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reviewer1420677 - PeerSpot reviewer
Systems Operations Manager at a healthcare company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Creates shared storage for virtual machines
Pros and Cons
  • "It's completely hyper-converged, so it's very convenient."
  • "It should be easier to use."

What is our primary use case?

Within our organization, there are many people using VMware vSAN.

What is most valuable?

It's completely hyper-converged, so it's very convenient. We get everything in a bundle.

What needs improvement?

It should be easier to use. Only trained people can properly use it. For untrained, system administrators, it's tough to get a firm understanding of the basics, that's why I'm still studying it.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using this solution for two years.

Buyer's Guide
VMware vSAN
March 2025
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What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

VMware vSAN is both scalable and stable.

How are customer service and support?

If I have an issue, their technical support team helps me.

How was the initial setup?

For me personally, the initial setup was not straightforward; I struggled quite a bit.

In preparation, I had to study a lot about the documentation, etc. It took at least one week to complete that.

What other advice do I have?

I would definitely recommend this solution, but be sure to study or complete part of the VMware documentation before you start implementing it.

Overall, on a scale from one to ten, I would give this solution a rating of eight.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Senior Systems Engineer at SMITHFIELD FARMLAND CORP
Real User
Gives us flexibility to move machines around without hesitation, but UI could be better
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable feature is fhe flexibility, the ability to move the machines around without hesitation."
  • "The UI could certainly be better. The inside into what's actually going on with vSAN would be nice to know."

What is our primary use case?

The primary use case is bringing redundancy into our plants for failover. It has been performing great.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature is the flexibility, the ability to move the machines around without hesitation.

What needs improvement?

The UI could certainly be better. The inside into what's actually going on with vSAN would be nice to know.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

There have been a few issues, but VWware support has been tremendous in resolving them, so it's been good.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Scalability is easy to do. It's just drop-and-add and you're good.

How is customer service and technical support?

The process with technical support is pretty good. Escalation up to the top-tier engineers is really good. We have a direct path there. There are no problems with tech support.

What was our ROI?

We probably already reached our ROI aftertwo and a half years.

What other advice do I have?

Make sure your storage network is strong. But I would recommend vSAN.

It's a pretty solid product now that's it's at 6.5 Update 2. I know that it's going to get better, but right now I'm pretty happy with where we're at. I would rate it at seven out of ten. Nothing's perfect. There's always room for improvement.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
VMware vSAN
March 2025
Learn what your peers think about VMware vSAN. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: March 2025.
842,690 professionals have used our research since 2012.
it_user473589 - PeerSpot reviewer
Virtualization System Administrator. at a integrator with 51-200 employees
Real User
We were able to create different security policies depending on the virtual machines according to their needs for performance or availability
Pros and Cons
  • "The most important functionality is the ability to extend cluster storage and cluster computing power securely without loss of data."
  • "I lose a node in a cluster vSAN, which is also used as a cluster HA. I lose not only the storage part, which is not necessarily serious (depending on the configuration of the vSAN cluster), but on the other hand, I lose also a node of Compute, which can make things complicated quickly."

How has it helped my organization?

It is precisely the possibility of being able to extend the capacities of the cluster of storage and calculation by the simple addition of one or more physical server which makes us lean on this solution in a secure way.

Moreover, with the storage policy, we were able to create different security policies depending on the virtual machines according to their needs for performance or availability.

What is most valuable?

The most important functionality is the ability to extend cluster storage and cluster computing power securely without loss of data. Also, the ability to set up an extended cluster on multiple sites in a much simpler and easier way than with a traditional storage solution.

What needs improvement?

This product is usable in many cases. It can be used for a wide range of applications.

It is also possible, for example, to parameterize a stretch cluster at the very least without going to a costly solution based on conventional storage, such as MetroCluster, or another solution of the same level.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

No, for the moment, we have not had any unpleasantness related to stability from the time the technical prerequisites are met (hardware in the VMware Compatibility Guide, par example), as well as best practice to design.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

No. It's no problem. To be honest, we have not upgraded any vSAN infrastructure to date.

I just had to increase the capacity of a cluster in production by a simple addition of hosts, from the moment the compatibility with the existing one has been checked, there are no problems.

Adding this very simply by drag and drop from the host to the vSAN cluster, beforehand, the host must be placed in maintenance mode. Then, we have more than to add the HDD and SSD to the cluster vSAN in place -- either they are claimed automatically or manually. It all depends on the cluster configuration.

How are customer service and technical support?

I have never had to contact VMware technical support.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

No, I didn’t use other solutions previously, because converged solutions are new technologies and I knew VMware Technology's reputation. But, I am developing other competencies, especially with Nutanix Technology.

