NetApp on July 14 announced a new deal with Microsoft in introducing NetApp Private Storage for Microsoft Azure, which enables NetApp hardware users to expand their IT infrastructures to the cloud.
The new software creates a bridge to a hybrid cloud environment that connects NetApp arrays with Azure services. To do this, it uses NetApp’s portfolio of Microsoft Cloud tools and storage middleware, which include the enterprise-level FlexPod with Microsoft Private Cloud.
Microsoft and NetApp both have been trying to partner with as many complementary companies as possible in their quests to make marketshare inroads; Microsoft is trying to gain on global cloud services leader Amazon and NetApp on storage kingpin EMC.
On the cloud side of this new partnership, Azure ExpressRoute connects the NetApp and Microsoft resources to provide a secure high-speed connection.
With NetApp Private Storage installed at a co-location facility, users can connect directly to Azure. Global interconnection and data center provider Equinix is the first co-location facility to offer direct, high-speed connections to Microsoft Azure with ExpressRoute.
Key Business Benefits
These include:
–The new solution matches Azure compute resources to utilization and avoids large CAPEX investments required for peak, unexpected, or seasonal workloads while maintaining data control on NetApp.
–Disaster recovery comes at a lower cost due to a choice of single or multi-region DR services, activating Azure only in testing and failover scenarios.
–Data stays under control of the customer in NetApp storage while offering performance similar to on-premise infrastructure stacks, but with the versatility of Azure.
–Advanced compliance features include SnapLock data permanence functionality and NetApp disk encryption.
–System Center and NetApp PowerShell toolkits enable management and mobility of data between private cloud, and private storage connected to Azure.
NetApp Private Storage for Microsoft Azure is available now through a network of value-added resellers (VARs) as well as direct from NetApp, Microsoft and Equinix in North America. It will be made available in Europe and Asia later this quarter. Go here for more information.