Storage players ride the Nvidia bus at GTC 2025

Storage players ride the Nvidia bus at GTC 2025

  • 24.03.2025 18:02
  • computerweekly.com
  • Keywords: AI, Storage

Storage companies showcased new products and validations at Nvidia’s GTC 2025 event, aligning with its AI Data Platform to meet growing demands for high-speed data processing in artificial intelligence.

Nvidia ProductsNVDAsentiment_dissatisfied
open_in_newOriginal article

Estimated market influence

Nvidia

Nvidia

Negativesentiment_dissatisfied
Analyst rating: Strong buy

Nvidia's stock price dropped, but they are still leading in AI hardware. They introduced new products and partnerships which could impact storage companies.

DeepSeek

Positivesentiment_satisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

DeepSeek is more efficient than ChatGPT, making it a key player in AI efficiency.

Context

Analysis of GTC 2025: Storage Players and Nvidia's AI Ecosystem

Key Announcements and Facts

  • Nvidia's Blackwell Ultra GPU: Designed for reasoning models like DeepSeek R1, positioned as a next-generation AI processing solution.
  • AI Data Platform Reference Architecture: Allows third-party storage suppliers to build systems compatible with Nvidia’s specifications for agentic AI workloads.
  • Storage Partners: DDN, Dell, HPE, Hitachi Vantara, IBM, NetApp, Pure Storage, Vast Data, and Weka announced integrations or new products.

Market Insights

  • AI Processing Demand: The efficiency of models like DeepSeek R1 highlights the need for faster AI processing, driving demand for high-performance storage solutions.
  • Storage Requirements: Increased focus on fast, scalable storage systems to handle vast data volumes generated by advanced AI models.

Competitive Landscape

  • DDN: Launched Inferno fast object appliance with Nvidia’s Spectrum-X switch, targeting high-speed object storage.
  • Dell: Highlighted PowerScale scale-out file system validation for enterprise AI deployments and introduced a unified data layer for structured and unstructured data.
  • Hitachi Vantara: Launched Hitachi iQ M Series, integrating VSP One storage with Nvidia AI Enterprise software for agentic AI.
  • IBM: Announced content-aware storage for IBM Fusion and expanded Watsonx integrations, alongside new consulting services for AI projects.
  • NetApp: Affirmed SuperPOD validation for AFF A90 and introduced AIPod with Nvidia-Certified Storage designation.
  • Pure Storage: Compatible with Nvidia AI Data Platform, leveraging FlashBlade//Exa for high-performance storage.
  • Vast Data: Launched enterprise-ready AI Stack combining InsightEngine, DGX products, BlueField-3 DPUs, and Spectrum-X networking.
  • Weka: Achieved data store certification for Nvidia GB200 deployments, with WEKApod Nitro Appliances certified for HGX H200, B200, and GB200 NVL72.

Strategic Considerations

  • Alignment with Nvidia: Storage vendors are aligning closely with Nvidia to leverage its AI ecosystem, ensuring compatibility and integration.
  • Focus on Performance: Emphasis on high-speed, scalable storage solutions to meet the demands of next-generation AI models.
  • Unified Data Layers: Movement towards unified data management systems to support both structured and unstructured data in AI workflows.

Future Outlook

  • Long-Term Effects: The push for faster, more efficient storage solutions will likely redefine enterprise storage architectures over the next few years.
  • Regulatory Impact: Potential future regulations around AI and data usage could influence storage requirements and vendor strategies.

This analysis highlights the critical role of storage vendors in supporting Nvidia's AI ecosystem, with significant implications for both the storage industry and broader AI adoption.