While the concept of data storage isn't new, legacy systems were, for decades, restricted by the types of data they could store. As a result, so too were the applications that leveraged data. Today's applications are doing much more than storing and retrieving data. They're creating it. This phenomenon can look like magic until one considers the next-gen file systems, like Dell PowerScale, that power them, opening up a world of possibilities for data-driven applications.
Dell PowerScale servers empower GenAI with Dell's OneFS OS, featuring three layers of storage intelligence: compute and Storage, Presentation, and Client Access. They offer GPU-direct storage, High-Throughput Ethernet support, and, most importantly, easy scale-up and scale-out capability, and flexible storage tier support, giving you the power to adapt to your evolving data storage needs.
The latest Dell PowerScale servers are powered by 5th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors, delivering unparalleled performance and advanced capabilities for GenAI workloads. These processors feature built-in AI acceleration, enhanced security features, and improved I/O capabilities, making them an ideal match for the demanding requirements of GenAI applications. With the combination of PowerScale's intelligent storage architecture and the raw power of 5th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors, organizations can unlock new levels of performance, scalability, and efficiency for their GenAI initiatives.
The Challenge of Unstructured Data
Regarding GenAI, popular tools like ChatGPT for text or DALL-E for images often come to mind. These powerful AIs can create articles, stories, photos, and illustrations seemingly out of thin air. However, behind their stunning output are millions of files stored in text and formats like audio, video, sensor files, and X-rays, to name a few of many formats. This diversity of information, known as unstructured data, poses a significant challenge that does not lend itself to traditional relational databases that store numeric or text information neatly in rows. This is where Dell PowerScale and OneFS come in, revolutionizing the way we handle unstructured data.
PowerScale OneFS Software, A Layered Approach
Empowering organizations to harness unstructured data is an AI-crafted architecture managed by Dell Technologies' proprietary storage OS, OneFS. It employs a three-layer approach:
Compute and Storage Cluster Layer:
This OS-level manages the file system's foundation, offering scalable file clusters with high availability. At this level, PowerScale auto-balances clusters without extra admin and allows for easy lifecycle management of nodes and growth up to a petabyte scale.
File Presentation Layer:
This layer joins data across clusters, thereby making physical data locations irrelevant. It also makes the management of large data volumes, regardless of storage type, easier and offers highly available operations with easy user migration and expansion.
Client Access Layer:
Embracing high-speed ethernet connectivity and support for modern protocols like Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS), Server Message Block (SMB), and Network File System (NFS), the client access layer enables access to data from a multitude of workloads and clients. This layer also leverages next-gen technologies like data direct memory between GPUs and storage offered by companies like NVIDIA, along with intelligent load balancing and security.
Under the OneFS Hood: Dell PowerScale Storage Technology
Of course, the OneFS advances are only possible with the proper storage hardware. Dell PowerScale storage, combined with PowerEdge servers, provides the engine to drive them.
GPU Direct Performance:
Given the sheer amount of unstructured data processed by GenAI systems, PowerScale takes advantage of the GPU-direct-enabled servers and NFS over RDMA. As a result, CPU usage is optimized, and bandwidth and throughput can see up to 8x improvement.
High Throughput Ethernet Support:
Multiple TCP connections can be employed with various PowerScale nodes with an optional client. The net result is higher I/O throughput, network traffic balancing, and improved single NFS mount performance.
Scale Up, Down, and Out:
With GenAI often comes rapid growth. PowerScale offers easy node additions and upgrades across multiple configurations and node types, from multi-petabyte deployments to small cluster systems.
Flexible Storage Tier Support:
PowerScale supports all-flash, archive, and hybrid nodes to address diverse storage needs and budgets. It also reduces in-line data by eliminating duplicate or redundant data.
Other PowerScale Advantages
The Gartner Group has acknowledged Dell Technologies as a leader in distributed file systems and object storage for eight years. Organizations are readily choosing the PowerScale platform for GenAI for a variety of reasons, including:
Rapid scaling to accelerate model training and inferencing
Compatibility with a variety of environments like on-premises, Edge, core, cloud, multi-cloud, and cloud-adjacent
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Real-time API-integrated ransomware protection and embedded federal-grade security
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High-level efficiency with automated cluster operations for maximum performance per watt
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Multi-tenancy capabilities that allow several groups to leverage a single dataset
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Zero trust architecture via OneFS enables organizations to protect data and maintain compliance with federal and international standards.
Partner with UNICOM Engineering to Deploy Dell's GenAI-Ready File Systems
As a Dell Technologies Titanium OEM partner, UNICOM Engineering is uniquely positioned to design, build, and deploy the right hardware solutions for your next ML, AI, or HPC initiative.
Our expertise in AI-optimized file systems ensures that your data center can harness the full potential of these advanced servers, whether deployed at the edge or in the cloud. Leveraging deep engineering expertise, process-driven manufacturing, and robust partner relationships, UNICOM Engineering is committed to delivering quality and innovative solutions. By partnering with us, you gain access to industry-leading technology and a team dedicated to the success of your solution, from design to deployment.
Schedule a consultation today to learn how UNICOM Engineering can help optimize your solution and grow your business.