and health of the reused hardware in the new environment.

Consideration of RAID Controllers vs. HBA

One important aspect to consider is that Open-E DSS V7 typically utilizes RAID controllers, whereas Open-E JovianDSS uses Host Bus Adapters (HBA) to allow the system to access the disks directly. While it is theoretically possible to continue using existing RAID controllers with Open-E JovianDSS, this approach is not recommended. Using an HBA provides better performance and flexibility, as it allows Open-E JovianDSS to manage the disks directly, leveraging the advanced features of ZFS.

Hardware Repurposing Benefits

Transitioning from Open-E DSS V7 to Open-E JovianDSS opens up several opportunities beyond just upgrading the software. One of the significant considerations is the potential reuse of existing hardware. Leveraging old hardware can bring benefits across various aspects, including financial savings, ecological impact, logistics, and total cost of ownership (TCO). The list below highlights how it can support a seamless and cost-effective migration while contributing positively to environmental sustainability and operational efficiency.

• Financial: Significant cost savings by repurposing hardware, reducing the need for extensive new investments.
• Ecology: Supports sustainability goals by reducing the environmental impact associated with manufacturing and disposing of hardware.
• Logistics: Streamlines deployment by reusing known and compatible hardware, reducing potential integration issues.
• TCO: Lower initial investment and operational costs, as existing hardware can be serviced and maintained using current practices.

Conclusion

Reusing old hardware during the migration from Open-E DSS V7 to Open-E JovianDSS is a viable option, provided the hardware meets the requirements. By following the best assessment, testing, and deployment practices, you can leverage previous investments while ensuring a reliable and efficient storage infrastructure. The financial savings, ecological benefits, simplified logistics, and reduced TCO further enhance the appeal of repurposing old hardware, making it a strategic choice for many organizations, and potentially the best approach for your business as well.

Not sure what scenario is best for you? Contact the Open-E Team for more information.