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Azure NetApp Files Flexible service level

| Geert van Teylingen |

Storage ANF

YouTube

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Spotify

Apple

Episode #239

Introduction

In episode 239 of our SAP on Azure video podcast we talk about Azure NetApp Files.

After focusing on AI in the last few shows, lets get back to something more deterministik: Storage! We had already talked about sophisticated storage requirements for SAP S/4HANA projects and how Azure NetApp Files provides one of the best and most performant options for the most demanding workload. However, flexibility was sometimes an issue. With the new flexible service level ANF allows you now to independently configure storage capacity and throughput, optimizing costs and performance by right-sizing based on your needs. To give us more insights on this (and covering the latest news around ANF in general) we have Geert joining us again.

Find all the links mentioned here: https://www.saponazurepodcast.de/episode239

Reach out to us for any feedback / questions:

#Microsoft #SAP #Azure #SAPonAzure #Storage #ANF #Infrastructure

Summary created by AI

  • Holger welcomed everyone to the SAP on Azure Video podcast, episode 239, and introduced the topic of storage, specifically Azure NetApp Files (ANF), with Geert as the guest speaker.
  • Importance of Data and Storage:
  • Holger and Geert discussed the importance of data and storage in SAP HANA projects, emphasizing the need for high-performance storage and the role of Azure NetApp Files in providing scalable and cost-effective solutions.
    • Data Importance: Holger and Geert emphasized that data is crucial for every application and business, especially in the context of AI and SAP HANA projects. They highlighted that high-performance storage is essential for these applications to function effectively.
    • ANF Role: Geert explained that Azure NetApp Files (ANF) provides scalable and cost-effective storage solutions, which are particularly beneficial for SAP HANA projects. He mentioned that ANF allows for independent configuration of storage capacity and throughput, optimizing costs and performance.
    • Performance and Cost: Geert discussed how ANF has evolved to offer more cost-effective solutions without compromising on performance. He mentioned that the new flexible service level allows for better cost management by enabling independent scaling of storage capacity and throughput.
  • Geert’s Role and ANF Overview:
  • Geert, the Director of Product Management for Azure NetApp Files, explained his role and provided an overview of ANF, highlighting its use cases and the value it brings to various applications, including SAP HANA and AI.
    • Geert’s Role: Geert introduced himself as the Director of Product Management for Azure NetApp Files. He explained that his team is responsible for outbound product management, which involves turning features and functionalities from the roadmap into real use cases and solutions.
    • ANF Overview: Geert provided an overview of Azure NetApp Files, describing it as Microsoft’s first-party enterprise file storage service powered by NetApp technology in Azure data centers. He highlighted its relevance for various applications, including SAP HANA, AI, and general-purpose file sharing.
    • Use Cases: Geert mentioned that ANF is used in a variety of scenarios, such as SAP HANA databases, Azure VMware solutions, VDI deployments, and high-performance computing. He emphasized that ANF brings significant value to these use cases by providing high-performance and scalable storage solutions.
  • Recent ANF Updates:
  • Geert provided a detailed overview of recent updates to Azure NetApp Files, including the reduction of minimum volume size, support for customer-managed keys, and enhancements in cross-zone replication and application volume groups for Oracle and SAP HANA.
    • Volume Size Reduction: Geert mentioned that the minimum volume size for Azure NetApp Files has been reduced from 100 GB to 50 GB. This change allows for more effective and space-efficient storage, particularly for use cases like shared files where large capacity is not needed.
    • Customer-Managed Keys: Geert highlighted the support for customer-managed keys in application volume groups for Oracle and SAP HANA. This update is particularly important for customers in regulated industries who require enhanced security and governance.
    • Cross-Zone Replication: Geert discussed the enhancements in cross-zone replication, which now allow for volumes with the same name and mount point in different zones. This improvement simplifies failover scenarios and reduces management overhead.
    • Application Volume Groups: Geert explained the general availability of application volume groups for Oracle and SAP HANA. These groups support availability zone volume placement and standard network features, making deployments simpler and more efficient.
  • Flexible Service Level Introduction:
  • Geert introduced the new flexible service level for Azure NetApp Files, explaining how it allows independent configuration of storage capacity and throughput, optimizing costs and performance for various use cases.
    • Flexible Service Level: Geert introduced the flexible service level for Azure NetApp Files, which allows users to configure storage capacity and throughput independently. This flexibility helps optimize costs and performance based on specific needs.
    • Independent Configuration: Geert explained that the flexible service level enables users to provision small capacity with high throughput or large capacity with minimal throughput, depending on their requirements. This feature is particularly useful for scenarios with varying performance needs.
    • Cost Optimization: Geert emphasized that the flexible service level helps in cost optimization by allowing users to pay only for the capacity and performance they need. This approach reduces waste and ensures efficient use of resources.
  • Cost and Performance Benefits:
  • Geert demonstrated the cost and performance benefits of the flexible service level using the Azure NetApp Files performance calculator, showing significant savings and scalability for different deployment scenarios.
    • Performance Calculator: Geert used the Azure NetApp Files performance calculator to demonstrate the cost and performance benefits of the flexible service level. He provided examples showing significant savings in various deployment scenarios.
    • Cost Savings: Geert highlighted that the flexible service level can lead to substantial cost savings by allowing users to provision only the necessary capacity and performance. He provided specific examples to illustrate the potential savings.
    • Scalability: Geert explained that the flexible service level offers scalability, allowing users to adjust performance levels based on their needs. This feature ensures that users can scale up or down as required, optimizing both cost and performance.
  • Availability and Future Prospects:
  • Geert announced that the flexible service level is now available in preview in all Azure NetApp Files regions and discussed the potential benefits for both existing and new customers.
    • Preview Availability: Geert announced that the flexible service level is now available in preview in all Azure NetApp Files regions. This availability allows customers to start using the new feature and benefit from its flexibility and cost optimization.
    • Customer Benefits: Geert discussed the potential benefits of the flexible service level for both existing and new customers. He mentioned that the feature could attract new customers who are looking for flexible and cost-effective storage solutions.

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