Compare HPE Pointnext vs. ONTAP Select

The convergence of high-performance computing (HPC) and machine learning is placing unprecedented requirements on storage solutions, as the input/output demands of these two distinct workloads diverge significantly. This shift is occurring at this very moment, with a recent analysis from the independent firm Intersect360 revealing that a striking 63% of current HPC users are actively implementing machine learning applications. Furthermore, Hyperion Research projects that, if trends continue, public sector organizations and enterprises will see HPC storage expenditures increase at a rate 57% faster than HPC compute investments over the next three years. Reflecting on this, Seymour Cray famously stated, "Anyone can build a fast CPU; the trick is to build a fast system." In the realm of HPC and AI, while creating fast file storage may seem straightforward, the true challenge lies in developing a storage system that is not only quick but also economically viable and capable of scaling effectively. We accomplish this by integrating top-tier parallel file systems into HPE's parallel storage solutions, ensuring that cost efficiency is a fundamental aspect of our approach. This strategy not only meets the current demands of users but also positions us well for future growth.

NetApp ONTAP Select provides powerful enterprise storage solutions that can be effortlessly implemented on your preferred commodity hardware within your own data center. By merging the agility and precise capacity scaling of cloud services with the flexibility, durability, and proximity of local storage, it creates a hybrid environment that is highly efficient. This system transforms a server’s internal disk drives, whether they are NVMe, SSD, or HDD, along with HCI and external array storage, into a nimble and adaptable storage infrastructure, delivering many advantages comparable to dedicated storage systems backed by NetApp® ONTAP® data management software. Users can quickly activate storage resources with cloud-like efficiency, transitioning from setup to active data serving in mere minutes. It allows for seamless data movement and replication, ensuring consistent management throughout your data fabric. You can dynamically increase capacity and enhance performance to align with evolving business requirements. Additionally, it supports Extreme Edge deployments, catering to mobile or autonomous vehicles, remote industrial settings, and tactical field operations, further extending its versatile applications. This makes it an ideal solution for organizations looking to optimize their storage strategy in various operational scenarios.