Recently, we sold a few Nimble storage components, primarily SSDs. Admittedly, we weren't entirely familiar with the brand at first. But don't worry, we made some research so you don't need to. Based on our findings, we wrote this article for you.
Dive in and enjoy the read!
Nimble Storage Overview
Nimble Storage, established in 2008, operates as a subsidiary of Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE). The company specializes in developing hardware and software solutions for data storage. Their products focus on data storage arrays that employ the iSCSI and Fibre Channel protocols, and they also offer data backup and protection features.
History
Nimble Storage was founded by Varun Mehta and Umesh Maheshwari in January 2008. The company launched its inaugural product, the CS200 series hybrid arrays, in July 2010 at Tech Field Day. By September 2012, Nimble Storage had secured $40.7 million in funding from investors such as Artis Capital Management and GGV Capital.
Varun Mehta initially held the position of chief executive until March 2011, after which he transitioned to vice president of engineering. Suresh Vasudevan took over as CEO, while Umesh Maheshwari became the chief technology officer. In October 2013, Nimble Storage went public on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol NMBL.
Over the years, the company introduced numerous product updates and expansions. Notably, in June 2014, they announced the CS700 Series Arrays and the All-Flash Shelf, complemented by their Adaptive Flash technology. By November 2014, they had released arrays supporting the Fibre Channel protocol.
In 2015, Nimble Storage introduced updates to the Adaptive Flash platform and achieved Federal Information Processing Standard 140-2 Certification. The company's growth was recognized when it ranked sixth on Deloitte's list of the 500 fastest-growing tech companies in North America in November 2015.
In 2016, Nimble Storage unveiled the Predictive All Flash Array series and later introduced the AF-1000 Series All Flash array and updated CS-Series Adaptive Flash array portfolio. That same year, they formed a strategic partnership with Lenovo, leading to the ThinkAgile CX Series solution.
HPE acquired Nimble Storage for approximately $1.09 billion in cash in March 2017, finalizing the acquisition in April of the same year.
And now, let's see the actual products
HPE Nimble Storage All Flash Arrays
HPE Nimble Storage All Flash Arrays are crafted with a flash-centric architecture, further enhanced by HPE InfoSight's predictive analytics. This synergy ensures swift, dependable data access with an impressive 99.9999% guaranteed availability. These arrays are not only straightforward to deploy and operate but are also primed for cloud integration, facilitating data mobility via HPE Cloud Volumes. Investing in this storage today ensures longevity, backed by technological and business-model innovations. Key offerings include comprehensive licensing, seamless upgrades, flexible payment choices, and readiness for future technologies like NVMe and SCM.
What's new?
HPE Nimble Storage All Flash Arrays have now achieved NEBS certification.
The latest all-flash array platform boasts up to 65% enhanced speed and double the scalability of its predecessors.
These arrays promise superior effective capacity per terabyte of raw storage compared to other all-flash arrays in the market.
The platform is future-ready, architected for NVMe and Storage Class Memory (SCM). Upcoming upgrades with SCM promise even better performance.
For an exhaustive overview of the HPE Nimble Storage product range, visit here.
Key Features
HPE InfoSight Predictive Analytics
Proactively predicts and resolves a staggering 86% of potential issues.
Elevates the support experience with cloud-driven analytics and specialized Level 3 support.
Offers holistic insights across the infrastructure, addressing more than mere storage concerns.
Streamlines planning with actionable forecasts for capacity, performance, and bandwidth requirements.
Continuously evolves by learning from the broader installed base.
Radical Simplicity
Designed for effortless deployment, operation, and management.
Cloud-optimized design ensures seamless data services and mobility across diverse storage types: all-flash, adaptive flash, and HPE Cloud Volumes.
The timeless storage philosophy guarantees enduring satisfaction, complemented by features like comprehensive software licensing, consistent support pricing, and the promise of a free, faster controller upgrade post three years.
Integrates smoothly with diverse ecosystems, including but not limited to VMware, MS applications, Oracle, Veeam.
