Understanding the available storage space on your system can be confusing when considering raw or usable capacity. To clarify, let’s explore how to use these terms when adding capacity to your storage infrastructure or checking the remaining capacity.
The true capacity of a 60TB storage device may not actually be 60TB
Consider an organization seeking to enhance its storage infrastructure by increasing its capacity. For instance, suppose a member of your IT team acquires 100 disk drives, each with a capacity of 600GB, resulting in a total storage capacity of 60TB. However, it is crucial to note that this 60TB represents raw capacity rather than usable capacity. Consequently, the different business units within your organization may begin requesting storage allocations for their projects based on this figure. As a result, all 60TB may be claimed by various business units, even though the actual usable capacity falls short of 60TB.
The usable capacity range can be varied
- The usable storage capacity will be smaller than the raw capacity, typically ranging from 60-70%.
- The RAID configuration and disk drive type used will affect the usable capacity.
- Using more than 80% of the raw capacity can lead to operational problems, seeking advice from a storage engineer is recommended.
Assigned Capacity
It is important to take into account the allocated capacity in your storage environment. Allocated capacity refers to the capacity that has been assigned to host a particular application, like VMWare. Therefore, this type of allocated capacity can be considered as “used” even if it is not currently in use, as it has been allocated to a specific application.
Prioritize clarity when expanding capacity
The lack of clarity regarding the type of capacity number being discussed, whether it is raw or usable, can have a significant impact on your business units and your strategy for thin vs. thick provisioning. Therefore, when considering the purchase or upgrade of a storage array, it is crucial to communicate in terms of usable capacity, as that is the amount that can be utilized within your environment’s pool.
Optimize your capacity requirements with expert assistance
Sureworks Managed Services™ is a powerful tool that enhances the capabilities of your IT team. With our storage performance management services, you can optimize your operations through continuous monitoring, efficient incident management, and other valuable features available round the clock.
