Dell PowerStore: modern data storage for enterprises

In today's business environment, efficient data storage has become critical due to the rapid volume and variety of data growth. Data is stored in data centres, multi-cloud environments, and at the edge of networks. This requires modern approaches that combine ease of management, adaptability, and the ability to change at any time. Dell's PowerStore is a next-generation solution based on a software-defined architecture that helps organisations simplify operations and provide the flexibility needed to adapt to the rapidly changing technology landscape.

Dell PowerStore overview

Dell PowerStore is an innovative data management platform that combines advanced technologies to meet the needs of the enterprise. The platform supports traditional and modern workloads with hybrid storage capabilities and delivers high performance through NVMe integration and support for SCM protocols. It makes it easy to scale resources to meet business needs and integrates with cloud services to implement multi-cloud and edge computing strategies. Ease of management is achieved through process automation and an intuitive interface.

Main features of the Dell PowerStore:

• Hybrid storage: supports traditional and modern applications, enabling organisations to optimise workloads.
• Scalability and adaptability: the ability to grow without sacrificing performance.
• Storage automation: built-in automated data management tools that save time and resources.

Compared to other solutions on the market, Dell PowerStore has a unique architecture that can be adapted to meet the needs of industries ranging from financial services to healthcare.

Key features of the Dell PowerStore

• Flexibility and support for all workloads

Dell PowerStore features an adaptive architecture that can support a wide range of workloads. A single platform combines block, enterprise and vVols storage formats, making it the ideal solution for various workloads. The platform's high density allows it to efficiently handle both general and specialised workloads, including large-scale databases, cloud applications, IoT analytics at the edge, and file content repositories.

Integration with a multiprotocol physical network, including support for 32Gb FC and 100Gb Ethernet, ensures easy deployment into your business infrastructure. In addition, the solution meets specialised industry requirements such as low-voltage environments, NEBS standards and government regulations, enabling it to adapt to any business strategy and meet regulatory requirements.

• Performance based on the latest technology

The PowerStore is built with NVMe to deliver state-of-the-art performance. The platform supports both NVMe TLC and QLC SSDs in the base chassis and expandable modules, as well as NVMe/TCP and NVMe/FC for external networking. This integration creates an end-to-end NVMe ecosystem that delivers high input/output performance (IOPS) and sub-millisecond latency.

• Scalability and optimal use of resources

Dell PowerStore enables independent scaling of performance and capacity for business flexibility. Each appliance has active dual redundant nodes and the configuration can scale to more than 23PB of NVMe capacity using clustered solutions. This makes scaling fast and non-disruptive, allowing the infrastructure to grow with your needs.

• Integration with cloud platforms and multi-cloud capabilities

Dell PowerStore offers deep integration with leading cloud services, including VMware Cloud Foundation, AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud. The solution supports cloud backup, bi-directional migration between on-premises and public clouds, and cost-effective cloud backup with PowerProtect DD Virtual Edition.

• Automation and artificial intelligence to optimise operations

Dell PowerStore's built-in automation and machine learning capabilities significantly reduce infrastructure management costs. The system automatically optimises performance and resource availability, reducing the need for administrator intervention. Artificial intelligence tools can predict demand, analyse workloads and automate storage management, reducing the time it takes to deploy new services.

• Cyber resilience and data protection

The Dell PowerStore system is designed to meet today's cybersecurity requirements. It includes secure snapshots, data encryption, multi-factor authentication and file-level protection. Integration with Zero Trust protects against attacks, fast data recovery and a high level of security.

• Continuous modernisation and investment security

The PowerStore platform is built on a containerised PowerStoreOS architecture that enables non-disruptive upgrades, adaptation to new technologies and support for modern needs. Ongoing software enhancements and customer support through ProSupport ensure that your business is always using the best technology available.

Dell PowerStore is a complete storage optimisation solution that combines performance, security, and scalability to give businesses maximum flexibility in an ever-changing environment.

How Dell PowerStore helps businesses

Integrate with your existing infrastructure

One of the key benefits of Dell PowerStore is its ease of implementation. Designed to meet the needs of today's businesses, it seamlessly integrates with existing environments, including traditional servers, high-performance real-time storage, data virtualisation and cloud platforms.

