All-Flash Storage for Databases, VDI and Analytics

Choose an all-flash array by matching workload latency, performance headroom, data reduction potential, spare platform capacity, resilience, and operational tooling at scale.

Map IOPS, latency sensitivity, and data reduction potential against the right array class, and confirm controller headroom with deduplication and compression enabled in production. Check whether the platform uses NVMe or SAS flash so cost, performance, resilience, and manageability stay aligned. Use the platform comparison above to narrow the right option for your workload profile, resilience requirements, and growth plans.

All-flash provides more consistent low-latency performance, while hybrid storage can remain more cost effective for colder or less predictable workloads.

All-flash removes the risk of performance dropping back to disk speeds when active data no longer fits the flash tier, and it also reduces power, cooling, and footprint. Hybrid can lower upfront raw capacity cost, but all-flash is often stronger for unpredictable access patterns and strict latency targets. Use the technology comparison above to compare the main options against workload profile, lifecycle requirements, and operating cost.

Moving to all-flash can reduce backup windows and improve data reduction, but results depend on workload type, change rate, and backup architecture.

Higher IOPS and throughput usually let backup software move data faster with less contention against production input/output, and snapshot-based protection also performs better on flash. However, the backup target can still become the bottleneck, so storage, backup, and recovery should be planned together.

Consider all-flash when current storage causes inconsistent latency, constrained backup windows, poor virtualisation performance, or limited headroom for business-critical workloads.

Typical signs include cached performance that drops under load, user-reported slowness on databases or VDI during peak periods, and backup windows that can no longer be compressed. An all-flash upgrade can also help when consolidating older arrays to reduce footprint, power use, and operational complexity.

Yes, mixed flash and spinning-disk environments can be supported during phased modernisation, with performance-critical workloads moved first and colder data retained.

This approach keeps archive, backup targets, and infrequently accessed file shares on existing disk where appropriate, while higher-priority workloads move to flash first. It gives teams a safer migration path, reduces avoidable disruption, and preserves useful assets where they still fit. For estates combining flash and spinning-disk storage, speak to our storage experts to assess refresh options before finalising a platform decision.

Specify flash endurance and data reduction by matching write intensity, DWPD or TBW ratings, usable capacity assumptions, and workload compression characteristics.

Write-heavy workloads need higher-endurance media, while read-heavy or mixed workloads may not justify the same class, so DWPD or TBW should reflect real write patterns. For capacity planning, request guaranteed reduction figures where available and be cautious with compressed or encrypted data, which often delivers little deduplication benefit.