Dell PowerStore’s Latest Release: Smarter, Denser and More Secure

Blog written by Brian Henderson, director, primary storage and ISG portfolio messaging, Dell Technologies, Inc., published Jan. 13, 2026

PowerStore‘s latest release delivers more cost-efficient data density, more advanced cybersecurity, and streamlined file operations. PowerStore’s latest release delivers innovations in QLC technology, cybersecurity, and unified file operations. Key features include reduced costs with high-capacity QLC drives, advanced replication options for data protection, and file system enhancements to meet growing business demands with optimal efficiency and security.

Maximize savings with high-density QLC media
Early QLC offerings forced enterprises to accept trade-offs between performance, cost, and reliability. When PowerStore’s QLC models hit the market, they shattered the industry perception with an advanced software architecture that transforms cost-efficient QLC into an enterprise-class workhorse. Customers get the same ultra-fast NVMe performance, sub-millisecond latency, and advanced always-on data reduction as TLC models with up to 15% lower TCO. ⁽¹⁾

Now, we’re delivering even bigger savings in a smaller footprint with the introduction of 30TB QLC drives. Businesses can now store up to 2PBe of data in just 2U ⁽²⁾ of rack space, doubling the capacity per rack unit and improving power efficiency by up to 23%. ⁽³⁾ For organizations grappling with rising energy costs, growing storage requirements, and shrinking budgets, PowerStore’s Q models directly address those challenges by lowering upfront costs and delivering significant long-term power and space savings without sacrificing performance or reliability.

Protect your business from the unexpected
Cyber criminals and unplanned outages are ever-present potential threats, making data protection non-negotiable. PowerStore’s always-on cybersecurity makes it easy to create a robust defensive strategy with a suite of new capabilities to ensure your data remains secure and accessible, no matter what. Key additions included in this no-cost software release include:

• Synchronous replication over Fibre Channel (FC) for block workloads, eliminating data loss and minimizing recovery times for critical data
• Asynchronous replication over FC for file systems, simplifying disaster recovery with granular, 5-minute RPOs
• Metro sync replication for file with automated failover, ensuring zero RPO/RTO for mission-critical operations
• Multiparty authorization for requiring a second, authorized administrator to approve critical storage changes

Whether defending mission-critical data from breaches or protecting against an unplanned event, PowerStore’s built-in capabilities, PowerProtect integration, strong ecosystem partnerships, and advanced AI-powered anomaly detection enable you to design a flexible and robust cyber resiliency strategy that fits perfectly with your business operational model.

Streamline operations
PowerStore’s architecture delivers flexibility and efficiency by consolidating diverse workloads with its next-gen unified and scale-out foundation. Now, managing your environment is even easier.

First, we’re adding support for advanced NFSv4.2 features, such as:

• Server-Side Copy, to reduce network traffic when moving or duplicating data
• Sparse Files, for optimizing capacity for virtual machines and databases
• Labeled NFS, for secure file sharing across diverse environments

Additionally, the new file ‘Top Talkers’ feature provides deep file resource insights. Administrators can easily identify top consumers, monitor performance metrics like IOs and bandwidth, and respond with QoS policies to address bottlenecks. These enhancements make it easier than ever to optimize performance and deliver high-quality services to end users.

Finally, Dell AIOps brings powerful multi-system management capabilities, enabling administrators to initiate updates across their fleet of PowerStore systems from a single cloud console. No matter how many arrays you have, it’s now easier and faster to keep your systems up to date with the latest code.

Data platform for bold futures
PowerStore isn’t just storage; it’s the foundation for your next big idea. Last year, Dell Private Cloud made private cloud deployments faster, easier, and more flexible, and this release is only the beginning of an exciting year full of groundbreaking innovations that you won’t want to miss.  Designed to tackle today’s challenges and seize tomorrow’s opportunities, there’s no better time to upgrade and stay ahead of the curve.

⁽¹⁾ Cost savings are approximate based on internal comparisons with equivalent capacity 3200T models. For estimation purposes only actual savings may vary based on configurations.
⁽²⁾ Assumes 5:1 data reduction. Actual results may vary.
⁽³⁾ Based on fully configured 3200Q appliances with 30TB QLC drives versus with 15TB QLC drives assuming 5:1 DRR. Actual results may.

Resources:
Dell PowerStore web page      
StorageReview: “Dell PowerStore 5200Q: QLC for Mainstream Workloads and the March Toward Autonomous Storage”     
Video: How PowerStore Elevates QLC from Business-Friendly to Business Critical 
Infographic: Fast Flexible Clouds with Dell PowerStore  
Blog: AI-Powered IT: From Reactive to Proactive with Dell AIOps