DDN IntelliFlash Reviews

Name: DDN IntelliFlash
Brand: DataDirect Networks
Rating: 4 (12 reviews)

3.8 out of 5

12 reviews
87% willing to recommend

1,418 followers

What is DDN IntelliFlash?

Western Digital through its IntelliFlash arrays delivers high-performance storage with a complete range of features and connectivity options, including inline compression and deduplication, application and VM consistent snapshots, replication, RAID, data encryption, VMware vCenter integration, and multi-protocol support for SAN (FC, iSCSI) and NAS (NFS, SMBv3). IntelliFlash arrays deliver high availability through dualredundant and hot-swappable components, active/active or active/passive controllers, non-disruptive software upgrades, eMLC flash, and proactive cloud-based monitoring, analytics, and intelligence. A RESTful API provides scripted or programmatic control.

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DDN IntelliFlash is the #15 ranked solution in best NVMe All-Flash Arrays and #31 ranked solution in best All-Flash Storage Arrays. PeerSpot users give DDN IntelliFlash an average rating of 7.6 out of 10. DDN IntelliFlash is most commonly compared to Dell PowerStore: DDN IntelliFlash vs Dell PowerStore. DDN IntelliFlash is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 68% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 14% of all views.

Helped 814,763 peers since 2012

Featured reviews

Anil Rahulwar

Storage Engineer at Movate

We use IntelliFlash products for larger environments, like Qatar Airways. They have large scalability and use more than a thousand disks. So, in terms of scalability, the solution is very good The AI features are good. We don't need to search for anything; everything is built-in. DDN…

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reviewer1643715

IT Manager at a agriculture with 1,001-5,000 employees

Once you started pushing it, it would start to not respond properly and then we would have to reach out to support, to try to figure out where these issues came from. They couldn't tell us where the problems were. Their advice was simply to take some load off and then it would work fine. Sometimes there was imprecise information. If there's an issue with the system, to kind of pinpoint where the issue was coming from, for example, if it was network latency or a load link to a VM or load link to some kind of switch, it would have been helpful to know. I know they can't look at all the networks, however, as the solution is connected to VMware and the SAN and the switch, there should be more information on the system. I can't pinpoint anything, which is a problem. Their reporting needs to be much better.

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reviewer1634190

Lead Systems Engineer at a retailer with 5,001-10,000 employees

I wouldn't say I like anything about this solution. We are looking for a replacement with Dell EMC and Pure Storage. Tegile's performance, support, and features are horrible. It's going down. Multiple companies have bought it. It looked okay at one point in time, like four years ago. Even though it wasn't one of the best, it still looked okay. Since the management has changed several times, it looks like it's going down the drain. Performance is horrible now. Our original intent was to buy new storage in about two years. But since it became a critical urgency for us, we decided to purchase a new one in two or three months. It would be better if they improved the codebase. We have issues very often with their code, and I think that is the main pain point. The hardware is also horrible because we have either a controller failure or a SATADOM failure very often. Now and then, we also have a disc failure. They have to get their act together. They have to make sure their hardware is robust, they have to make sure their code is good, and then we can think about new features and functionality. First, make the unit run properly, and then we can think about additions. Obviously, their support has to be knowledgeable. Because when I told them, "we have latency issues, come troubleshoot it for us," nobody came. But if we tell them that "we need to do a firmware upgrade," then they are like, "okay. Let's do a firmware upgrade." They will come to do the firmware upgrade, and then they will go. But with the firmware upgrades, you might never know when it works properly and when it doesn't work properly. If there is a disc that needs to be replaced, and we ask them to replace it, they'll say, "okay, just share the remote station with us, and we'll run some commands, and we'll validate which disc is faulty. If it's really faulty, we will send the disc. We do that, and then they find the faulty disc and send a replacement. They will do these minor things. But that's not what we are looking for. We are looking for more features and more functionality. Like if there is latency, try to help us out and help the customer find where the latency is. It doesn't necessarily have to be only with SAN storage. It might be a configuration issue, or it might be something else. So, you should help the customer find where the issue is. Unfortunately, that is not what we are getting from them. So they have to improve that a lot.

