NetApp, Microsoft renew collaboration to enhance cloud storage solutions for Azure users

In a significant advancement in the cloud storage domain, NetApp (NASDAQ: NTAP), a leading cloud-led, data-centric software company, today announced the renewal of its collaboration with Microsoft. This partnership is aimed at delivering state-of-the-art solutions for cloud storage with Azure NetApp Files (ANF), NetApp BlueXP, and Cloud Volumes ONTAP, now complemented by CloudOps solutions from Spot by NetApp.

ANF stands out as a purpose-built storage solution for the public cloud, designed to handle enterprise file workloads with unprecedented performance and data management capabilities, akin to on-premises environments. It facilitates seamless integration of enterprise-grade data protection and disaster recovery architectures into the Azure ecosystem, thus enhancing its relevance for public cloud workloads.

Enhancing Enterprise Security with Azure Software-Defined Networking for ANF

Azure’s software-defined networking enhancements for ANF allow enterprises to incorporate their security architectures into the public cloud. This flexibility is further augmented by real-time provisioning capabilities, enabling businesses to adapt quickly and cost-effectively to their evolving needs.

Microsoft Azure and NetApp Strengthen Partnership: Offering Advanced CloudOps Solutions with Spot by NetApp

Statement from NetApp’s Senior Vice President

Ronen Schwartz, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Cloud Storage, NetApp, emphasized the uniqueness of their market offerings. He stated, “Through our collaboration with Microsoft, we deliver unparalleled cloud storage and infrastructure operations. Our innovations, in collaboration with Microsoft Azure, optimize storage and compute, accelerating the cloud adoption for general file and enterprise workloads, and increasingly, cloud-native workloads, Kubernetes, and AI.”

Spot by NetApp: New Solutions for Azure

NetApp has bolstered its Spot by NetApp portfolio for CloudOps on Azure, introducing integrated support for Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) and a fully managed open-source solution that integrates with ANF, NetApp BlueXP, and Cloud Volumes ONTAP. Utilizing AI/ML-driven automation, these solutions offer continuous optimization of Azure compute resources, simplifying and accelerating Azure investments.

Microsoft’s Commitment to the Collaboration

Aung Oo, General Manager for Microsoft Azure Storage, highlighted the innovation and efficiency brought by the partnership. “Azure NetApp Files continues to deliver innovation, optimizing Azure infrastructure with a first-party storage service based on ONTAP, maximizing the benefits of our customers’ investment with us,” he said.

Rapid Innovations and Future Prospects

The collaboration between NetApp and Microsoft has yielded significant advancements, such as Azure NetApp Files datastores for Azure VMware Solution, application volume group for SAP HANA, large volume support, and new regional availability. The Spot by NetApp portfolio further enriches Azure’s offerings with solutions like Spot Eco, Spot Elastigroup Stateful Node, and Spot Ocean for AKS.

Haiyan Song, Executive Vice President and General Manager of CloudOps at NetApp, emphasized the critical nature of deploying and operating applications swiftly and reliably in the cloud. The expanded portfolio on Azure, in partnership with Microsoft, aims to automate and optimize application infrastructure in the cloud, enhancing operational and cost efficiency.

Availability and Access

Spot by NetApp Cloud Ops solutions are accessible through Azure Marketplace, Microsoft Azure channel partners, and directly from NetApp. Azure NetApp Files is available as a native Azure service through the Microsoft Azure portal.