For the second consecutive year, Dell Technologies has been named a Leader in the 2023 GigaOm Radar Report for Enterprise Kubernetes Data Storage. The GigaOm Radar focuses on general-purpose enterprise storage systems that include support for Kubernetes-based container environments, in addition to supporting virtualization, bare metal and other use cases. As a Leader, GigaOm recognized Dell Technologies as having a strong enterprise approach, advanced data services and well-executed developer experience. This recognition coincides with Dell’s continued investment into the developer community, as well as innovation focused on bringing enterprise-class capabilities to customers running Kubernetes.
Across the majority of GigaOm’s Key Criteria and Evaluation Metrics, Dell Technologies was given the highest possible grade of “Exceptional,” indicating outstanding focus and execution. This includes the Key Criteria of native storage integrations, data footprint optimization and developer experience, as well as the Evaluation Metrics of architecture, scalability, efficiency and manageability.
“Dell’s Container Storage Modules are industry-leading extensions to the CSI, enabling advanced data services for Kubernetes-based environments backed by Dell storage. The effort and urgency that Dell is putting into adding capabilities to its portfolio is significant.”
– 2023 GigaOm Radar Report for Enterprise Kubernetes Data Storage
Improving Dell’s Kubernetes Storage Experience
Simplification and scalability are rapidly becoming must-haves for enterprises expanding their Kubernetes data storage capabilities. For customers working with Dell storage, we are solving this challenge with the Dell APEX Navigator for Kubernetes. Available next year, the Dell APEX Navigator for Kubernetes will simplify Kubernetes persistent storage management, enabling storage administrators and DevOps teams to deploy and manage Dell’s Kubernetes data storage software at scale across multicloud environments.
Extending Kubernetes to Dell Object Storage
In addition to the Dell APEX Navigator, Dell’s Kubernetes data storage portfolio is expanding past file and block storage to now include object storage. Available today in Technical Preview, Dell’s Container Object Storage Interface (COSI) brings Dell’s industry-leading Kubernetes storage software to Dell ObjectScale.
COSI is a standard for provisioning and consuming object storage with Kubernetes, recently introduced to the open-source community. The standard aims to provide self-service, portability, and a push toward Kubernetes-native capabilities for enterprises looking to take full advantage of object storage features. By leveraging this standard, Dell is introducing this functionality to Dell ObjectScale, allowing customers to progress toward the next evolution in Kubernetes object storage.
Continuous Innovation
Dell’s strategy is to drive a steady stream of innovation for our Kubernetes storage support. Along with the tech preview of Dell’s Container Object Storage Interface, here are some other recent enhancements to our Container Storage Modules portfolio:
- Continuous development against the latest Kubernetes CSI Specification, such as storage capacity tracking and implementing volume limits.
- New CSM Installation Wizard to simplify installation, including:
- Helm support for PowerFlex, PowerScale and Unity
- Operator support for PowerMax, PowerStore and PowerScale
- Extended CSM Operator support to serve as a one-stop shop for deployment (now available for all five Dell primary storage arrays, in addition to offline installation support).
- New open-source Cert-CSI Self-Certification tool to validate and qualify CSI Drivers not currently supported by the Dell Engineering and Support.
- File support provided for PowerFlex and PowerMax.
For additional details on Dell’s Container Storage Modules, please visit our web page. Download a complimentary copy of the 2023 GigaOm Radar Report for Enterprise Kubernetes Data Storage.
