HPE Alletra

HPE Alletra
Name	HPE Alletra
Developer	Hewlett Packard Enterprise
Type	Data storage
Released	2021
Website	https://www.hpe.com/us/en/storage/alletra.html

HPE Alletra. It is a portfolio of data storage systems and as-a-service offerings introduced by Hewlett Packard Enterprise in 2021. The portfolio represents a fundamental shift for the company, moving from traditional storage area network hardware to a unified, cloud-native data management architecture. HPE Alletra is designed to deliver consistent operations and performance across edge computing, data center, and hybrid cloud environments.

Overview

The launch of HPE Alletra marked a strategic pivot for Hewlett Packard Enterprise, consolidating its previous disparate storage lines like HPE Nimble Storage and HPE Primera into a single, modern portfolio. This initiative is central to HPE's broader GreenLake platform, which offers its entire information technology portfolio as a service. The architecture is built on the principle of data-centric design, aiming to abstract data from underlying infrastructure to simplify management and accelerate insights. This approach is a direct response to the growing complexity of managing data across on-premises and public cloud environments like Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure.

Architecture and Design

At its core, HPE Alletra employs a cloud-native microservices architecture, decoupling the data plane from the control plane. This design is powered by the HPE Alletra StorageOS, a unified software-defined storage layer that provides intelligent automation and predictive analytics. The systems utilize NVMe technology, including NVMe over Fabrics, to deliver low-latency, high-performance block storage and file storage. The architecture is inherently scale-out, allowing capacity and compute to scale independently, and is designed for stateless computing to enable non-disruptive hardware upgrades and increased resiliency.

Product Lines and Models

The portfolio is segmented into distinct series targeting different performance and workload requirements. The HPE Alletra 6000 series provides midrange all-flash array performance for mainstream applications and is the successor to the HPE Nimble Storage line. The HPE Alletra 9000 series is designed for mission-critical, high-performance workloads, evolving from the HPE Primera technology. For unstructured data, the HPE Alletra object storage solutions, derived from HPE Scality technology, offer massive scalability. All models are available for purchase or through the HPE GreenLake pay-per-use consumption model.

Software and Management

Unified management is delivered through the HPE Alletra Central cloud console, providing a single pane of glass for monitoring, provisioning, and analytics across the entire fleet. The software leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning from the HPE InfoSight predictive analytics platform for autonomous operations and proactive support. Key software capabilities include integrated data protection with snapshot and replication services, quality of service controls, and Kubernetes integration via the HPE CSI Driver for containerized applications.

Integration and Ecosystem

HPE Alletra is deeply integrated with the HPE GreenLake platform, enabling as-a-service consumption and unified operations with other HPE offerings like HPE ProLiant servers and HPE Aruba Networking solutions. It features broad ecosystem support for major hypervisors including VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V, and open-source platforms like Red Hat Enterprise Linux. For database workloads, it offers optimized integration with Oracle Database, Microsoft SQL Server, and SAP HANA. The systems also support modern DevOps pipelines and infrastructure as code tools like Terraform and Ansible.

Market Position and Competitors

HPE Alletra positions Hewlett Packard Enterprise in direct competition with other major all-flash array and hybrid cloud data management vendors. Its primary competitors include Dell Technologies with its PowerStore and PowerFlex platforms, NetApp with its ONTAP software and AFF systems, and Pure Storage with its FlashArray and FlashBlade products. The as-a-service model via HPE GreenLake also competes with public cloud storage services from Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure, as well as similar consumption models from IBM and Hitachi Vantara.

Category:Data storage Category:Hewlett Packard Enterprise Category:Cloud computing