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Hybrid Storage Features and Benefits

Nimble Storage systems are designed from the ground up for efficiency. Built on the patented Cache Accelerated Sequential Layout (CASL™) architecture, highly-available controllers, and the latest in storage media technology, Nimble Storage arrays come with all the features you will need to consolidate and manage your critical application data.


Here are some of the key features that come standard in a Nimble Storage array:

Feature Function Benefit
Core Functionality
Dynamic Caching Reads active data from flash cache, which is populated on writes or first read Accelerates read operations, with sub-millisecond latency
Write-Optimized Data Layout Coalesces random writes and sequentially writes them to disk as a full stripe Accelerates writes as much as 100x, and gets sub-millisecond latency and optimal disk utilization
Universal Compression Always-on inline compression for all workloads Reduces capacity needs by 30-75%, depending on the workload, with no performance impact
Thin Provisioning Allocates disk space to a volume only as data is written Pools storage, shares free space, and maximizes utilization
Scale Performance Non-disruptively upgrade controllers or swap in higher capacity SSDs Non-disruptive scale-up of performance to manage large amounts of active data
Scale Capacity Non-disruptively add external disk shelves Non-disruptive increase of storage capacity to 100s of TB per system
Instant Snapshot and Recovery Backs up and restores data using point-in-time, space-efficient snapshots taken at regular intervals Retains months of frequent snapshots (improving RPO) with no performance impact—eliminating backup windows and speeding up restores (improving RTO)
Efficient Replication Compresses copies and changes data to the secondary site for disaster recovery Deploys affordable and verifiable disaster recovery and efficiently backs up remote sites over the WAN
Zero-Copy Clones Creates copies of existing active volumes without needing to copy data Creates clones in seconds and saves disk space – ideal for VDI and test/development
Host and Application Integration
Custom Application Profiles Pre-defined policies for block size, caching, compression, and data protection for Microsoft applications and VMware Eliminates the need for manual tuning of storage including data protection configuration
Windows VSS Enablement Nimble Storage Driver for the Microsoft VSS framework for consistent backup Takes application-consistent backups and simplifies data protection for Exchange and SQL Server
VMware Integration Monitors, provisions, and takes snapshots from VMware vCenter Manages storage from vCenter and takes consistent backups of virtual machines
VMware Site Recovery Manager Adapter Supports disaster recovery automation for VMware including failover/failback Simplifies disaster recovery, including testing failover/failback
Management and Support
InfoSight Portal Presents a single view to InfoSight including case management, alerts/triggers, reports, performance analysis, and capacity planning

Provides deep insights on the state of storage with actionable reports and alerts on set events

Manages existing cases and creates new ones from one location

Proactively addresses performance bottlenecks and plans for capacity growth

Proactive Wellness Monitors and analyzes data to identify trends and abnormal operations; sends alerts on critical issues

Spots and remedies potential issues, maximizing uptime, performance, and utilization

Secure Remote Support Allows remote troubleshooting, configuration, and problem resolution Reduces burden on IT staff and quickly resolves problems
Non-Disruptive Upgrades Upgrades software with no disruption to applications Maximizes uptime and user productivity through continuous availability