An Update on the Plexistor Acquisition: Introducing NetApp Memory Accelerated Data

NetApp first announced the acquisition of a company and technology called Plexistor in May of 2017. At NetApp Insight™ 2017, we first publicly talked about our vision for the Plexistor technology, allowing us to create ultralow-latency data acceleration services for persistent memory in application servers, without sacrificing enterprise-grade data management.

Just over a year later, we've made tremendous progress in taking the leading-edge Plexistor technology and getting it ready for enterprise-grade deployment. As part of that process, we are integrating its high-speed memory-based services with the industry-leading NetApp^® ONTAP^® data management software.

Although we aren't quite ready to release the software yet, we do want to share a few updates. First, we've settled on a name for the overall family of software, and we decided to call it exactly what it is: NetApp Memory Accelerated Data. I happen to prefer its short name: NetApp MAX Data.

MAX Data will be powered by the NetApp Memory Accelerated File System (NetApp MAX FS). It will run on application servers and will use persistent memory such as the Intel and Micron 3D XPoint architecture to dramatically accelerate traditional and emerging workloads, while offering full data management capability. Our vision for MAX Data includes the ability to mirror and protect persistent memory, to use snapshots for fast data recovery, and to tier data as it ages to an ONTAP based AFF system.

Stay tuned to netapp.com and @NetApp for future announcements about MAX Data as we prepare it for release. We look forward to continuing our track record of innovation as we introduce new disruptive technologies like persistent memory-without the disruption.

The information in this blog is intended to outline our general product direction. It is intended for information purposes only, and may not be incorporated into any contract. It is not a commitment to deliver any material, code, or functionality, and should not be relied upon in making purchasing decisions. NetApp makes no warranties, expressed or implied, on future functionality and timeline. The development, release, and timing of any features or functionality described for NetApp's products remains at the sole discretion of NetApp. NetApp's strategy and possible future developments, products and/or platform directions and functionality are all subject to change without notice. NetApp has no obligation to pursue any course of business outlined in this blog or any related presentation, or to develop or release any functionality mentioned therein.