Dell unveils private cloud & storage updates to boost security
Dell Technologies has introduced several new private cloud infrastructure solutions aimed at supporting organisations in managing both traditional and modern workloads with greater efficiency, security and speed.
The company's announcements focus on reducing operational costs, addressing evolving virtualisation requirements, and helping businesses avoid the constraints of vendor lock-in. Key developments span the Dell Private Cloud platform alongside significant storage and data protection advancements across the PowerStore, PowerFlex, PowerMax and PowerProtect product lines.
Private cloud updates
Dell's Private Cloud platform is designed to enable customers to deploy and manage private clouds with their choice of cloud operating system stacks. The new solution is available both on-premises and through software as a service (SaaS), and uses Dell's disaggregated infrastructure portfolio, including PowerStore, PowerFlex, and PowerMax.
Organisations are able to automate, scale, and monitor their deployments with AI-driven management tools. The inclusion of Dell NativeEdge into the Dell Automation Platform provides a full stack solution that aims to simplify and secure operations for distributed cloud and edge environments.
Storage enhancements
Dell has unveiled several storage product updates, focusing on both performance and efficiency. PowerStore, the company's enterprise-grade storage platform, now includes models featuring quad-level cell (QLC) flash for improved cost-efficiency, as well as additional automation capabilities powered by artificial intelligence. The platform's integration with the Nutanix Cloud Platform is due to arrive, combining Dell storage with Nutanix's cloud operating model.
PowerStore's latest enhancements include the introduction of the 5200Q model, offering high-capacity performance and flexible scaling options. Security features have been expanded with anomaly detection, single sign-on and biometric capabilities, and replication over fibre channel. Dell also cites a 90% reduction in issue resolution time via AI-powered auto-healing functionality.
PowerFlex, Dell's software-defined storage solution, launches the PowerFlex Ultra release, which aims to significantly improve storage efficiency and reliability via its new Scalable Availability Engine (SAE). Dell reports that PowerFlex Ultra offers up to 80% storage efficiency and a reduction of over 50% in physical storage footprint, while supporting 10x9s data availability to ensure uninterrupted operations and data integrity even during hardware failures.
Meanwhile, PowerMax, targeted at mission-critical use cases, receives software updates said to boost performance by up to 25%. It introduces new automation features such as 1-click software updates, zero-touch management, and single-drive scaling. PowerMax 2500 adds support for QLC drives with capacities ranging from 122TB to 8.8PBe per array, and new security measures including Single Sign-On integration with Microsoft Entra ID and encrypted email alerts.
Cyber resilience
For data protection, Dell has released the PowerProtect Data Domain DD3410, an entry-level appliance that provides scalability from 8 to 32 TBu and advanced data security features. The solution is positioned for smaller offices and remote environments and includes integration options with PowerStore and PowerMax storage arrays.
Additionally, the new PowerProtect Data Manager Appliance consolidates cyber resilience functions into a single platform, delivering centralised operational management. Key features are anomaly detection, data immutability, and protection against threats and disruptions.
Industry perspectives
"At Dell Technologies, we're empowering our customers with solutions that not only meet today's IT challenges but also anticipate tomorrow's needs," said Travis Vigil, Senior Vice President, ISG Product Management, Dell Technologies. "Our latest storage and cyber resilience advancements are designed to help organisations build private clouds that are smarter, more secure and ready to handle the demands of both traditional and modern workloads."
Thomas Cornely, Senior Vice President, Product Management at Nutanix, commented, "With our Nutanix Cloud Platform soon supporting Dell PowerStore, we will be giving customers a new choice in how they architect their virtualised environments. This integration will deliver an enterprise-grade solution that meets today's demands for flexibility, while allowing organisations to build confidently with Dell infrastructure."
Simon Robinson, Principal Analyst, Enterprise Strategy Group, now part of Omdia, stated, "Organisations today face the dual challenge of managing traditional and modern workloads while navigating rising costs and evolving IT demands. Dell's latest advancements in storage and cyber resilience provide a comprehensive and flexible foundation for disaggregated private cloud environments, empowering businesses to achieve greater efficiency, security and scalability across their IT operations."
