Products

Kioxia announces 245.76TB SSD for enterprise AI

Memory manufacturer Kioxia Europe has expanded its LC9 Series of enterprise solid-state drives (SSDs) with the launch of a 245.76TB model, available in both 2.5-inch and Enterprise and Datacentre Standard Form Factor (EDSFF) E3.L formats. According to the company, it is the first NVMe SSD of this capacity to be offered in these form factors. The new model adds to the previously announced 122.88TB SSD and is aimed at enterprise environments, particularly those handling generative AI workloads. These workloads require large-scale, high-speed storage with high energy efficiency to support training large language models (LLMs), creating embeddings and building vector databases used in retrieval-augmented generation (RAG). The LC9 Series is based on a 32-die stack of 2Tb BiCS FLASH QLC 3D flash memory, using Kioxia’s CBA (CMOS directly bonded to array) technology. This combination enables 8TB in a compact 154-ball grid array (BGA) package. The design leverages advancements in wafer processing, materials science, and wire bonding. The new drives are intended for use in data lakes and other large-scale data environments where high performance and storage density are essential. In such use cases, traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) can limit throughput and underutilise GPUs. By comparison, Kioxia says that each LC9 drive can deliver up to 245.76TB while reducing the need for multiple HDDs, lowering power consumption, improving cooling efficiency, and ultimately reducing total cost of ownership (TCO). Key specifications of the LC9 Series SSDs include: • Capacity up to 245.76TB in 2.5-inch and E3.L form factors • 122.88TB models also available in 2.5-inch and E3.S form factors • Designed to PCIe 5.0 (up to 128GT/s Gen5 single x4 or dual x2), NVMe 2.0, and NVMe-MI 1.2c specifications • Support for the Open Compute Project (OCP) Datacentre NVMe SSD specification v2.5 (partial compliance) • Flexible Data Placement (FDP) support to reduce write amplification and extend drive lifespan • Security options including SIE, SED, and FIPS SED • CNSA 2.0 signing algorithm, intended for future quantum security standards “We continue to drive innovation with the new Kioxia LC9 Series, providing cutting-edge technology that enables our data centre and hyperscaler customers to stay ahead,” claims Paul Rowan, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Kioxia Europe. “The 32-die stack of 2Tb BiCS FLASH QLC 3D flash memory, coupled with our innovative CBA technology and the E3.L form factor within the LC9 Series SSDs, address their unique requirements of generative AI applications for speed, scale, and efficiency.” The LC9 Series SSDs are currently sampling to select customers and will be showcased at the Future of Memory and Storage 2025 conference, taking place from 5 to 7 August in Santa Clara, USA. For more from Kioxia, click here.

Netscout expands cybersecurity systems

Netscout Systems, a provider of observability, AIOps, cybersecurity, and DDoS attack protection systems, has just announced Adaptive Threat Analytics, a new enhancement to its Omnis Cyber Intelligence Network Detection and Response (NDR) solution, designed to improve incident response and reduce risk. The aim with the offering is to "enable security teams to investigate, hunt, and respond to cyber threats more rapidly." Cybersecurity professionals face a challenge in the race against time to detect and respond appropriately to cyber threats before it's too late. Alert fatigue, increasing alert volume, fragmented visibility from siloed tools, and cunning AI-enabled adversaries create a compelling need for a faster and more effective response plan. McKinsey & Company noted last year that despite a decline in response time to cyber-related risks in recent years, organisations still take an average of 73 days to contain an incident. In the threat detection and incident response process, comprehensive north-south and east-west network visibility plays a critical role in all phases, but none more so than the ‘Analyse’ phase between ’Detection’ and ‘Response.’ Adaptive Threat Analytics utilises continuous network packet capture and local storage of metadata and packets independent of detections, built-in packet decodes, and an ad hoc querying language, seeking to enable more rapid threat investigation and proactive hunting. “Network environments continue to become more disparate and complex," says John Grady, Principal Analyst, Cybersecurity, Enterprise Strategy Group. "Bad actors exploit this broadened attack surface, making it difficult for security teams to respond quickly and accurately." "Due to this, continuous, unified, packet-based visibility into north-south and east-west traffic has become essential for effective and efficient threat detection and incident response.” “Security teams often lack the specific knowledge to understand exactly what happened to be able to choose the best response,” claims Jerry Mancini, Senior Director, Office of the CTO, Netscout. “Omnis Cyber Intelligence with Adaptive Threat Analytics provides ‘big picture’ data before, during, and after an event that helps teams and organisations move from triage uncertainty and tuning to specific knowledge essential for reducing the mean time to resolution.” For more from Netscout, click here.

