This is a guest post by Lindsey from ProfessionalIntern.com.

You might not initially think that e-commerce companies need powerful servers, but they do. In order for many e-commerce sites to remain both competitive and profitable they need to implement High Availability (HA) measures, especially in a time when the market is flooded. No user likes arriving at a website that’s inoperable due to an unplanned server outage. E-commerce customers and site users want to come to a site that’s reliable and secure for a preferred digital shopping experience. High Availability is one way to ensure that e-commerce site users have constant access to products and services. Achieving optimal HA service levels involves implementing high-speed, secure server technology to ensure that standard.


Enter FlashArray 2.0

To meet this need, new companies are starting to develop flash-based storage arrays that are currently being used in servers throughout datacenters all over the country. PureStorage has recently announced the release of the second version of its FlashArray system, creatively titled FlashArray 2.0. The system is made of several solid-state drives stacked in shelves inside the disk array system. Both in theory and in practice, this setup provides a lightning-fast and secure data processing experience on the server level. But it is it practical for e-commerce?

The Cost of FlashArray Systems

On average, the cost of flash-based disk capacity costs 10-times more than traditional mechanical disk array systems. To put this in perspective, a traditional disk array system starts at around $1 per GB, while flash-based arrays go for upwards of $10 per GB. For enterprise-level e-commerce companies who operate on the TB level, this adds up quickly. PureStorage, on the other hand, has created an array system that produces flash-level performance for hard disk prices.

How Flash Arrays Benefit E-Commerce Companies

Cost – The most obvious benefit is cost. Right now, basic FlashArray configurations are selling for $150,000, which includes 50 TBs of disk capacity. Among many other factors, PureStorage is able to keep costs down by using consumer-level multi-level cell (MLC) technology in the FlashArray’s design.

High Availability Options – The second-generation FlashArray system includes some significant enhancements that allow for High Availability integration.

Seamless Integration – On the datacenter level, PureStorage developed the new FlashArray system with sophisticated levels of data management in mind. The new system is easily integrated with VMware and vStorage using the VMware vStorage API for Array Integration (VAAI). This also adds an extra layer of security for e-commerce companies on the server level.

Scalability – Every e-commerce site relies on scalable technology. One of the most attractive aspects of flash-based arrays is their ability to scale. They can handle a diverse range of I/O traffic without overloading the server.

Up until this point, flash arrays were likely not practical for medium-sized to smaller enterprise companies. The e-commerce has long been in need of a scalable, practical, cost-reducing solution to boost site performance and security. As traffic levels increase, many e-commerce sites have experienced unwanted outages due to a combination of data overload and security breaches. SSD-based arrays equip these companies to better handle incoming traffic in a sustainable way.