Avere Systems, a leading provider of enterprise storage for the hybrid cloud, introduced a virtual NAS solution that provides the ability to deploy and scale compute in the cloud while using both on-premises and cloud-based storage resources. Version 4.5 of Avere’s flagship OS delivers Virtual FXT Edge Filers for use within the Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2).


“With this software-only version of Avere’s FXT Edge Filer series, companies can finally connect the dots between the compute cloud, storage cloud, and on-premises storage without sacrificing performance, worrying about security, or breaking the bank,” said Ron Bianchini, president and CEO, Avere Systems. “Avere is excited that this virtual NAS solution will enable companies to take advantage of the flexibility and enormous scale of cloud computing with no radical changes to applications or storage infrastructure. For many customers, this enables them to realize the promised benefits of the cloud.”
Addressing Big Data and the Compute Cloud
Cloud computing is rapidly gaining acceptance by enterprises that require efficient and highly scalable compute resources. Enterprises can benefit from the unique flexibility to permanently move their IT infrastructure to the cloud or temporarily add resources at peak times; however, the compute cloud also presents challenges for big data applications. Application data is massive and typically stored on the customer premises or in the storage cloud, both of which have high latency to the compute cloud.

Avere is changing this with a virtual NAS solution that delivers its record-setting Edge Filer technology in a software-only product that runs in the compute cloud alongside the applications, providing low latency access to the active data and enabling applications to run at maximum performance. Avere’s Virtual FXT Edge Filers are simple to install and manage, provide best-in-class NAS functionality (including NFS and SMB/CIFS), and cluster to deliver high availability, scalable performance and capacity.

Cloudbursting Support
The Virtual FXT can also be used for burst computing in the cloud at peak times with no hardware purchases or long-term commitment to software licenses, allowing companies to provision compute on a pay-as-you-go monthly basis.

“As more businesses turn to the cloud not just for storage but also for compute power, solutions like Avere’s are a viable option for helping organizations store data wherever they need, whether on premises or in the cloud, and still instantly harness the compute power their current business demands wherever those resources may be available,” said Terri McClure, senior analyst at Enterprise Strategy Group. “Avere is bringing data to the compute resources without data migrations, providing real value in terms of giving enterprises true flexibility in sourcing compute resources.”

Availability
The Avere Virtual FXT is generally available and can be purchased directly from Avere Systems and authorized resellers and deployed by customers as an Amazon Machine Image (AMI) within AWS EC2. End-user software pricing starts at $2.50/hr and the software can be licensed on a monthly or yearly basis.