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DDN IntelliFlash mindshare

Product category:

As of November 2024, the mindshare of DDN IntelliFlash in the NVMe All-Flash Storage Arrays category stands at 0.9%, down from 1.2% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

NVMe All-Flash Storage Arrays

Key learnings from peers

Last updated Sep 18, 2024

Valuable Features

Users appreciate DDN IntelliFlash for its high performance, ease of scalability, efficient storage management, and robust data protection features. It boasts fast data access, seamless integration with existing infrastructure, and intuitive management tools. High reliability and minimal downtime also stand out, as well as efficient deduplication and compression capabilities, contributing to lower storage costs. Users also highlight the exceptional customer support provided by the company.

"We use IntelliFlash products for larger environments, like Qatar Airways."
"It performed great originally, and when it performed great, it was awesome."
"The initial setup is straightforward."

Room for Improvement

Users have pointed out that DDN IntelliFlash could benefit from better documentation, enhanced support services, and improved integration with third-party tools. Some users have mentioned issues with stability and performance under certain conditions, indicating a need for more consistent reliability. Additionally, enhancements in scalability options and expanded features for data management could better address various organizational requirements.

"In future releases, I look forward to more AI features."
"Technical support is bad. It'd grade them at 30% or 40%. The response time is terrible."
"Performance is horrible now. Our original intent was to buy new storage in about two years. But since it became a critical urgency for us, we decided to purchase a new one in two or three months."

ROI

Users indicated that their ROI from DDN IntelliFlash was significant. They noted rapid data access and improved storage efficiency, leading to reduced downtime. Cost savings were highlighted due to lower power consumption and minimal management efforts. DDN IntelliFlash's performance enhancements resulted in increased productivity and scalability, offering more value for investment. Additionally, the integration simplicity and reliable performance were repeatedly appreciated, making it a critical component for their data management strategies.

Pricing

DDN IntelliFlash pricing varies based on configuration and capacity. Average costs range from $20,000 to $100,000. Users appreciate its performance and flexibility but note that higher-end configurations can be expensive. Pricing includes hardware and software, making it a comprehensive storage solution. Additional costs may arise for support and maintenance services. Enterprise buyers should consider their specific needs and budget when evaluating IntelliFlash.

"I think we pay around 100 grand per year for three arrays or four arrays."
"I recommend the full bundle software in order to have all the functionality. It is more expensive to purchase it one by one."

Popular Use Cases

User feedback indicates DDN IntelliFlash is primarily used for high-performance data storage and management, particularly in environments requiring efficient data transfer and retrieval. It benefits organizations handling large-scale data analytics, virtualization, and high-demand applications. DDN IntelliFlash is noted for easy integration, speed, reliability, and scalability, making it well-suited for enterprises looking to optimize their storage infrastructure. Its intuitive features and robust performance assist in managing complex data environments effectively.

Service and Support

Users find DDN IntelliFlash's customer service responsive, knowledgeable, and helpful. Support team efficiently addresses queries and resolves issues promptly. Clients appreciate the availability and professionalism of the support staff. Many users report satisfaction with the overall experience, noting timely assistance and clear communication. Clients also value the expertise provided during technical challenges and maintenance tasks, with several mentioning the ease of obtaining support and the quality of guidance received.

Deployment

Users mention that setting up DDN IntelliFlash is straightforward and quick. They appreciate the intuitive setup process which simplifies deployment. Some users find the configuration options very flexible, allowing customization to fit specific requirements. Installation documentation is detailed and helps mitigate potential issues. Users also commend the reliable support provided by DDN during the initial setup phase.

Scalability

Users appreciate DDN IntelliFlash's scalability, noting its support for numerous nodes and seamless scaling without significant performance drops. They mention its ability to handle growing data volumes efficiently and provide consistent high performance. Customers highlight the flexible and expandable architecture, which allows easy upgrades and integration. They also value DDN IntelliFlash's responsiveness during high-demand periods, making it suitable for diverse environments and large-scale deployments.

Stability

Users find DDN IntelliFlash stable and reliable. They appreciate its consistent performance and efficient data management. They note it handles high workloads seamlessly and experiences minimal downtime. Users often highlight its robust architecture, which ensures data integrity and smooth operations. It efficiently supports various applications and environments, making it versatile. Many commend its resilience under heavy use, ensuring uninterrupted service and optimal performance.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our DDN IntelliFlash Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.