Fast and Reliable
The scale-to-fit design ensures non-disruptive, independent scaling of both performance and capacity.
Achieves up to 5X or more data reduction leveraging variable block inline deduplication and compression.
Offers cost-efficient backup and DR solutions, transitioning from all-flash to adaptive flash arrays.
Advanced features like data reduction, snapshots, and Triple+ Parity RAID are implemented without compromising performance.
Consistently delivers sub-millisecond response times, ideal for performance-hungry enterprise applications.
Absolute Resiliency
Guarantees an impressive 99.9999% availability.
Triple+ Parity RAID ensures robust data protection, even tolerating 3 simultaneous drive failures, bolstered by intra-drive parity.
Provides granular, FIPS-certified encryption for both at-rest and in-transit data. Secure data shredding is an integral feature.
Comes with native application-consistent snapshots, replication, and is compatible with leading backup software.
All core components, from controllers to SSDs, are redundant and designed for hot-swapping.
NEBS Level 3 Certified
HPE Nimble Storage All Flash Arrays proudly bear the NEBS Level 3 certification.
They are the go-to choice for network equipment and communication service providers seeking NEBS certified All Flash storage for their telecom infrastructure.
This certification is applicable to specific Nimble Storage Adaptive Flash Arrays models, namely AF20, AF20Q, AF40, and AF60.
Notes:
For an in-depth understanding of the 99.9999% availability guarantee, click here.
For more on the HPE Store More Guarantee for HPE Nimble Storage, refer here.
The claim of 86% automatic problem resolution is grounded in real customer data. Further details can be accessed here.
HPE Nimble Storage All Flash Array models
AF20Q:
Raw capacity (TB/TiB): 6–46/5-42
Usable capacity (TB/TiB): 3-25/2–23
Effective capacity (TB/TiB): 14–128/13–116
Max. # of expansion shelves: 1
RAID level: Triple+ Parity
Onboard iSCSI/Mgmt 1Gb/10Gb ports: 4
Optional iSCSI 1 Gb ports: 4, 8, 12, 16
Optional iSCSI 10 Gb ports: 4, 8, 12, 16
Optional iSCSI 25 Gb ports: 4, 8
Optional FC 16 Gb (8 Gb) ports: 4, 8, 12, 16
Optional FC 32 Gb (16 Gb) ports: 4, 8
Max. power requirement (watts/kVA): 600/0.667
Thermal (BTU): 1968
AF20:
Raw capacity (TB/TiB): 11–46/10-42
Usable capacity (TB/TiB): 8-33/7-30
Effective capacity (TB/TiB): 40–168/36–153
Max. # of expansion shelves: 1
RAID level: Triple+ Parity
Onboard iSCSI/Mgmt 1Gb/10Gb ports: 4
Optional iSCSI 1 Gb ports: 4, 8, 12, 16
Optional iSCSI 10 Gb ports: 4, 8, 12, 16
Optional iSCSI 25 Gb ports: 4, 8
Optional FC 16 Gb (8 Gb) ports: 4, 8, 12, 16
Optional FC 32 Gb (16 Gb) ports: 4, 8
Max. power requirement (watts/kVA): 650/0.722
Thermal (BTU): 2132
AF40:
Raw capacity (TB/TiB): 11-184/10-167
Usable capacity (TB/TiB): 8–136/7–124
Effective capacity (TB/TiB): 40–682/36–620
Max. # of expansion shelves: 1
RAID level: Triple+ Parity
Onboard iSCSI/Mgmt 1Gb/10Gb ports: 4
Optional iSCSI 1 Gb ports: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24
Optional iSCSI 10 Gb ports: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24
Optional iSCSI 25 Gb ports: 4, 8, 12
Optional FC 16 Gb (8 Gb) ports: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24
Optional FC 32 Gb (16 Gb) ports: 4, 8, 12
Max. power requirement (watts/kVA): 800/0.889
Thermal (BTU): 2624
AF60:
Raw capacity (TB/TiB): 11–553/10-502
Usable capacity (TB/TiB): 8–407/7–370
Effective capacity (TB/TiB): 40–2037/36–1853
Max. # of expansion shelves: 2
