Dell Delivers Software-driven Storage Innovation for Unity XT Arrays

Focus on security functionality across the array and serviceability and reliability enhancements for non-disruptive upgrades.

Dell Technologies continues to deliver enhancements to Unity XT hybrid flash arrays (HFAs), including cloud-based storage, software-defined storage and cyber security solutions, allowing customers to successfully achieve their expected business outcomes. This software-driven release focuses on strengthening security functionality across the array, a top concern for organizations around the globe, and ensures the serviceability and reliability of non-disruptive upgrades is intact.

Our investment commitment for Unity XT HFA roadmaps has never been stronger, and with that, Dell announces the latest Unity XT Operating Environment (OE) 5.3. OE 5.3 supports several Dell ecosystem technology enhancements, including CloudIQ integrations and reporting and Ansible automation support for several Unity XT HFA software features. Dell’s ecosystem solutions, coupled with the new OE 5.3, empower customers to implement DevOps functions, replicate over-metro distances, create continuous application availability and mobility, deploy copy data management and much more – without compromise.

Here are some of the OE 5.3 highlights:

    • HTTP Security Headers provide additional layers of defense versus cross-site scripting and MIME sniffing attacks.
    • vCenter Certificate Verification verifies certificates when communicating with new vCenter.
    • Remote Secure Credentials (RSC) use a unique one-time generated credential, reducing service costs and response time.
    • Remote Support Connectivity enables direct connect and gateway connection.
    • Dynamic Pre-upgrade Health Check (PUHC) allow audiences to run GUI any time to determine NDU readiness state or health state of array.
    • Periodic Online Drive Firmware Updates (ODFU) checks and upgrades any out-of-date drives that are installed into the Unity system.

With this release, Unity XT HFAs also become the first storage product to meet the USGv6r1 profile capability requirement IPv6-Only Functional v1.1.

Hybrid flash arrays continue to be a compelling storage solution for small and medium businesses right through to the enterprise. It’s why IT managers with a good understanding of their latency requirements can deploy cost-effective solutions such as Unity XT HFAs to meet the performance needs of general-purpose workloads that run their organization. Through effective workload evaluation, businesses can lower their storage infrastructure costs significantly without compromising performance, availability and data services, while also benefiting from a markedly more aggressive TCO profile.

Our customers frequently cite economics, flexibility and management familiarity as key reasons why they still invest in HFAs. Unity XT HFA systems are the perfect choice for customers searching for an all-inclusive, no-compromise hybrid flash array solution.

Dell recognizes the essential value that Unity XT HFAs provide to many businesses – regardless of size – to achieve their desired business outcomes for thousands of general-purpose applications, affordably and without compromise. Unity XT HFAs have certainly lived up to this mission since inception, with world-class hardware and software innovation helping Dell sustain a market leadership position.

For more information about Unity XT HFA, please visit our information site.

Ben Jastrub

About the Author: Ben Jastrab

Over 20 years' experience in the information technology industry in various marketing and product management roles at EMC, VCE and Dell Technologies. Ben currently leads the Product Marketing team responsible for Dell's storage and software-defined infrastructure portfolio, where he manages the development of core product messaging, launch planning and execution, and cross-portfolio integration.