It took longer than I expected for Nimble Storage to introduce an all-flash array, but their AF7000 looks to be a very credible offering. They’re targeting XtremIO and Pure with their marketing, but I expect HP, Dell, and especially NetApp to be cross-shopped more frequently. In that fight, I expect the Nimble AF7000 to be very attractive indeed!
NAND
Flash Memory in the DRAM Slots? Diablo Technologies is Working On It…
I’ve written recently about the difference between solid-state drives (SSDs), PCIe SSDs, and solid-state memory over PCIe. But a new technology was presented to me this month that’s even more radical: What if NAND flash was placed on a DIMM for direct access by the CPU? This is what Diablo Technologies just announced as “Memory Channel Storage”.
Can Fusion-io Survive Commoditization?
No small storage company has had more press coverage and “buzz” than “ioMemory” maker, Fusion-io. I have long marveled at the company’s ability to attract attention, but this has rub some analysts wrong. How, they argue, as component vendors enter their space, can a premium company with proprietary products compete over the long term?
Nimbus E-Class: The First Big, Redundant, All-Flash Enterprise Array
The new Nimbus Data E-Class comes just at the right moment, with 500 TB of capacity, a fully redundant “dual active†controller architecture, massive performance (even InfiniBand), and complete feature set (once VAAI is released).
Seagate Versus Western Digital: The Hard Disk Drive Battle Lines Are Drawn
Both Seagate and Western Digital have much to gain from these transactions. Western Digital becomes a full line giant of the industry, a credible competitor, and a successful supplier to OEMs. Seagate also retains its credibility in the market, but also gains access to Samsung, one of the strongest electronics companies in the world. Time will tell which of these companies got the better deal.
