Cloud-Connected Hybrid Infrastructure SolutionsCloud-Connected Hybrid Infrastructure Solutions

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Dell Partners With Equinix to Deliver Cloud-Connected Storage

Businesses rely on data. Discover how modern enterprises decide where data lives—on-prem, in the cloud, or both—and why it matters.
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Key takeaways: Readers will take away that choosing the right data location—on-prem, cloud, or hybrid—is key to unlocking agility, performance, and security for modern enterprises.

A smarter way to build hybrid infrastructure

Modern enterprises rely on data, but deciding where that data should live — on-prem‑, in the cloud, or both — directly affects performance, cost, and governance.

Dell PowerStore, PowerFlex and Infrastructure for the hybrid era

Dell PowerStore and PowerFlex together provide a hybrid-ready platform that blends intelligent storage with scalable, software-defined infrastructure.

PowerStore delivers next-generation enterprise storage with all-flash NVMe performance, guaranteed 5:1 data reduction, and scale-out flexibility for mixed workloads. In an Equinix high-performance data center, it serves as a secure, low-latency data hub—keeping critical data close to the cloud while ensuring predictable performance, compliance, and fast access without egress penalties.

PowerFlex complements PowerStore with a flexible, software-defined architecture that unifies compute and storage. It excels in high-performance, elastic, and automated environments such as private clouds, large databases, and containerized applications. Within Equinix, it turns colocation into a full private cloud platform, enabling rapid scaling, workload mobility, and direct integration with hyperscaler compute via Equinix Fabric™.

Together, PowerStore and PowerFlex offer an enterprise-grade combination of intelligent data services and elastic infrastructure, giving organizations the performance, efficiency, and agility needed for today’s cloud-connected world.

The Cloud Adjacency Advantage

“Cloud-first” is no longer enough. Cloud adjacency — placing enterprise data and compute next to the cloud — is what unlocks true hybrid freedom. Inside the Equinix data center, PowerStore and PowerFlex make this real: cloud compute can run in AWS or Azure while data stays secure and high-performing on Dell infrastructure, with PowerFlex scaling compute and storage over private, low-latency links.

For many organizations, this architecture also becomes a pathway to Dell Private Cloud. Deploying PowerStore and PowerFlex in Equinix establishes the core elements of a modern private cloud — enterprise storage, software-defined compute, automation, and secure cloud connectivity — enabling cloud-like elasticity and lifecycle operations. As needs evolve, the same environment can expand into a full Dell Private Cloud with unified management and consistent data services across regions.

With over 270 data centers in 75+ strategic global markets, Equinix lets enterprises place Dell infrastructure close to users, clouds, and regulated jurisdictions. PowerStore and PowerFlex operate as extensions of the data center, delivering cloud-like scalability with enterprise governance. This adjacency removes classic hybrid trade-offs:

  • Data sovereignty and compliance remain intact
  • Cloud storage and egress costs drop
  • Latency and performance are optimized
  • Cloud choice and mobility increase without re-architecting infrastructure

Real-world use cases that deliver real value

The Dell Cloud-Connected Storage in Equinix solution opens the door to a broad set of hybrid cloud use cases that customers can adopt individually or together, depending on their business priorities. Because the architecture is modular and cloud-adjacent, customers can easily mix and match capabilities such as business continuity, managed services, lifecycle operations, and high-speed storage for compute-heavy environments.

    • Business Continuity (Disaster Recovery): Deploy PowerStore or PowerFlex at Equinix and replicate to another Equinix facility via private low-latency links for fast, multi-region recovery with secure, compliant DR, to leverage the on-demand compute capacity available in public clouds to minimize DR costs.
    • Managed Services (Managed Infrastructure): Equinix extends the data center, letting Dell or MSPs manage PowerStore/PowerFlex while customers maintain full control and data governance.
    • Data Sovereignty (Secure Data Placement): Keep data and workloads regional on PowerStore/PowerFlex, leverage managed services to simplify operations while retaining full control and governance.
    • Copy Data Management (Test/Dev/Version Control): Equinix’s elastic bandwidth and cloud proximity support dev/test, staging, and parallel version control with PowerStore and PowerFlex clones for production copies.
    • Storage Optimization (High-Speed Storage for Compute): Run compute in public clouds while storing data on PowerStore/PowerFlex; cloud adjacency ensures ultra-low latency for analytics, AI, databases, and more.
    • Performance (Edge Computing & Low-Latency Workloads): Extend Equinix Fabric to edge locations to deploy workloads closer to users or IoT devices for real-time processing, analytics, or AI inference while keeping enterprise data secure.
    • Data Protection/Compliance (Hybrid Cloud Backup & Archiving): Efficiently replicate and archive data across on-prem, cloud-adjacent, or multi-cloud environments for compliance, cost savings, and long-term retention.

Optional use of on-prem storage for flexible deployment

One advantage of the Dell–Equinix architecture is the flexibility to optionally deploy Dell PowerStore or PowerFlex on-premises while always deployed at Equinix. Customers can simplify operations by centralizing storage in Equinix—cutting data center costs, avoiding hardware refreshes, and reducing complexity. Others may keep a smaller on-prem PowerStore or PowerFlex for local needs while using a larger system in Equinix for cloud-connected workloads. This flexibility lets customers adopt only what they need while preserving a seamless operational model, unified management, and consistent data services across all locations.

Summary: Cloud adjacency drives enterprise storage agility

The Equinix high-performance data center with Dell PowerStore and PowerFlex redefines what it means to be hybrid. It’s not merely cloud-connected — it’s cloud-adjacent, placing your enterprise infrastructure at the edge of every major cloud for unmatched agility, control, and performance. With PowerStore delivering intelligent, efficient storage and PowerFlex providing scalable, software-defined infrastructure, organizations can finally unify their hybrid strategy under one global, cloud-connected architecture.

In this new model, proximity is power — and with Dell and Equinix, your data is not just connected to the cloud; it’s positioned perfectly beside it. Keep your data close, but your clouds closer.

Joe Catalanotti headshot

About the Author: Joe Catalanotti

Joe Catalanotti is a veteran of the technology industry, bringing more than 38 years of hands-on experience driving product marketing strategy, competitive positioning, and go-to-market execution across a broad range of technologies. For the past 15 years, Joe has served as Primary Storage Product Marketing Manager at Dell Technologies, where he plays a pivotal role in shaping the global narrative for Dell’s PowerVault, Unity XT, and PowerStore portfolios. His strategic leadership enables customers, partners, and field teams to confidently navigate the demands of a rapidly evolving IT landscape—striking a balance between innovation and real-world practicality.

Known for his industry insight and a practical, results-driven approach, Joe brings clarity to complexity and ensures Dell’s primary storage solutions are understood, valued, and adopted across a broad spectrum of markets.

Based in South Carolina, Joe pairs his professional drive with a lifelong love for the outdoors. Away from the desk, he finds balance on the golf course, kayaking a quiet river, casting a line, enjoying music, or singing.