University of Portland Boosts VDI Performance with NFS Acceleration Appliance

The University of Portland has implemented a campus-wide virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solution with a network file system (NFS) acceleration appliance to boost performance.

During the university's VDI pilot program, the IT team noticed a bottleneck in the storage system that was causing read latency, despite the fact that they were using higher speed serial-attached SCSI (SAS) disk drives and Flash as cache. Before rolling out the system campus-wide to 3,000 users, including support for a redesigned state-of-the-art digital library, the team began looking for a solution to the read-latency problem.

First they tried a pure solid state drive (SSD) array solution, which did help reduce latency, but it was expensive and didn't tie into the university's network-attached storage (NAS) infrastructure. Then the team discovered the ANX 1500 NFS acceleration appliance from Alacritech.

"I liked the idea that Alacritech's ANX platform could directly integrate with our current NAS system, rather than our current configuration, which was two distinct, separately managed storage systems," said Tom Ank, the storage IT engineer for the university, in a prepared statement. "Furthermore, the read latency for the ANX was actually less than our pure SSD solution and could be purchased at a fraction of the cost. The ANX also enabled us to use less expensive and higher capacity media behind our filers."

The university implemented the ANX 1500 as part of its campus-wide VDI deployment. Because the ANX 1500 enables the university to use lower-cost SATA disk drives in its storage system while maintaining low latency, the university expects to save approximately $200,000 over the next year, according to a news release from Alacritech. Plus, they expect the ANX 1500 to extend the life of the filer, which should save them more money. In subsequent fiscal years, the university expects to save 50 percent per year off the cost of additional storage.

The University of Portland is an independent four-year Catholic institution located in Portland, OR. It serves 3,900 undergraduate and graduate students and employs 320 faculty members.

Further information about the Alacritech ANX 1500 NFS acceleration appliance can be found at alacritech.com.

About the Author

Leila Meyer is a technology writer based in British Columbia. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • glowing blue nodes connected by thin lines in an abstract network on a dark gray to black gradient background

    Report: Generative AI Taking Over SD-WAN Management

    In a few years, nearly three quarters of network operators will use generative AI for SD-WAN management, according to a new report from research firm Gartner.

  • abstract pattern with interconnected blue nodes and lines forming neural network shapes, overlaid with semi-transparent bars and circular data points

    Data, AI Lead Educause Top 10 List for 2025

    Educause recently released its annual Top 10 list of the most important technology issues facing colleges and universities in the coming year, with a familiar trio leading the bunch: data, analytics, and AI. But the report presents these critical technologies through a new lens: restoring trust in higher education.

  • abstract image representing AI tools for reading and writing

    McGraw Hill Introduces 2 Gen AI Learning Tools

    Global education company McGraw Hill has added two new generative AI tools to help personalize learning experiences for both K–12 and higher ed students, according to a news release.

  • abstract image of fragmented, floating geometric shapes with holographic lock icons and encrypted code, set against a dark, glitchy background with intersecting circuits and swirling light trails

    Education Sector a Top Target for Mobile Malware Attacks

    Mobile and IoT/OT cyber threats continue to grow in number and complexity, becoming more targeted and sophisticated, according to a new report from Zscaler.