The Future is Flash…. All Flash
Dell’s new merger with EMC has been widely talked about and anticipated, but it is finally here. The market seems to be extremely optimistic about this merger. These two companies coming together might be the “Dawn of a new age” in the world of IT end-users. If you want to read more about the merger go here.
One of the things that is an exciting step forward is the release and promotion of Dell EMC UNITY! It is a all flash storage array.
If you want to check out the EMC page on Unity, go here.
“EMC Unity offers modern data center simplicity and all-flash performance in an affordable package. Designed specifically to get the most out of all-flash media, EMC is making it simpler and more affordable for both SMEs and enterprises to modernize their data centers. With the launch of Unity, 2016 is truly the year of all-flash for EMC.”
– Jeff Boudreau, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Mid-Range Solutions, Core Technologies Division at EMC
To summarize the features and benefits of this new array we must start with performance.
PERFORMANCE
Compared to past HDD, UNITY’s all SSD can deliver far superior performance with 300 IOPS. It also has features like: (EMC.com)
True dual-active controller architecture
Support for file, block and VVols
Snapshots and remote sync/async replication
Native, controller-based encryption
New scalable file-system for transactional and traditional file use cases
VMware VASA 2.0, VAAI, VVols, VMware- Aware Integration
Complete REST-API for automation and DevOps use cases
Integrated Copy Data Management with EMC iCDM
Zero-impact garbage collection
ADAPTABILITY:
Purpose built – Unity is purpose built for all flash data centers but it can also be deployed in hybrid environments. This allows for companies to make the transition to all flash data center, without having to do it all at once.
Software Defined – UnityVSA™ is capable of file and block storage and data management features that allow Unity to be deployed easily as a virtual machine.
Convergence – VCE ® Vblock™ and VxBlock™ System 350 are available with Unity as well. EMC really focused on convergence capability. Now you can take up less rack space and get more performance.
Unity provides incredible unified storage density, with up to 80TB of all-flash storage in a dense, 2U array. – EMC.com
AFFORDABILITY:
All flash Array starting at $18,000
Hybrid Model starting at $10,000
We feel that this price point is on the higher side of accurate, but you get what you pay for when you go all flash. We really can’t argue with the performance capabilities and feel there is “solid” value in the SSD Unity array.
AVAILABILITY:
If you are looking to purchase Unity, make sure you are going through the right source. Unity can only be sold through EMC partners. It is best you go through a partner that has a lasting relationship with Dell and EMC. In the near future, that relationship could mean big savings for you.
In addition, make sure your partner has the consultation capabilities needed to properly assess your environment and give you options that will be best in the long-run.
Abtech Technologies is a trusted partner of Dell and EMC. We have access to highly competitive pricing and promotions that are only available to partners. We also have a staff that is knowledgeable and experienced with engineers with over 25 years of experience. Abtech Technologies can provide valuable consulting and a solution at an affordable price. We want to make sure that your solution is as unique as the needs of your business.
