Primary Data DataSphere Adds Scale-Out File Services for VMware Virtual SAN

LOS ALTOS, CA--(Marketwired - October 17, 2016) -

• DataSphere simplifies storage management by enhancing the reach of VMware Virtual SAN beyond block-based applications to support file-based workloads
• With DataSphere, customers can further lower TCO by up to 50% and maximize the value of their Virtual SAN investments in VMware

Primary Data today announced that its DataSphere software seamlessly provides scale-out file services with VMware Virtual SAN™. The software-defined DataSphere platform enables VMware Virtual SAN to now support file protocols in addition to its native block protocols. This provides the ability for VMware Virtual SAN to support additional applications within the same physical footprint, and allows VMware Virtual SAN to be deployed as both a hyper-converged solution as well as a scale out NAS solution.

"Data virtualization allows data to be decoupled from storage to deliver uncompromised performance, protection, and manageability," said Lance Smith, Primary Data Chief Executive Officer. "The powerful new software-defined capabilities made possible with DataSphere help customers get more bang out of every buck they invest in VMware Virtual SAN to meet changing data demands across even more workloads."

DataSphere's ability to extend VMware Virtual SAN to support file workloads helps customers significantly reduce total cost of ownership (TCO). Customers no longer need to buy a separate NAS solution for file-based workloads, and the same administrator for VMware Virtual SAN can also administer storage for NAS, compounding savings. In addition, the Primary Data integration provides a uniquely differentiated scale-out NAS implementation for large data sets. Other offerings may be able to offer file services on Virtual SAN, but those implementations are limited to just two nodes, rather than taking advantage of the entire 64-node VMware vCenter® Server cluster.

"Customers are deploying VMware Virtual SAN for enterprise workloads to simplify storage management and cut costs," said Lee Caswell, vice president of products, Storage and Availability Business Unit, VMware. "These same customers will benefit from Primary Data DataSphere file services as companies look at new ways to make IT investments pay off using software-defined solutions."

Additional benefits of DataSphere for VMware Virtual SAN include:

• Seamless Integration with Storage Policy Based Management (SPBM) to provide more granular visibility and pairing of storage resources to application needs
• Empowering VMware Efficiency Across Storage Resources: With DataSphere's certified Universal VASA and Virtual Volumes providers for VMware vSphere®, all storage arrays immediate become Virtual Volumes-capable, simplifying storage management. DataSphere also integrates with VMware vCenter to further streamline management within customers' VMware ecosystems
• Ensure Achievement of Application SLAs: With DataSphere, customers can define dynamic storage policies to ensure automatic reallocation of resources as application needs change

DataSphere also compliments VMware's powerful Storage Policy Based Management features, serving as a certified Universal Virtual Volumes provider for the VM-aware storage capabilities provided through VMware vSphere Virtual Volumes integration and management software.

"Enterprises and midsized organizations continue to struggle with unstructured data storage and complexity," said Henry Baltazar, Storage Research Director at 451 Research. "Primary Data's DataSphere will allow thousands of existing VSAN customers to add important file services to their deployments, mitigating the need to purchase and manage a separate NAS system to store and share data for a number of use cases."

Product Availability

The DataSphere platform is now available from Primary Data and its reseller partners. Enterprises interested in evaluations can contact sales@primarydata.com to arrange a complimentary consultation and software trial.

About Primary Data

Primary Data transforms datacenter architectures by orchestrating the right data to the right place at the right time. Through data virtualization, the Primary Data DataSphere platform creates a global dataspace across direct-attached, network-attached, private and public cloud storage to deliver unprecedented manageability, performance, and efficiency. The storage-agnostic DataSphere platform features an intelligent Objective engine that automatically moves data across file, block, and object storage to meet evolving application requirements in real time. Visit us at www.primarydata.com or follow us on Twitter at @Primary_Data.

VMware, vCenter, Virtual SAN, Virtual Volumes, and vSphereare registered trademarks or trademarks of VMware Corporation in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks used herein are the property of their respective owners.