SC24: DDN Unveils Next-Gen Data Intelligence Platform Enhancements to Drive AI and HPC Innovation

At SC24, in Atlanta, GA, DDN (DataDirect Networks Inc.) set a new standard in AI and HPC data management with the launch of trailblazing upgrades to its data intelligence platform.

Ai200X2 appliance

Built in close collaboration with Nvidia Corp., these advancements give organizations unmatched power to scale and optimize AI data operations – delivering efficiency, seamless scalability, and the kind of ROI that fuels business growth and innovation.

At the core of this innovation is DDN’s deep integration with NVIDIA, bringing unparalleled performance enhancements to AI and HPC workloads. With the debut of DDN’s next-gene A³I data platform, the AI400X3 organizations can now achieve a staggering 60% performance boost over previous-gen. This boost translates to faster AI training, real-time insights, and smoother data processing, giving enterprises the agility to make rapid decisions and gain a competitive edge in today’s data-driven landscape.

“At DDN, we’re all about tearing down the roadblocks that companies hit when they try to scale AI and HPC,” said Sven Oehme, CTO, DDN. “From managing massive data loads to building out scalable infrastructure, we tackle these challenges head-on. With Nvidia, we’re delivering high-powered platforms that turn data into a real competitive weapon, helping organizations move faster, work smarter, and stay ahead in a data-driven world.”

Future-ready scaling and efficiency
DDN’s current data platform is designed to provide solutions that meet the demands of today while preparing enterprises for tomorrow’s challenges. Focused on balancing performance with cost-efficiency, the company’s enhancements bring scalability and AI-focused performance. The AI400X2 and AI200X2 options support denser disk enclosures, reducing costs/PB and preserving valuable data center space.

Key capabilities include:

AI400X2 appliance

• AI400X2 appliance: Increased QLC flash support, now handling up to 5 QLC appliances/rack, setting the bar for low-cost, high-capacity storage.

• AI200X2 appliance: Expanded HDD support, now scaling up to 20PB/rack, making it a solution for cost-sensitive environments like universities and research institutions focused on HPC workloads.

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For businesses where rapid data insights are crucial, these platforms allow scaling, handling more data, and accelerating AI initiatives – all while maintaining a low operational footprint and minimal added costs.

Enterprise-ready features for simplified, secure AI operations
As the complexity of AI and HPC deployments grows, the firm’s EXAScaler platform introduces enterprise-friendly features that streamline data management, optimize performance, and enhance security.

Key innovations include:

• Client-side compression: This feature reduces data size without impacting performance, overcoming server-side compression issues that plague competing solutions. Unlike competitors, who suffer from performance drops when compression is enabled, DDN’s client-side approach keeps operations at full speed.
• Enhanced multi-tenancy and security: EXAScaler software features native, easy-to-use multi-tenancy, allowing secure data segregation for cloud providers and multi-user enterprise environments. Additionally, the EXAScaler Management Framework (EMF) provides advanced monitoring and health reporting tools, ensuring enterprises can confidently manage complex data landscapes, safeguarding operational integrity in an easy-to-use manner.

These enhancements and features embody the power of collaboration, efficiency, and scalability, readying enterprises for an AI-driven future.

Resources:
Blog: Supercharging AI and HPC Innovation    
Blog: Unlocking the Future of AI with DDN    
Blog: How DDN EXAScaler and NVIDIA BlueField Keep Data Safe for At-Scale AI