Cloudian Introducing HyperFile Integrated NAS Controller

Cloudian, Inc. announced the availability of HyperFile, an integrated NAS controller that delivers SMB/NFS file services from on-premises HyperStore object storage systems.

HyperFile is an object storage-based system to include all the features essential to enterprise NAS customers, thus opening the door for deployment in capacity-intensive applications that employ file data. With HyperFile, enterprise customers can achieve limitless scalability and save 70% on TCO when compared with traditional NAS systems.

HyperFile incorporates all NAS features essential for enterprise applications, including SMB(CIFS)/NFS support, snapshot, WORM, non-disruptive failover, scale-out performance, POSIX compliance and Active Directory integration. When combined with the limitless scalability of HyperStore enterprise storage, organisations gain new on-premises options for managing unstructured data, now growing at over 50% annually.

Target markets for HyperFile include media and entertainment, video surveillance, medical imaging, engineering, legal, workgroup collaboration, and home directory.

“To help our customers realise the benefits of satellite-enabled products and services, we employ imagery data that occupies many petabytes of capacity across multiple storage silos. This creates significant data management challenges that will only grow over time,” said Robert Fletcher, head, infrastructure, Satellite Applications Catapult Ltd. “At 1/3 the cost of traditional file storage, Cloudian HyperFile will help us simplify operations by consolidating data to a limitlessly-scalable, cost-effective platform that is fully compatible with our file-based applications.“

Pricing for complete HyperFile storage solutions, including on-premises disk-based storage, starts at less than 1/2 cent/GB/month, representing savings of more than 70% vs. traditional enterprise NAS. According to analysts, the typical annual TCO for enterprise storage is 13 cents/GB/month, of which 48% is the system cost, or approximately six cents/GB/month.

“Exponential growth of unstructured data is the norm for our rapidly growing business, a trend that is further intensified as we deploy new system platforms that generate petabytes of information. We needed a file storage solution that would deliver a step-function improvement in management simplicity and capital cost reduction, while ensuring always-on availability,” said Sean McAdam, VP, computer and network services, Element Fleet Management Corp.“Cloudian HyperFile is the first solution we’ve seen that combines the file management features and rock-solid data durability we need with the scalability, simplicity and value that will help us save on CAPEX and OPEX.“

“The market needs an enterprise file services platform that works adjacent to a scalable object-store, thus consolidating file and object storage to a single pool,” says Amita Potnis, research manager, IDC. “Cloudian’s HyperFile and HyperStore offerings together offer end-users a chance to leverage the cost and scale benefits of object storage while also taking advantage of enterprise NAS capabilities such as HA, snapshots, and WORM.“

Data migration engine for non-disruptive implementation
To simplify implementation, HyperFile incorporates a policy-based data migration engine that transfers files to Cloudian from existing NAS systems, or from proprietary systems such as EMC Centera. IT managers select the attributes for files to be migrated and the data movement then proceeds as a background task with no service interruption.

HyperFile is available as an appliance or as a VM. The appliance is deployed as a node within the company’s cluster and includes active-passive processors for rapid failover, redundant hardware for HA, and integrated caching for performance.

“Business leaders and IT professionals today face a tsunami of unstructured data, in both file and object formats, all of which must be stored, managed, protected, and analysed. The key to success is to simplify and consolidate on-premises data management,” said Michael Tso, CEO, Cloudian. “Cloudian HyperFile completes the picture by letting organisations combine all unstructured data types in a single, infinitely scalable pool that is standards-based and highly cost-effective.“

Included as standard feature of HyperStore
Two software versions, HyperFile Basic and HyperFile Enterprise, allow customers to select the required functionality. An HyperFile Basic software license is included with HyperStore. Pricing for complete on-premises, appliance-based solutions, begins at 0.5 cent/GB/month.

HyperFile is available.

“IT professionals urgently need new, innovative solutions that address the challenge of unstructured data growth,” commented Troy Platts, director, Nexstor Ltd., a Cloudian partner. “Cloudian HyperFile delivers a compelling combination of enterprise features, limitless capacity, and unprecedented economics. In the face of quickly evolving requirements, HyperFile will help organisations running data-intensive applications meet the inevitable challenges of complexity, capacity, and budget.“

Click to enlarge