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Pure Storage Introduces an All-Flash Approach to Converged Infrastructure: FlashStack CI
[December 11, 2014]

Pure Storage Introduces an All-Flash Approach to Converged Infrastructure: FlashStack CI


Pure Storage, the all-flash enterprise storage company, today unveiled FlashStack™ CI: a new line of heterogeneous converged infrastructure (CI) solutions comprised of comprehensive reference architectures, deployment and sizing guidelines and single-call support, delivered through FlashStack Authorized Support Partners within the Pure Storage Partner Program (P3). FlashStack CI solutions are fully tested, pre-validated and proven to streamline the implementation of modern infrastructure, delivering faster time to value for service providers and enterprise customers. The introductory configurations combine Pure Storage FlashArray 400 Series arrays with Cisco (News - Alert) UCS Blade Servers, Cisco Nexus switches, VMware vSphere® 5 and VMware Horizon 6, to form turnkey, highly-performant and efficient flash-powered infrastructure stacks that optimize virtual server (VSI) and virtual desktop (VDI) deployments at scale.

The Flash Revolution (News - Alert) Advances with Pure Storage FlashStack CI

IT departments are increasingly turning to converged infrastructure (CI) solutions to simplify the design and repeatability of their data center infrastructure investments. Until now, the vast majority of CI solutions have been saddled with the complexity, inefficiency and poor performance of mechanical disk. Pure Storage FlashStack CI solutions offer a holistic all-flash alternative to disk-based CI offerings, and simplify and streamline the selection, planning, design, implementation and support of complete data center infrastructure stacks powered by virtualization and flash. Fueled by FlashArray, FlashStack CI uniquely eliminates performance bottlenecks, increases infrastructure reliability and provides dramatic rack space, power and cooling savings.

  • Introducing FlashStack CI for Virtual Desktops
    FlashStack CI for VMware Horizon includes a comprehensive reference architecture that combines Pure Storage 400 Series FlashArrays, Cisco UCS Blade Servers and Nexus switches, and VMware vSphere 5.5 with VMware Horizon 6 to enable rapid implementation and time to value of a high performance infrastructure that supports VDI deployments. It can easily scale from hundreds of desktops up to 3000 in one standard rack, with sub-millisecond response times for a "better than desktop" end user experience. FlashStack CI VDI solutions include 24/7/365 single-call support delivered through Pure Storage FlashStack Authorized Support Partners.

"VMware Horizon, the industry's most comprehensive desktop solution, paired with Pure Storage FlashStack CI, will provide organizations with technology that is simple to deploy and can accelerate time to value," said Sumit Dhawan, senior vice president and general manager, desktop products and end user computing at VMware. "With Pure Storage FlashStack CI and VMware Horizon, customers can realize the benefits of a flexible and high performing virtual desktop infrastructure solution."

  • Introducing FlashStack CI for Virtual Servers
    FlashStack CI for VMware vSphere combines Pure Storage 400 Series FlashArrays, Cisco UCS Blade Servers and Nexus switches, and VMware vSphere 5.5, to enable faster implementation for virtual server deployments. Offering high performance infrastructure for business-critical applications, FlashStack CI for VSI lets users consolidate hundreds of enterprise-class VMs into a single stack and provision 1000+ VMs in minutes, while sustaining sub-millisecond response times for mission-critical workloads. The solution also includes 24/7/365 single-call support delivered by Pure Storage FlashStack Authorized Support Parners.



FlashStack CI: Uniquely Backed by Channel-Led, Single-Call Support

FlashStack CI solutions are delivered and supported exclusively by FlashStack Authorized Support Partners (ASP). FlashStack ASPs are trained and fully certified to sell and support Cisco, VMware and Pure Storage technologies, ensuring they can offer unified Level 1 and Level 2 support, for a seamless and highly personalized customer experience. Customers benefit from customized turnkey solutions, services and support from their preferred providers.


Pure Storage FlashStack CI solutions with single-call support are available to purchase exclusively from FlashStack ASPs in select regions, including: Datalink in the United States, Proact in the United Kingdom, and Southern Cross in Australia. The company will continue expanding its FlashStack CI solutions and their global availability, with the addition of new reference architectures, technology configurations, and FlashStack ASPs in 2015. Through its channel-led go-to-market strategy for FlashStack CI, Pure Storage is reaffirming its commitment to being a channel-centric vendor.

