VAST Data on Cisco UCS Data Sheet

 

Value statement

The VAST InsightEngine and VAST Data Platform, powered by Cisco UCS^® and networking, provide a unified, scalable, and high-performance data infrastructure purpose-built for the AI era, accelerating insights and driving operational excellence.

Overview

The VAST InsightEngine and VAST Data Platform represent a revolutionary approach to managing and scaling data infrastructure for the Artificial Intelligence (AI) era. VAST AI OS is the overarching architecture including Insight Engine and serves as an AI-first operating layer that unifies storage, database, global namespace, and programmable compute/runtime to power agentic AI, including RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) and event-driven pipelines. It includes recent additions such as InsightEngine for real-time RAG data preparation and AgentEngine for agent deployment and orchestration.

Underpinning VAST InsightEngine is the VAST Data Platform, the core software that provides foundational primitives: all-flash storage based on its innovative Disaggregated, Shared-Everything (DASE) architecture, a tabular database, a global namespace (DataSpace), and a serverless/event engine (DataEngine). This platform is positioned as the essential data substrate for AI factories.

The strategic partnership between Cisco^® and VAST Data combines Cisco’s high-performance networking and compute capabilities (such as Cisco UCS servers and Nexus^® switches) with VAST Data’s cutting-edge, AI-driven storage architecture. This joint solution empowers organizations to unlock the full potential of their data by providing AI infrastructure that is simple, scalable, and architected from the ground up to power deep learning and GPU-accelerated data centers and clouds. It eliminates storage tiering complexity, optimizes data-intensive workloads, and delivers enterprise-grade reliability and security, making it the new standard for enterprise AI infrastructure.

VAST Data Platform high-level solution

Features and benefits

Table 1.        VAST InsightEngine and VAST Data Platform features and benefits

Prominent feature

AI-First Operating Layer with Agentic AI Capabilities

VAST InsightEngine is designed from the ground up as an AI-first operating layer, unifying critical components like storage, database, and a programmable compute/runtime environment. This enables it to power agentic AI applications, including advanced RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) and complex event-driven pipelines. Key innovations such as InsightEngine, which integrates with NVIDIA NIM microservices for real-time RAG data preparation, and AgentEngine, for streamlined agent deployment and orchestration, ensure that organizations can build, scale, and manage sophisticated AI workloads with unparalleled efficiency. This focus on agentic AI allows enterprises to move beyond traditional data management to truly intelligent, automated data-to-insight pipelines.

Revolutionary Disaggregated, Shared-Everything (DASE) Architecture

At the core of the VAST Data Platform is its unique Disaggregated, Shared-Everything (DASE) architecture. This innovative approach separates stateless front-end compute nodes (CNodes) from flash enclosures (DNodes), which provide persistence over NVMe over Fabrics (NVMe-oF). This disaggregation allows for independent scaling of compute and capacity resources, ensuring that any compute node can read or write any data without burdensome east-west chatter. The DASE architecture also features a global, transactional element store with Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability (ACID) semantics, eliminating per-node caches and metadata bottlenecks. Combined with flash-optimized erasure coding and Similarity-Based Data Reduction, DASE delivers breakthrough performance and efficiency, offering archive-like economics on all-flash storage.

Unified Data Platform for All Workloads

The VAST Data Platform consolidates all data types—files, objects, and tables—into a single, unified platform. Its global namespace (DataSpace) provides a consistent read/write namespace spanning edge, core, and cloud environments, complete with global read/write leases and cross-site Global Snapshot Clones for instant writable copies. This eliminates data silos and tiering complexity, allowing IT teams to manage all workloads, from traditional enterprise NAS consolidation to cutting-edge AI/ML pipelines, on one infrastructure. The platform’s multi-protocol data plane (NFSv3/4.1, SMB 2.1/3.1, S3 object, Non-Volatile Memory Express [NVMe]/Transmission Control Protocol [TCP], GPUDirect/Remote Direct Memory Access [RDMA]) ensures seamless connectivity and high-throughput access for diverse applications.

Platform support

Table 2.        Platform support

Licensing

VAST Data software is licensed per usable capacity and CPU cores, and all licenses are subscription-based with terms ranging from 12 to 60 months. There is no perpetual license offering. VAST Data software licenses are portable, allowing customers to transfer existing licenses to new equipment upon retirement or upgrade, ensuring continued use without additional licensing costs. Pricing is monthly but billed upfront for the full term. The same term must be selected across all related SKUs within a given quote or configuration to ensure contract alignment.

