Guardians of “G4 Galaxy”

A fun and informative Storagenewsletter exclusive article using the theme of the Marvel Studios movie “Guardians of the Galaxy” written by Eric Herzog, CMO, Infinidat Ltd.

Enterprise storage is always evolving, always progressing, always battling to show its value in the data infrastructure of organizations around the world. In the IT universe, a bright shining star that has emerged in 2024 is a new generation of enterprise storage.

IT buyers in the enterprise market often want the new thing, ‘the hot new box,’ so they are increasingly talking about Infinidat’s G4 – the next gen of enterprise storage. Granted, they may not be going around repeating “I am G4” the way Groot, the fictional tree-like humanoid character in the movie “Guardians of the Galaxy” continuously repeats, “I am Groot.” But there is still more education needed in the market about what are the defining characteristics of the G4 (triple-redundant-based enterprise storage).

With so many conventional storage arrays having the same foundational architecture (dual mode: active-passive) that has been used for 2 decades, it may seem like a big challenge for the “guardians” of the G4 “galaxy” to carry forward the power of the G4 enterprise storage as the new standard for data infrastructures.

However, as bold “storage adventurers” (aka storage admins and forward-looking IT buyers) see an opportunity for faster, more efficient, cyber resilient, and better storage − like the G4 storage arrays deliver − the trek to refresh or transform the storage infrastructure disrupts the status quo.

This article explains these characteristics in a general sense, outlining the concepts that are orbiting around hybrid cloud storage.

Characteristics include:

• More than 2.5x the performance of 3^rdgeneration storage arrays
• Storage as a Service (STaaS) enhancements
• Built-in cyber security capabilities
• Infrastructure lifecycle controller management
• Hybrid multi-cloud support
• Platform-native infrastructure consumption services
• Smaller high end enterprise form factors
• Increased energy efficiency
• Lowering Capex and Opex

These attributes span across both all-flash storage arrays and hybrid storage arrays in the G4 galaxy. The transition from older offering to the G4 solutions also sees high-end storage features moving into co-location sites and remote, smaller data centers. But not everything has changed. Users will still find the same functionality that they have come to love, including 100% availability, service-oriented automation, ease of use, higher capacity, scale-up options, and lower Capex and Opex.

Exploring the G4 Galaxy
The speed of G4 storage arrays is enough for a storage administrator – or storage adventurer – to stand up and take notice. Performance is important in enterprise storage. Therefore, this advancement in the performance of storage arrays has set a new benchmark for enterprises to consider when refreshing their storage infrastructure. Combine this with 100% availability, and now we’re talking.

The STaaS enhancements of G4, in simple terms, improve the ability to procure and utilize storage infrastructure. The new gen provides an easy, cloud-like experience for enterprises and service providers across the storage state, whether on-premises or in the public cloud.

The cyber security capabilities that are built into the next gen make G4 storage the most cyber resilient in the history of the industry, incorporating immutable snapshots, logical air gapping, fenced forensic environments, rapid cyber recovery and integration through automated cyber protection with data center-wide cyber security software. It also includes cyber detection that uses AI and ML technology to scan primary storage for cyber threats.

The lifecycle management controller option is a ‘first’ for high-end enterprise storage. This is the opportunity to future-proof the investment in G4 enterprise storage, so that when the next gen comes out, all that is needed is a controller upgrade and no need to touch your existing storage media – be that all flash or hybrid using HDDs.

The hybrid multi-cloud support in the next-gen storage arrays includes both AWS and Azure. Enterprises have the ability to combine on-premises storage and public cloud storage for the right mix of cost, control, security, and use cases.

The new gen of enterprise storage is geared toward being platform-centric consumption services. This is a long-term approach that is designed to give enterprises more flexibility and to utilize various services, now and in the future.

The new world of enterprise storage includes storage arrays with a smaller footprint, but with the high-end storage features and functionality they need for this most important enterprise data. More can be done with less. The smaller footprint means the need for less floorspace, less rack space, and less manpower. The smaller arrays can also be used in smaller data centers, co-location facilities, and to fill out unused rack space in larger data centers.

New energy-efficient CPU technology has been incorporated into G4 storage arrays. Specifically, for example, a single socket 64-core CPU has been utilized along with PCIe 5 bus infrastructure. This improved energy efficiency will help enterprises better meet their sustainability goals.

Shooting Star
With the enterprise market’s increasing shift to a triple redundant architecture for the storage infrastructure, we are also seeing an increase in expectations for SLA-based guarantees. Enterprises are demanding guaranteed 100% availability, guaranteed performance, and guaranteed recovery time of data in the midst of a cyberattack.

These changing customer expectations will challenge some of the incumbent, legacy storage vendors, but it’s the ultimate in customer centricity and part of the ‘white glove’ service and support that enterprises and service providers want.

Whether or not enterprise storage buyers want G4 storage arrays to be Groot-like reiterating “I am Guaranteed” (in the style of the Marvel Studios movie character) is yet to be seen, but what we do know is that the new generation of enterprise storage is not your father’s storage.

It’s a whole new galaxy of innovation and expectations that have redefined storage for today’s gen. The power of enterprise storage is worth guarding. It can transform whole businesses, fuel the launch of new businesses, and lower Capex and Opex. The phrase “I am G4” may be apropos after all.