What is Unified Data Storage?

Over two decades ago, NetApp introduced unified storage to the industry. Today, NetApp has extended the definition of unified data storage to an entire ecosystem that enables file, block, and object workloads in a common operating system that spans multiple on-premises storage offerings and every major public cloud, unified by a common API set and control plane.

Unified data storage enables companies to manage any type of data, from structured to unstructured, on a single operating environment of data storage integrated with data services, delivering operational simplicity. There is support for any storage protocol to keep simplified data access, from file to block to object, on a common operating environment. When combined with integration to the world’s biggest clouds, companies can rely on the flexibility to use any data type, workload, or environment. In other words, customers can manage storage in all of their data centers and across their choice of clouds – embedded in AWS, Google Cloud and Azure consoles – or within a single control plane. The choice is yours.

There are three important keys to true unified data storage:

Thirty years ago, NetApp introduced multi-protocol storage. Twenty years ago, we unified file and block, and then added object. But truly unified data storage is about far more than protocols. It's about a truly unified operating environment for any workload available both on-premises and in all major public clouds, integrated with cutting-edge intelligent data services. Other data storage vendors lack the integration of native cloud services with unified storage, which limits flexibility and efficiency. As data grows and landscapes become more complex, companies need full visibility into the health, usage, security, and performance of their data across all locations and environments. That’s the power of NetApp’s unified data storage.