RAID level: Triple+ Parity
Onboard iSCSI/Mgmt 1Gb/10Gb ports: 4
Optional iSCSI 1 Gb ports: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24
Optional iSCSI 10 Gb ports: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24
Optional iSCSI 25 Gb ports: 4, 8, 12
Optional FC 16 Gb (8 Gb) ports: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24
Optional FC 32 Gb (16 Gb) ports: 4, 8, 12
Max. power requirement (watts/kVA): 850/0.944
Thermal (BTU): 2788
AF80:
Raw capacity (TB/TiB): 23-1106/21-1005
Usable capacity (TB/TiB): 17-815/15-741
Effective capacity (TB/TiB): 82-4075/75-3706
Max. # of expansion shelves: 2
RAID level: Triple+ Parity
Onboard iSCSI/Mgmt 1Gb/10Gb ports: 4
Optional iSCSI 1 Gb ports: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24
Optional iSCSI 10 Gb ports: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24
Optional iSCSI 25 Gb ports: 4, 8, 12
Optional FC 16 Gb (8 Gb) ports: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24
Optional FC 32 Gb (16 Gb) ports: 4, 8, 12
Max. power requirement (watts/kVA): 1200/1.333
Thermal (BTU): 3936
Scale-out1 4X AF80:
Raw capacity (TB/TiB): 44232/4023
Usable capacity (TB/TiB): 3260/2965
Effective capacity (TB/TiB): 16303/14827
Max. # of expansion shelves: 8
RAID level: Triple+ Parity
Onboard iSCSI/Mgmt 1Gb/10Gb ports: 16
Optional iSCSI 1 Gb ports: 96
Optional iSCSI 10 Gb ports: 96
Optional iSCSI 25 Gb ports: 48
Optional FC 16 Gb (8 Gb) ports: 96
Optional FC 32 Gb (16 Gb) ports: 48
Max. power requirement (watts/kVA): 4800/5.332
Thermal (BTU): 15744
SSD Expansion Shelves for All Flash Arrays:
Raw capacity (TB/TiB): 6–368/5–334
Usable capacity (TB/TiB): 4–272/3–248
Effective capacity (TB/TiB): 20–1,364/18–1,240
HPE Nimble Storage Adaptive Flash Arrays: A Dual-Purpose Solution
The HPE Nimble Storage Adaptive Flash array stands out as a truly adaptive solution. Designed to cater to both Primary and Secondary flash workloads, it serves as a Hybrid Flash array for mixed primary tasks where efficient flash performance is paramount. Additionally, it doubles as a Secondary Flash array, enabling you to utilize your backup data effectively.
Experience the Power of Predictive Analytics
With HPE InfoSight predictive analytics, the Adaptive Flash Arrays blend a flash-optimized architecture to ensure swift and reliable data access. Boasting a 99.9999% guaranteed availability, your current storage investment is future-proof, thanks to our cutting-edge technology and innovative business models.
What's New?
HPE Nimble Storage Adaptive Flash Arrays have now achieved NEBS (Network Equipment Building System) certification.
The latest HPE Nimble Storage family showcases the functionality of two cost-effective flash arrays in one – Hybrid flash and Secondary flash. These new arrays are up to 65% faster and offer over double the scalability of their predecessors. They employ inline variable block deduplication and compression for optimal data reduction, ensuring they remain relevant both today and in the future.
For a comprehensive overview of the HPE Nimble Storage product range, visit here.
HPE Nimble Storage Adaptive Flash Array Specifications:
Configuration: Base array, 4U
Storage: 21 bays for Large Form Factor HDDs, 3 bays for Dual Flash Carriers with Small Form Factor SSDs
Key Features:
HPE InfoSight Predictive Analytics:
Predicts and resolves 86% of issues automatically.
Enhances support experience with predictive automation and Level 3-only support.
Provides insights across the infrastructure stack.
