Let’s dive into Dell storage, a key player in the infrastructure solutions group at Dell Technologies, based in Texas.
Since our last discussion on Dell, the tech landscape has shifted dramatically. The spotlight on Dell’s acquisition of EMC has dimmed, especially after VMware, once part of EMC, sold to Broadcom for a staggering $69 billion in 2023. Despite that, the essence of EMC lives on in Dell’s storage technology, though you might not recognize it if you aren’t deeply acquainted with the details.
Dell has rolled out enhanced storage solutions tailored for artificial intelligence (AI). Users can easily extend from on-premises to cloud storage, manage containers, and utilize a variety of as-a-service storage options.
So, where did Dell storage start? It all began in 2008 when Dell acquired EqualLogic, a player in iSCSI storage area networks. In 2011, they added Compellent, another tiered storage SAN specialist. The turning point was in 2015 with the $67 billion acquisition of EMC, which officially closed in 2016. This deal not only expanded Dell’s storage offerings but also included VMware, which later moved to Broadcom.
Dell’s roots trace back to 1984 when Michael Dell launched the company in Texas, selling IBM-compatible PCs. Initially, they had great success in the consumer PC market, but by the early 2000s, they knew they needed to diversify as sales growth began to taper off.
In 2023, IDC named Dell EMC the leading storage array manufacturer with a commanding market share of 26%, far ahead of competitors like Huawei (9.7%), HPE (8.3%), and others. Despite being ranked 34th in the Fortune 500 in 2023, Dell Technologies slipped to 48th in 2024. Their revenues tell an interesting story, soaring from $5.3 billion in 1996 to over $100 billion in 2023, before dropping to around $88.5 billion in 2024.
Dell EMC boasts a robust lineup of storage products. PowerMax, a high-end SAN and NAS solution, is designed for critical databases and heavy virtual machine loads. It comes in two series — 2500 and 8500 — both leveraging Intel’s Xeon processors and NVMe flash drives. The PowerMax 8500 can scale from two nodes to a maximum of 16 nodes and features advanced security measures like the Cyber Recovery Service.
Mid-range offerings like PowerStore replace the former EMC VNX and Unity lines. The latest operating system is PowerStore 4.0, supporting various models from 500T to 9200T, with the recent addition of the 3200Q, which focuses on high-density quad-level cell flash storage.
Isilon storage has transitioned to PowerScale, with options for different performance needs — high speed, balanced, or bulk storage. Their flagship F900 series is tailored for demanding AI and high-performance computing tasks.
PowerFlex, which evolved from EMC’s ScaleIO, positions itself as a flexible “software-first” solution for both file and block storage, capable of scaling up to 16PB. For unstructured data, ECS offers a range of object storage solutions. Models vary in capacity, from tens of terabytes up to 24PB.
For small to medium-sized enterprises, PowerVault ME5 provides affordable, scalable block storage, adaptable for various workloads such as backup, virtualization, and remote office setups.
Dell EMC targets a wide range of markets and workloads. Their storage products cater to everything from high-performance AI needs to standard workloads suitable for entry-level users and SMEs. They’ve got you covered with block, file, and object storage solutions.
Cloud connectivity has long been a staple of Dell EMC’s strategy. Their systems, including PowerMax and PowerStore, integrate seamlessly with public and private clouds. They offer MultiCloud Data Services, combining hosting and storage management. Last year, they partnered with Wasabi Technologies to enhance hybrid cloud solutions.
Dell has also embraced the container landscape. With services like its Apex Red Hat OpenShift, users can leverage open-source container management in enterprise environments. Previously, they rolled out Container Storage Modules (CSMs) to provide advanced Kubernetes storage management.
Lastly, Dell EMC’s Apex consumption model allows customers to choose from various storage types, including block, file, and object solutions. Customers collaborate with Dell to determine their capacity needs, ensuring they’re prepared for future demands.
In summary, Dell’s journey through the storage landscape reflects strategic moves, innovative solutions, and a commitment to meeting diverse customer needs.