Global Data Environment
Hammerspace's Global Data Environment (GDE) is a software-defined, high-performance parallel global file system designed to unify unstructured data across edge, core, and cloud environments.
Publisher review
Hammerspace's Global Data Environment (GDE) is a software-defined, high-performance parallel global file system designed to unify unstructured data across edge, core, and cloud environments. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Redwood City, CA, it targets organizations managing large datasets across multiple data centers, particularly those with a smaller cloud component than competitors like Nasuni or CTERA. GDE can be deployed as a hybrid cloud, multi-site NAS, or multiple cloud setup, and it supports data on tape through integrations with Grau Data, PoINT Software & Systems, and QStar Technologies, making it suitable for cost-effective long-term archiving. The platform enables global access and control of data across all silos and locations, strengthening governance, security, and compliance with tape's inherent air-gap prevention of malware intrusion.
GDE works by providing a unified global namespace that transforms data management across any existing third-party storage, including NVMe flash, SSD, HDDs, NAS, object storage, and cloud storage. It uses objective-based automation and machine learning to orchestrate data placement based on policy, moving data without interrupting user or application access. Users can access S3 data through a familiar file system interface, treating S3 buckets and objects as files and directories. The system can start very small at a single site but dynamically expand to support very high-performance use cases across multiple on-prem and/or cloud-based data centers. Built-in data protection features include snapshots, file versioning, and disaster recovery, while the global namespace makes network shares visible and accessible to all workers as if they were at a physical data center.
In the market, Hammerspace competes with Dell PowerScale, Cloudian HyperStore, and Huawei OceanStor Pacific Series. Unlike competitors that store golden copies in the cloud and cache frequently accessed data locally, Hammerspace provides access to files from anywhere through intelligent metadata management. It is less cloud-centric than rivals such as Nasuni, CTERA, and Panzura, focusing more on customers with multiple data centers and a smaller cloud component. The platform aims to enable a global workforce, including those with a large work-at-home force, by making network shares accessible as if local.
Honest trade-offs include an initial learning curve for administrators due to the complexity of metadata-driven orchestration and policy configuration. The platform's focus on multi-site, on-premises deployments may not suit organizations seeking to move bulk file storage to the cloud. Tape integration, while cost-effective for long-term archiving, introduces latency for data retrieval compared to flash or SSD tiers. Additionally, the subscription pricing model, based on data capacity and deployment options, can become expensive for very large-scale deployments without careful capacity planning.
How it works
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Global file system
Provides a software-defined, high-performance parallel global file system that unifies unstructured data across edge, core, and cloud environments.
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Standards-based file access
Offers standards-based file access across any existing third-party storage, including NVMe flash, SSD, HDDs, NAS, object storage, and cloud storage.
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Automated data orchestration
Uses objective-based automation and machine learning to place data in the optimal storage media type or geographic location based on policy.
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Tape storage support
Supports data on tape through integrations with Grau Data, PoINT Software & Systems, and QStar Technologies for cost-effective long-term archiving.
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Global data access
Enables global access and control of data across all silos and locations, making network shares visible and accessible to all workers as if local.
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Scalable storage
Can start very small at a single site but dynamically expand to support very high-performance use cases across multiple on-prem and/or cloud-based data centers.
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Data protection features
Includes built-in data protection such as snapshots, file versioning, and disaster recovery within the global namespace.
Strengths and trade-offs
Strengths
- Unified global namespace transforms data management by providing a single view across all storage silos, including tape, without requiring data migration.
- Incredible support from sales and customer success teams, as noted in Gartner reviews, helps organizations navigate the initial learning curve.
- Automated data orchestration uses machine learning to place data on the optimal storage tier, reducing manual intervention and improving cost efficiency.
- Tape integration with QStar's Archive Manager or Global ArchiveSpace enables seamless movement of infrequently accessed data to lowest-cost tape storage using S3 protocols.
Trade-offs
- Initial learning curve exists for administrators due to the complexity of metadata-driven orchestration and policy configuration across multiple storage tiers.
- Focus on multi-site, on-premises deployments with a smaller cloud component may not suit organizations looking to move bulk file storage to the cloud.
- Tape integration, while cost-effective for archiving, introduces latency for data retrieval compared to flash or SSD tiers, impacting performance for active data.
- Subscription pricing based on data capacity and deployment options can become expensive for very large-scale deployments without careful capacity planning.
Pricing context
Typically structured as a subscription based on factors such as data capacity, deployment options, and additional features; specific tier pricing is not publicly disclosed.