Table 3.        VAST Data Software Licensing

Product sustainability

Information about Cisco’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives and performance is provided in Cisco’s CSR and sustainability reporting.

Table 4.        Cisco Environmental Sustainability Information

Product specifications

Table 5.        Cisco UCS C225M8 EBox Configuration

Table 6.        Cisco EBox Performance (per EBox)

Table 7.        Typical Data Reduction Rates (DRR)

Table 8.        Cisco UCS Ebox Raw Capacity Scaling (Usable TB)

^{●    Design with 8–10 EBoxes is resulting in approximately 15% less write bandwidth.}

^{●    Design with 11 EBoxes is resulting in approximately 6% less write bandwidth.}

^{●    12 EBoxesormore deliver full write bandwidth.}

System requirements

Table 9.        System requirements

Ordering information

The VAST InsightEngine and VAST Data Platform, including Cisco UCS hardware and VAST Data software, can be ordered via Cisco Commerce Workspace (CCW).

Ordering VAST Data Software Only (SolutionsPlus):

To order VAST Data software only, search for VAST-DATA-SPLUS in CCW. This ATO (Approved To Order) contains the VAST Data software licenses (VAST-SW-100TB, VAST-SW-1CPU-CORE, VAST-SW-1CPU-ACC) and services (VAST-PS-COPILOT, VAST-PS). Ensure to select the appropriate quantities and a consistent subscription term (12-60 months).

Ordering Cisco UCS Hardware and VAST Software (MLB):

For a single integrated bundle of Cisco UCS infrastructure and VAST Data software, use the Multi-Line Bill of Materials (MLB): VAST-DATA-MLB.

1.     In CCW, search for and add VAST-DATA-MLB to your configuration.

2.     Click “Select Options” to customize the MLB.

3.     Select Cisco UCS C-Series hardware (e.g., UCSC-C225M8N-EBOX for new clusters, UCSC-C225M8N-EXP for expansion/RMA).

4.     Configure PCIe NIC (Mellanox ConnectX-7 or NVIDIA BlueField-3 DPU) and country-specific selections for each EBox.

5.     Add corresponding VAST Data software Product IDs (PIDs) (VAST-SW-100TB, VAST-SW-1CPU-CORE, VAST-PS-COPILOT, VAST-PS) and configure quantities and subscription terms.

6.     Add networking components: Select Nexus Switches (e.g., N9K-C9332D-GX2B, N9K-C9364D-GX2A) and necessary transceivers/cables. Ensure to include SKU: DCN-AI for AI intent.

7.     Add Cisco Intersight for cloud-based management: Select DC-MGT-IS-SAAS-AD and specify quantity (typically 1 per UCS server).

Table 10.     Ordering information

Table 11.     Core Components of Cisco + VAST Data Solution Offering

Deal Registration Process: All opportunities must be registered via VAST Data’s partner portal (partners.vastdata. com). Use your cisco.com email address and associate yourself with “Cisco Systems Inc.” VAST registered deals are valid for 180 days from approval if submitted through Cisco and can be extended upon demonstration of active engagement. VAST will review and respond to submissions within two business days.

Warranty information

Cisco hardware components included in the VAST Data solution carry standard Cisco hardware warranties. For VAST Data software, customers with a current (non-expired) VAST Data license subscription will have access to the latest software updates and patches. Specific warranty details for VAST Data software should be confirmed with VAST Data or Cisco sales representatives.

Cisco and partner services

Cisco and its certified partners offer comprehensive services to support the deployment, management, and optimization of the VAST InsightEngine and VAST Data Platform. Cisco Solution Support is available for VAST Data software, with Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) providing Level 1 support and engaging VAST Data engineering for software-related issues. Customers also have the option to contact VAST Data directly for support. Services include planning and design, implementation, and ongoing optimization to ensure peak performance and accelerate business innovation. Renewals of VAST software originally purchased through Cisco’s Global Price List (GPL) shall be transacted through Cisco’s GPL.

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Unlock the Full Potential of Your Data for the AI Era.

Are you ready to transform your data center into an AI-ready powerhouse? The Cisco + VAST Data solution provides the simplicity, scalability, and performance required to accelerate your AI, machine learning, and data-intensive workloads. Eliminate complexity, reduce costs, and gain actionable insights faster than ever before. For more information, please contact your Cisco sales representative or visit: https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/solutions/artificial-intelligence/infrastructure/ai-pods.html