Arista expands AI-driven campus and branch networking offerings

Arista Networks, a provider of cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) networking systems, has announced several AI-driven enterprise products that deliver an expanded set of switching, Wi-Fi 7 access point, and WAN capabilities. In conjunction, Arista has acquired the VeloCloud SD-WAN portfolio from Broadcom. This combination hopes to bring operational ease through zero touch operations, proactive monitoring, and automated troubleshooting across the broad set of client-to-cloud networking domains. As organisations seek real-world business value from generative and agentic AI, they are adopting centres of data strategy that connect the algorithms and models to key, distributed data stores across the enterprise - from the data centres to the campus, the branches, and remote offices. Reliable networks that are always on, easy to operate, and with built-in security are, therefore, more important than ever. Arista says it continues to embrace this challenge with "an expanding set of hardware and software solutions optimised for various customer needs." VeloCloud offers cloud-delivered SD-WAN solutions with integrated security. It comprises of a range of edge hardware platforms, featuring integrated firewalling and application-optimised SD-WAN, available with a choice of integrated Wi-Fi and/or 5G mobile connectivity. This portfolio intends to provide expanded choice and to enable global WAN services to interconnect data centres and distributed campus offices, whilst adding to Arista's existing CloudEOS routing stack and 7000-series WAN routers. “We have been using Arista and VeloCloud in production environments,” states Alan Davidson, CIO of Broadcom. “The addition of the VeloCloud edge strengthens and scales the enterprise WAN network.” Arista is also introducing the AWE-7220R WAN router with regional connectivity. Together with the previously announced AWE-7230R and AWE-7250R systems, the company suggests customers can build a hub-spine and VeloCloud micro-edge ​​WAN topology. Arista's new campus portfolio features PoE capabilities in a compact form factor switch, along with a wider range of Wi-Fi 7 indoor and outdoor access points for branch deployments, enabling newer IoT applications, such as ESL (Electronic Shelf Label). "We’re thrilled with Arista's access point integration with VusionGroup's Electronic Shelf Labels,” comments Dean Penebacker, IT Director, Pan Pacific Retail Management (PPRM) Hawaii. “This seamless integration with our existing systems means we can manage pricing dynamically and reduce labour costs, all while ensuring accuracy at the shelf edge. It’s the innovative technology we need to stay competitive in today’s retail landscape." Key additions to the switching and wireless portfolio include:• A new, compact, fanless 12-port PoE switch that is also 60W capable in the 710 family of access switches, designed for remote office and branch deployments.• A new, ruggedised outdoor Wi-Fi 7 access point, the O-435, designed for harsh industrial and outdoor environments, featuring a 2x2 tri-radio and a fourth dedicated tri-band multi-function radio.• A new, entry-level 2x2 tri-radio Wi-Fi 7 indoor access point, the C-400, targeted for high-volume service provider-managed (MSP) branch environments, including SMBs, multi-dwelling units, and small remote offices. “Arista Networks’ new, compact, fanless switch platform and entry-level Wi-Fi 7 access point are a perfect fit for our clients with small distributed offices and branches,” claims Neil Dearman, CTO EMEA, High Point Solutions. “As a channel partner, we can address the unique needs of our clients with enterprise-grade technology that’s easy to deploy and manage, all while keeping costs in check. It’s a win-win for us and our customers." Arista CloudVision AGNI (CV AGNI) now supports a fully on-premises deployment model, seeking to enable customers with strict regulatory and data compliance requirements to benefit from scalable AI-driven network access control from large campuses to distributed locations - while the new 1G and 10G virtual ZTX platforms extend Arista MSS identity-based micro-segmentation to remote branches and small campuses. "For years, we searched for a solution to secure our network and district resources without adding complexity, financial strain, or management challenges,” notes Najeeb Qasimi, Director of IT, Oak Grove School District. “Arista CV AGNI allows us to effortlessly implement and maintain policies, while its secure client connectivity ensures every student, teacher, and device - whether on district-provided or personal equipment - remains protected. This powerful, hassle-free tool has revolutionised how we safeguard and operate our network." The availability of the products are currently as follows: • O-435 and C-400 will ship in Q2 2025.• 710XP will ship early Q3 2025.• The AWE-7220R WAN router is shipping now.• On-premises CloudVision AGNI is shipping now.• Arista MSS virtual ZTX appliances are shipping now. For more from Arista Networks, click here.