In addition to an improved OpenFlex Data24 platform, Western Digital is also launching new RapidFlex NVMe-oF bridges and an NVMe SSD.

To follow the AI ​​hype, Western Digital (WDC) is optimizing its OpenFlex Data24 3200 platform, a fully integrated NVMe-oF storage platform that extends NVMe flash performance to a shared storage architecture.

By separating memory and computing power and sharing them over Ethernet, OpenFlex Data24 becomes widely available to multiple applications and servers. This allows for better resource control and scalability, resulting in improved storage utilization without over-provisioning.

Up to six hosts can be connected without switches via RapidFlex FBDs. Data24 3200 is available in a 2U 24-bay unit with up to 368TB in a single platform of dual-port, low-latency PCIe Gen 4.0 SSDs.

New hardware

At the same time, Western Digital is announcing two RapidFlex NVMe-oF bridge products: the RapidFlex A2000 controller and the RapidFlex C2000, which places the A2000 chip on a PCI adapter to power solutions like the new OpenFlex Data24.

Both devices export the PCI bus over Ethernet, making externally attached SSDs appear as if they are local to the server. The new family also doubles the performance with an additional 100GbE port paired with 16 PCIe Gen 4.0 lanes.

Finally, the Western Digital Ultrastar DC SN655 is also new. This dual-port PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD focuses on application workloads such as disaggregated storage, object storage, storage servers, and other mission-critical applications.

The Ultrastar SN655 achieves over one million maximum random read IOPs and improved Quality of Service (QoS) for large unstructured workloads. The SSD features a U.3-15mm form factor and is U.2 compatible.