• VMware Support. Deep integration with VMware allows you to use virtualisation and orchestration solutions to simplify infrastructure management.
• Flexible network compatibility. Support for NVMe/TCP, iSCSI, FC and other protocols enables integration into existing network topologies without major upgrades.
• Minimised implementation time. Automated configuration and management processes enable organisations to quickly integrate Dell PowerStore into their business processes, reducing implementation and support costs.

Increase productivity and reduce costs

Dell PowerStore offers an innovative approach to resource management that helps reduce operating costs and increase efficiency.

• Intelligent data management. Through process automation and machine learning, the system optimises resource utilisation, ensuring maximum return on investment and flexible data storage.
• Reduced TCO. Efficient deduplication and compression algorithms significantly reduce physical storage requirements, lowering the total cost of ownership (TCO).
• Scalability support. The ability to dynamically increase storage capacity allows organisations to adapt to growing needs without investing in expensive upgrades.

Improving data security

Dell PowerStore offers a comprehensive approach to data protection that meets today's cybersecurity challenges.

• Data encryption. All stored data is automatically encrypted, reducing the risk of unauthorised access even if the device is physically stolen.
• Secure snapshots. The snapshot feature allows you to quickly recover information in the event of an attack or disaster.
• Standards compliance. The solution is designed to meet the requirements of international information security standards, including GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS and others, making it an ideal choice for organisations in high-security industries such as finance, healthcare or government.
• Zero Trust integration. Zero Trust support provides an additional layer of security by limiting access to authorised users and systems.

In addition to simplifying infrastructure management, Dell PowerStore enables productivity, cost optimisation and enhanced data protection, making it an essential element of modern business.

Real-world use cases for Dell PowerStore

Financial Services

Financial institutions use Dell PowerStore to automate their data storage processes and ensure data security. This helps to reduce risk and ensure the confidentiality of information.

Healthcare Industry

In the healthcare industry, Dell PowerStore helps provide real-time access to data that is critical to the work of physicians and the security of all patient records.

Retail Industry

Retailers use Dell PowerStore to manage transactional data and streamline logistics processes. This helps ensure uninterrupted operations, even during peak traffic periods.

Case Study. Ensuring adaptive storage of key documents and election records: the Maricopa County experience

Customer

The Maricopa County Recorder's Office provides distributed storage and processing of vital documents such as real estate deeds, cadastral maps and other records. The office processes more than one million records a year, and its total archive contains 49 million documents, consisting of 185 million images dating back to 1871.

In addition, the office maintains the records of more than 2.6 million active voters in the county. 

Needs

Serving 3,000-5,000 people a day and providing access to one million or more records annually presented significant challenges to the speed, scalability and reliability of the Maricopa County Recorder's IT environment. They needed a modern, high-performance, cost-effective solution with the latest security features.

The Solution

• Dell PowerStore
• Dell PowerEdge
• Dell Integrated Remote Access Controller (iDRAC)
• Partner: VMware

Results

• Access speed. Time spent searching for records was cut in half.
• Resource savings. Storage capacity was reduced by 90%.
• Data protection. Built-in cybersecurity and backup tools reliably protect all data.
• Support for innovation. Hybrid and virtual workspaces are easily deployed.
• Scalability. Increase computing power by 200 times during elections.
• Cost reduction.  Significantly reduce data centre costs by reducing the number of physical servers by up to 85%.

Optimise speed and reduce costs

The office has created a modern virtualised environment based on VMware, integrated with Dell PowerEdge servers and PowerStore storage. These technologies provide fast access to SQL Server databases and documents.

"PowerStore has halved the time it takes to retrieve records, which has greatly improved the customer experience," said Nathan Young, IT Director at the Registrar's Office.

PowerStore's built-in compression capabilities reduced the physical storage footprint from 20U to 2U, reducing power and maintenance costs.

Support for changing needs

PowerStore enables the office to quickly adapt to changing needs. For example, the technology gives constituents instant access to information and supports hybrid working environments.

AI and machine learning technologies automate document processing through text and handwriting recognition, making it easier to store and categorise data.

Reliability and scalability

Integration with PowerEdge servers with Intel Xeon processors makes it easy to scale computing resources during elections, reducing energy and space costs. Reducing the number of physical servers from 50 to 6 in a virtualised environment has reduced licensing costs while increasing efficiency.

"We use iDRAC to remotely manage servers, monitor telemetry and upgrade systems," said Nathan Young.

