The Top 5 Benefits of Flash Storage Arrays: What You Need to Know

Well, first, understand that not all flash storage arrays are created equal.

• Hybrid arrays are cheaper than all-flash arrays, a hybrid option with auto-tier functionality can accelerate application speed at a minimal incremental cost. Combining a flash tier in addition to spinning disk, data centers can far better achieve better performance than spinning disk alone.
• Converged flash storage arrays accommodate disk media while offering the performance and latency of an all-flash array. It often is less expensive than an all-flash array and supports block workloads, file shares, and the scale and resiliency of a high-end array.
• All-flash arrays are built exclusively with solid-state drives. If you need optimum performance, an all-flash array built on a flash-optimized architecture is your best bet. Because the cost of all-flash has dropped so much, an all-flash data center is now on the roadmap for many enterprises.

Here are the top benefits of flash storage and what you need to look for:

1. Greater performance that offers unparalleled speed.
   • Look for solutions that offer scalable and predictable performance. Evaluate IOPs at a given latency level. Make sure your architecture supports the power of an all-flash environment.
   • All-flash storage arrays such as the HPE 3PAR StoreServ deliver up to 900k IOPs with latencies from 0.3 to 0.7 milliseconds.
2. Resiliency and ability to scale.
   • Be sure the array can deliver 99.9999% availability—enabled by both hardware and software redundancy, non-disruptive hardware and software upgrades, as well as transparent failover.
   • Because of explosive data growth, platforms must also scale to hundreds of terabytes or more.
   • Select a storage platform that offers consolidated management enabling administrators to manage and provision more storage with less effort.
3. Stronger data backup and dependable recovery.
   • Choose an array that supports rich data services such as clustering or multi-site replication.
   • Select a solution that supports unplanned controller failures or maintenance of a controller node.
   • Look for an array that offers a flash-integrated flat backup that accelerates and restores while still minimizing the impact of backups on apps.
4. Storage without boundaries: data mobility.
   • Your data needs to be able to move between applications, systems, storage, and physical locations. Make sure your storage solution allows your team the control it needs to optimize storage and manage workloads without disruption.
   • Opt for a storage solution that does not require additional hardware or management overhead to pool or transfer resources. For example, HPE 3PAR Peer Motion software allows for block migration between any HPE 3PAR StoreServ system without the need for any additional tools.
5. Affordability through cost efficiency.
   • Capacity efficiency is a driver to controlling storage costs and boosting data center efficiency. Look for a solution that negates the need for back-up storage copies.
   • Some solutions can reduce your storage footprint by 80%, allowing for further reductions in power and cooling costs. Do your homework and ask how much you can expect to pay per usable GB—you might be surprised that it costs the same as maintaining a spinning disk environment.