NetApp introduces Unified scale-out storage systems

With more organizations embracing cloud mandates and moving quickly to flash-accelerated, shared storage infrastructures, NetApp has introduced  a new line of enterprise storage systems and enhanced software designed to accelerate the broadest range of virtualized applications.

The new NetApp® FAS8000 series is the first enterprise storage system to unify SAN, NAS and storage virtualization into a single hybrid array. It is NetApp’s first FAS platform designed specifically for scale-out storage environments built on clustered Data ONTAP.

The new FlexArray virtualization software enables existing storage to be managed by Data ONTAP for a greater return on investment and makes legacy storage cloud-ready. The software enables the FAS8000 to virtualize and manage third-party arrays and delivers a nine-month payback guarantee.

The new release of clustered Data ONTAP, version 8.2.1, extends nondisruptive operations (NDOs) and improves data security and management of CIFS environments.

NetApp centers on its innovation strategy for flash-accelerated, cloud-integrated storage solutions for the broadest range of shared and dedicated infrastructure environments. Data is at the heart of business innovation, and NetApp helps organizations free data to move unbound across private and public clouds. Its industry-leading enterprise storage systems and software meet customer needs across any workload, any deployment model, and any data type.

FAS8000 Enterprise Storage Systems Deliver a Unified Scale-Out Platform to Adapt to Changing Business Needs Quickly and Efficiently
The FAS8000 supports the broadest range of SAN and NAS workloads with a single system optimized for scale-out deployments. The new storage systems can improve performance (up to 2x) and deliver better flash acceleration benefits (up to 3x more flash) than previous FAS platforms.[ii] Additional improvements with the FAS8000 include a new, storage I/O–optimized architecture including the Intel® microarchitecture (formerly code-named Sandy Bridge), expanded memory, and improved flash support to deliver superior, low-latency performance for enterprise-class workloads.

Organizations can invest in the right long-term platform with the FAS systems and transition their applications confidently to a private, public, or hybrid cloud deployment by leveraging the highly adaptive, patented Data ONTAP operating system and best-in-class connectivity options. The FAS8000 provides an enterprise storage solution that enables a high return on investment and accelerates resource-intensive applications with hybrid flash arrays that give more than 2.6M IOPs of flash-integrated, low-latency performance.

FlexArray Virtualization Software Enables Easy Storage Virtualization and Management
FlexArray Virtualization Software enables customers to use existing storage as FAS capacity for a greater return on assets and to deliver Data ONTAP value to more IT operations. FlexArray supports SAN and NAS, without complex add-ons, and it allows customers to unify their IT architecture under a common data management umbrella that is easy to manage and offers leading application integration and data protection. This is the foundation for software-defined storage, enabling organizations to provision and consume storage services based on policies and to deploy resources on a wide range of hardware. FlexArray software can be purchased and enabled at any time on the FAS8000.

Clustered Data ONTAP Provides a Universal Data Platform for the Hybrid Cloud
With clustered Data ONTAP, organizations can help eliminate planned downtime and service their infrastructure without disrupting access to user data and applications. Organizations have the ability to add or replace storage shelves without disruption to business operations and access improved data security and the management of Microsoft® CIFS environments. Clustered Data ONTAP simplifies and automates the delivery of IT services to users and applications, making it the ideal foundation for private, public, and hybrid clouds.

Leadership in Flash-Accelerated Storage Solutions
In 2013, NetApp expanded its flash offerings and extended its leadership in enterprise flash storage. With the strongest and broadest flash portfolio in the industry, NetApp offers a complete line of products, including intelligent caching technologies and all-flash arrays that provide the flexibility and choice to maximize the value of flash across the entire compute, network, and storage stack. To date, NetApp has shipped nearly 75PBs of flash storage. NetApp’s storage portfolio and extensive, open partner ecosystem deliver the responsiveness IT customers need to achieve more with their resources, advance new opportunities, and be ready for the unanticipated.