- New 2025 PowerScale F900 models incorporate QLC flash for improved economics without compromising performance.
- Scales to 93PB in a single cluster, ideal for AI, analytics, and massive unstructured datasets.
- Enhanced OneFS features improve data efficiency, protection, and multi-protocol access.
- Optimized for GPU-powered AI workflows and high-throughput data ingest pipelines.
- Careful sizing and architecture are key to balancing cost and workload performance.
What’s New or Important Now
The Dell EMC PowerScale F900 continues to evolve as a flagship high-performance all-flash NAS appliance, especially for unstructured data workloads. In 2025, Dell introduced configurations leveraging QLC (Quad-Level Cell) NAND flash, which allow enterprises to achieve larger capacity at a reduced $/TB compared to TLC NAND while retaining the throughput and IOPS required for modern workloads. This enhancement enables customers to consolidate AI training datasets, rich media, and research archives more efficiently.
Integration with the latest OneFS updates provides improved snapshots, data reduction, and protocol interoperability. For large-scale AI workloads, including those that rely on GPU clusters, PowerScale now supports optimized parallel data feeds to prevent compute starvation due to storage bottlenecks.
For more details on Dell’s announcement, see the official Dell PowerScale product page.
Buyer and Architect Guidance
Use Cases
- AI & ML training datasets requiring high throughput and parallel reads.
- Media production and post-production workflows with 8K+ content.
- Genomics and life sciences data analysis.
- Enterprise-scale file share consolidation and collaboration platforms.
- High-performance computing (HPC) scratch and results storage.
Sizing Considerations
- Estimate peak aggregate throughput (GB/s) required by all workloads.
- Balance performance-oriented TLC configurations against cost-effective QLC tiers.
- Consider node count and OneFS protection overhead; more nodes can improve resiliency.
- Evaluate network fabric (100GbE recommended for multi-node clusters supporting AI).
Trade-Offs
- Performance vs Cost: TLC offers higher endurance but at a higher price point. QLC provides more capacity per dollar.
- Density vs Expandability: Fully populating shelves early can limit incremental growth options.
- Power Usage: All-flash performance requires robust power and cooling considerations.
Comparison Table
| Model | Media Type | Max Capacity (per cluster) | Performance Focus | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PowerScale F900 (2025 QLC) | QLC Flash | 93PB | Balanced performance/capacity | AI data lakes, large unstructured archives |
| PowerScale F900 (TLC) | TLC Flash | ~90PB | Max sustained throughput/IOPS | Mission-critical HPC, low-latency analytics |
| PowerScale F600 | TLC Flash | ~58PB | Mid-tier performance | Mixed workload consolidation |
| PowerScale A300 | HDD | ~80PB | Lower performance | Active archives, cold data |
Mini Implementation Guide
Prerequisites
- Rack space, power, and cooling capacity according to Dell specs.
- High-speed network switches (100GbE recommended).
- OneFS licensing and administrative access.
- Integration plan for authentication (AD/LDAP/NIS) and data protection.
Steps
- Rack and cable each F900 node according to Dell’s hardware guide.
- Configure networking (VLANs, MTU, LACP if applicable).
- Initialize and join nodes into an existing or new OneFS cluster.
- Set up protection policies, quotas, and snapshots.
- Integrate with client protocols (NFS, SMB, S3, HDFS as required).
- Test performance with representative workloads before production cutover.
Common Pitfalls
- Underestimating network throughput needs, leading to bottlenecks.
- Incorrect protection level settings impacting usable capacity planning.
- Neglecting firmware alignment across nodes before clustering.
Cost and ROI Considerations
The shift to QLC flash in the 2025 PowerScale F900 lineup offers a tangible reduction in $/TB, bringing TCO down for large-scale deployments. However, organizations should factor in workload write intensity, as QLC endurance is lower than TLC, potentially affecting long-term cost if premature drive replacements are needed. ROI is greatest when systems are actively leveraged for high-value workloads such as AI model development, reducing data access delays and maximizing utilization of expensive compute assets.
FAQs
Does the QLC-based F900 sacrifice performance?
For most read-heavy and sequential workloads, performance remains comparable to TLC models; write-intensive workloads may see differences.
What protocols does the F900 support?
NFS, SMB, S3, FTP, and HDFS are supported natively via OneFS.
Can I mix TLC and QLC nodes in the same cluster?
Yes, OneFS supports mixed node types, but performance profiles should be considered in data placement policies.
What is the minimum node count for F900 deployment?
As with other PowerScale platforms, a minimum of three nodes is required for a new cluster.
Is the F900 suitable for cold storage?
While possible, its cost and performance profile make it better suited to active or warm data workloads.
Conclusion
The Dell EMC PowerScale F900 remains a top-tier choice for enterprises dealing with high-performance unstructured data needs in 2025, with QLC flash introducing new efficiencies. Understanding the workload profile, network environment, and growth trajectory is key to unlocking its value. For deeper training and expertise development on Dell infrastructure, start learning at LearnDell Online.