qumulo update adds nvme caching for more efficient use of flash storage

Qumulo, a data storage company headquartered in Seattle, revealed several enhancements today, notably the addition of NvME caching. This feature is designed to allow users to benefit from the speed of modern flash storage without a significant increase in cost.

The rapid advancements in NvME flash storage technology are resulting in increased performance alongside decreasing prices, which is beneficial for organizations that generate substantial amounts of data. However, it generally remains a more costly option compared to conventional hard drives. Qumulo’s CEO, Bill Richter, emphasized the importance of software optimization to fully leverage these developments in flash storage.

According to the company, its new NvME caching functionality empowers customers to achieve the performance of faster flash storage at a cost comparable to traditional spinning disks. This is accomplished through software that intelligently manages data on the platform and maximizes the benefits of high-performance storage.

Qumulo is also introducing the capability to automatically scale resources, including processors, memory, and storage. In addition, the company is now offering automated data encryption as a standard feature at no extra cost, alongside new instant updates that can be applied without interrupting service. Lastly, a new interface has been developed to simplify the process of transferring data from on-site storage to Amazon S3.

Richter stated that Qumulo’s core focus remains on the creation, management, and utilization of large volumes of file-based data. The recent shift towards cloud-based data and applications, accelerated by the pandemic, has further underscored the importance of their mission.

“The fundamental trends driving Qumulo’s purpose – the ever-increasing volume of file-based content and the adoption of cloud computing to address this challenge – have both gained momentum during the pandemic, and we’ve observed strong evidence of this,” he explained.

Established in 2012, Qumulo has secured $351 million in funding. Their latest funding round, a substantial $125 million, occurred last July, valuing the company at over $1.2 billion.