What is all-flash storage?
All-flash storage is an array architecture built entirely on solid-state drives (SSDs), using NAND-based flash memory rather than the spinning magnetic disks found in traditional hard disk drives (HDDs). With no mechanical components, data can be read and written far faster, with none of the seek-time delay that comes from a physical read/write head moving across a spinning platter.
Enterprise all-flash arrays typically add features on top of the raw SSD hardware — data deduplication, compression, wear-levelling, and advanced error correction — to maximise both performance and the working lifespan of the drives.
Common use cases
All-flash storage is used across a wide range of performance-sensitive workloads, including:
- Databases & OLTP — high-transaction database workloads that depend on low-latency random I/O.
- Virtualisation & VDI — server and desktop virtualisation, where storage performance directly affects user experience at scale.
- Video & post-production — video editing, VOD and post-production workflows that need sustained high throughput.
- AI & real-time analytics — data-intensive analytics and AI workloads that depend on fast, consistent data access.
- 3D modelling & VR — compute-heavy visualisation workloads that benefit from minimal storage latency.
All-flash v hybrid v disk-based storage
All-flash storage isn't the only option — the right choice depends on your workload, budget and how much of your data genuinely needs top-tier performance. Here's how the three approaches compare:
| All-flash | Hybrid | Traditional disk (HDD) |
|---|---|---|
| No moving parts, no mechanical seek time | Combines flash with HDDs for a balance of speed and cost-efficiency | Spinning disks with moving read/write heads |
| Significantly lower latency, especially on random I/O | Faster than disk-only for the portion of data placed on flash | Higher latency, especially on random I/O |
| Lower power and cooling per unit of performance | Falls between all-flash and disk-only on power/cooling | More power and cooling per unit of performance |
| No mechanical wear reduces certain failure modes | Mechanical wear still applies to the HDD tier | Mechanical parts mean higher failure risk over time |
| Deduplication and compression improve effective capacity | Without matching the sheer performance of an all-flash solution | Lower cost per TB at large capacities |
If you're weighing up flash against a hybrid approach in more detail, see our guide to hybrid storage.
NVMe and why it matters
Traditional SAS, SATA and Fibre Channel connected storage all rely on an HBA card or controller sitting between the storage and the CPU. NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) is different: NVMe flash connects directly to the CPU over the PCIe bus, removing that extra hop.
That direct connection is also why NVMe can support far more simultaneous activity than older interfaces. Where a SATA drive is limited to a single command queue, the NVMe specification supports thousands of parallel command queues, each capable of handling large numbers of outstanding commands — which is what lets NVMe sustain high, consistent performance under heavy, mixed workloads rather than just posting a fast number in a single-threaded test.
In independent testing by NVM Express (the industry body that maintains the NVMe standard), NVMe SSDs delivered around 5.9x the random read IOPS and 5.45x the sequential read bandwidth of SATA SSDs — and the gap against spinning hard disks is wider still.
NVMe can also be extended across a network as NVMe over Fabrics (NVMe-oF) — over Fibre Channel, InfiniBand, or Ethernet using RoCE or iWARP — so the low-latency benefits of NVMe aren't limited to drives sitting inside a single server. Read more in our guide to NVMe over Fabrics.
Benefits of all-flash storage
Low latency, high IOPS
All-flash arrays handle demanding, high-transaction workloads with far lower response times than spinning disk.
Reduced power and cooling
Without mechanical components, flash storage typically draws less power and generates less heat per unit of performance.
Smaller physical footprint
Higher density per rack unit means less data centre floor space for the same or greater capacity.
Data reduction technology
Deduplication and compression increase effective usable capacity beyond the raw drive size.
Improved reliability
No mechanical components to wear down, plus advanced wear-levelling and error correction, protect data integrity and extend drive lifespan.
Simplified scaling
Modern all-flash arrays scale capacity and performance without the complexity of managing separate disk tiers.
Not sure whether an all-flash array fits your workload, or whether a hybrid approach makes more sense? Talk to our team about the right fit.
