#133 – FlashArray//C Deeper Dive with Pete Kirkpatrick

#133 – FlashArray//C Deeper Dive with Pete Kirkpatrick

Chris Evans All-Flash, Guest Speakers, Pure Storage

#133 – FlashArray//C Deeper Dive with Pete Kirkpatrick

This episode was recorded live at Pure Storage offices in Silicon Valley. Chris talks to Pete Kirkpatrick, Chief Hardware Architect at Pure Storage about the FlashArray//C platform. FlashArray//C is a new solution announced at Pure Accelerate 2019 that offers a lower-cost all-flash solution for less latency-sensitive workloads.

FlashArray//C uses QLC technology, a cheaper, but slower flash alternative to SLC, MLC or even TLC that is being used in all-flash arrays today. Developing a solution using QLC requires more flash management, however using DirectFlash compared to standard SSDs offers Pure Storage cost and management advantages.

How will customers adopt the new technology? Introducing a new storage tier that sits below existing all-flash could be seen as an opportunity for customers to move away from FlashArray//X. Pete doesn’t see this as a threat, because the wider benefits for all-flash solutions are creating a new market.

Elapsed Time: 00:37:48

Timeline

  • 00:00:00 – Intros
  • 00:01:05 – What are the differences/similarities of FlashArray//C & //X?
  • 00:03:30 – Pure Storage developed flash modules rather than using SSDs
  • 00:05:20 – QLC and TLC will co-exist in the enterprise
  • 00:05:50 – Why is QLC much harder to deal with?
  • 00:07:20 – 3x better endurance with DirectFlash, 10x compared to native SSD
  • 00:10:55 – Endurance saves cost – but also impacts and reduces risk
  • 00:12:00 – Latency & cost are the differentiators for //X and //C
  • 00:14:00 – Tiering solutions were always reactive and not proactive
  • 00:17:00 – How are FlashArray//C & //X differentiated in price?
  • 00:19:00 – Bigger drives means more metadata – means more DRAM
  • 00:19:55 – How does TCO affect pricing decisions?
  • 00:22:00 – How else will //C & //X be differentiated?
  • 00:23:40 – Will customers not simply move to //C from //X?
  • 00:25:45 – Running two arrays allows for real data protection
  • 00:26:30 – Is there a reason for holding back QLC to 2020?
  • 00:28:00 – How does Evergreen affect pricing with both //X & //C?
  • 00:29:25 – Could DirectMemory be used within //C?
  • 00:32:30 – Will there ever be an SCM-based FlashArray?
  • 00:33:35 – Is there any practical use to PLC flash?
  • 00:36:45 – Wrap Up

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