Dell boosts PowerStore QLC density & replication features

Dell has released an update to its PowerStore storage platform, adding higher-capacity QLC drives, new replication options and changes to its unified file operations.

The company positioned the release around storage density, cyber resilience and simplified administration as organisations face higher data volumes and security risks.

QLC density

The release introduces 30TB QLC drives for PowerStore. Dell said the drives increase usable capacity in a smaller rack footprint.

Dell said organisations can store up to 2PBe in 2U of rack space. The company said this assumes 5:1 data reduction. Dell said the change doubles capacity per rack unit when compared with previous configurations.

Dell also said the higher-capacity drives improve power efficiency by up to 23% when compared with 15TB QLC drives in fully configured PowerStore 3200Q systems. The company linked the claims to internal comparisons and configuration assumptions.

Dell said earlier QLC products in the market often involved trade-offs between performance, cost and reliability. The company said its PowerStore QLC models use a software architecture designed for QLC media.

In the release, Dell said PowerStore QLC systems deliver the same NVMe performance and latency characteristics as TLC models. Dell also said PowerStore includes always-on data reduction. Dell said the QLC models can deliver up to 15% lower total cost of ownership than comparable TLC systems, based on internal comparisons with equivalent capacity models.

Replication options

The update expands data protection features. Dell said the software release carries no additional cost.

The release adds synchronous replication over Fibre Channel for block workloads. Dell said this option targets data loss reduction and faster recovery for critical data.

Dell also added asynchronous replication over Fibre Channel for file systems. The company said this supports disaster recovery planning with "granular, 5 minute RPOs".

The update adds metro sync replication for file with automated failover. Dell described the option as designed for "zero RPO/RTO for mission-critical operations".

Dell also introduced multiparty authorisation. The company said the feature requires a second authorised administrator to approve critical storage changes.

The company referenced PowerProtect integration alongside the new replication features. Dell also cited ecosystem partnerships and "advanced AI-powered anomaly detection" as part of its cyber resilience approach.

Unified file

The release includes changes to PowerStore file services and administration. Dell said it has added support for advanced NFSv4.2 functions.

The new NFSv4.2 options listed include Server-Side Copy, Sparse Files and Labelled NFS. Dell said Server-Side Copy reduces network traffic when moving or duplicating data. Dell said Sparse Files optimise capacity for virtual machines and databases. Dell said Labelled NFS supports secure file sharing across environments.

Dell also introduced a file "Top Talkers" feature. The company said it provides insight into file resource consumption.

Dell said administrators can identify top consumers and monitor metrics such as IOPS and bandwidth. Dell said administrators can apply and respond with quality-of-service policies in response to bottlenecks.

Private cloud

Dell linked the PowerStore update to its wider private cloud positioning. The company referenced Dell Private Cloud and said it has focused on faster private cloud deployments.

Dell said the release marks the start of further updates planned over the coming year.