NetApp Updates High-End E-Series Storage Software

E-Series is built for highly available, high-capacity, performance-optimized application workflows in vertical markets that include health care, security, media and entertainment.

NetApp has updated its E-Series storage software platform, the company's top-of-the-line system designed to work with high-performance applications and handle big data-type workflows.

The E-Series is built for highly available, high-capacity, performance-optimized application workflows in vertical markets that include health care, security, media and entertainment, as well as high-performance computing markets such as oil and gas, manufacturing and government.

New features in the latest update to NetApp's SANtricity storage management software include the addition of SSD cache for improved performance, a broadening of network interface support for E5400 storage system for increased connectivity and network flexibility, and new mirroring and replication services for greater data protection.

NetApp's SSD cache allows users to automatically store blocks of hot -- or the most-often-accessed -- data on solid-state drives for rapid access that improves application performance. As is the convention, less-often-accessed data is stored on more cost-effective, larger-capacity HDDs.

SSD cache enables intelligent storage tiering and provides faster access to critical application data and cost-effective density for longer retention periods, NetApp said. By providing streamlined access to the right storage medium for the right use at the right time, the E-Series platform enables OEMs to build performance-optimized, high-capacity storage packages that accelerate analysis and workflows.

Having a flexible infrastructure helps organizations adapt as infrastructure requirements change. With the E-Series updates, users can now deploy new 10Gb/s iSCSI and 6Gb/s SAS network interfaces on NetApp E5400 systems, providing a broad network interface selection for dedicated workload solutions.

These interfaces optimize the customer environment for connecting hosts and extending replication capabilities between E-Series systems, NetApp said.

Improved data protection include additional mirroring, copy service techniques and dynamic disk pools to secure data. This security technology enables big data users to maintain business operations and reduce storage systems costs. The E-Series offers redundant components, automated path failover, and online administration.

The new software is available now. For additional E-Series information, go here.