How was the initial setup?

From the moment you're used to the VMware vSphere Web Client interface, there are no problems.

The activation is really simple, since it is done with a simple click if one can stay at the level of the parameters of the cluster VMware vSphere.

Then, depending on the number of hosts in the cluster, it will be possible to define a certain number of Fault Domains, that is to say, a quantity of permissible hosts losses, for example.

Moreover, depending on the amount of RAM available in each host and the amount of SSD, we can define one or more Disk Group, as well as host more or fewer objects. But this is more a question of design, which must intervene upstream of course.

The biggest difficulty lies in the design of the solution in order to be closer to the Service-Level Agreement of the company. There are a lot of possibilities according to the number of fault domain one wishes to have, if one makes vSAN on a site or multi-site, the degree of protection of virtual machines, etc,

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Basically, vSAN is a license in addition to that of the classic VMware Vsphere, which is also mandatory.

The easiest way is to get closer to VMware directly; it's much simpler and easier.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

Yes, at the time, like everyone else, we looked at the classic option, storage bay with SSD caches, but the prices were not necessarily interesting.

Moreover, it requires knowing all the management consoles and specificities related to particular types of storage, network, and infrastructure.

With the use of VMware vSAN, we have not had this worry, since by mastering the VMware vSphere Web Client, I manage all from a single interface, and it is very simple.

Today, I am looking at Nutanix products, and other VxRAIL, and the goal is to identify a concurrent product which can interest us.

What other advice do I have?

Test the product before implementation to see if it fits your needs. Above all, be careful with technical prerequisites and other technical constraints.

To be accompanied by the pre-sales of editor would be the simplest.

Most importantly, the interface is simple, but it is clear that bad handling can have unfortunate consequences.

A simple example: I lose a node in a cluster vSAN, which is also used as a cluster HA. I lose not only the storage part, which is not necessarily serious (depending on the configuration of the vSAN cluster), but on the other hand, I lose also a node of Compute, which can make things complicated quickly.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
it_user473589 - PeerSpot reviewer
it_user473589Virtualization System Administrator. at a integrator with 51-200 employees
Real User

Hi Henry
Thank you so much.

See all 2 comments
it_user315723 - PeerSpot reviewer
Systems Engineer at a media company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Vendor
We've gotten rid of shared storage, which is a better solution than an all-flash array. I've heard, however, that maintenance of it causes stability issues.

Valuable Features

Getting rid of sharing storage, especially VSAN 6. That would be even better than having an all-flash array.

Stability Issues

I hear a lot of issues of stability whenever you go to maintenance, but people who are having spectacular experiences are not speaking the loudest so it can be hard to tell.

Scalability Issues

I haven’t looked at configuration maximums but it seems like you can scale it up pretty hard in terms of clusters with vSphere 6.

Customer Service and Technical Support

Customer Service:

In general, VMware customer support is world class. Response time is really quick – you get connected to experts much faster than in other companies, like Microsoft for example.

Technical Support:

All I've seen is community support, especially from bloggers and community experts. I haven’t had any experience.

Initial Setup

It's not very different than vSphere 3. If you're comfortable with VMware it’s straightforward. From what Ive seen, it’s a simple install once you have all the hardware. I have heard you have to tweak it performance wise.

Other Advice

Support is up there in the top five things to look at. If you can call, have online communities, easy access to articles. I would also add that if you can get through to someone who has deep knowledge of the product quickly.

Stability, the issue that we have run into is that they are fly-by-night brand new startups and you can get stranded without support.

You need to vet the company, they need to be around in a few weeks to help you. Also, peer reviews are very important – invaluable. Salesmen will tell you everything, we look at whitepapers and vendor supplied information. Google is your friend.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
IT Manager at Triara
Real User
Storage software that is dynamic and compatible with many other solutions including VCF and VMware Cloud Foundation
Pros and Cons
  • "The feature we have found most valuable is the compatibility of VMware products with VCF and VMware Cloud Foundation."
  • "We often run out of space but we have enough capacity for memory and CPU. It's difficult to find the balance between storage and memory CPU."

What is most valuable?

The feature we have found most valuable is the compatibility of VMware products with VCF and VMware Cloud Foundation.

What needs improvement?

We often run out of space but we have enough capacity for memory and CPU. It's difficult to find the balance between storage and memory CPU.

Overall, this is a simple solution but could be improved due to the issue with vSAN ReadyNodes. There are many compatibility requirements for storage using this solution that are difficult to meet.

For how long have I used the solution?

We have used this solution for two years. 

How are customer service and support?

The enterprise customer service and support are very good and feedback is fast. 

