This blog is co-authored with Dale Bettine, General Manager, Intel Xeon Product and Solutions Storage Group, and William (Bill) Cerreta, General Manager of Platforms, Pure Storage, Inc.
In today’s data-driven world, organizations face the challenge of managing ever-increasing amounts of data while striving for efficiency and cost savings. Pure Storage, a leading provider of all-flash storage solutions, has partnered with Intel to address these demands head on. The recent launch of Pure’s FlashArray//X™ and FlashArray//E™, powered by 4th Generation Intel® Xeon® Scalable Processors, marks a significant milestone in achieving extreme efficiency, performance, and value in data center operations. Let’s delve into the details of this innovative partnership and the remarkable benefits it brings to customers and those partners who work with them.
FlashArray//X R4 and FlashArray//C R4: Extreme Performance Efficiency
Pure Storage’s FlashArray//X R4 and FlashArray//C R4 leverage the power of the 4th Generation Intel Xeon Scalable Processors, delivering up to a 48% performance boost per watt compared to previous generations. This upgrade allows partners to help organizations enhance their data processing capabilities significantly without compromising energy efficiency. Furthermore, the integration of PCIe Gen 4.0 scalable processors and DDR5 DRAM technology enables faster data transfers and expanded memory capacity, further boosting performance efficiency. The inclusion of the Pure-built DirectCompress Accelerator and support for 64Gb FC and 100GbE at full line rate ensure optimal data compression, network connectivity, and reduced latency, providing a truly efficient storage solution.
FlashArray//E: Transforming Data Repositories
Pure Storage’s expansion of the Pure//E family, including the FlashArray//E and FlashBlade//E™, disrupts the data storage industry by offering a compelling all-flash alternative to traditional hard disk storage arrays. FlashArray//E, built on the same foundation as FlashArray//X and FlashArray//C, eliminates the need for spinning disks in data centers. With up to 20 times higher performance, 85% less e-waste, and 40% lower total cost of ownership (TCO) over six years, FlashArray//E provides organizations with a more efficient, reliable, and cost-effective storage solution. Introducing 75TB QLC DFMs ensures that FlashArray//E remains future-proof, capable of meeting the growing demands of data repositories.
Extreme Capacity and Energy Efficiency
Pure Storage’s commitment to providing high-capacity storage solutions is realized with the introduction of 36TB TLC and 75TB QLC DirectFlash® Modules (DFMs) for FlashArray//X and FlashArray//C respectively. These industry-leading modules offer up to 1.5PB per 3RU, translating to a 106% improvement in density per rack unit. Using these modules results in significant savings in rack space, with FlashArray//X utilizing 51% less rack space and FlashArray//C utilizing 36% smaller footprint. In terms of energy efficiency, FlashArray//X consumes up to 97% fewer watts per terabyte with 36TB TLC DFMs, while FlashArray//C achieves 42% lower energy consumption with 75TB QLC DFMs. These improvements not only reduce operating costs but also contribute to a greener and more sustainable data center environment.
“Through our strategic partnership with Intel, Pure Storage continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the world of data storage. By leveraging Intel’s cutting-edge technologies, we unlock unprecedented levels of performance, efficiency, and security for our customers. The integration of Intel’s advanced processors and software features into our FlashArray solutions enables organizations to achieve extreme performance efficiency, optimize their data capacity, and enhance data protection. Together, Pure Storage and Intel are shaping the future of data storage, empowering businesses to unleash the full potential of their data while driving innovation and value. We are excited to continue our collaboration and deliver even greater benefits to our customers.” – Shawn Hansen, General Manager, FlashArray™
Unlocking Tremendous Value through Enhanced Encryption and Data Efficiencies
Pure Storage and Intel’s partnership goes beyond hardware innovations. The foundation of Pure’s FlashArray solutions lies in the Purity//FA operating environment, which fosters continuous innovation and introduces advanced capabilities. One notable area where Pure Storage excels is in encryption and data efficiencies, leveraging Intel Xeon Scalable processor features.
With Intel’s Crypto-NI and AVX-512 technologies, Pure Storage enhances data encryption and security measures, providing customers with peace of mind regarding their sensitive information. The integration of these Intel features ensures that data remains protected throughout its lifecycle, from storage to retrieval.
Moreover, Pure Storage’s relentless commitment to data efficiencies translates into tangible benefits that partners can deliver to customers. By leveraging Intel’s advanced capabilities, Pure Storage optimizes data deduplication, compression, and other storage-related operations. This results in improved data reduction ratios and increased storage capacity utilization, ultimately lowering costs and maximizing the value of the storage infrastructure.
The best part? These encryption and data efficiency features are seamlessly available to all Pure customers across all FlashArray platforms at no additional cost. Pure Storage’s dedication to delivering continuous innovation ensures that organizations can leverage the latest advancements without worrying about licensing add-ons or prohibitive expenses.
A Partnership That’s Redefining Possibilities
The partnership between Pure Storage and Intel Technologies represents a significant milestone in the evolution of efficient and value-driven data storage solutions. With the latest advancements in FlashArray//X, FlashArray//C, and FlashArray//E, organizations can achieve extreme performance efficiency, capacity optimization, and energy savings. The collaboration demonstrates Pure Storage’s commitment to continuous innovation and Intel’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of processor technology. As data centers evolve into all-flash environments, Pure Storage and Intel Technologies are at the forefront, delivering the most efficient and sustainable solutions available today. Welcome to the era of extreme efficiency and value in data storage.
“Our collaboration with Pure Storage represents an exciting milestone in our mission to drive innovation and efficiency in the data storage industry. By combining Intel’s powerful Xeon Scalable processors with Pure Storage’s industry-leading FlashArray solutions, we are able to deliver exceptional performance, scalability, and value to customers. Together, Intel and Pure Storage are transforming data centers, enabling businesses to unlock the full potential of their data and stay at the forefront of digital transformation. We are proud to be part of this partnership and look forward to driving continued innovation and success together.” – Dale Bettine, General Manager, Intel Xeon Product and Solutions Storage Group
