Upgrade License DSS to DSS V6?

[jsinclair]

I will add my 2 cents as well...

While I agree with all sides, I also have to side with Todd on this one. If you want to disagree with me, contact IBM, EMC or NetApp and get quotes for features to add new items. I have just spent the last year fighting with IBM regarding our DS6800, which, costed over $250k for less than 2TB of storage 5 years ago. I want to add a a new 4gb fiber channel, or an additional tray of disks. The quote I got back was over $25k for additional shelf, plus the $10k software upgrade to use the additional TB (yes, 1TB).

While this isn't exactly apples to apples, I would look at this as a fair comparison. The features the Open-E provides at a fraction of the costs is unmeasurable. If everything was free, then IBM, EMC, and NetApp would just keep rising their prices and keep development at a stand still. If it wasn't for solutions like open-e, openfiler, freenas you probably wouldn't see the upcoming evolution of solid state, FCoE, or even 10Gb iSCSI. The big boys have to keep up...competition drives innovation...'nuff said.

[mihai]

yes, I use DSS v5 only for 63 days !!!

You said I need to buy v6 now ?!
Forget it!

I don't see why? A major update? Where is command line, webgui for setting users rights (ACL? your kidding...) and many other.
Yes, v6 give us a change in webgui, but I don't see (maybe just for me) a major improvment.
DSS is more like a NAS for newbie with a nice gui.

And for your bussines I think it was right to offer free upgrade for those who bought (like me) a product close to a "major" update!. Or simply warn us! I could wait, quietly...
I'm very dissapointed.

[To-M]

With the DSS V6 we will be able to provide new features that will only be available for DSS V6 like 16TB volumes replicated, new iSCSI Target "SCST", BackupExec, Thin provision, iSCSI backup functions, VTL and so many others that are not able to with DSS V5.

[1parkplace]

I agree with jsinclair to a certain extent, but as you said it's not apples to apples, we are talking about the difference between fortune 500 corporations and small business developers here.

Todd, I don't think it is fair for people to argue that there aren't new features to be excited about; as well, the new features that this upgrade will allow for in the near future. A lot of us in the community work for software developing companies and we understand what Open-E is going through.

However, going back to the timeframe and the lack of notification of a new version should tell you guys something. I don't expect you guys to back down, I just wanted to voice an opinion that I think is shared with some in this community.

Maybe you guys should really start offering support contracts that give users the ability to lock in upgrades for 1,2,3 years, this would help generate revenue and also allow people to have some peace of mind knowing they are safe for the life of the product roadmap. I know I would be willing to buy a support contract.

[symm]

I don't think paying for V6 is that big a deal

Some of the companies that I have worked for before will do everything in thier power to not broadcast when the next big release will be.

If you have been surfing the forum, you would have seen posts about DSS V6 and knew something was up.

I have been using DSS for almost 2 years with free updates. (Autofailover was a biggie)

With some of the other software that I use. I need to pay every year.
try any antivirus program

[To-M]

Thanks guys for all your input. Truly if you knew how much hard work and dedication that went into this product this would not be an issue, but that is our pain.

If we gave it all for free then how to pay for development? Do we charge a yearly fee like Openfiler does?

So for DSS you pay the same as OpenFiler for 16TB support only - $1500 or more yearly but no upgrade costs. If that is the case then - COUNT ME IN we would make more money as DSS is less then this one time cost that is too low in comparison to the free products.

Ok I was dreaming too much..... But I think I may push for this business plan .

I think symm and jason and rykerlee made some good points as they are from the enterprise side of things and the others are from a different side of the spectrum that also make a good point as well.

In a world of sw evolution no one will have the perfect answer and we will have to end this here and now and move onto more technical questions for others.

Thanks guys for all your input - PRO's or CON's

[1parkplace]

Sounds like a plan, on another note, I can't wait to get v6 up and running

I'm about to purchase another 16TB license by the end of the month. DSS is by far the best product out there that I have used.

[rykerlee]

yes, I use DSS v5 only for 63 days !!!

You said I need to buy v6 now ?!
Forget it!

I don't see why? A major update? Where is command line, webgui for setting users rights (ACL? your kidding...) and many other.
Yes, v6 give us a change in webgui, but I don't see (maybe just for me) a major improvment.
DSS is more like a NAS for newbie with a nice gui.

And for your bussines I think it was right to offer free upgrade for those who bought (like me) a product close to a "major" update!. Or simply warn us! I could wait, quietly...
I'm very dissapointed.

Mihai I don’t think that is a far statement what you say. I have seen the posts that Todd has provided for all to test and the date when they where to release this. Did you test V6, we did on 2 Intel boxes and we had no problem with ADS and the ACL’s - they even have this in the GUI and in the manual for they use POSIX as stated in the manual – RTFM “Read the fr#$@ manual”.

We see what EMC, NetApp and others do that don’t warn us or give us a break in pricing, and let’s not forget what Mr. Microsoft will do to you as well.

If DSS is going to have like what Todd said for 16TB replications for volumes – then wow that is worth it!!

Do you know what the cost is for support for Openfiler for 16TB!! $1,800 in Euros PER NODE – meaning one system not 2!! Here is more good news for you that this is a yearly charge!! Wow now you pay more!! So we pay no support for DSS and it is a onetime charge for that version and the upgrade can’t be much more then the support cost. Not trying to kill you mihai but my god man when you look at what the costs are for the other competitors to what they are offering here it just sounds like a bunch of new engineers that just started in the industry.
We will be upgrading our DSS V5 to V6 ASAP!
Todd – Do you know what the cost is and when this will be available?