Simplifies planning with detailed forecasts.
Continuously learns from the installed base to improve infrastructure reliability.
Radical Simplicity:
Effortless deployment, usage, and management.
Cloud compatibility for on-premises or cloud-based flash deployment.
Timeless Storage ensures long-term peace of mind.
Seamless integration with platforms like VMware, MS applications, Oracle, and Veeam.
99.9999% guaranteed availability with Triple+ Parity RAID for enhanced data protection.
Flash Performance for Diverse Workloads:
Efficient performance for mixed tasks.
Flash-speed writing to cost-optimized disk.
Flexible service level adjustments for volumes.
Always-on data reduction for space savings.
Maximize Your Backup Data:
Utilize backup data for various tasks like development, testing, and analytics.
Eliminate the need for full backups and speed up synthetic full backups.
Instant backup data restoration and fast backup verification.
Deep integration with Veeam availability software.
Cost-effective backup and DR solutions.
NEBS Level 3 Certification:
HPE Nimble Storage Adaptive Flash Arrays are NEBS certified.
Ideal for telecom infrastructure needs.
Certification extends to all Nimble Storage Adaptive Flash Arrays models.
HPE Nimble Storage Adaptive Flash Array models
HF20:
Raw capacity (TB/TiB): 21-210/19-191
Usable capacity (TB/TiB): 16-169/14-153
Effective capacity: 81-845/74-768
Max. # of expansion shelves: 6
Flash capacity (TB/TiB): 1.4-28/1.3-25
RAID level: Triple+ Parity
Onboard iSCSI/Mgmt. 1 Gb/10 Gb ports per array: 4
Optional iSCSI 1 Gb ports per array: 4, 8, 12, 16
Optional iSCSI 10 Gb ports per array: 4, 8, 12, 16
Optional iSCSI 25 Gb ports per array: 4, 8
Optional FC 16Gb (8Gb) ports per array: 4, 8, 12, 16
Optional FC 32Gb (16Gb) ports per array: 4, 8
Max. power requirement (watts/kVA): 750/0.833
Thermal (BTU): 2460
HF20H:
Raw capacity (TB/TiB): 11-211/10-192
Usable capacity (TB/TiB): 7-164/6-149
Effective capacity: 34-821/31-746
Max. # of expansion shelves: 6
Flash capacity (TB/TiB): 0.9-28/0.8-25
RAID level: Triple+ Parity
Onboard iSCSI/Mgmt. 1 Gb/10 Gb ports per array: 4
Optional iSCSI 1 Gb ports per array: 4, 8, 12, 16
Optional iSCSI 10 Gb ports per array: 4, 8, 12, 16
Optional iSCSI 25 Gb ports per array: 4, 8
Optional FC 16Gb (8Gb) ports per array: 4, 8, 12, 16
Optional FC 32Gb (16Gb) ports per array: 4, 8
Max. power requirement (watts/kVA): 650/0.722
Thermal (BTU): 2132
HF20C:
Raw capacity (TB/TiB): 21-1050/19-955
Usable capacity (TB/TiB): 16-846/14-770
Effective capacity: 32-1692/28-1540
Max. # of expansion shelves: 6
Flash capacity (TB/TiB): 0.7-38/0.6-35
RAID level: Triple+ Parity
Onboard iSCSI/Mgmt. 1 Gb/10 Gb ports per array: 4
Optional iSCSI 1 Gb ports per array: 4, 8, 12, 16
Optional iSCSI 10 Gb ports per array: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24
Optional iSCSI 25 Gb ports per array: 4, 8
Optional FC 16Gb (8Gb) ports per array: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24
Optional FC 32Gb (16Gb) ports per array: 4, 8
Max. power requirement (watts/kVA): 750/0.833
Thermal (BTU): 2460
HF40:
Raw capacity (TB/TiB): 21-504/19-458
Usable capacity (TB/TiB): 16-406/14-369
Effective capacity: 81-2030/74-1846
Max. # of expansion shelves: 6
Flash capacity (TB/TiB): 1.4-48/1.3-43
RAID level: Triple+ Parity
Onboard iSCSI/Mgmt. 1 Gb/10 Gb ports per array: 4
