Flexential, a hybrid IT solutions and data center colocation provider, announced its foray into the ONTAP AI technology recently. Flexential data center is touted to be the first data center globally to host the ONTAP AI test drive.
The infrastructure is set up by Flexential to handle different types of AI workloads. The platform is situated in Flexential’s Portland, Oregon. The company anticipates that it will be able to offer the data center solution to more than 21 markets soon. The ONTAP AI test drive is currently being provided on trial-basis to a limited number of customers.
Jason Carolan, Chief Innovation Officer, Flexential, said, “AI and machine learning will soon be used in almost every industry. This means that businesses now need to plan how they will manage, support, and optimize the technology to sustain their mission-critical applications.” He also added that the data center solutions built by them provide power, cooling, resiliency, security, and connectivity required by the critical AI applications.
Flexential has been moving rapidly toward the implementation of AI workload on its data centers. It recently collaborated with NVIDIA to bring the DGX-Ready data center colocation services to customers. This service aids Flexential data centers in effectively supporting advanced AI workloads. Moreover, the ONTAP AI offers NVDIA’s AI and GPU computing solutions combined with NetApp’s innovation in cloud-connected all-flash storage systems.
Santosh Rao, Head of AI and Data Engineering, NetApp,
said, “Businesses across every industry are adopting AI to stay competitive, drive growth, and decrease expenses.” NetApp ONTAP AI claims to reduce infrastructure investment cost wherein a business can start its AI journey with fewer complexities and risks. Combined with NetApp’s Data Fabric, it will assist in creating an integrated data pipeline across edge, cloud, and core, he added.
The current demand for data centers to support AI workload is increasing, and the recent challenges in connectivity and storage are driving innovation from different industries.