All-flash array buying checklist
Before you commit to a vendor or a specific array, it's worth working through the same questions we ask on behalf of our own customers:
- Proof of concept — can the vendor provide a trial period in your own environment before you commit?
- Warranty coverage — does the warranty account for flash wear, based on your actual usage?
- Future-proofing — can controllers be upgraded to newer storage interfaces, and can drive capacities be mixed?
- Ongoing support and maintenance — what happens, and at what cost, once the initial contract expires?
- Capacity and performance guarantees — will the vendor commit to specific performance and capacity figures in writing?
- How performance figures are measured — are quoted IOPS based on a fully configured system, a theoretical lab test, or a realistic workload?
- Performance under load — how do performance and latency hold up as load increases, not just at best case?
- Resilience and redundancy — are components (controllers, PSUs, backplanes, data paths) easily replaceable, and what happens if one fails?
- Ease of management — is day-to-day administration straightforward, with proper monitoring and management tools?
- Scalability — can capacity and performance be increased later without a forklift upgrade?
- How quoted capacities are achieved — ask how deduplication and compression contribute to the advertised capacity.
- Supporting infrastructure — will your network, host connectivity and servers need upgrading to make the most of the array?
- NVMe support — does the array support NVMe drives, and what uplift does that bring for your specific workload?
All-flash and NVMe arrays we supply
We're an accredited IBM and Lenovo partner, and also supply Seagate and Fsas Technologies all-flash arrays. We can additionally source and support Dell and HPE all-flash storage, though we don't lead with these ranges. Exact model and configuration depends on your workload — talk to us and we'll match the array to your requirement rather than the other way round.
IBM FlashSystem
Enterprise all-flash and NVMe arrays combining IBM FlashCore Modules with Storage Virtualize software, spanning entry-level to large-scale grid deployments.
See the IBM FlashSystem range →Lenovo ThinkSystem
Unified block, file and object storage across the DM and DE series, with end-to-end NVMe support and clustering that lets you mix generations of controllers.
See Lenovo ThinkSystem storage →Seagate Exos
Enterprise all-flash and hybrid array configurations from Seagate, built and configured to your specification.
Fsas Technologies ETERNUS EP300
A compact 2U all-flash NVMe array with up to 72 drive bays and 4.32 PB of total capacity, built around an energy-efficient "Eco Power" design for small to mid-range enterprises.
Frequently asked questions
What is all-flash storage?
All-flash storage is an array architecture built entirely on solid-state drives, using NAND-based flash memory instead of the spinning magnetic disks used in traditional hard disk drives. With no mechanical components, it delivers far lower latency and higher IOPS than disk-based storage.
What's the difference between an all-flash array and a hybrid array?
An all-flash array uses solid-state drives throughout. A hybrid array combines flash with traditional hard disk drives, offering a balance between speed and cost-efficiency, but without matching the sheer performance of an all-flash solution.
What is NVMe flash storage?
NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) is a logical device interface built specifically for flash storage. Unlike SAS or SATA, which route through an HBA or controller, NVMe drives connect directly to the CPU over PCIe and support many more parallel command queues, giving consistently higher performance under load.
What's the difference between an all-flash array and a flash storage array in general?
"Flash storage array" is often used loosely to describe any array built on flash memory. "All-flash" specifically means every drive in the array is solid-state, with no spinning disks mixed in — as opposed to a hybrid array, which uses both.
What should I look for when buying an all-flash storage array?
Proof of concept availability, warranty coverage for flash wear, upgrade and scaling paths, performance guarantees measured under realistic load, and NVMe support are all worth checking before you commit. See our full buying checklist above.
Which all-flash and NVMe arrays do you supply?
We're an accredited IBM and Lenovo partner, and also supply Seagate and Fsas Technologies all-flash arrays. We can additionally source Dell and HPE all-flash storage on request. See arrays we supply above.
Talk to us about all-flash storage
Tell us about your workload and we'll help you work out whether all-flash, hybrid, or NVMe is the right fit — no pressure, no obligation.
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