Nimbus Data Systems, Inc., the leading innovator in next-generation flash memory infrastructure, today announced that Cloudmark, the global leader in messaging threat protection for communication service providers, has deployed Nimbus Data’s Gemini all-flash array to power its virtualization infrastructure for its most business-critical applications. With Nimbus Data’s Gemini all-flash array and Brocade VDX 6700 switches, Cloudmark is positioned to dramatically reduce its data center footprint to save $500,000 in annual operating cost, achieving complete return on its Nimbus Data investment in under six months.
“During our evaluation, Nimbus Data far surpassed the competition in terms of performance, rack space efficiency and the return on investment achieved,” said Ryan White, vice president of operations at Cloudmark. “The Nimbus Data Gemini all-flash array produced astounding performance results and enabled us to capitalize on network convergence by supporting FCoE out-of-the-box, simplifying our environment considerably.”
Cloudmark builds messaging security software that protects communications service provider networks and their subscribers against the widest range of messaging threats. Cloudmark Security Platform™ delivers instant security and control across diverse messaging environments, enabling communications service providers to create a safe user experience, protect revenue and safeguard their brand, while streamlining infrastructure and reducing operational costs.
While Cloudmark had already virtualized hundreds of its physical servers, 25 percent of its application servers remained on dedicated hardware for performance reasons. With each application server currently using its own dedicated storage, virtualizing Cloudmark’s crown jewels would demand a storage solution that significantly exceeds the collective performance and capacity of the existing hardware. That demanded a solution that could accommodate tens of thousands of IOps and nearly 20 TB of capacity, as well as consistent low latency.
Before selecting Nimbus Data, Cloudmark ran extensive head-to-head comparisons against competing all-flash arrays, hybrid storage arrays, and even big-name disk arrays loaded with cache. When the dust settled, Cloudmark chose Nimbus Data. Delivering 250,000 IOps per 8 Gb Fibre Channel connection, the Gemini all-flash array dramatically outpaced competing offerings. The compact, ultra-efficient and fault-tolerant Gemini design occupied the least rack space and required the least amount of energy as well, ensuring the lowest operating cost. Cloudmark realized even further cost savings by using Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) to connect its servers to the Gemini all-flash array via Brocade VDX 6700 switches. Using Ethernet on its VMware hosts leveraged Cloudmark’s existing infrastructure and IT team skillset, enabling Cloudmark to avoid additional capital investment and IT training.
“Data center costs matter, and Cloudmark’s selection of Nimbus Data’s Gemini array demonstrates the compelling return on investment possible with all-flash technology,” stated Thomas Isakovich, CEO and Founder of Nimbus Data. “Cloudmark’s deployment of our Gemini array is a great example of how a full-featured all-flash system can dramatically improve bottom-line results. The unmatched performance combined with the multiprotocol support of our Gemini array has enabled Cloudmark to future-proof their virtualized infrastructure, far extending the return on investment for years to come.”
For more detailed information on Cloudmark’s deployment of Nimbus Data’s Gemini all-flash array, read the case study at: http://www.nimbusdata.com/resources/casestudies.php.