"As all-flash storage matures, customers are asking Pure Storage to provide 'full stack' solutions to speed the adoption of next-generation infrastructure. Delivering absolute simplicity and the best possible storage experience is core to our vision, so developing converged infrastructure solutions that deliver on that promise is an important step forward for Pure," said Matt Kixmoeller, vice president of products and marketing at Pure Storage. "Together with our trusted FlashStack Authorized Support Partners, we are eliminating the adoption barriers of all-flash VSI and VDI infrastructure for our mutual customers and accelerating ROI."

FlashStack Authorized Support Partner Quotes

"As an industry leading integrator of Cisco-centric converged data center infrastructures, Datalink is pleased to add FlashStack to our suite of offerings. We have already installed FlashStack in our lab and in production environments, and stand ready to provide our customers with a single point of accountability-spanning design, installation, support, and management-for this multi-vendor, converged solution," said Shawn O'Grady, chief operating officer at Datalink. "We are pleased to be expanding our partnership with Pure Storage as the first FlashStack Authorized Support Partner in the United States."

"As they refresh their infrastructures and consider improving how they deliver IT services, our customers and prospects show real interest in innovative solutions such as converged systems. They simplify implementation of infrastructure and speed up the time to deliver measurable cost savings, providing smart, and strong, investment. Until now there have been few options to support a truly next-generation converged infrastructure," said Mark Butcher, commercial director at Proact. "Pure Storage's FlashStack, however, offers a comprehensive, high performance scalable solution, and we are proud to be the first FlashStack partner in the United Kingdom."

"Building upon market leading products from Pure Storage, VMware and Cisco, FlashStack CI makes it simple for enterprises to unlock the benefits of a next-generation infrastructure for modern data centers. We are very excited to be the first FlashStack Authorized Support Partner in the Asia Pacific region, delivering this powerful, enterprise-ready solution," said Mike Sakalas, chief executive officer at Southern Cross. "The partnership between Southern Cross and Pure Storage will offer our customers a truly converged infrastructure powered by flash - a solution that has no equal in the market today. This is yet another example of Southern Cross bringing innovative solutions to market that accelerate success for our customers."

More Information

FlashStack CI reference architectures are available now and can be downloaded for free (registration is required).

To learn more about Pure Storage FlashStack CI solutions with single-call support, download the reference architectures, or to locate an authorized reseller in your region visit: www.purestorage.com/FlashStack. For pricing and configuration information, customers should contact a FlashStack Authorized Support Partner in their region for a quote.

To become a FlashStack ASP, partners are required to be in good standing with P3 requirements, should already offer 24/7/365 multi-vendor support offerings, and must be trained and authorized to sell and support all technology components of FlashStack CI solutions. P3 partners interested in becoming a FlashStack ASP should contact their local Pure Storage Channel Account Manager for more information.

About Pure Storage

Pure Storage, the all-flash enterprise storage company, enables the broad deployment of flash in the data center. When compared to traditional disk-centric arrays, Pure Storage all-flash enterprise arrays are 10x faster and 10x more space and power efficient at a price point that is less than performance disk per gigabyte stored. The Pure Storage FlashArray is ideal for high performance workloads, including server virtualization, desktop virtualization (VDI), database (OLTP, real-time analytics) and cloud computing. For more information, visit www.purestorage.com.

Connect with Pure Storage:

Join the discussion on our blog: http://www.purestorage.com/blog

Converse on Twitter (News - Alert): http://www.twitter.com/PureStorage

Follow on LinkedIn (News - Alert): https://www.linkedin.com/company/pure-storage

VMware, VMware Horizon and VMware vSphere are registered trademarks or trademarks of VMware, Inc. in the United States and other jurisdictions. The use of the word "partner" or "partnership" does not imply a legal partnership relationship between VMware and any other company.

The Pure Storage "P" and FlashStack CI logos are trademarks of Pure Storage, Inc. All other trademarks or trade names referenced in this document are the property of their respective owners.


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