Introducing NetApp ASA: All-Flash SAN Array

This article was written by Sandeep Singh, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Enterprise Storage at NetApp.

NetApp is well known for its leadership in data storage. Need proof? Just check out our numerous accolades. To most, we're the acknowledged leader in both unstructured data (file and object) and unified storage. In fact, we created both categories, introducing NAS to enterprises way back in 1992 and releasing the first unified storage with both file and block in 2002. Since then, we've continued to provide the most innovative, customer-centric solutions across unified storage systems.

But what about block storage, aka SAN storage? It's just a side hobby for NetApp, right? Far from it. We've been building fast, reliable, efficient, and protected SAN storage solutions for more than 20 years, and more than 20,000 customers trust NetApp for their SAN.

For many customers, running SAN on a unified system offers maximum flexibility. And for them, we'll continue to be the leader in unified systems. But other customers have specific requirements for which they want dedicated block storage that simplifies their environment while maximizing resiliency.

New All-Flash SAN Storage Arrays

To serve those customers, I'm proud to announce NetApp® ASA. ASA systems are part of our comprehensive NetApp ONTAP® based storage portfolio, joining the NetApp AFF and NetApp FAS families.

ASA systems are designed as simple, high-performance SAN storage for mission-critical applications, databases, and VMware infrastructure. They come standard with industry-leading effective capacity that couples leading raw-to-usable conversion along with the NetApp 4:1 Storage Efficiency Guarantee (part of NetApp Advance), as well as integrated data protection and unparalleled hybrid cloud connectivity.

But I said mission-critical, right? What about resilience and availability? NetApp ONTAP systems already average more than six nines (99.9999%) availability across our installed base, as validated by IDC. With NetApp ASA, we've enabled a symmetric, active-active architecture that's typically found only on expensive high-end arrays. With this robust, simplified offering, we're confident that we won't just average six nines across our installed base, we'll hit it on every ASA system.

We're so confident about it, that we're offering an included Six Nines Guarantee with every NetApp ASA system. If you experience downtime in excess of 31.56 seconds per year on your ASA system, NetApp will make it right. (Here's the fine print: Usage of NetApp Cloud Insights is required to validate that best practices are enforced, and other terms and conditions will apply.)

Forget the complexity of bespoke infrastructure silos

NetApp ASA is now a part of the ONTAP-based portfolio. Why is that important? Well, because other vendors trap you in complexity that's compounded by bespoke infrastructure silos. They usually have one software stack for SAN, a different software stack for NAS, and a yet another software stack for containers. NetApp ASA systems use the exact same API, CLI, and System Manager GUI that our NetApp AFF and FAS arrays use. That means your team only needs to learn one set of skills and write one set of scripts. Any automation that you build for your unstructured data environment can seamlessly apply to your block environment as well. Definitely celebration-worthy.

ONTAP One for SAN, available exclusively with NetApp ASA, is our included software that provides comprehensive data services that are relevant for SAN workloads. No complicated choices of multiple software bundles. We first launched ONTAP One with our AFF C-Series a few months ago. And with this latest launch, we're extending ONTAP One to our AFF A-Series and FAS systems, so that ONTAP One is now the default for all ONTAP on-premises hardware systems.

And just like with our NetApp AFF and FAS systems, NetApp ASA systems are available with NetApp Advance which includes our industry-leading Storage Lifecycle Program that makes technology refreshes painless. Upgrades are included in the program every three years at no additional cost, and they're performed for you completely non-disruptively. With Advance, you also get the Storage Efficiency Guarantee that I mentioned. This benefit combined with the fact that NetApp systems have up to 50% lower emissions relative to competing all-flash arrays means that you can count on high performance and efficiency while minimizing your energy usage and carbon footprint.

We're offering NetApp ASA systems in models that are similar to those in our NetApp AFF A-Series, including the ASA A150, ASA A250, ASA A400, ASA A800, and ASA A900. The complete family offers simple, resilient SAN storage that's scalable for entry-level customers to midrange enterprise buyers who need the optimal blend of price and performance, all the way up to the largest global enterprise customers who need massive scale.

Data storage that's ready for the modern world

We're a leader in NAS storage. We're a leader in unified storage. And now we're stepping up our SAN game to deliver dedicated block storage that gives you rock-solid availability and efficiency for your most demanding workloads. At NetApp, we are always innovating so that you have data storage that delivers the simplicity, security, savings, and sustainability you need in today's complex and ever-changing world. Unlike other vendors, we believe that you shouldn't have to choose between those four benefits. And with our portfolio, you don't have to.

Learn more about WWT and NetApp joint capabilities.

Guarantees that are referenced in this blog post each have specific terms and conditions that apply.