Getting started with Global Data Environment
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Sign up for Global Data Environment
Visit the Hammerspace website and request a demo or trial account. Provide your organization details and deployment requirements. A sales representative will contact you to set up the subscription and provide access credentials.
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Connect existing storage systems
Deploy the GDE software on your infrastructure and connect it to your existing storage systems, including NVMe flash, SSD, HDDs, NAS, object storage, and cloud storage. Use the management console to add each storage resource as a data source.
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Configure data orchestration policies
Define policies using the objective-based automation interface. Set rules for data placement based on access frequency, cost, and location. Use the machine learning tools to automate tiering between flash, HDD, and tape storage.
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Access files from any location
Mount the global namespace on your workstations or servers using standard file access protocols. Verify that files from all connected storage silos appear as a single directory structure. Test access from remote sites to confirm global visibility.
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Schedule data protection tasks
Enable built-in snapshots and file versioning for critical datasets. Configure disaster recovery settings to replicate data across sites. Set up automated backup schedules to tape storage using integrations with Grau Data or QStar Technologies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hammerspace Global Data Environment?
Hammerspace Global Data Environment is a software-defined, high-performance parallel global file system that unifies unstructured data across edge, core, and cloud environments. It provides a single namespace for data management across any third-party storage, including tape, without requiring data migration.
How does Hammerspace GDE handle data orchestration?
Hammerspace GDE uses objective-based automation and machine learning to place data on the optimal storage tier based on policy. It moves data automatically without interrupting user or application access, improving cost efficiency by ensuring frequently accessed data stays on fast media while cold data moves to cheaper storage.
Does Hammerspace GDE support tape storage?
Yes, Hammerspace GDE supports tape storage through integrations with Grau Data, PoINT Software & Systems, and QStar Technologies. This enables cost-effective long-term archiving with tape's inherent air-gap security, though tape retrieval introduces latency compared to flash or SSD tiers.
What are the deployment options for Hammerspace GDE?
Hammerspace GDE can be deployed as a hybrid cloud, multi-site NAS, or multiple cloud setup. It starts small at a single site but dynamically expands to support high-performance use cases across multiple on-premises and cloud-based data centers, focusing on customers with multiple data centers and a smaller cloud component.
How does Hammerspace GDE compare to Nasuni and CTERA?
Unlike Nasuni and CTERA, which store golden copies in the cloud and cache data locally, Hammerspace GDE provides file access from anywhere through intelligent metadata management. It is less cloud-centric, targeting organizations with multiple data centers and a smaller cloud component, making it suitable for on-premises-heavy environments.
What are the main drawbacks of Hammerspace GDE?
The main drawbacks include an initial learning curve for administrators due to metadata-driven orchestration complexity, a focus on multi-site on-premises deployments that may not suit cloud-first organizations, latency from tape integration for active data, and potentially high subscription costs for very large-scale deployments without careful planning.
Alternatives
How Global Data Environment compares
Direct head-to-head against 3 competitors. Picked by 7wData.
Global Data Environment
- Pricing
- Typically structured as a subscription based on factors such as data capacity, deployment options, and additional features; specific tier pricing is not publicly disclosed.
- Target
- Hammerspace's Global Data Environment (GDE) is a software-defined, high-performance parallel global file system designed to unify unstructured data across edge, core, and cloud environments.
- Strength
- Unified global namespace transforms data management by providing a single view across all storage silos, including tape, without requiring data migration.
- Watch for
- Initial learning curve exists for administrators due to the complexity of metadata-driven orchestration and policy configuration across multiple storage tiers.
ZoomInfo
- Pricing
- Custom pricing from ~$15,000/year
- Target
- Sales teams needing firmographics and intent data for prospecting
- Deployment
- Cloud; weeks to months setup
- Strength
- Deep firmographics, technographics, and org chart data
- Watch for
- Pricing escalation and complex setup for full utilization
6sense
- Pricing
- Enterprise pricing from ~$60,000/year
- Target
- Enterprise marketing and sales teams needing predictive account intelligence
- Deployment
- Cloud; 3-6 month enterprise implementation
- Strength
- AI intent with buying stage prediction via Bombora co-op data
- Watch for
- Requires dedicated admin or RevOps support; long setup
Apollo.io
- Pricing
- Free tier; paid from $49/user/month
- Target
- SMBs and mid-market sales teams needing self-serve prospecting
- Deployment
- Cloud; self-serve setup in hours
- Strength
- Intuitive self-serve interface with AI-assisted email personalization
- Watch for
- Limited to company-level data; no deep market research
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Sources
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