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup was straightforward but we have experienced some setbacks with deployments. 

What other advice do I have?

I would rate this solution a nine out of ten. 

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
reviewer929742 - PeerSpot reviewer
System support engineer at a financial services firm with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
Stable, easy to set up and quick to deploy
Pros and Cons
  • "The scalability has been quite good."
  • "We would like to see even more storage capacity."

What is our primary use case?

We have a backup server using this technology. We move data in real-time. 

What is most valuable?

The solution is very stable.

The scalability has been quite good.

The initial setup is pretty quick and easy.

What needs improvement?

We would like to see even more storage capacity. 

Technical support could be more knowledgeable.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using the solution for two to three years. It's been a while. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The stability is good. The solution doesn't have bugs or glitches. It doesn't crash or freeze. It's very reliable and the performance has been great.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution is scalable. We have already upgraded to extend it. We do plan to extend it again and we are going to expand.

How are customer service and support?

We've dealt with technical support previously. It would be helpful if they were more knowledgeable. We had a bottleneck with the technical support team. We required a part and we just couldn't get it and it was delayed. It caused an issue around storage for us.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We did previously use internal storage solutions.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is very straightforward. It's so simple you don't need any technical assistance or anything like that.

The deployment is pretty fast and only takes one to three hours or so. It's not a long process at all. 

What about the implementation team?

We do have an integrator that can assist with the implementation. 

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

We do have to pay a yearly licensing fee. It's a subscription for the hardware.

What other advice do I have?

I'd rate the solution at a ten out of ten. We are very satisfied with its capabilities.

I would recommend the solution to others.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
reviewer965808 - PeerSpot reviewer
Solution Manager at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
High performance, scalable, and great technical support
Pros and Cons
  • "The solution has high performance."
  • "VMware vSAN could improve by adding NAS and object storage."

What is our primary use case?

VMware vSAN is a software-defined storage solution and there are no hardware dependencies. We use it for general-purpose workloads or Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI).

What is most valuable?

The solution has high performance.

What needs improvement?

VMware vSAN could improve by adding NAS and object storage.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using VMware vSAN for approximately four years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution has been stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

VMware vSAN is scalable.

We have approximately 5,000 people using this solution in my organization. 

Our last customer in India had over 180 servers running.

How are customer service and support?

The technical support has been great from VMware vSAN.

How was the initial setup?

The installation was straightforward. We did not find it difficult.

What about the implementation team?

We have a team of 50 that does the maintenance and support of the solution.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

We pay for a license to use the solution through our company CapEx and then we continue to pay annually.

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend this solution to others.

I rate VMware vSAN a nine out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Senior Infrastructure Solutions Specialist at Fiber Misr
Real User
Good performance, straightforward to set up, and integrates well with vSphere
Pros and Cons
  • "This product has very good performance when it comes to virtualization storage and works well with solutions such as SAP HANA, Exadata, Hadoop, and Big Data Analytics."
  • "More focus has to be put on deduplication and compression with a hybrid architecture."

What is our primary use case?

We are a solution provider and VMware vSAN is one of the software-defined storage products that we propose to our customers. Most of the use cases that we see from our customers are where they need to utilize their own hardware. When the environment grows then they buy additional storage.

What is most valuable?

This product has very good performance when it comes to virtualization storage and works well with solutions such as SAP HANA, Exadata, Hadoop, and Big Data Analytics.

The most valuable feature is the integration with vSphere.

The deduplication and compression work well. 

One of the benefits of using this solution is that when you need additional storage, you just add it.

What needs improvement?

More focus has to be put on deduplication and compression with a hybrid architecture. The reason is that some customers need to have a more cost-effective solution so they don't want to implement all-flash. As such, they need to use a hybrid environment.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been working with VMware vSAN for more than ten years, from when vSAN first began.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

This is a very reliable product.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is easy to deploy additional machines when you need them for your workload.

vSAN can be expanded up to 96 hosts.

How are customer service and technical support?

The support is very good and they respond quickly.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is very straightforward. The length of time required for deployment depends on the number of nodes that it will be installed in. The typical setup takes from one week to two weeks.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The pricing vSAN is very expensive. Enterprise customers can customize their licenses according to their own needs and budget.

What other advice do I have?

There is a cloud offering of this solution but our customers always choose the on-premises version. Most of our customers do not use vSAN as a standalone solution but rather, as part of a hyper-converged infrastructure. We normally propose its use with a product like VxRail and my advice is not to implement it standalone.

I would rate this solution an eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
PeerSpot user
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Updated: March 2025
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Buyer's Guide
Download our free VMware vSAN Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.