In summary, the implementation of Dell technology has enabled the Maricopa County Recorder's Office to deliver services faster, reduce costs and ensure strong data protection, which is critical to citizens and the election process.

Case study. Digital transformation of the University of Mindanao with the help of Dell Technologies

Customer

Mindanao State University (MSU), Philippines.

Needs

Mindanao State University in Marawi City is committed to uniting the nation and providing hope through quality higher education. To achieve its academic, research and administrative goals, the university needed to modernise its digital learning and improve the efficiency of campus management.

The solution

Working with Dell's Global Digital Cities team, the university is implementing a smart campus model based on a modern data centre built on Dell Technologies infrastructure. Students and staff have access to digital resources through Dell Latitude laptops and virtual desktop infrastructure, and campus management is provided through the Smart Building Hub.

Results

1. Distance learning. Students can study and research anytime, anywhere with reliable digital services.
2. Smart and secure campus. Automated data and process management ensures the safety, sustainability and efficient planning of campus operations.
3. Sustainable development. The university is implementing sustainable development principles and optimising campus expansion processes.

‘Dell Technologies can innovate and improve technology across a broad spectrum to help us realize our transformative ideas.’

- Atty Basari Dimakuta Mapupuno, President, Mindanao State University

The impact of Dell Technologies' digital solutions

• Dell PowerEdge servers. Deliver flexible performance for dynamic workloads.
• Dell PowerStore storage. Offers an adaptive architecture that is ready for any task.
• Dell VxRail HCI. Simplifies innovation with VMware-based hyper-converged infrastructure.

Smart campus: the way to the future

The University of Mindanao is actively working to create a digital campus twin that will further improve management efficiency, security and infrastructure planning.

Dell Technologies solutions will not only help ensure quality education but also integrate the latest technologies into all aspects of campus life.

Getting started with Dell PowerStore

Steps to get started

1. Needs assessment. The first step is to determine the amount of data to be stored and the specific storage requirements. This includes analysing the type of data (structured, unstructured), the speed at which it must be accessed and the level of redundancy required. It is necessary to determine the future growth of data volumes to properly plan the scale of storage.
2. Planning. At this stage, you will create a detailed plan for integrating Dell PowerStore into your existing infrastructure. The plan should include a specification of the hardware components required for the system to run smoothly, as well as a deployment strategy that may include data migration, network and security setup. It is also important to consider downtime during implementation to minimise the impact on business processes.
3. Implementation. This phase involves the physical installation of the Dell PowerStore hardware and software configuration. You will need to ensure that all system components are properly connected and that network connections are in place. You should then configure the storage, including creating data pools, setting backup and recovery policies, and integrating with existing data management systems.
4. Testing. Once the implementation is complete, it is important to carry out comprehensive testing of the system's performance and availability. This includes testing data access speeds, storage reliability, and backup and recovery capabilities. Key users should be involved in testing real use cases to ensure that the system meets all requirements and is ready for use.

Best practices for setting up

• Use Dell recommendations to optimise your setup. Follow Dell's recommended best practices when configuring your PowerStore. This includes optimising storage settings, configuring caching and load management, and integrating with other systems to maximise performance.
• Update software regularly to ensure maximum performance. Stay current with software updates and security patches from Dell to ensure system stability and security. Regular updates can improve performance, address vulnerabilities and introduce new features that can benefit your business.

Consultation and support

Dell offers a wide range of support services to assist with all phases of PowerStore implementation and operation, including

• Consulting. Dell experts can provide recommendations to optimise the system, tailor it to specific business needs and implement best practices.
• Maintenance. Stay up to date on system health and receive timely assistance with technical issues that may impact performance.
• Staff training. Dell offers training programmes for your staff to ensure they get the most out of the Dell PowerStore. This will enable your team to quickly adapt to new technologies and improve overall service levels.

These steps and guidelines will help your organisation make the most of your Dell PowerStore implementation and leverage its capabilities to improve business data storage and information management.

Conclusion

Dell PowerStore is the ideal solution for today's businesses looking for efficient, scalable and secure data storage. With innovative features such as automation, cloud integration and high availability, Dell PowerStore helps businesses streamline data management and reach new heights.

Learn more about what Dell PowerStore can do for your business from the Solidity experts and take the first step towards modern data storage!