High-Performance, Small Form Factor Storage Solution

The ActiveStor^® Ultra Edge 100 (ASU-100E) is the newest and smallest addition to the Panasas^® ActiveStor product family. Designed for compact primary and remote data centers, as well as hub-and-spoke edge deployments, the ASU-100E delivers parallel file system performance where you need it in a small footprint and at a low-cost entry point.

The ASU-100E is powered by PanFS^®, the Panasas parallel file system, and is based on the ActiveStor architecture to orchestrate multiple computers into a single entity that serves data to AI/ML and HPC applications for today’s modern HPC. This is performed without manual intervention while continuously balancing the load across the system, scrubbing the stored data for the highest levels of data protection, and encrypting the stored data to protect it from unwanted exposure.

The ASU-100E is built on an industry standard 2U rack height enclosure chassis with a carefully balanced architecture. Each enclosure contains four server nodes that are configured together to provide flexible and scalable ASU-100E storage solutions.

Together with the PanFS DirectFlow^® driver on client systems, the ASU-100E provides parallel and redundant storage access to deliver the highest performance with unlimited scalability, enterprise reliability, and ease of management. The ASU-100E is the ideal compact choice for a high-performance storage solution in manufacturing, life sciences, energy, financial services, media & entertainment, and university & government research.

ASU-100E Enclosure

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the ASU-100E enclosure is a 2U, 19-inch rack-mount chassis that contains four nodes and two redundant 2200 W titanium-level power supplies.

The ASU-100E enclosure is available as two model versions: a “Smart” enclosure and an “Expansion” enclosure. The enclosures are differentiated by the number of director and storage nodes as defined in the following table.

ASU-100E Storage Nodes

ASU-100E storage nodes are servers in the ASU-100E enclosure that run the PanFS parallel file system and are the core of the data plane, storing data and metadata. Each storage node communicates directly and in parallel with client systems.

ASU-100E Director Nodes

The ASU-100E director nodes are servers in the ASU-100E enclosure that run the PanFS parallel file system and are the core of the control plane. Director nodes process file system metadata, coordinate action of storage nodes and Direct-Flow drivers for file access, manage membership and status within the storage cluster, and control all failure recovery and data reliability operations.

ASU-100E Configurations

ASU-100E enclosures are combined into two standard configurations, “Minimum” and “Base”, detailed in the table below. In addition, as the ASU-100E has limitless scalability, standard configurations can be expanded to meet growing demands. Figure 3 shows the “Minimum” configuration.

Figure 3. ASU-100E “Minimum” configuration of three “Smart” enclosures.

PanFS Software Suite

ASU-100E systems include the PanFS Software Suite with DirectFlow Client, NFS, and SMB/CIFS protocol support, PanFS and realm manageability, and security/encryption. The suite also features PanMoveTM and PanViewTM software families for data mobility, visibility, and analytics.

Low Cost to Own and Operate

The ASU-100E has an affordable cost of acquisition due to its optimized storage architecture and smaller footprint on commodity hardware. In addition, PanFS reduces operational cost and complexity—only minimal staff are needed to administer and manage the system, with no extensive training required. It takes only part-time attention from a single person to manage an ASU-100E system, no matter how large the storage configuration is.

ASU-100E Specifications

Timely, High-Quality Service and Support

Unlike open-source solutions and even commercial alternatives from broad portfolio vendors, Panasas offers timely, world-class L1–L4 support.

More Information and Ordering Details

For more information and ASU-100E ordering details, contact your local Panasas representative or visit panasas.com/products/activestor-ultra-edge.