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Dell PowerScale (Isilon) vs NetApp FAS Series comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 8, 2024

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Customer Service

Sentiment score
8.4
Dell PowerScale support is generally effective, but experiences variability in responsiveness, especially with initial and first-line contacts.
Sentiment score
7.1
NetApp FAS Series provides efficient support with expertise, though some users experience delays and desire quicker resolutions.
Dell provides support within four hours, and they always fulfill their promises.
 

Room For Improvement

Sentiment score
5.0
Dell PowerScale needs improvements in pricing, cloud integration, usability, performance, security, support, and better handling of small files.
Sentiment score
5.0
NetApp FAS Series requires enhanced performance, integration, cloud compatibility, management, documentation, and efficiency while improving cost-effectiveness and technology support.
 

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score
8.1
Dell PowerScale offers scalable storage, easily integrates, and supports enterprise growth, efficiently managing extensive and unpredictable data demands.
Sentiment score
7.1
The NetApp FAS Series offers scalable storage solutions with seamless expansion, praised for flexibility and minimal downtime despite cost challenges.
 

Setup Cost

No sentiment score available
Dell PowerScale offers justifiable pricing with features and management ease, making it a competitive long-term investment.
Sentiment score
7.5
NetApp FAS Series pricing varies widely, seen as costly by some but offering competitive bundled packages and discounts.
The pricing of Dell solutions is higher than that of Huawei.
 

Stability Issues

Sentiment score
8.4
Dell PowerScale offers exceptional reliability and minimal downtime, with high uptime and low management needs even during challenges.
Sentiment score
8.2
NetApp FAS Series is praised for reliability, consistent performance, and effective redundancy, with few minor issues swiftly resolved.
 

Valuable Features

Sentiment score
8.0
Dell PowerScale is lauded for its scalability, seamless data management, high performance, and user-friendly interface enhancing efficiency.
Sentiment score
7.8
NetApp FAS Series delivers high availability, efficient data management, and seamless VMware integration on a unified storage platform.
Dell PowerScale offers high scalability and stability as well, making it a valuable solution for enterprises.
 

Categories and Ranking

Dell PowerScale (Isilon)
Ranking in NAS
1st
Average Rating
8.8
Reviews Sentiment
7.5
Number of Reviews
53
Ranking in other categories
File and Object Storage (3rd)
NetApp FAS Series
Ranking in NAS
3rd
Average Rating
8.8
Reviews Sentiment
7.1
Number of Reviews
100
Ranking in other categories
Deduplication Software (5th), Modular SAN (Storage Area Network) (1st)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of November 2024, in the NAS category, the mindshare of Dell PowerScale (Isilon) is 23.5%, up from 21.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of NetApp FAS Series is 16.2%, up from 15.1% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
NAS
 

Q&A Highlights

AV
Mar 12, 2020
 

Featured Reviews

Jack Vo - PeerSpot reviewer
Ensures that data is safely stored and easily accessible, providing peace of mind with robust security measures
The solution can be integrated with an automation system. Dell uses another framework developed in-house. They can integrate it with machines. Sometimes, Dell PowerScale can have issues with ID, window, or mapping errors. For example, a shareholder or user might not fully understand what they're doing, which can cause problems. Occasionally, we experience connection issues, requiring us to remap the folder. Dell PowerScale might need to remap or update the credentials in such cases. For instance, if you have many shared folders already mapped, it might take time to remap or redo the credentials.
Paweł Jabłoński - PeerSpot reviewer
Used for VMs with replication a feature, but need upgraded SSDs
We use this solution. I configured and updated it. Of course, I was also a user of applications that store data on that storage. We already have an SSD solution. So, rather than planning to go with an SSD solution, we are focusing on expanding it. If a company wants to deploy something new, it should choose a product with SSD, and NVMe disks. Overall, I rate the solution a six out of ten.
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816,406 professionals have used our research since 2012.
 

Answers from the Community

AV
Mar 12, 2020
Mar 12, 2020
Isilon is Scale-out storage, while NetApp is Active-Standby storage. Regarding the performance issue based on the field engineer’s experience, Isilon is better than NetApp in case of a huge amount of io, while NetApp is better than Isilon in case of a medium amount of IO.
2 out of 3 answers
BH
Mar 9, 2020
My recommendation is to take a close look at our CS Concerto Scale-Out Cluster system.
SK
Mar 10, 2020
Isilon is Scale-out storage, while NetApp is Active-Standby storage. Regarding the performance issue based on the field engineer’s experience, Isilon is better than NetApp in case of a huge amount of io, while NetApp is better than Isilon in case of a medium amount of IO.
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Educational Organization
25%
Computer Software Company
11%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Financial Services Firm
8%
Educational Organization
61%
Computer Software Company
7%
Manufacturing Company
7%
Financial Services Firm
4%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Dell EMC PowerScale (Isilon)?
The solution provides massive performance, scalability, efficiency, and ease of management.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Dell EMC PowerScale (Isilon)?
The pricing of Dell PowerScale is reasonable. However, it is on the pricier side. There are no additional costs beyond the standard licensing fees.
Which SAN product would you choose: IBM FlashSystem (FS9500) vs PureFlash Array/X NVMe vs PureFlash Array/XL NVMe?
Have you considered a NetApp FAS Storage for your NAS needs? I am sure it fits very well.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for NetApp FAS Series?
The pricing depends on the disks we choose. We got quite a good price compared to Huawei Dorado because we compared the prices between NetApp SSD and Dorado, and the price was quite similar.
 

Also Known As

PowerScale, Dell EMC Isilon
No data available
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

OMRF, University of Utah, Translational Genetics Research Institute, Arcis, Geofizyka Torumn, Cyprus E&P Corporation, Colburn School, Columbia Sportswear, Harvard Medical School, University of Michigan, National Library of France,
Children's Hospital Central California, Plex Systems, PDF PNI Digital Media, Denver Broncos, PDF KSM Legal, Clayton Companies, Virginia Community College
Find out what your peers are saying about Dell PowerScale (Isilon) vs. NetApp FAS Series and other solutions. Updated: October 2024.
816,406 professionals have used our research since 2012.