Flash and Virtualization Give Customers More Reasons to Appreciate the Cisco/HDS Partnership

Few years back, enterprise storage was primarily dependent on spinning disks built into stand-alone arrays. Then advent of flash storage changed everything in the storage industry landscape in terms of key performance factors. This includes flash storage arrays being able to transmit data at line rate, even for random reads, a behavior which is observed for the first time by many enterprises under production.

Server virtualization is another game-changer that is rapidly approaching maximum adoption thresholds within most enterprises. Server virtualization has also increased application density on the same physical HBA port, which has created new high-performance requirements for server-to–storage connectivity.

To meet these needs and accelerate ongoing digital transformation, Cisco and HDS recently introduced new hardware systems and software that enable customers to achieve end-to-end 32G Fibre Channel connectivity from server to network to storage.

Specifically, HDS innovations includes 32G support on VSP F-Series and VSP G Series along with other software enhancements, helping customers to respond quickly to new business needs, and to, scale without sacrificing performance. Cisco contributions included upgrades to its SAN portfolio in the form of the highest-density 32G directors in the industry today, offering advanced flash storage support, embedded analytics, and improved server-to-storage connectivity via the 32G HBAs for UCS C-series.

Why HDS + Cisco 32G FC Offering

Jointly, the Cisco and HDS 32G SAN solution sets new standards for storage networking, providing customers with choice as well as breakthrough levels of user experience and operational efficiency. This next-gen joint solution is the latest success from the decades-long HDS and Cisco partnership that has continually delivered state of-the-art innovations designed to accelerate the speed of innovation and deliver real-time high-performance storage solutions to customers.

Ideal for wide variety of storage networking use cases, the Cisco MDS offers a combination of performance, non-stop operations, and multiprotocol flexibility that is complemented by the versatility and performance of the HDS Storage portfolio. Together, the two companies enable customers to simplify and eliminate guesswork from IT by providing best-in-class IT process automation and real ROI with complete ecosystem insights.

As demonstrated in the flash storage use case, the migration to 32G technology optimizes storage networks with the ultra-high demands of flash arrays. Having the ability to transmit 32G Fibre Channel at line-rate data is essential for higher application performance and support for increased VM density on the same hardware system, which leads to cost savings and efficiency. As explained in this HDS blog, having the right network in place for flash array deployments is everything to ensure the best user experience that today’s enterprise customers have come to expect.

The joint solution will be available through HDS, who resells Cisco MDS under its storage brand. For more information about the complete Cisco storage networking portfolio, go to www.cisco.com/go/mds