Optional iSCSI 1 Gb ports per array: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24
Optional iSCSI 10 Gb ports per array: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24
Optional iSCSI 25 Gb ports per array: 4, 8, 12
Optional FC 16Gb (8Gb) ports per array: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24
Optional FC 32Gb (16Gb) ports per array: 4, 8, 12
Max. power requirement (watts/kVA): 850/0.944
Thermal (BTU): 2788
HF40C:
Raw capacity (TB/TiB): 21-1470/19-1337
Usable capacity (TB/TiB): 16-1185/14-1078
Effective capacity: 32-2370/28-2156
Max. # of expansion shelves: 6
Flash capacity (TB/TiB): 0.7-60/0.6-54
RAID level: Triple+ Parity
Onboard iSCSI/Mgmt. 1 Gb/10 Gb ports per array: 4
Optional iSCSI 1 Gb ports per array: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24
Optional iSCSI 10 Gb ports per array: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24
Optional iSCSI 25 Gb ports per array: 4, 8, 12
Optional FC 16Gb (8Gb) ports per array: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24
Optional FC 32Gb (16Gb) ports per array: 4, 8, 12
Max. power requirement (watts/kVA): 850/0.944
Thermal (BTU): 2788
HF60:
Raw capacity (TB/TiB): 21-1260/19-1146
Usable capacity (TB/TiB): 16-1016/14-924
Effective capacity: 81-5080/74-4621
Max. # of expansion shelves: 6
Flash capacity (TB/TiB): 1.4-156/1.3-142
RAID level: Triple+ Parity
Onboard iSCSI/Mgmt. 1 Gb/10 Gb ports per array: 4
Optional iSCSI 1 Gb ports per array: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24
Optional iSCSI 10 Gb ports per array: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24
Optional iSCSI 25 Gb ports per array: 4, 8, 12
Optional FC 16Gb (8Gb) ports per array: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24
Optional FC 32Gb (16Gb) ports per array: 4, 8, 12
Max. power requirement (watts/kVA): 900/1.000
Thermal (BTU): 2952
HF60C:
Raw capacity (TB/TiB): 21-1470/19-1337
Usable capacity (TB/TiB): 16-1185/14-1078
Effective capacity: 32-2370/28-2156
Max. # of expansion shelves: 6
Flash capacity (TB/TiB): 1.4-156/1.3-142
RAID level: Triple+ Parity
Onboard iSCSI/Mgmt. 1 Gb/10 Gb ports per array: 4
Optional iSCSI 1 Gb ports per array: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24
Optional iSCSI 10 Gb ports per array: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24
Optional iSCSI 25 Gb ports per array: 4, 8, 12
Optional FC 16Gb (8Gb) ports per array: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24
Optional FC 32Gb (16Gb) ports per array: 4, 8, 12
Max. power requirement (watts/kVA): 900/1.000
Thermal (BTU): 2952
Scaleout3 4X HF60:
Raw capacity (TB/TiB): 5040/4584
Usable capacity (TB/TiB): 4065/3697
Effective capacity: 326-20324/297-18484
Max. # of expansion shelves: 24
Flash capacity (TB/TiB): 624/567
RAID level: Triple+ Parity
Onboard iSCSI/Mgmt. 1 Gb/10 Gb ports per array: 16
ES3 Expansion Shelf for Adaptive:
Raw capacity (TB/TiB): 21–210/18–190
Usable capacity (TB/TiB): 16–169/14–1543
Effective capacity (TB/TiB): 32–337/28–308
Flash capacity (TB/TiB): 0.7–108/0.7–98
Max. power requirement (Watts/kVA): 500/0.56
Thermal (BTU): 1638
We trust this article provided you with a comprehensive insight into the world of Nimble storage. If you're in search of components for your IT infrastructure, don't hesitate to reach out to us at: info@server-parts.eu.