Pure Fusion
By Pure Storage
Pure Fusion transforms storage systems into a global hybrid cloud platform by unifying FlashArray, FlashBlade, and cloud deployments into a single logical fleet.
Publisher review
Pure Fusion transforms storage systems into a global hybrid cloud platform by unifying FlashArray, FlashBlade, and cloud deployments into a single logical fleet. Designed for enterprises managing distributed storage environments, it provides a distributed control plane that automates data management across hybrid infrastructures. The platform is built into Everpure arrays at no additional cost, eliminating the need for separate management tools.
It targets organizations needing consistent policy enforcement and operational simplicity across on-premises and cloud storage resources. Pure Fusion's architecture federates disparate storage systems into a unified pool, enabling administrators to manage capacity, performance, and data services through a single interface. The control plane automatically handles workload placement, load balancing, and non-disruptive upgrades across the entire fleet.
This approach reduces manual intervention for tasks like provisioning and tiering while maintaining service levels. The platform supports policy-based automation for replication, snapshots, and QoS across FlashArray block storage and FlashBlade file/object storage. Compared to competitors like Dell's PowerStore or NetApp's ONTAP systems, Pure Fusion distinguishes itself with its built-in global management layer that requires no additional licenses for core functionality.
However, it currently only works with Pure Storage hardware, limiting adoption for heterogeneous environments. While the platform simplifies large-scale operations, organizations with basic storage needs may find its capabilities excessive. The integration with public clouds is currently less extensive than specialized cloud storage management platforms like VMware Cloud Director.
How it works
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Global hybrid cloud platform
Combines FlashArray, FlashBlade and cloud deployments into one managed fleet with consistent policies
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Distributed control plane
Automates workload placement and data services across all connected storage systems
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Built-in management
Included with Everpure arrays at no extra cost, eliminating separate license fees
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Non-disruptive operations
Enables upgrades, migrations and rebalancing without application downtime
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Policy-based automation
Applies consistent rules for replication, snapshots and QoS across hybrid infrastructure
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Single management interface
Provides unified visibility and control for block, file and object storage
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Scale-out architecture
Supports growth by federating multiple arrays into a logical resource pool
Strengths and trade-offs
Strengths
- Eliminates separate management licenses by including the control plane with Everpure arrays at no additional cost.
- Reduces operational overhead through automated workload placement and non-disruptive data mobility across hybrid infrastructure.
- Provides consistent policy enforcement for data services across all managed FlashArray and FlashBlade systems.
- Enables global storage management at scale with a distributed control plane that spans multiple locations.
Trade-offs
- Limited to Pure Storage hardware only, lacking support for third-party storage systems in hybrid environments.
- Cloud integration capabilities are less developed compared to specialized multi-cloud data management platforms.
- The distributed control plane architecture may introduce complexity for organizations with simple storage needs.
- Lacks detailed public documentation about scalability limits for extremely large deployments.
Pricing context
Built into Everpure arrays with no separate licensing; exact pricing for additional cloud services not disclosed
Getting started with Pure Fusion
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Deploy Everpure arrays
Install FlashArray or FlashBlade storage systems in your data center. Pure Fusion capability is built into Everpure hardware with no additional software installation required.
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Access management console
Log into the Pure Storage web interface using your existing credentials. The Fusion control plane appears as a native component within the standard management portal.
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Define storage policies
Create global policies for replication, snapshots, and QoS that will automatically apply across all connected FlashArray and FlashBlade systems in your fleet.
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Add cloud resources
Connect public cloud storage endpoints to extend your hybrid environment. Configure authentication and network connectivity between your on-premises arrays and cloud providers.
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Monitor global fleet
Use the unified dashboard to view capacity, performance, and health across all managed storage resources. Set alerts for policy violations or capacity thresholds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pure Fusion?
Pure Fusion is a global hybrid cloud platform that unifies FlashArray, FlashBlade, and cloud deployments into a single logical fleet. It provides a distributed control plane for automated data management across hybrid infrastructures, simplifying storage operations for enterprises with distributed environments.
How does Pure Fusion simplify storage management?
Pure Fusion simplifies storage management by federating disparate systems into a unified pool. It offers a single interface for managing capacity, performance, and data services while automating workload placement, load balancing, and non-disruptive upgrades across hybrid infrastructure.
What are Pure Fusion's key features?
Pure Fusion's key features include a global hybrid cloud platform, distributed control plane, built-in management, non-disruptive operations, policy-based automation, and a single management interface. These enable consistent policy enforcement and operational simplicity across FlashArray, FlashBlade, and cloud deployments.
How does Pure Fusion compare to NetApp ONTAP?
Pure Fusion distinguishes itself from NetApp ONTAP with its built-in global management layer that requires no additional licenses. However, it currently only works with Pure Storage hardware, unlike ONTAP, which supports heterogeneous environments.
What are Pure Fusion's limitations?
Pure Fusion is limited to Pure Storage hardware, lacking support for third-party systems. Its cloud integration is less extensive than specialized platforms, and its distributed control plane may introduce complexity for organizations with simple storage needs.
Is Pure Fusion suitable for small-scale storage needs?
Pure Fusion is designed for enterprises managing distributed storage environments. Organizations with basic storage needs may find its capabilities excessive, as its advanced automation and global management features are tailored for large-scale operations.
Alternatives
How Pure Fusion compares
Direct head-to-head against 2 competitors. Picked by 7wData.
Pure Fusion
- Pricing
- Built into Everpure arrays with no separate licensing; exact pricing for additional cloud services not disclosed
- Target
- Pure Fusion transforms storage systems into a global hybrid cloud platform by unifying FlashArray, FlashBlade, and cloud deployments into a single logical fleet.
- Strength
- Eliminates separate management licenses by including the control plane with Everpure arrays at no additional cost.
- Watch for
- Limited to Pure Storage hardware only, lacking support for third-party storage systems in hybrid environments.
Dell EMC PowerStore
- Pricing
- Custom/Contact sales
- Target
- Enterprise hybrid cloud storage automation
- Deployment
- On-prem/cloud
- Strength
- Tight VMware integration
- Watch for
- Complex licensing tiers
NetApp ONTAP
- Pricing
- $0.08/GB/month (cloud)
- Target
- Unified storage automation
- Deployment
- Hybrid/multi-cloud
- Strength
- Proven file services
- Watch for
- Steep learning curve
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Sources
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