- Delivers up to 250,000 IOPS and 15 GB/s bandwidth per chassis for extreme workloads.
- Optimized for HPC, AI/ML pipelines, and high‑bitrate media streaming at enterprise scale.
- Scales out seamlessly with automated storage tiering across the Dell EMC Isilon family.
- Latest firmware updates improve efficiency, security, and cloud integration (2025).
- Architects should balance performance tiers against cost for optimal ROI.
What’s New or Important Now
The Dell EMC Isilon F800 remains a leader in the all‑flash NAS segment as of 2025, providing unparalleled performance for data‑intensive workloads. With its recent OneFS firmware enhancements, F800 now offers improved cloud tiering integration and stronger encryption at rest. Enhanced monitoring APIs allow tighter integration into DevOps and SRE toolchains for real‑time performance analytics (source).
In markets such as media & entertainment, genomics, and engineering simulation, the F800’s sustained throughput and massive parallelism remain unmatched. The shift towards hybrid AI/ML workloads in 2025 further positions the F800 as a core part of HPC infrastructures requiring rapid iteration and datasets in the petabyte range.
Buyer & Architect Guidance
Primary Use Cases
- High‑Performance Computing clusters needing consistent low latency.
- Media streaming platforms delivering uncompressed or 4K/8K content.
- AI/ML training environments with massive dataset iteration.
- Large‑scale data analytics requiring fast ingest and retrieval.
Sizing Considerations
When planning an F800 deployment, evaluate:
- IOPS requirements per workload and per user.
- Total capacity growth over a 3–5 year lifecycle.
- Network backbone capacity (25GbE/40GbE/100GbE).
- Integration with existing Isilon nodes for tiered storage.
Trade‑offs
- All‑flash performance comes at a higher cost per TB, consider mixing with hybrid nodes for archival data.
- Power and cooling requirements are higher than traditional NAS systems.
- Optimal value is achieved when workloads continuously demand high performance; otherwise, over‑provisioning risk exists.
Feature Comparison
| Model | Drive Type | Max IOPS | Max Throughput | Capacity per Chassis | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dell EMC Isilon F800 | All‑flash SSD | 250,000 | 15 GB/s | Up to 924 TB | HPC, AI/ML, media streaming |
| Dell EMC Isilon F810 | All‑flash SSD | >250,000 | 15 GB/s+ | Up to 1 PB | High‑density flash storage |
| Dell EMC H5600 | Hybrid (HDD+SSD) | Up to 60,000 | 4 GB/s | Up to 1.6 PB | Balanced performance & capacity |
| Dell EMC A2000 | Archive HDD | Low | 1 GB/s | Up to 1.6 PB | Long‑term archival |
Mini Implementation Guide
Prerequisites
- Validated high‑speed network (minimum 25GbE).
- Rack space, power, and cooling per Dell specifications.
- OneFS cluster with compatible version for F800 integration.
- Backup and disaster recovery plan alignment.
Steps
- Confirm design and performance requirements with Dell Solutions architect.
- Rack mount F800 chassis and connect to network fabric.
- Install latest OneFS firmware version supporting new features.
- Configure cluster membership and assign IP pools.
- Set up SmartPools for automated tier management.
- Run workload simulation tests before production cutover.
Pitfalls to Avoid
- Neglecting network performance validation before deployment.
- Underestimating future capacity growth, leading to early scale constraints.
- Failing to isolate latency‑sensitive workloads from less critical data.
Cost and ROI Considerations
The F800’s premium all‑flash architecture means total cost of ownership is higher compared to hybrid NAS. However, for workloads where performance directly impacts revenue or productivity—such as VFX rendering, AI model training, or genomic sequencing—the system’s efficiency and speed can justify the investment within 12–24 months. Accurate TCO projection must include power, cooling, and support contracts in addition to acquisition cost.
FAQs
Q1: What makes the Isilon F800 different from other NAS systems?
A1: Its all‑flash architecture offers consistent high IOPS and throughput, with seamless scale‑out via OneFS.
Q2: Can the F800 integrate into an existing Isilon cluster?
A2: Yes, it can coexist with hybrid and archive nodes, enabling tiered storage management.
Q3: Is the system suitable for small businesses?
A3: Only if workloads demand extreme performance; otherwise, hybrid nodes may be more cost‑effective.
Q4: How many F800 nodes can be clustered?
A4: OneFS supports up to 252 nodes in a single cluster, depending on configuration.
Q5: Does the F800 support cloud integration?
A5: Yes, with SmartPools and CloudPools, it can tier data to public and private clouds.
Q6: What is the expected lifespan of the drives?
A6: Enterprise SSDs in the F800 are rated for high write endurance, typically 5–7 years under heavy use.
Conclusion
The Dell EMC Isilon F800 remains one of the most powerful all‑flash NAS solutions in 2025 for environments where performance is paramount. Its scale‑out capabilities, updated OneFS features, and integration into hybrid workflows keep it relevant in evolving IT landscapes. For architects and IT decision makers, the F800 offers a reliable foundation for HPC, AI/ML, and large‑scale media storage strategies. Learn more.