Nimble Storage has a VSAN but you're not allowed to run it

Nimble Storage has created a virtual version of its storage appliances and the company is debating whether or not to let you use it.

The virtual appliance is currently used for test and training purposes, occasionally making it into the hands of Nimble's partners but hasn't been offered to customers.

Mark Lazarus, Nimble's director of technology for Australia, told El Reg today there's ongoing debate inside the company over whether or not it needs to go virtual. For now, the “no” camp is winning, because Nimble feels it derives plenty of value from knowing exactly what's inside the boxes it sells.

If the company were to go virtual, it would need to certify hardware which would mean more complexity and hassle. It would also mean, Lazarus said, designing its operating system for the lowest common denominator. That in turn would mean the company would of necessity produce a less-sophisticated product, he argued.

Earlier today, Nimble caught up with the all-flash-array crowd. That gang's not yet joined the likes of VMware and HPE with virtual arrays, or the hyper-converged kids with their “Dad, why are you still using an array?” posturing. So Nimble's position of holding back its virtual SAN is sustainable – for now - as the company is surely aware of the numerous analysts predicting that the standalone array market will soon go south at accelerating speed. ®