EMC has launched the latest addition to their entry-level midmarket storage line, the VNXe3200. Like the VNX2 refresh last year, the new VNXe3200 picks up MCx (multicore optimization), which is the core driver of up to 3X gains across the board in virtual machine/virtual desktop density, Exchange mailboxes and transactional databases over the previous VNXe. The VNXe3200 also adds SSD support via EMC FAST (fully-automated storage tiering) for additional benefit.
EMC has launched the latest addition to their entry-level midmarket storage line, the VNXe3200. Like the VNX2 refresh last year, the new VNXe3200 picks up MCx (multicore optimization), which is the core driver of up to 3X gains across the board in virtual machine/virtual desktop density, Exchange mailboxes and transactional databases over the previous VNXe. The VNXe3200 also adds SSD support via EMC FAST (fully-automated storage tiering) for additional benefit.
The VNXe3200 is a 2U unified storage appliance supporting Fiber Channel, iSCSI, NFS and CIFS and can be configured in under 15 minutes using EMC Unisphere. VNXe is typically targeted to the entry-level enterprise use case focusing on simplicity and affordability, but beyond just the hardware updates like MCx support, the VNXe3200 brings many enterprise features from the VNX family down market. The VNXe3200 benefits from EMC's deep virtualization experience, offering integration with VMware and Microsoft hypervisors. For ease of mind when it comes to management, EMC offers proactive support which aids in monitoring the system's health and administration. Features like the FAST storage tiering are completely automated, further reducing the need for manual performance tuning out of the box.
The VMXe3200 brings many other enterprise features to the table including thin provisioning and file deduplication. The system also supports snapshots from Unisphere.
VNXe3200 Hardware Specs
- 2U configurable with 2.5" or 3.5" drive bays
- 25 2.5" SAS/flash drives
- 12 3.5" SAS/NL SAS
- CPU: Intel Sandy Bridge Quad Core 2.2GHz Xeon
- RAM: 48GB
- Networking: 4x10GBase-T
- RAID Opions: 5/6/10
- Flexible IO Module: Supports 8Gb/s FC
- SAS Expander for drive expansion shelves
- Supported Pool LUNs: up to 512
- Max LUN Size: 16TB
- Max FS Size: 16TB
- Total Raw Capacity: 200TB (500TB available later in 2014)
- Max File Systems: 500
The VNXe3200 will be available in the second quarter of this year with a starting price point of under $12,000. The systems will be available through EMC's global channel partners. The VNXe3200 is also part of VSPEX reference architectures.
Project Liberty
EMC today has also launched a new project, "Project Liberty." Liberty is a preview of virtualized storage software that combines the functionality of VNX with nimble cloud-like application deployment. Liberty offers a variety of deployment models including virtual servers both local and remote or in hybrid clouds to meet variable workloads and service levels. EMC highlights application prototyping as a potential use case:
Project Liberty will be to empower IT to spin up several virtual array instances quickly, at a moment’s notice, to speed development of new applications such as test and development. Project Liberty will enable these new applications to be seamlessly deployed on physical VNX storage systems with higher service levels – all while enjoying a consistent management and rich user experience.
EMC D@RE
For VNX2 users, EMC has added data at rest encryption, EMC D@RE. Specifically this provides the capability to encrypt data written to each disk, eliminating the ability to read data from the drive in the event of unauthorized drive removal. D@RE addresses the needs of those in regulated industries especially who have higher compliance standards when it comes to sensitive data.
D@RE will be offered as a non-disruptive software upgrade in the third quarter of this year.
