Datacore SDS
Server virtualization software
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What is Datacore SDS
DataCore SANsymphony (often referred to as DataCore SDS) is software-defined storage that virtualizes block storage across heterogeneous servers and storage arrays. It is used by infrastructure and storage teams to pool capacity, improve availability, and provide centralized management for SAN environments. The product focuses on storage virtualization features such as mirroring, caching, thin provisioning, and non-disruptive migration between storage systems. It is typically deployed on x86 servers and integrates with common hypervisors and SAN protocols rather than providing server virtualization itself.
Heterogeneous storage virtualization
The platform virtualizes block storage from different vendors and media types into a single pool. This can reduce dependency on a single storage hardware platform and simplify lifecycle management. It supports use cases such as consolidating legacy arrays and standardizing storage services across mixed environments.
High availability and mirroring
SANsymphony supports synchronous mirroring between nodes to provide continuous availability for block volumes. This design can help maintain service during server or storage component failures when deployed with appropriate redundancy. It is commonly used to build active-active storage services across two or more storage nodes.
Non-disruptive migration capabilities
The product supports moving data between underlying storage systems while keeping volumes presented to hosts. This helps with storage refresh projects and array replacements without requiring application downtime in many scenarios. It can also assist with rebalancing capacity and performance across tiers.
Not a virtualization platform
Despite being labeled SDS, the product is primarily storage virtualization, not server virtualization. Organizations looking for compute virtualization, VM lifecycle management, or a cloud compute service will still need a separate hypervisor or IaaS layer. Category fit can be confusing for buyers comparing it to compute-focused platforms.
Requires dedicated storage nodes
Deployments typically require one or more x86 servers to run the SDS software and provide redundancy. This adds infrastructure footprint, sizing work, and operational overhead compared with using a single storage array or a fully managed cloud service. Performance and availability depend heavily on correct node design, networking, and configuration.
Licensing and feature complexity
SDS deployments often involve multiple feature sets (e.g., mirroring, caching, replication) that can affect licensing and design choices. Teams may need specialized storage expertise to tune caching, multipathing, and failover behavior. This can increase implementation time compared with simpler, single-purpose storage solutions.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| Enterprise (EN) | Contact DataCore / Not published on site | Enterprise-class: highest performance & richest feature set; unlimited max capacity per group; up to 64 nodes; licensed per managed TB; includes Premier Support and product updates. |
| Standard (ST) | Contact DataCore / Not published on site | Midrange edition; scalable; ST can be upgraded to EN non-disruptively; licensed per managed TB. |
| Business (BZ) | Contact DataCore / Not published on site (minimum 10 TB per installation) | Entry-level, cost-efficient for smaller HA installations; minimum capacity per group 10 TB; supports up to 2 nodes; no price bands; can upgrade to EN. |
| Backup Repository (BR) | Contact DataCore / Not published on site (scale in 25 TB increments) | Optimized for backup/replication target; scale capacity in 25 TB increments for up to 2-node installations; supports serving storage to 2 hosts concurrently; standalone edition (no upgrade path). |
Notes:
- Licensing model: pricing is licensed based on managed capacity (TB), available as annual or multi-year term licenses; “price per TB goes down as consumption grows” (volume bands/Lifetime Volume Discounts).
- DataCore’s public product pages and data sheet describe editions, capacity granularity and licensing model but do not publish per-TB or per-node list prices for current SANsymphony/SDS; the site provides a 30-day free trial download and directs purchases/quotes to distributors or sales channels.
Seller details
DataCore Software Corporation
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
1998
Private
https://www.datacore.com/
https://x.com/DataCore
https://www.linkedin.com/company/datacore-software/
